Reggie Warford. The University of Kentucky men's basketball team beat Florida 80-61 in Lexington's Rupp Arena on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Photo by Chet White | UK Athletics
The first time I met Reggie Watford was when we both were in school at the University of Kentucky.
I arrived on campus in 1970 and Watford came in 1972. I really cannot remember what class we ended up in together the during the spring semester of 1973 but I remember how easy he was to like and get along with.
I never really thought that much about him being an African-American basketball player at Kentucky. We had plenty of African-American athletes at Danville High School and it was years later before I really understood the historical significance of what Watford did by becoming the first African-American men’s basketball player to graduate from UK.
Those thoughts and more came rushing back Thursday when I heard about Warford’s passing at age 67.
Warford averaged 4.1 points per game in the 50 games he played at UK but he was truly a trailblazer. When first-year coach Joe Hall signed Warford, a Drakesboro High School star in Muhlenberg County, it signaled the start of a new era in Kentucky basketball. Warford was committed to Austin Peay but accepted the challenge of being a pioneer at Kentucky when Hall offered him the chance to help change history.
Warford combined with Jack Givens, James Lee, Larry Johnson and Merion Haskins during the 1974-75 season to become the first all-black starting five in UK basketball history.
Warford played a big role on the 1975-76 UK team that won the National Invitational Tournament. He started 14 games that year and had 14 points in the NIT title game victory.
Warford, who is in the KHSAA Hall of Fame, became the first head basketball coach at Muhlenberg County High School in 2009 following the merger of Muhlenberg North and Muhlenberg South. His second team won the regional championship.
He also coached in college at Pittsburgh, Iowa State and Long Beach State and was even head coach of the Harlem Globetrotters for one season.
In recent years, he had numerous health issues. He needed a heart transplant in 2014 and a kidney transplant in 2017. He had breathing issues that required him to use oxygen.
“Reggie Warford played an important role in the history of UK Athletics,” said UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart in a release from UK. “His career as a player and student, and his presence as a native Kentuckian, helped set the stage for the continued growth of integration of Kentucky basketball and our entire athletics program. We are deeply saddened by his passing and our condolences are with his family, friends and teammates.”
Kentucky coach John Calipari knew Watford before he got to Kentucky and welcomed him with open arms at UK.
“I know how much Reggie meant to Kentucky and how he inspired others, including Jack Givens and James Lee. Reggie and I worked together at Pitt in the 80s and have remained friends. I’m going to miss my brother, may God bless you, Reggie,” Calipari said.
Many others are going to feel the same way because if you ever were around Warford, you consider him a friend.
If you have not seen the emotional documentary that former UK basketball player Cameron Mills helped put together on Warford’s journey — Reggie Warford: Fight of His Life — in 2019, make sure you do and make sure you have a few tissues handy when you watch.
