Kenny Walker, right, says the Dream Game in 1983 was the most intense game he ever played in. (UK Athletics Photo)
Before Kentucky played Louisville last week, UK athletics officials asked several former UK players to write letters to the current players about what the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry meant to them.
Former All-American Kenny Walker was one of those players who agreed to write a letter and share his experiences. He played five times against the Cards, including the original Dream Game in the 1983 NCAA Tournament that Louisville won in overtime.
Kentucky athletics made a video out of the players receiving the letters from the former players that was immensely popular with UK fans.
“A lot of people thought it was us former players that did all that. I didn’t mind doing it but we cannot take credit for the idea,” Walker said on WPBK-FM Thursday. “Several people I work with at UK athletics get the credit. I was approached about whether I would be interested in helping out with a letter talking about my experiences at Kentucky but mainly my experiences in the Louisville game.
“I thought it was a cool idea. It was a fun thing for me to do from a personal standpoint.”
Walker liked that UK tried to match the former players with a current player who had a similar personality or playing style. Walker’s letter was to sophomore center Brandon Garrison.
“He is tall and long like I was. He can really jump and plays with enthusiasm,” Walker said. “I have been watching him play all year.
“I wrote a long letter, maybe longer than anybody else. I remember the Dream Game and the emotions I was going through with that game. I just warned him that you have played in big games like Gonzaga and Duke but you have got to understand in Kentucky you have got to be prepared to play this game.”
When Walker got to see the video UK planned to release before it was posted on social media, he got emotional hearing what other former players Tony Delk, Deron Feldhaus, Ramel Bradley, Tayshaun Prince and others talking about their experiences at UK and the Louisville game.
“I have had a lot of fans text and call me saying that video really brought back memories. I almost teared up. You want these kids putting on the uniform to know how special it is here. If you are going to play at a program like Kentucky, you need to fully understand what you are getting yourself into.”
Here are some excerpts from Walker’s letter to Garrison, who played 24 minutes in the win over Louisville and had five points, four rebounds and four assists:
“I was born and raised in Georgia. When I made my decision to attend the University of Kentucky in 1982, I knew a lot about the history and tradition, but I did not know a lot about the rivalries that we had with some of the other schools in college basketball. My freshman season at Kentucky we played big games against Indiana, Kansas, and Notre Dame. Those games were intense with a lot of pressure.
“I did not think another school could rival those schools until we played the University of Louisville in the very first matchup between the two schools in the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in Knoxville, Tennessee for the rights to go to the Final Four. The game was called The Dream Game, The Battle of the Bluegrass.
“Playing in that game was unlike anything that I have ever seen. Half of the arena was all blue and the other half was all red. It truly was a state divided. The fans and the media of both teams had been expecting this matchup for many years, both teams had tremendous talent and two Hall of Fame coaches, Joe B Hall, and Denny Crum. It was a hostile environment and the most intense ball game that I had ever played in. The University of Louisville won that game in overtime that day and went on to the Final Four, but the rivalry was born.
“My record for my career against Louisville was 3-2. It was fun being a part of something so special between two great universities. Kentucky has dominated this rivalry the last few years, but you must understand that, regardless of what the records might be between the two teams, the rivalry is still the biggest in the state, and you must be ready to meet that challenge.
“Good luck to you and the Wildcats in this game and for the rest of the season. Go Big Blue! Slam Dunk one for me.”
