UK Equipment Manager Dies After Fall
MR WILDCAT dead
Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley, who was with the Wildcats for 48 seasons, died Monday in Cincinnati. He was 81.
Keightley died of internal bleeding caused by a previously undiagnosed tumor on his spine, the university said in a statement. Kentucky spokesman Scott Stricklin said Keightley was on a trip to see the Reds' season-opener and suffered a fall.
He was taken to University Hospital, where he died of internal bleeding Monday evening. Stricklin said doctors believe the fall was probably due to bleeding.
Keightley, known to many as Mr. Wildcat, started working at UK in 1962, as the equipment manager.
In 2002, the university presented the first Bill Keightley award. It's given to the "individual who understands and exemplifies the pride, respect, and the positive attributes associated with being a part of the Kentucky basketball program."
The Lawrenceburg, Ky. native had his jersey retired in the rafters at Rupp Arena in 1997. He's one of only two people who did not play or coach. The other was broadcaster Cawood Ledford. Keightley was also inducted into the charter class of the university's Hall of Fame in 2005.