[Old School Hound]

Mr. Elam of Corbin got me to thinking about the greatest multi-sport athletes from the mountains of eastern KY. I'm starting with Kade, who was a legit contender for Mr Football last season. He WAS named Mr Baseball in 2025, and is committed to Uof L to play baseball. He was also a heck of a basketball player. Had basketball been his one focus, he probably would have been an all-state basketball player, as well. Barring injury, Kade will play professional baseball someday.


Here's Kade turning heads in his first plate appearance in the MLB Basball Draft Combine game.  Base hit and RBI.  104 mph off the bat!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1393571975212557

[CRK1]

Josh Anderson from Pulaski County I would think would be on the list somewhere. Crazy good basketball player who could jump out of the gym but he excelled in Baseball where he played in MLB for several years.

[Old School Hound]

Tim Couch scored 3,023 points in basketball for Leslie County, ranking him in the top 40 scorers all-time in KY HS basketball. I hear he was a pretty good football player, too.

[HCS]

Wah Wah Jones won a Gold Medal and national championship at UK in basketball and was All-SEC in football.

[Old School Hound]

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

[Old School Hound]

Wah Wah Jones won a Gold Medal and national championship at UK in basketball and was All-SEC in football.

I was gonna post this but I thought I'd let you post Wah Wah. One of the best ever.  Mt. Rushmore of Mountain Multi-Sport Athletes.

[King Kong]

Ryley Preece, starting at middle school, played in the state championship in football for 6 straight years, from middle school thru high-school, state championship game every year. Played college baseball at Morehead St and broke alot of school records, including the all time home run leader in school history. 

Geordon Blanton, won state wrestling championships at JC and at least one in football, maybe more. Played college baseball at Marshall.  

Hunter McCloud, at least one state championship in wrestling, maybe two, same for football.  

JJ Jude, won multiple state championships in wrestling.  Football, he won so much here I can't remember everything! He is in at least one state athletic hall of fame. 

I gotta apologize, I'm not the most informed guy with JC history.  So many from JC have accomplished so much, that I can't remember everything they've done.  Maybe Pulp or Hoot can kinda polish up my post a little better

And I know I'm leaving off some guys, more JC guy's deserve to make this list.

[Old School Hound]

Btw, Steve Bird's other uncle, Rodger, played football for the old AFL's Oakland Raiders. His dad, Jerry, has his jersey hanging from the rafters of Rupp. Jerry starred for Adoph Rupp from '53-'56 . He was inducted into the UK Hall of Fame in 2005. Man, what I would have given to have the DNA of those talented Bird boys from Corbin. Some guys have it all and some guys are OSH.

[King Kong]

Tim Couch scored 3,023 points in basketball for Leslie County, ranking him in the top 40 scorers all-time in KY HS basketball.  I hear he was a pretty good football player, too.

Glad you posted this OSH because I had no idea Couch played basketball! Man what a career he had, could've probably played basketball at UK to if he wanted. 

I remember when him and Leslie Co come to Johnson Co and played JC at football years back.

[Old School Hound]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember. First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

[HCS]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff  wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember.  First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

[Red and Black]

Lowell Hughes from Prestonsburg. Here’s an excerpt taken from the 1959 UK Media Guide.

