Community remembers Kentucky sports legend Guy Strong

RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) – You’d be hard pressed to find a basketball fan in Kentucky who doesn’t know the name Guy Strong.

“Gosh, he just did it all. And was able to do it in a fine fashion,” said Karl Park, who was the SID when Coach Strong was at EKU.

At the time of his death, Strong was the oldest living former Kentucky basketball player. But his years on the court at UK were only the beginning.

“A National Championship at UK under Adolph Rupp, in 51. Then he came over here. He went to the Korean War for a couple years. Then he came back here for his last season here.”

After his first two years, and a championship win at UK, Strong transferred to Eastern. Until he went to serve in the Korean War from 1952-54. He’d come back to play at Eastern, helping the team win the 1955 conference championship.

But it was his coaching skills that captivated the Commonwealth.

He’s described as a player’s coach. With EKU Athletics Hall of Fame, Karl Park says when players hit the court, Strong always knew what to do, and where to coach.

“He was just so detailed and so into the game. Coach was up, yelling instructions.”

Strong won the 1966 NCAA Division Two Championship at Kentucky Wesleyan, and then guided EKU to the OVC title in 1973. He later became the driving force to three Sweet 16 appearances at Clark County in ‘86, ‘89 and ‘90.

“Certainly EKU Athletics owes him a huge debt of gratitude.”

Strong was inducted into the Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and later the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame.

You can find more about Strong’s visitation and funeral services here.

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