Guided By Greatness: Scott Davenport's Coaching Journey —Show Notes

About the Guest:

• Scott Davenport is the esteemed head coach of Bellarmine University men's basketball team, a position he has held for 20 years. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Davenport has dedicated 40+ years to coaching basketball, starting in 1984 as a graduate assistant coach under UofL legend Denny Crum. He holds a unique achievement in Kentucky sports history: being the only coach to win both a state high school basketball championship and an NCAA Division 2 championship.

Episode Summary:

In this Kentucky Sports Memories, Gary Fogle engages in a heartfelt conversation with Scott Davenport, uncovering the compelling journey of Bellarmine University’s men's basketball head coach. From humble beginnings in Louisville to a distinguished coaching career, Davenport shares personal stories and professional insights that offer a unique perspective on the game of basketball.

Discover how a backyard basketball hoop built by his late father set Scott Davenport on a path to basketball coaching, supplemented by the mentorship of pivotal figures during his formative years. His time as a walk-on at the University of Louisville opened doors to an illustrious coaching career, including a celebrated stint under coaching legends Denny Crum and Rick Pitino. As Kentucky's only coach to claim both a state high school and NCAA championship, Davenport discusses the contrasting styles of Crum and Pitino, emphasizing that there's more than one way to achieve greatness in the sport.

Key Takeaways:

• Influential Beginnings: Scott Davenport found his passion for basketball through a goal built by his father, which became his gateway to coaching. Coaches during his school years acted as father figures, shaping his aspirations and nurturing his talent.

• One-Of-A-Kind Legacy: Davenport successfully transitioned from high school to college coaching, achieving unprecedented success in both arenas. He is the only coach in Kentucky sports history to win a high school basketball championship & and an NCAA Division 2 championship.

• Diverse Styles: Embracing diverse coaching styles under Denny Crum and Rick Pitino, Davenport learned valuable lessons about the many pathways to success in basketball.

  
  

Notable Quotes:

• "Coach took care of me. He gave me opportunities to earn extra money, which our family needed, and it wasn't glorious...But he provided for me..." - Scott Davenport

• "He said, you should walk. We have a JV team...That one moment changed the rest of my life." - Scott Davenport

• "There's more than one way to be successful and I learned it from two hall of fame coaches." - Scott Davenport

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. Engage with this episode to delve deeper into Scott Davenport's life and career, and be inspired by his journey and insights into basketball coaching.

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