“LOWELL HUGHES—Junior—Guard—Prestonsburg, Ky.—One of the finest all-around athletes in Kentucky schoolboy history since Wah Wah Jones, Lowell is the lone "switch hitter" on the Wildcat cage team. As soon as the grid season is completed, he switches his ability to the basketball court and lends important help as a guard reserve. In the spring, after football practice, he moves over to the baseball diamond for second baseman duty. In order to follow in his brother Delmar's (older brother John Delmar Hughes) footsteps on the Kentucky gridiron, Lowell turned down a reported fat baseball contract offered by the Giants in his senior year at Prestonsburg High in the Eastern Kentucky mountains. It's difficult to point to the one sport that Lowell is best at since he excells in all. During the past season, he operated as Kentucky's number one quarterback and was one of the passing leaders of the Southeastern Conference. Because of the necessity for reporting after football season, Hughes is late in developing his basketball potential. But he does very well as evidenced by the fact that he was the most proficient of the Wildcat cagers last season in a system based on points scored and time played. Appearing in seven games for a total of 37:03 and scoring 23 points, Hughes averaged a point every minute and a half. Although best known as a schoolboy All-America quarterback, who was the nation's tenth best passer in his senior campaign, Lowell also made the All-State basketball team while at Prestonsburg with a 40.2 scoring average—second only to the record set by Kelly Coleman in 1956—and was considered an excellent professional baseball prospect. Hughes was accorded All-SEC Sophomore team honors by sportswriters for his stellar second year grid play in 1957. He is majoring in personnel management. Basketball high point production was 29 as a freshman against Lee's Junior College. His varsity high last year was six points in the Utah State game.
One more item we should add:  Lowell Hughes once scored 46 points in a high school game. It was January 31, 1956 against Wayland, but Prestonsburg lost that game 80-107 as Kelly Coleman had 63 points in that game.

That one night of tremendous individual  scoring tells the story  of the offense of the 1956 players in the 15th Region. It also happened  across the state that year. No three pointers. The bonus situation on free throws was non existent. Clock stoppage had different rules, also.

But the all around athleticism of Prestonsburg's great Lowell Hughes is something that will be remembered and discussed in many conversations for years to come.”

[UKCC]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

[Van Hagar]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

This is true. When he graduated, he was the all-time leader in passing yards in the state, since surpassed many times as teams have started throwing more, but still… An unbelievably gifted all-around athlete, Jerry Claiborne wanted him at UK, but his academics kept him from advancing his career. This was back in a time when colleges actually cared about academics as they related to the athletic programs.

[BlackAndYellow]

As mentioned, Tim Couch was a force on the basketball court as he averaged 36 ppg as a Junior. Didn’t play his senior year for obvious reasons.

[Old School Hound]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff  wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember.  First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

I was at EKU when Bird, Woolum and Roy  were winning national championships. It was a very exciting time to be living in Richmond.

[HCS]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff  wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember.  First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

I was at EKU when Bird, Woolum and Roy  were winning national championships. It was a very exciting time to be living in Richmond.

We probably passed each other in the Wallace Building or Powell Cafeteria. I was at Todd Hall from fall of 81 to spring of 84. The TBS game against Murray was pretty amazing, along with the Tennessee State game in the national semifinals.

[UKCC]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

  This is true. When he graduated, he was the all-time leader in passing yards in the state, since surpassed many times as teams have started throwing more, but still… An unbelievably gifted all-around athlete, Jerry Claiborne wanted him at UK, but his academics kept him from advancing his career. This was back in a time when colleges actually cared about academics as they related to the athletic programs.

That’s the story I heard as well. Virtually everyone in Clay County says he’s the greatest all-around athlete of all-time, and there have been a few here. I went to school with his son who was also a fantastic athlete.

[Old School Hound]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff  wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember.  First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

I was at EKU when Bird, Woolum and Roy  were winning national championships. It was a very exciting time to be living in Richmond.

We probably passed each other in the Wallace Building or Powell Cafeteria. I was at Todd Hall from fall of 81 to spring of 84. The TBS game against Murray was pretty amazing, along with the Tennessee State game in the national semifinals.

There's no doubt we passed each other many times in the years we were there. Most of my time each day was spent between the Powell and Wallace Buildings. Most of my classes were in the Wallace. Then it was over to the Powell to relax and nap, and sometimes listen to Brother Jed and Sister Cindy preach fire and brimstone outside of the Powell building.  Truly one of the most fun times of my life. I didn't realize back then how quickly it would go by. I'd give anything to go back to those days. 

I loved my time at Eastern. My mother lived in Richmond at the time, so I got to spend a lot of time with her and enjoy her home cooking.  Did you ever go down to Ma Kelly's for some home cooked meals?  She operated a little restaurant out of her house down around first or second street. The college kids loved her. In the late 80's and early 90's I became friends with, and attended church with Ma and some of her family members. Wonderful woman.

