Interview with Bob Bradley, June 30, 2016

Partial Transcript: Well I'm here with Bob Bradley who came to the University of Kentucky in 1978, is that correct, Bob?

Segment Synopsis: Dennis Emery introduces Bob Bradley. Bradley discusses his work prior to working for the University of Kentucky (UK), as well as how he found out about the job he took at UK. He describes the process he went through before being offered his position at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Athletics; Cliff Hagan; College sports; Counseling; Lexington Technical Institute (LTI); Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now, at--what salary did you start at for that position?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses starting his job at UK, his starting salary, as well as his job responsibilities.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Cliff Hagan; College sports; Counseling; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball.; Football.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, let's, let's talk first a little bit about, about what you did, ho--you know, with those guys.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Joe B. Hall and his coaching methods both on and off of the court. He discusses how the focus for Coach Hall was to make the players good citizens, not just good athletes, and how that would help the players to mature.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Athletics; Coach Hall; College sports; Counseling; Joe B. Hall; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Hall, Joe B. (Joe Beasman); Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Whenever we started, Joe wanted his, uh, any cuts, class cuts, any issues, academic issues right before practice every day.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes how Joe B. Hall would handle the players who had academic issues like skipping classes.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; Coach Hall; College sports; Counseling; Joe B. Hall; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Hall, Joe B. (Joe Beasman); Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Kyle was, you know--we went to the final four in St. Louis that year, in seventy-eight.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Kyle Macy's time at UK and his relationship with Coach Hall, describing Macy's academic successes.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; Coach Hall; College sports; Counseling; Joe B. Hall; Kyle Macy; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Hall, Joe B. (Joe Beasman); Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What--tell me what you liked about Jack Givens.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Jack Givens' time at UK and his personality in general.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Counseling; Jack Givens; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: My funniest one, I think, was Freddie Cowan.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Freddie Cowan's time at UK and seeing Cowan again many years after leaving UK at a basketball game.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Counseling; Freddie Cowan; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: There--your first facility, where w--in seventy-eight you're the academic counselor for football and basketball, where, where did you do that?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses his first office in which he would do academic counseling at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Counseling.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: We had a kid named Dwight Anderson who came in--he was the number one guard in the country.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes Dwight Anderson visiting UK and how Bradley discussed academics with Anderson.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Counseling; Recruiting; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So your, your facility back there in--how, how long were you in that?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses working with Frank Ham and the lessons he learned from Ham throughout his time at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; College sports; Counseling; Football; Frank Ham; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: We, we now give an award, the Frank Ham Society of Character award. Was that your idea to do that?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the Frank Ham Society of Character Award. He describes how many people worked for the athletic department in the '70s and '80s. He also discusses Ham selling tickets to football games outside of the stadium.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; Awards; Basketball; College sports; Counseling; Frank Ham; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let's, let's talk a little bit about Fran Curci.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the tenure of Fran Curci, his accomplishments, and what led to his eventual departure from UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Coaches; College sports; Counseling; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: The, the most amazing thing Fran did is he called me up one day and he said, "Hey, I think I solved your problems, your academic problems."

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Jon Mirilovich's arrival at UK and working with Mirilovich on the academic success of student athletes.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, now, what I want to move into next here, um, things changed in eighty-one.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the circumstances that led to the beginning of the first academic center for athletics, the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS).

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; CATS; CATS Center; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I went to Cliff and I said, "That would make a great academic center."

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the early efforts to create the CATS center, including an anecdote about a presentation Bradley had to do for the UK Board of Trustees.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; CATS; CATS Center; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: One of the things that I was gonna go over at the end but it seemed like at that time Kentucky was really on the cutting edge of a lot of, a lot of things, you know?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses how the CATS center was a landmark for academic innovation for athletic programs.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; CATS; CATS Center; College sports; Counseling; Football; Innovation; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, y, you know, co, Coach Curci leaves.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes Jerry Claiborne's arrival at UK and how Claiborne is as a person as well as a coach. He discusses the way Claiborne would work with student athletes.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Counseling; Jerry Claiborne; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: I think he's--y, you know there's, I won't say that there's not a day goes by that I don't think about Coach Claiborne.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the importance of winning the College Football Associate Graduation Award under coach Claiborne, as well as how Claiborne was able to coordinate the students effectively in order to achieve academic success.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Awards; CATS; CATS Center; College Football Associate Graduation Award; College sports; Counseling; Jerry Claiborne; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now, he had some good players who played for him, too.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses some of the great players that were at UK under coach Claiborne, as well as how Claiborne was able to help students with their academic performance.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; CATS; CATS Center; College sports; Counseling; Jerry Claiborne; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: In, in basketball, the next guy to come along was Eddie Sutton, you know, who took Coach Hall's place.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes the transition from Joe B. Hall to Eddie Sutton, as well as how Sutton dealt with academics with his players.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Counseling; Joe B. Hall; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So we have, we have some good years there.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses some of the issues that arose during Sutton's time as a coach, describing the scandal surrounding Eric Manuel in detail.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Counseling; Eric Manuel; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); Scandals; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now you--at one point, you were in compliance here--

