Rupp was once accused of “raiding the north” for players by another coach who called it carpetbagging. Some time later after being invited to speak at a banquet in Ohio the banquet chairman ask Rupp what his subject would be so he could use it in his program. Rupp replied, “My text will be: A Carpetbagger in the Holy Land!”

In 1935 after KY lost to NYU 22-23 at Madison Square Garden, Rupp was ask about some questionable officiating. “I really don’t know. Riding back I turned on the radio and a broadcast from one of the churches in New York was on. The minister was speaking on the scripture ‘He was a stranger and they took him in.’ That’s all I know about what happened.”

During a close game Rupp drew a technical foul. A spectator in the crowd asked the coach what he thought about the officiating. Rupp answered, “Hell my coaching is worth a technical every time.”

1954 after Frank Ramsey, Cliff Hagan, and Lou Tsioropoulos were declared ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, Rupp over ruled the team when they voted to go on to the tourney without them. "We won't allow a group of turds to mar the record established in large measure by our three seniors."
      Rupp often referred to the second stringers as turds. In one public scrimmage the second string came out with T's taped to their jerseys.

Rupp was trying to run a player off and called him into his office and told him, "Son, I've tried to embarrass you, to humiliate you. You have no pride. You don't know an insult when you hear one. We can't use you here, so I want you to get your stuff and go somewhere else." The player replied, "Coach, tonight I'll have a talk with God and I'll let you know tomorrow whether or not I'm leaving." The next day the player told Rupp he had talked to God and was staying. Rupp said, "Son, I have talked with the Lord since you have and you're leaving!"

To Milt Ticco after he missed an easy shot that would have tied Ohio St. "The Buckeyes ought to be awarding you a varsity letter."

To Tommy Kron: "Did you know I'm writing a book entitled 'What Not to do in Basketball'? The first 200 pages are about you."

To Gayle Rose: "You look like a shetland pony in a stud horse parade."

To John Crigler: "John, a 150 years from now there will be no university, no fieldhouse. There will have been an atomic war and it will all be destroyed. Underneath the rubble will be a monument, on which is the inscription, Here lies John Crigler, the most stupid basketball player ever at Kentucky. Killed by Adolph Rupp."

To Ernest Sparkman during the 1944 NIT: "Sparkman, you see that center circle? I want you to go out there and S***. Then you can go back to Carr Creek and tell them at least you did something in Madison Square Garden."

To a fan that had criticized his coaching in a letter: " I thought you'd like to know that some SOB wrote me criticizing my coaching and he signed your name to it."

After the team had played a poor game he bumped into an elderly lady at the airport. "Sorry ma'am, no offense." The lady replied, "Damn little defense either."

At a practice when the team was complacent, he walked out to the center of the floor and threw up his arms, "Cease, cease this disgraceful exhibition! These hallowed halls have never witnessed such a deplorable---" he stopped, bent over and took his finger and wiped the floor. "By Gawd, a drop of sweat! One of the janitors must have dropped that when he was sweeping!"

"If it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, why do they keep score? I'm not engaged in a popularity contest, I want to win!"

To Vernon Hatton after Hatton asked for the game ball from the 1958 Temple game: "Give you the game ball? Just because you scored two points from 47 feet with one second to go, you want me to give you the game ball? How would I explain that to the Athletics Board, giving away a $35 basketball?" Rupp gave Hatton the ball.

To Ed Beck: "Ed you have ate well at the university in the last two or three years.....I want you to go over to that corner over there and puke up everything that you have eaten since you have been at the University of Kentucky, because you have never earned it."

To Terry Mobley: "Now Mobley on this play I want you to remain very nonchalant...act like you don't know what's going on and then break behind the screen to get the ball for a shot." Rupp hesitated, then added, "Ah hell, just act natural and the play's bound to work."

A remark about one of his teams: "They're like a bunch of quails, somebody shoots and they all scatter."

On the 1958 team: "They're not the greatest basketball players in the world, all they can do is win. They're not concert violinists, but they sure can fiddle."

Driving through central Kentucky while on a weekend trip, Rupp stopped at a small country store. While inside he noticed several aged, smoked hams hanging from the rafters of the building. He inquired about the price and then proceeded to buy one writing the store owner a check. Rupp put an extra flourish on the signature and handed it to the owner. The storekeeper held the check up and looked closely at the name. Rupp began to smile and said, "Well, I guess you know who that is don't you?" To which the owner replied, "I'm a hopin' it's you!"

After Shelby Linville's UK days were over, he had taken his first coaching job at the high school level at an Ohio school. On the occasion of his first game, Coach Rupp desired to be in attendance to show support for his former player. Now in those days, Shelby used a very salty vocabulary. At games end, Coach Rupp approached Shelby and said to him.."My Gaaawwwd Shelby, I thought I was bad, until I heard you!"

Ken Lehkamp recalled during his sophomore year that every time Rupp wanted him he would yell, "Hey George". Being in such awe of Rupp he never had the nerve to correct him and just answered or came when called. About halfway through the season one day Rupp yelled "Hey George." Lehkamp finally summoned up his courage and said, "Sir, my first name is Ken, not George." Rupp answered, "Well, I thought your name was George because you came running every time I called you George."

Leaving the court one day after practice Rupp spied a bobby pin on the floor and picked it up. Rupp turned to Brad Bounds who was walking next to him and said, "This means we're going to have good luck, Brad." Bounds said, "Coach you're not superstitious are you?" Rupp replied, "No, I learned a long time ago when I first started coaching in Illinois, that it's bad luck to be superstitious."

"It was during my second year at Freeport that I bought me a fine looking blue suit to replace that old brown thing I had been wearing all the time I had been there. I got to the game and people were coming up to me and complimenting me on how good I looked in that new suit. I felt like I was about the best looking man in that building. Well, we got the living tar beat out of us that night. When we lost that game that night with me wearing that new suit, I said, 'Hey, this blue won't get it done.' I got rid of that thing and I swore that I would never wear another blue suit to a game as long as lived. From then on I wore nothing but brown to my team's games."

In a game against Tennessee Rupp used a 1-3-1 zone trap. It was the first time anyone had used a defensive formation like it. Kentucky won the game easily and afterward Rupp was asked to describe the new defense, he explained it this way, "It was a transitional and shifting man-to-man backed by a hyperbolic paraboloid between the ball and the basket." When asked to comment UT coach Ray Mears just grunted, "It was a good defense. That's all I've got to say."

To Jerry Bird during a practice when he mistakenly ran play #7, while the team ran #6: "Stop! Stop! Stop! Jerry you have commited a cardinal sin, you have just broken one of the ten commandments. Thou shalt not be stupid!"

In the 1939-40 season the KY team had been depleted by injuries and were facing Marquette, one of the top teams in nation at the time. Before the game Rupp was relaxed and told the team to just go out and have some fun. Kentucky played surprisingly well and trailed by only two points at half time. Rupp, no longer calm, charged into the lockerroom and said, "By God, don't forget this is a Kentucky team and I am the coach! What I said before the game is out. We are going to beat these bastards and there will be no more *#@!*? fun on this trip!" Kentucky won 51-45.

During a practice session with the freshmen Rupp was encouraging the players to be more aggressive. "Beat the other fellow to the charge," he said. "Hit hard; remember the Bible says, 'It's better to give than to receive.'" "But coach," one player countered, "I always thought the Bible said, 'Love thine enemies.'" "That's the old version of it," Rupp snapped back, "But the rules committee changed it."

When playing at Alabama in the '40's the games were played in Foster Auditorium which had a balcony above the floor. The fans were notorious for throwing things on the floor from it. There was an old stuffed owl up there and when the gun was fired to end the half or game someone would throw the owl on the floor like it had been shot out of the air. When the fans disagreed with an officials call they would throw money on the floor. Before one particular game Rupp told the players he didn't "want to see a damned one of you paying any attention to that crowd. When they throw that money on the floor you ignore it." Bernie Shively, the Kentucky Athletic Director was sitting at the end of the bench, at one point the crowd became upset with a call and the money began pouring onto the floor. After a few seconds a half-dollar rolled by Shively and he couldn't resist it and picked it up. Rupp looked to the end of the bench and said, "Well Shive, I see they met your price."

Pat Dyar, a Berea player described a game against UK in the early 1930's. "When we played Kentucky in my junior year I had the dubious task of trying to guard Forest Sale and French DeMoisey, who were two of the giants Rupp recruited. His idea was to get a tall man, then a fast man, and work those fellows to the bone on the double pivot. There I was, six-two, trying to guard. One man would've been enough, but I had two. They beat us handily the two years I played against them. Rupp was kind to me. He said, 'Pat, I could use you if you were about six inches taller !' "

During the early year’s of Coach Rupp’s Kentucky career, the players would come out for the pre-game warm-up and someone, usually the center would dunk the ball. Rupp thought it got the crowd excited. The UK team would dribble the length of the floor, one player would pass to another that then would go up for the dunk. Playing LIU at Madison Square Garden, Marion Cluggish was nervous, missed the pre-game dunk and Kentucky lost 52-34. Later, before a contest against St. Joseph’s Rupp told Clug, “We’ll be playing in a new place in Philadelphia, son, and it’ll be a critical crowd. Now, by gravy, Walker’s gonna dribble down the floor and give you a good pass before the game. I want you to jam your arm through the basket, or I’m going to ship your tail back to Corbin!” Clug made it and UK won.

While in New York a writer ask Rupp if he could suggest any changes to the game and he answered, “Sure, put the center jump back, take the backboard and net off-just leave the hoop on-and raise the hoop five feet.” Later a Kentucky player asked him, “Coach, you don’t really mean that do you?” Rupp replied, “Hell no, but anything for a column.”

Rupp always had strict curfews. If anyone was even one minute late, they were in for it. While in New York Alex Groza and some other players went to see Perry Como. When they returned to the hotel just a couple of minutes late, Rupp was there waiting for them. “Where in Hell have you been?” he asked. When Groza told him they had been to see Perry Como, he asked, “Who in the Hell does he play for?”

In 1941 Vince Splane’s grandmother died and Rupp gave him permission to go to the funeral. Later during a practice Rupp call the team around and gave them their usual dressing down. “My God, boys, we’re just not going to continue playing like this. We’re not playing girls’ rules. This is war!” He continued, “And another thing, we’re not going to have anymore of this grandmother dying business.”

In Coach Rupp’s later years, Splane and Milt Ticco visited him and during the conversation asked when he might retire. “When I reached 65 I thought they might ask me to retire. They didn’t, so I just kept on going. When I reach 70 if they don’t say anything, I guess I’ll just keep on going. Hell, I can’t think of a better way to go than to just fell off the bench some night.”

Dan Tehan was officiating a game that UK led by 25 points with just a few seconds remaining. The other team was inbounding the ball and Rupp felt Tehan had handed them the ball before Kentucky was set. When he complained, Tehan reminded Rupp he was ahead by 25 and Rupp replied, “…. without that bonehead call it would have been 27.”

While playing Xavier, Ermal Allen was awarded two free throws with five seconds to play and Kentucky trailing by one. He shot both very quick and hit them. Afterwards Rupp ask him why he shot so fast and he said if he had a four foot putt for a dollar he wouldn’t stand over it. Rupp said, “That’s just for a dollar. These free throws are for my job.”

During 1944, UK led Arkansas State 34-4 at half time. The players felt good in the locker room and were sure Rupp couldn’t find anything to complain about. After looking at the scorebook, Rupp said, Who’s guarding #12?” Jack Parkinson said, “I am.” Rupp answered, “Well get on him because he’s running absolutely wild.” Arkansas State scored two points in the second half.

Rupp’s practices were always rough. During a particular one a wild elbow from Bill Spivey hit Roger Layne in the mouth and knocked him to the floor. Layne got up and spit something out on the floor. Rupp asked, “What in the world are those?” Humzey Yessin said, “I think those are teeth from Roger’s mouth.” Rupp asked Layne if he was alright and he replied, “Hell yes. Let’s play some ball.” Rupp turned to Harry Lancaster and said, “Now, that’s what I’m looking for-a fellow that will lose three teeth and still say let’s get back in the game.”

Impressing on Jim Line that he needed to shoot faster; “You’ll see what I mean when one of these guys fills your mouth with an entire basketball.”

After the players persuaded him to ride a log flume at Disneyland; “Boy, I’d rather be on that bus than to ride something like this.”

To the best of my knowledge, only one player has ever played for UK from my home of Bell County, Larry Pursiful of Long Jack High School. Because of a lack of confidence early in his career, he was reluctant to shoot. During a road trip the team was leaving the hotel for practice and Rupp turned to Pursiful and said, “You might as well stay here, you won’t shoot anyway.” Pursiful eventually overcame his shyness to pull the trigger.

During one practice the players couldn’t do anything right it seemed. Rupp finally said, “Dear God, would you please send me someone who is worth a damn.” At that moment Governor Happy Chandler walked into the gym. Rupp said, “Thank you, God.” Later Gov. Chandler laughed out loud at something on the floor, not being shy, Rupp turned and said, “I don’t care if you are the governor, either shut up or get out.”

Coach Rupp was very seldom at a loss for words, but at a game against Mississippi UK jumped ahead by a huge margin in just a few minutes. The Wildcats had played almost flawless and during a break the players all gathered around him and waited for him to critique the game. After what seemed like several minutes of stumbling for something to say, he finally blurted out, “Goddamn it, boys; this isn’t gonna beat anybody!” Everyone, including Harry Lancaster, busted out laughing. Rupp almost never gave compliments during a game.

The following are courtesy of Glenn Sims.
Glenn Sims was a student manager for the Kentucky Basketball team 1969-73.

In 1969 the University of Kentucky played in the regional NCAA Tournament in Columbus Ohio. This was the infamous game in which Dan Issel fouled out on a questionable call ! (against Jacksonville and Artis Gilmore & Co.) When the team arrived at the Holiday Inn in downtown Columbus, the lobby was full of reporters and other media. When we enter the lobby no one saw Coach Rupp. Coach loved the limelight and recognition that he usually received even on the road or in neutral arenas. I was walking beside Coach. After a couple of what seemed like minutes, of no one making a big deal out of the fact that UK and the winningest coach in history had arrived, Coach was annoyed. He leaned over to me and in a very soft manner told me to go to the registration desk and have him paged! I usually never questioned his orders but this time I did because I was confused. "Coach what do you mean, have you paged ?" "Yes", he said with full authority meaning do it now and stop asking questions. I went over to the desk and did as he wished, "would you please page Coach Adolph Rupp from the University of Kentucky ?" I did not notice at the time but Coach had followed me to the desk and was standing behind me. The girl at the desk recognized him and said to me "he is standing right behind you". I told her to please page him any way and she did. Now the reason Coach had himself paged, as you might have guessed, was because no one came over to him to greet him and make a big deal about his arrival. As I have stated before, Coach had a huge ego and loved the attention he always received.(rightfully so) When the page came over the intercom in the lobby everyone now knew that he was there and the media coverage and hoopula that he wanted could begin... Oh, by the way, when the page was announced, Coach went over to the house phone and acted like he was talking to someone on the other end of the line...he then smiled very big because now every one would know that he was there. As I have stated many times before, Coach Rupp had a colorful, funny way of getting his point across.

During a particular mistake-ridden inter squad scrimmage involving too many walking violations. Coach stopped play and came to center court. He raised his fist to the ceiling and said " He who walketh will come out" Rupp 8:14. He said this with all the fire of a southern Methodist preacher. There was no more walking violations that day !!!!

In 1970, a team of college seniors that included Larry Steele from UK and Kenny Davis from Georgetown College, played a national team from Russia. The game was played in Memorial Coliseum and the head coach for this game was Dr. Bob Davis also from Georgetown College. Many of you will remember Kenny Davis (Paint Lick, Kentucky) as the player on the Olympic team that was defeated (cheated) by the Russian team on the last play of the game. Coach Rupp was the "honorary coach" for this game and was seated at press row. I was seated next to coach for the game and as always he was in top form with his colorful comments. Coach had a very unique way of saying things and was a very funny man. Many times you were afraid to laugh but when you got home or wherever you were going, you couldn't wait to laugh and retell the story. Mr. Russell Rice was our Sports Information Director. He informed Coach that he would be the "honorary coach" and would participate in the pre-game ceremonies and exchange gifts with the other coaches and players. Coach, in his colorful way, said that he did not have anything to give the "Red x#*@#*" coach! Mr. Rice said that he would have to go to center court and give his gift to the other coach. Coach Rupp, again not happy because he was not aware of this at all, turned to me and asked if I had anything in the back office or locker room to give. I said the "the only thing I have is your book, Rupp's Championship Basketball". He said great go and get that damn thing and we will give it away. I begin to tell Coach that the book had my name written on the cover and that many of the pages were dog-eared with a lot of underlining and highlighters on most pages. He did not like to hear excuses, he only wanted results, and the result here was go and get the book. I got the book and we went to center court of the Coliseum and exchanged gifts in the ceremony. They gave Coach a large wooden doll that had many smaller dolls in side and a bottle of Russian liquor. He was pleased with his gift, however he was even more pleased with the old gift he gave away. As we walked back to press row, Coach Rupp turned to me and said "The Red Communist Coach now can win every game he plays because he has my book". Somewhere in Russia is an old yellow book with my name and comments written in it and people wondering how ? where did this come from? and who in the world is Glenn Sims....