[Bull got out!]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

  This is true. When he graduated, he was the all-time leader in passing yards in the state, since surpassed many times as teams have started throwing more, but still… An unbelievably gifted all-around athlete, Jerry Claiborne wanted him at UK, but his academics kept him from advancing his career. This was back in a time when colleges actually cared about academics as they related to the athletic programs.

That’s the story I heard as well. Virtually everyone in Clay County says he’s the greatest all-around athlete of all-time, and there have been a few here. I went to school with his son who was also a fantastic athlete.

It's hard to talk about Clay County and not mention Deshae Henson also. He was a freak athlete and also could put him in the Running Back slot as one of the best. I didn't know Sean, but no doubt heard everything about him. My memory serves me right I think he was breaking a lot of state records when he was QB ending his career as the Leader for many years. I'll say also at a time before the QB type offenses became as popular as they are today. That time period was I formation and run, run, run.

[Van Hagar]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

  This is true. When he graduated, he was the all-time leader in passing yards in the state, since surpassed many times as teams have started throwing more, but still… An unbelievably gifted all-around athlete, Jerry Claiborne wanted him at UK, but his academics kept him from advancing his career. This was back in a time when colleges actually cared about academics as they related to the athletic programs.

That’s the story I heard as well. Virtually everyone in Clay County says he’s the greatest all-around athlete of all-time, and there have been a few here. I went to school with his son who was also a fantastic athlete.

It's hard to talk about Clay County and not mention Deshae Henson also. He was a freak athlete and also could put him in the Running Back slot as one of the best. I didn't know Sean, but no doubt heard everything about him. My memory serves me right I think he was breaking a lot of state records when he was QB ending his career as the Leader for many years. I'll say also at a time before the QB type offenses became as popular as they are today. That time period was I formation and run, run, run.

You are correct, Deshae was a tremendous running back, fast and powerful. And he was a good baseball player and pretty good basketball player. But Deshae was probably 5-9, 230 or so, while Sean was 6-5, 195 or so, could jump over the moon and super quick. He was all-state in basketball (one of the stars of Clay’s ‘’85 state runner-up team), he was a six-foot plus high jumper, and he held (and maybe still holds) the 100-meter record at Clay, I want to say 10.9. He gets the nod as the best all-around ever from Clay.

[Old School Hound]

Sean Pennington - Clay County

Could be off but believe he was all-state in at least football, basketball, and track.

  This is true. When he graduated, he was the all-time leader in passing yards in the state, since surpassed many times as teams have started throwing more, but still… An unbelievably gifted all-around athlete, Jerry Claiborne wanted him at UK, but his academics kept him from advancing his career. This was back in a time when colleges actually cared about academics as they related to the athletic programs.

That’s the story I heard as well. Virtually everyone in Clay County says he’s the greatest all-around athlete of all-time, and there have been a few here. I went to school with his son who was also a fantastic athlete.

It's hard to talk about Clay County and not mention Deshae Henson also. He was a freak athlete and also could put him in the Running Back slot as one of the best. I didn't know Sean, but no doubt heard everything about him. My memory serves me right I think he was breaking a lot of state records when he was QB ending his career as the Leader for many years. I'll say also at a time before the QB type offenses became as popular as they are today. That time period was I formation and run, run, run.

  You are correct, Deshae was a tremendous running back, fast and powerful.  And he was a good baseball player and pretty good basketball player.  But Deshae was probably 5-9, 230 or so, while Sean was 6-5, 195 or so, could jump over the moon and super quick. He was all-state in basketball (one of the stars of Clay’s ‘’85 state runner-up team), he was a six-foot plus high jumper, and he held (and maybe still holds) the 100-meter record at Clay, I want to say 10.9.  He gets the nod as the best all-around ever from Clay.

Was Sean related in any way to Paula Pennington? Big Paula was something else to watch. Big girl with big skills. Paula was the Immovable Object  AND  the Irresistible force !!!

