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Kentucky’s
Archie Goodwin went past Julius Mays for a basket in the
first half during the
Blue-White Game. Goodwin led all scorers with 32
points. He missed a free throw after
being fouled on a three-pointer
that would have left the scrimmage tied.
Photo courtesy of kentucky.com
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Mission
Impossible now Mission Accomplished
By George Starks
LEXINGTON, Ky.- Lexington might only be four hours down the
interstate and over the course of my life, I’ve been through there
several times. Funny, it took me 45 years to obtain that 4 hour drive
to the ultimate basketball arena, known as Rupp.
Thursday, upon arrival with my good friend, Coach Roger Collins, his
wife Janice and their daughter Dawn, we got parked and entered the
greatest venue in sports.
After grabbing a bite to eat and doing a little shopping, and I do mean
little (the bank account is still intact), we headed up to the lobby to
exchange some tickets.
As we rolled through the main gate area, I saw the old Rupp Arena
floor. Roger rolled my wheelchair across it and a sense of pride came
upon me. I knew I was on the floor where several games had been won.
Then came the ultimate moment, we entered the arena itself. As I looked
over the floor and the big blue UK in the middle, the tears came. My
ultimate goal on this earth had been fulfilled.
I was in not just any basketball arena but the ultimate arena, Rupp
Arena.
As I sat there, all I could do was soak it in. My first thought was WOW!
I sat there trying to imagine The Barron himself, Adolph Rupp, sitting
down there, coaching his team.
Granted, it wasn’t the same building in those days but still… Never in
my wildest imagination, could I ever had dreamed it like this, even
though I tried.
To this date, the 2007 Lady Wave softball state title win had been the
biggest thrill of my sports life but now, it’s the second biggest.
As the annual Blue/White Scrimmage was played, it was made apparent to
me that the 2012-13 edition of Kentucky basketball has a shot of
winning number nine and repeating as national champions.
No matter what I do in the future in sports or where I go, nothing will
ever top this because what I though to be an impossibility for me,
finally turned into a reality.
Mission Impossible is now Mission Accomplished.
Thank you coach.
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