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses his time working in compliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and how he felt about that position.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; College sports; Compliance; Counseling; Football; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); National Collegiate Athletic Association.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So now Dr. Roselle comes in.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes the change in his position when Dr. Roselle took over as President of UK. He also discusses some of the decisions that Roselle made during his tenure.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; College sports; Counseling; David P. Roselle; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, eventually, um, Dr. Roselle hires "C.M." Newton--

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses C.M. Newton's time at UK, as well as what he thought of Newton as a director and as a person. He also discusses the successes of Newton in bringing Rick Pitino and Bill Curry to UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletic directors; Basketball; C.M. Newton; Charles Martin Newton; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: The--you know, without putting you on the spot here, what, you know, what things did you see--how the CATS center changed, the role changed, if at all, with Mr. Newton?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the work that went into deciding to build the new CATS center under Newton.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; C.M. Newton; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: But C.M. recognized that you all needed more space than this--

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the planning of the new CATS center with Newton's leadership. He describes the issues with having an architect plan an academic center, as well as how other academic centers around the country compare to UK's CATS center.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; CATS; CATS Center; College sports; Counseling; Football; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Okay so, C.M. hires, C.M. hires Rick Pitino.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Rick Pitino's arrival to UK, coming from the New York Knicks. He describes Pitino's demeanor and how he did his job at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Athletics; College sports; Counseling; Rick Pitino; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); Pitino, Rick.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, then C.M., as you alluded to earlier, makes the hire of Bill Curry.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Bill Curry and his time as the football coach at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Bill Curry; College sports; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Curry, Bill, 1942-; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well you, you know, you've, you've gotten to spend such a great amount of time with, you know, basically the, the greatest coaches and player--other than Adolf and Bear Bryant, you know, you've basically spent a lot of time with all these, these great guys.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes attending Adolf Rupp's funeral in downtown Lexington.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Adolf Rupp; College sports; Counseling; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball; Lexington (Ky.); Rupp, Adolph, 1901-1977.; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So it ends up, you know, Coach Curry, uh, you know, eventually that--I think after eight years that kind of plays itself out.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses his thoughts on Bill Curry and his impact on students, as well as his public speaking.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Bill Curry; College sports; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Curry, Bill, 1942-; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Now C.M. ends up hiring Hal Mumme.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes his interactions with Hal Mumme and how he brought in very intelligent athletes to play at UK.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Hal Mumme; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); Mumme, Hal; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: You know the thing that killed us with him was Claude Bassett.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses the issues surrounding Claude Bassett, and the probation that followed NCAA violations. He also discusses some of the issues surrounding Larry Ivy and allegations against him.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Hal Mumme; Larry Ivy; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So everything they did to Larry--you know my favorite Larry Ivy story?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes a story about Ivy and discusses what he thought of Ivy's character.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; College sports; Football; Larry Ivy; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: The, you know, one of the last people that C.M. hired in the C.M.-Larry era was, was Tubby Smith who took over for Rick.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses Tubby Smith and his time at UK. He describes a story about Smith deciding what to do about an academic issue with a player.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Sports; Tubby Smith; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball.; Lexington (Ky.); Smith, Tubby; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: So, Tubby, Tubby now leaves, you know, he decides to go to Minnesota and Mitch Barnhart brings in Billy Gillispie.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes Billy Gillispie's tenure at UK, his personality, and the situation surrounding his departure.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Billy Gillispie; College sports; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let's, let's, let's finish up the basketball side before we go other places.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses John Calipari and his work at UK, both with the community and with the players.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; John Calipari; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Basketball.; Calipari, John, 1958-; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: As we begin to wrap this up here, Rich Brooks comes in.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses how his role changed, and his differences in views with Rich Brooks. He describes Brooks' time at UK and how he was with the players.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; College sports; Rich Brooks; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Brooks, Rich, 1941-; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Well, the--you know, after Rich, Joker comes in.

Segment Synopsis: Bradley describes Joker Phillips' time at UK and how his situation was not ideal due to specific limitations.

Keywords: Academics; College sports; Joker Phillips; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Football.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: What, what're some of the other things that were important to you? Some of the things that you'd like to talk about?

Segment Synopsis: Bradley discusses some of the important lessons he learned over time while working at UK. He describes stories surrounding academic counseling, Frank Ham, and Bill Curry.

Keywords: Academic advisers; Academics; Basketball; Bill Curry; College sports; Counselors; Football; Frank Ham; Lessons; Sports; UK; UK athletics; University of Kentucky athletics

Subjects: Athletics.; Lexington (Ky.); University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Bob, thank you so much for your time.

Segment Synopsis: Emery concludes the interview and thanks Bradley for his help.