[Bull got out!]

I don't know anything about Seans family, but I do know Deshae personally. He is a brute and nowhere close to 5'9. I'm 6 feet tall and I had to look up to him so guessing he is around 6 foot 2 or 6 foot 3. Doesn't matter but Clay County with him at Running back and the teams they had during those years was a Championship caliber team. They lost 2 of those years to the eventual state champions Bell County and Ashland. Lots of what ifs in both those games. I think Clay had Bell County beat, but a flag was thrown, and it enabled Bell to win the game, and they went on to win the title that year. Ashland, I heard about the wet field the night before with the fire departments lol  you know the typical stories, but Ashland was loaded and had NFL talent on that team I reckon, and it was a tight ballgame all the way to the end. Deshae tried out for the Reds, and I think he was invited to play for their feeder program. But no doubt 2 players worthy of all the recognition anyone gives them. Any team would have loved to have either player. Both are legends in their own rights by the accomplishments on the field.

[HCS]

Another multi-sport athlete from EKY that I watched play was Middlesboro's Jeff Kyle. Jeff  wanted to transfer to Corbin and play his senior season with the Redhounds. He came to Corbin and practiced with the team over the summer. But some influential racists put the kabash on that and Kyle went back to Middlesboro and had a season to remember.  First team all-state in football, second team all-state in basketball, led his baseball team to the 1982 Final Four. Maybe the bigots that sent Jeff Kyle back to Middlesboro because he was black cursed Corbin. The Hounds won the AA title in '82 and haven't won one since. The curse of Jeff Kyle, folks.

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Steve Bird was a friend and a classmate. One of the best athletes I ever watched play sports.  He helped EKU and Corbin native, Roy Kidd, win two national championships and went on to play pro football in the NFL.  Played in four consecutive national championship games at EKU. Outstanding baseball player, as well.  Pre-HS days , the guy must have hit .800 against me. I couldn't get the guy out. Fine baseball player for the Hounds. Same on the basketball court. Excellent basketball player. If baseball or basketball had been his one focus, he would have had an outstanding college career in either of those sports. He was OVC Male Athlete of the Year for 1982-83.

Yes, the UK legend and Hall of Famer, Calvin Bird was his uncle.


[Image: https://ekusports.com/images/2010/11/3/B...?width=300]

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

I was at EKU when Bird, Woolum and Roy  were winning national championships. It was a very exciting time to be living in Richmond.

We probably passed each other in the Wallace Building or Powell Cafeteria. I was at Todd Hall from fall of 81 to spring of 84. The TBS game against Murray was pretty amazing, along with the Tennessee State game in the national semifinals.

There's no doubt we passed each other many times in the years we were there. Most of my time each day was spent between the Powell and Wallace Buildings. Most of my classes were in the Wallace. Then it was over to the Powell to relax and nap, and sometimes listen to Brother Jed and Sister Cindy preach fire and brimstone outside of the Powell building.  Truly one of the most fun times of my life. I didn't realize back then how quickly it would go by. I'd give anything to go back to those days. 

I loved my time at Eastern. My mother lived in Richmond at the time, so I got to spend a lot of time with her and enjoy her home cooking.  Did you ever go down to Ma Kelly's for some home cooked meals?  She operated a little restaurant out of her house down around first or second street. The college kids loved her. In the late 80's and early 90's I became friends with, and attended church with Ma and some of her family members. Wonderful woman.

Yeah, a lot of my classes were at Wallace, but journalism moved to the Donovan Annex (Model basically) my last two years, so I was over there more after that. I didn't know the names of the preachers but I remember stopping and listeniing to them on occasion. They were intense.
I had friends who went to Ma Kelly's, but I never did. I was a regular at the steak houses on the bypass, including the one near where the new mall is now. Melvin Turpin stopped in one Thursday and sat at the next table. Yes, a great time to be at EKU. I went back last spring and walked around with my former roommate, who was back from Japan and the Navy.

[Van Hagar]

I’m pretty sure Paula and Sean were first cousins, not brother-sister. Paula was a load on the basketball court alright!!

