Celebrating 50 Years Since Kentucky Colonels' ABA Championship Victory

About the Guest(s):

• Louie Dampier: A legendary basketball player who played for the Kentucky Colonels throughout the team's existence in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Known for his scoring prowess, Dampier is the all-time leading scorer and assist provider in ABA history. He was pivotal in the Colonels' 1975 championship win.

• Dan Issel: Renowned for his outstanding basketball career at the University of Kentucky, Issel played a vital role in leading the Kentucky Colonels to the 1975 ABA Championship. His impressive collegiate scoring record still stands at the University of Kentucky.

• Artis Gilmore: Former Jacksonville University star who later became a key player for the Kentucky Colonels, helping secure their only ABA championship in 1975. He is celebrated for his dominant performances on the court.

• Lloyd Gardner: Served as the trainer for the Kentucky Colonels for most of the team's existence, providing valuable insights into the operational and strategic dynamics of the team, particularly during their championship years.

Episode Summary:

This week on "Kentucky Sports Memories," host Gary Fogle dives into the commemoration of a landmark event in Kentucky sports history—the 50th anniversary of the Kentucky Colonels' 1975 ABA Championship. With insights from notable team members like Louie Dampier, Dan Issel, and Artis Gilmore, the episode offers an intriguing look at the triumphs and challenges faced during this pivotal season, setting the stage for a celebration of Kentucky's rich basketball heritage.

In this episode, Gary Fogle revisits the pivotal moments of the 1975 ABA Championship, marking the Kentucky Colonels' historic achievement as the state's only major professional sports championship. Featuring interviews with basketball icons like Louie Dampier, the all-time leading scorer in ABA history, the narrative highlights the team's journey and the significance of this victory. The episode also explores the broader context of the American Basketball Association's competitive landscape, demonstrating the Colonels' prowess, particularly their success against formidable opponents like the Indiana Pacers.

In engaging conversations with Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore, Gary reflects on their career highlights, with particular focus on the 1975 championship season's impact on their legacies. While Issel recounts the trade decisions that potentially altered the Colonels' fate during the ABA-NBA merger, Gilmore discusses his collegiate rivalry with Kentucky and subsequent heroics as a Colonel. Additionally, Lloyd Gardner provides unique perspectives on internal team decisions, emphasizing the potential for continued success that was cut short, delving into what might have been had the Kentucky Colonels joined the NBA.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kentucky Colonels won their only ABA Championship in 1975, a historic achievement as the state's sole major professional sports victory.

• Louie Dampier played all nine seasons for the Colonels, culminating in the 1975 championship, marking a pinnacle in his athletic career.

• Dan Issel highlighted that despite his legendary college career, the Colonels' championship was a career-defining moment.

• Artis Gilmore was crucial in the 1975 victory, which stands as a highlight in his sporting career, underscored by his dominating performance in the final game.

• The Kentucky Colonels faced challenges during the ABA-NBA merger, with strategic decisions such as trading Dan Issel impacting their chances for further success.

Notable Quotes:

• "That was the greatest thing that ever happened in my sports career" — Louie Dampier, on winning the 1975 championship.

• "It was the only championship that I ever won" — Dan Issel, reflecting on the significance of the 1975 victory.

• "75 happened to be at the very top winning a really actually championship" — Artis Gilmore, on the importance of the ABA championship.

• "We were actually sitting around talking about how the shares would come out if we did that" — Lloyd Gardner, on the Colonels' proposed challenge to the Golden State Warriors.

Join Gary Fogle as he continues to explore the stories behind the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the world of sports in Kentucky. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into the Kentucky’s only major professional championship victory in history and stay tuned for more captivating episodes of Kentucky Sports Memories.