From His Manhattan Nightspot, Bassett Recalls Old Days

 

 

The first time Bassett and the Bulldogs played Kentucky was a home game on Jan. 17, 1972. Georgia won that game, 85-73. Bassett had 27 points and 13 rebounds. After the game, the legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp approached Bassett.

 

“He said I didn’t belong in the Southeast Conference, and he said, ‘We’ll get you back when you come to Lexington,’ ” Bassett said.

 

When the Bulldogs went to Lexington a month later, they entered the gym to find Bassett hanging in effigy from the ceiling. Stunned, Bassett’s teammates offered not to play the game if Bassett were too uncomfortable there. A motivated Bassett played anyway and had 17 points and 17 rebounds, but Georgia lost, 87-63.

 

After the game, Bassett wanted to let Rupp know just how he felt about Rupp’s allowing the effigy in Kentucky’s gym. He went searching for Rupp’s office but was stopped before he could get there.

 

“I just wanted to let him know that I was a man, and I was just trying to figure why he felt it was O.K. to disrespect anybody in that way,” Bassett said. “What was his mind-set? This is a leader of men, you know, all these years, and for him to allow that, it just didn’t make sense.”

 

Bassett never had the chance to speak his mind to Rupp. That was the final time Bassett faced Rupp’s Wildcats. Rupp retired after that season.

Where there is smoke, you usually find fire. While I do not know personally is Rupp was a racist, we have heard plenty of stories in the media over the years. In my heart, I hope he was not. In my head, I think differently.

:ohbrother::deadhorse::idunno:

Not that it excuses anything, but Adolph Rupp was from a different time.

 

I don't want to sound like a racist's apologist, but from speaking with people who grew up in the 30's and 40's, the honestly didn't realize what harm there was. Many were only briefly exposed to people of different races in their lifetime.

 

Those, both white and black, who braved the norms of the day are simply the bravest people in our history, IMO. Not only did they risk physical injury and harm, but social implications as well.

 

It's difficult to understand these days. But the world was a much smaller place then. I'm so very glad it's larger now, and that what was so very wrong was righted. But I do have a hard time assuming that everyone who was of that time was racist out of meanness. I believe most were racist out of ignorance.

Not that it excuses anything, but Adolph Rupp was from a different time.

 

I don't want to sound like a racist's apologist, but from speaking with people who grew up in the 30's and 40's, the honestly didn't realize what harm there was. Many were only briefly exposed to people of different races in their lifetime.

 

Those, both white and black, who braved the norms of the day are simply the bravest people in our history, IMO. Not only did they risk physical injury and harm, but social implications as well.

 

It's difficult to understand these days. But the world was a much smaller place then. I'm so very glad it's larger now, and that what was so very wrong was righted. But I do have a hard time assuming that everyone who was of that time was racist out of meanness. I believe most were racist out of ignorance.

 

Agreed about it just being a different time. I've heard peoples grandparents drop racist slurs and not even flinch, while their grandchildren were clearly embarrased by it. Often times it's just excused as they don't know any better and as sad as that is, it's probably the truth.

I would say yes...just like the other 90% or more of the whites in the south at that time...:sssh::idunno:

I thought Rupp's racism was rather public? I don't excuse people from "another time". Racism is ignorant no matter when you lived. I don't think that every single person who lived then was a racist, and I don't take that excuse. I don't care if you are 9 or 90, if you use a racially insensitive slur around me you are going to get an earful.

I thought Rupp's racism was rather public? I don't excuse people from "another time". Racism is ignorant no matter when you lived. I don't think that every single person who lived then was a racist, and I don't take that excuse. I don't care if you are 9 or 90, if you use a racially insensitive slur around me you are going to get an earful.

 

You know what makes me mad? When young people of a race use the same slurs they'd be offended about if another race called them that, to refer to each other. If it's wrong, it's wrong. Don't chastise Race X for using a slur that Race Y uses to refer to each other.

Based on the older people in my family that would have been in Adolph Rupp's generation, I get the feeling that most people in Ky OUTSIDE of the metro areas, were too.

Here's a great story about a kid who's trying to end racial slurs by all people.

I just want to interject a warning here. This thread is a very sensitive subject, and we must all be mindful of the rules here regarding the use of racial slurs, and deragatory comments about anyone's race, ethnicity, etc. I'll be watching it closely, and will shut it down quickly if rules start getting broken.

 

Carry on...

I have met Rupp and he has been to my home. I know personally players that played for him. Was he racist...no. He recruited both Wes Unsel and Butch Beard. Wes Unsel's mom asked Rupp, can you guarantee my sons safety, Rupp's reply was no. Playing down south, I can not. Unsel and Beard both played for Louisville.

Some people just like to stir the pot, I'm sorry. As much as I despise UK I've never seen on solid shred of evidence that Rupp was racist. He did integrate the basketball program, and was one of the first teams in the SEC to integrate. Also 30+ years after his death does it really matter what he was or wasn't anymore?

I find it interesting that this story comes out over 30 years after the man who can refute the story is dead.

 

Was Rupp a racist? Maybe. Not a Klan member racist but probably had racial overtones to some extent.

 

While Rupp maybe could have been more proactive in integrating the SEC, he didn't "dodge" teams with African American players (ala Alabama in '56 and Miss State on numerous occasions). When Solly Walker played at Memorial in December of '51 he did everything he could to make the kid welcomed at the gym and in Lexington (segregated Lexington then). If I recall he did the same for the Temple players when they visited UK.

 

Maybe some of this site helps in the discussion: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/rupp.html

 

So it's hard to imagine that he would have done exactly what this man says. But I wasn't there and it would be interesting to hear from some of Basset's team mates on this as well.

I don't see were this has any relevance to anything today. What do you wish to prove or get from this? Nothing constructive.

 

Everyone is racist to some degree. No matter your color, ethnicity, religion, etc...

 

We all have derogatory thoughts or comments about people who are different and thus we are all racist.

 

Who really cares if Rupp was or was not? I hate U of K and I could care less as that time has passed, there is nothing to be gained by this question. You gonna change it? Turn back the hands of time and have Rupp coach a team of non-whites?