[Old School Hound]

Interesting. I had no idea.
Cawood wins the basketball region in 83 if that happens. Lost in overtime on a controversial play at the end of regulation.

---

Great time to be at EKU in the early 80s with Woolum throwing to Bird for a 1-AA championship. His uncle, Bob Howard, was the first principal at HCHS and one of the all-time great cross country and track coaches in Harlan County.

I was at EKU when Bird, Woolum and Roy  were winning national championships. It was a very exciting time to be living in Richmond.

We probably passed each other in the Wallace Building or Powell Cafeteria. I was at Todd Hall from fall of 81 to spring of 84. The TBS game against Murray was pretty amazing, along with the Tennessee State game in the national semifinals.

There's no doubt we passed each other many times in the years we were there. Most of my time each day was spent between the Powell and Wallace Buildings. Most of my classes were in the Wallace. Then it was over to the Powell to relax and nap, and sometimes listen to Brother Jed and Sister Cindy preach fire and brimstone outside of the Powell building.  Truly one of the most fun times of my life. I didn't realize back then how quickly it would go by. I'd give anything to go back to those days. 

I loved my time at Eastern. My mother lived in Richmond at the time, so I got to spend a lot of time with her and enjoy her home cooking.  Did you ever go down to Ma Kelly's for some home cooked meals?  She operated a little restaurant out of her house down around first or second street. The college kids loved her. In the late 80's and early 90's I became friends with, and attended church with Ma and some of her family members. Wonderful woman.

Yeah, a lot of my classes were at Wallace, but journalism moved to the Donovan Annex (Model basically) my last two years, so I was over there more after that. I didn't know the names of the preachers but I remember stopping and listeniing to them on occasion. They were intense.
I had friends who went to Ma Kelly's, but I never did. I was a regular at the steak houses on the bypass, including the one near where the new mall is now. Melvin Turpin stopped in one Thursday and sat at the next table. Yes, a great time to be at EKU. I went back last spring and walked around with my former roommate, who was back from Japan and the Navy.

I still like to go up and walk around campus but it's pretty bittersweet.  My mom and stepdad are gone now. For most of my time in Richmond I stayed with them in their house off of third street. Coach Kidd is gone. Most of my favorite teachers I had there have passed. Lot of good memories, but once you reach my age it makes you sad to realize how those good times passed so quickly and how life was so much simpler back then. Like I said, best time of my life , made all the more special with Tuck from Pineville, and Steve and Coach Kidd, two Corbin legends, leading the football team to four straight 1-AA national championship game appearances. 

Anyone else a little surprised that Bird was never given the opportunity to lead the Colonels as head coach at some point during the post-Kidd years? He's been in coaching for over 25 years now, with assistant coaching stints at EKU, UK, WVA, Pittsburgh, SC State, South Forida. The Bird boys have huge connections to UK, with Steve's two uncles and his dad all in the UK Athletic Hall of Fame. Still, I know Steve was very proud to be a EKU Colonel alongside his mentor, Coach Kidd. He would have loved to be head coach of his beloved Colonels.

[Westside]

When I think of two sports stars, Joey Couch comes to mind.  He obviously was a great football player for Paintsville, but he was also a great basketball player.

[TheBigDIll]

When I think of two sports stars, Joey Couch comes to mind.  He obviously was a great football player for Paintsville, but he was also a great basketball player.

The best two sport star to ever play in Johnson County is Ryley Preece. Played in 4 straight state championships in football (won 2). Signed a d1 baseball scholarship to play at Morehead and now has every career record you can have as an offensive player at Morehead. Could’ve walked on and been the starting qb for football as well..

[OutlawJoseyWales]

Jimmy Bevins from Belfry would be in the discussion.   Played QB, RB and DB for the Pirates—-All State DB.    All Region and All State Honorable Mention PG for Basketball team and 1st All State Baseball Player  
He was a well rounded athlete.

[HCS]

David Hensley and Freddie Maggard are the best in Harlan County after Wah Wah Jones and the best I've actually seen play.