His memories of Lexington were so many not only of his tenure as an NCAA referee calling games at Memorial Coliseum, but those years of he and his wife Wanda, following their son, Larry who was a key member of Coach Rupp’s Legendary “RUPP RUNTS” in the mid 1960’s. Of course, coming back to Lexington for George Conley would be a solid homecoming that he would cherish once again. It would be our job to make it successful. We also were assigned to call Marshall University Football for Tower Cablevision Channel 12 at Fairfield Stadium as well. It’s been 40 years this fall since we were assigned to host what would showcase the Wildcats new upcoming season to northeast Kentucky. Tower Cablevision wanted to expand the parameters and that decision led to George and me being assigned to host a one hour special entitled: THE KENTUCKY WILDCATS PRESEASON 1983-1984 BASKETBALL SPECIAL FROM RUPP ARENA. The fall of 1983 came quickly and our 3rd season together was knocking on the door. The calendar moved quickly through those first two seasons as George and I created a natural combination on the air that caught the eyes and ears of many viewers on Channel 12. Included would be the scores of NCAA college coaches who came to know George during his days on the hardwood as a solid college basketball referee, second to none. It was a good bet back then that George Conley was one of the best known men in all 120 counties in the state. All we had to do was stir it and rest became history. So, the chemistry was there for us to team up on WTSF Channel 12. George’s common sense insights propelled him to serve as a Kentucky Senator from 1959-1963. He was the perfect affable politician Kentuckians were looking for with his charisma, charm and personality. However, his notoriety and success through the mid 50’s and mid 70’s as an NCAA official in the SEC, OVC, ACC and Southern conferences spoke for itself. He was the Ashland High Basketball coach from 1949-1954 leading the Tomcats to a 114-39 record for a 75% winning percentage. George’s reputation preceded him in so many ways and I was ecstatic that he and I would be teaming up for our broadcasts covering the coming fall and winter seasons.īeing an Ashland guy, I knew of George’s legacy and that he was a Living Legend throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The focus was on showcasing local high school football and basketball.Īs the years passed into the decade of the early 80’s, I was given a new partner in the booth, George Conley. In the mid 70’s I was calling play-by-play for Tower Cablevision, Channel 12 back in Ashland. Opening of Channel 12’s 1983 Kentucky Wildcats preseason basketball special.

Commonwealth journal don white