Interview with Emmett P. Burnam, December 20, 2004

Partial Transcript: --is an interview with Mr. Emmett Burnham for the University of Kentucky oral history project.

Segment Synopsis: Emmett P. "Buzz" Burnam talks about his family and life in Clark County schools before and after school integration.

Keywords: Difference after school integration; First year of integration; First year of school; Quality of education after integration; Segregation in Winchester (Ky.)

Subjects: Clark County (Ky.); Education; School children--Food; School integration; Siblings; Winchester (Ky.)

Partial Transcript: What about football? When did you s--when did you start to take any kind of interest in football?

Segment Synopsis: Burnam talks about his father's influence on his love of football. He also talks about his father and cousin's involvement in the football teams for the community and the elementary league for children. He says the Oliver School football teams were great.

Keywords: Alumnus football games; Army football players; Elementary school football teams; Emmett Menifee, cousin; Father started a volunteer community football team; Football uniforms for small children; Hickman School; Oliver High School, Winchester (Ky.)

Subjects: Christmas; Elementary schools; Families.; Fathers; Football

Partial Transcript: Now what, what did football mean to you at that time?

Segment Synopsis: Burnam talks about the history of victories at Oliver High School, and his love of football and his playing time. He also talks about his start in baseball.

Keywords: Baseball teams for children; Black athletes in Clark County (Ky.); Coach Emmet Menifee, cousin; Dominated in football; Love of football; Passion for football

Subjects: Baseball; Black athletes; Football; Football players

Partial Transcript: Now what--now after high school, I was going to ask you a little bit about your decision to move on to even more school.

Segment Synopsis: Burnam talks about his college choices, Robert "Bob" Brooks, and how he came to the University of Kentucky.

Keywords: African American athlete recruitment; Athletic scholarships; Death of Greg Page; First game with high school; Jimmy Pointer; Patton replacement; Recreational Bowl; Robert "Bob" Brooks from Clark County (Ky.); Russellville football team; Tommy Gray; Wilbur Hackett

Subjects: African Americans; Football; Racism; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: But now the feeling going into this situation, I mean, has got to be kind of nerve-wracking.

Segment Synopsis: Burnam talks about the racial climate at the University of Kentucky when he first came to campus, and the changes that have taken place over time.

Keywords: Black Student Union; Cecil New, football player who died; Freshman team; Houston Hogg; Recruitment; Six Black football players; The seasons; Wilbur Hackett

Subjects: Education; Football; University of Kentucky--Football

Partial Transcript: I guess w--uh, my last question for you then is, what do you think has been, and we've kind of touched on it already, but what do you think has been the contribution to athletics from the African American community?

Segment Synopsis: Burnam talks about the various coaches and football players at the University of Kentucky, and the history with and without African American players. He also talks about the recruitment of African American students.

Keywords: Academic v. athletic scholarships; Black Students; Black athletes; Black basketball coaches; Indirect recruitment of Black students; No Black athletes, no Black students at UK; Recruitment; Texas Western's defeat of UK basketball players; Thomas Payne, basketball player

Subjects: African Americans; Education; Football; Scholarships; University of Kentucky