RIP Ralph Beard

imjustagirl2 · Nov 29, 2007

Big name for UK hoops dies at 79.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Ralph Beard, an All-American guard for Kentucky in the 1940s and a key figure in college basketball's biggest betting scandal, died Thursday. He was 79.

Beard, who helped the Wildcats win national championships in 1948 and 1949 under coach Adolph Rupp, died at his home, his son, Scott, said. The cause of death was not immediately available.

A speedy, 5-foot-10 guard, Beard was among Rupp's famed "Fab Five," along with Alex Groza, Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones, Cliff Barker and Kenny Rollins.

The Wildcats finished 36-3 in 1948, beating Baylor 77-59 for the national title. The following summer, Rupp and the five starters teamed with the AAU champion Phillips Oilers to win the Olympic gold medal in London, then won another NCAA championship.

Beard was the school's first four-time All-SEC selection, and finished with 1,517 points, currently 14th on Kentucky's scoring list.

Beard was banned for life from the NBA after it came to light that he shaved points while at Kentucky. (FILE / Associated Press)

He played in the NBA's first All-Star game in 1951, with Bob Cousy, Joe Fulks, Dolph Schayes, Jim Pollard.

Less than a year later, his career was over. Before the start of the 1952 season, Beard and Groza were among several players involved in a point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball. They received suspended sentences, but were banned for life from the NBA.

Beard admitted to taking $700 from gamblers, but said he never shaved points.

The scandal "is never mentioned by people unless I bring it up," Beard said in a 2003 interview. "But the scandal was really a blip on the screen for Kentucky basketball. You just can't kill something that big."

Jones called his former teammate a "top-notch player in the country, the best guard I ever saw.

"I'd do anything in the world for him. He was just a regular guy. We all got along, had a lot of good times together."

Jones said the point-shaving scandal never affected their friendship.

"It really played hard on him the rest of his life," he said. "I've never held anything against him. He was a real good guy."

Former coach Joe B. Hall, who played for Rupp in 1949 and later replaced him, said Beard's style on the court transcends the changes in the game.

"He would be an All-American in today's game," Hall said. "His style of play was timeless. He was so aggressive and quick, a tenacious defender. He would make any adjustments offensively it took to make himself better."

Adolph Rupp Jr., the son of the legendary coach, recalled Beard's speed, which led to a collision between player and coach in 1948.

"They were running a fast break drill and Ralph Beard ran him down and knocked his back out," Rupp Jr. said.

Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said, "Ralph was without question one of the greatest to ever wear the Kentucky uniform."

Beard, who would have been 80 on Sunday, was born in Hardinsburg, then moved to Louisville to attend high school, said his daughter-in-law, Tina Beard.

After his pro career ended, Beard returned to Louisville and went to work at Gould's Pharmaceuticals as a salesman and later as general manager, she said.
Click to expand...

Bob Slydell · Nov 29, 2007

Probably one of the best guard who never got a chance to be as great as he could be. RIP. Never heard anyone say a bad word about the man.

He also lost his house in a tornado a couple of years ago and lost a bunch of memorabilia.

Big news in the Bluegrass State.

IJAG still hates UK by the way.

imjustagirl2 · Nov 29, 2007

Yeah, it's why I wasn't so deferential in my post.

But he mattered. A lot. Especially to the bookies. (oops, was that out loud?)

Bob Slydell · Nov 29, 2007

Now, now.

He really did piss away a ton of talent. Rajon Rondo gets compared to him a lot, except beard could shoot.

imjustagirl2 · Nov 29, 2007

And apparently wasn't a cancer who quit on his coach.

Oops, was that out loud too?

Bob Slydell · Nov 29, 2007

He did kind of set the tone for the UK scandals though.

imjustagirl2 · Nov 29, 2007

Yeah, but everyone liked him.

Rondo? I've heard conflicting reports.

Bob Slydell · Nov 29, 2007

Conflicting reports on people liking him? I don't think anyone was sad to see him go. Talk about a team cancer.

On comparisons with Beard, I've heard Beard was quick enough to hang with Rondo any time.

spnited · Nov 29, 2007

Beard, of course, was innocent.
We know this because while mocking the NYC schools caught up in the scandals of '51, The Baron loudly proclaimed that not only would his boys never do anything like that, no unsavory characters could ever get close enough to his perfect program for such a thing to happen.

imjustagirl2 · Nov 29, 2007

spnited said:

Beard, of course, was innocent.
We know this because while mocking the NYC schools caught up in the scandals of '51, The Baron loudly proclaimed that not only would his boys never do anything like that, no unsavory characters could ever get close enough to his perfect program for such a thing to happen.
Click to expand...

Muahahahah!

dixiehack · Nov 29, 2007

spnited said:

Beard, of course, was innocent.
We know this because while mocking the NYC schools caught up in the scandals of '51, The Baron loudly proclaimed that not only would his boys never do anything like that, no unsavory characters could ever get close enough to his perfect program for such a thing to happen.
Click to expand...

Not surprisingly, Google Images comes up dry when searching for an 11-ft. poll.

spnited · Nov 29, 2007

The Baron, 1951:
"Gamblers couldn't get at our players with a ten-foot pole.''

Five of his players were eventually caught point-shaving.

Log in or Sign up

RIP Ralph Beard

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

spnited Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

dixiehack Well-Known Member

spnited Active Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

RIP Ralph Beard

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

Bob Slydell Active Member

spnited Active Member

imjustagirl2 New Member

dixiehack Well-Known Member

spnited Active Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches