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Jack “Goose” Givens reflects on his mom’s fears as he was recruited to play basketball for Kentucky in the 1970s

Jack Givens is celebrated by Kentucky fans in Rupp Arena (2019)

University of Kentucky All-American Jack “Goose” Givens, who also played in the NBA and eventually transitioned to sports broadcasting, joined me on 840WHAS for a wide-ranging interview. We are both self-proclaimed nerds who attended UK at the same time.

We dove into his recruitment by Kentucky and the racial challenges it posed for him and his mother. Givens grew up in Lexington where he “never thought I’d have a chance to play” for the Wildcats.

Jim Host, Derrick Ramsey (partially obscured), Jack Givens, Joe B Hall, Terry Meiners (2016)

Jack also discussed the intensity of playing for a hard-boiled coach in Joe B Hall, and how their relationship changed after Hall sought Givens’ advice during his broadcast years.

Givens led the 1978 Kentucky Wildcats to an NCAA National Championship, scoring 41 points in the Cats defeat of Duke.

Jack Givens Leads Kentucky to NCAA Title
April 3, 1978
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credit: James Drake – contract
terrymeiners
dad. husband. observer. media personality. pathological flyer.
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