Joe B. Hall Has Passed

[DA#23]

He was 93 years old. Really sad news.

[DA#23]

We can discuss, sometimes argue, etc. the Cats and how they're doing on the court, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say again that I think John Calipari has probably made the most of his time here off of the court. He's done some really amazing things, and among them was helping bring Coach Hall back into the fold.

He was a championship level coach. He was born here, he played HS basketball here, he played college basketball here, and he coached here. He then continued to live here and be around the program in a positive manner.

He and a small handful of former players gave us a lasting connection to Adolph Rupp. First hand accounts of that era. Of Kentucky Basketball history. He did so with a humble grace and level of dignity that would be difficult to replicate.

This is a very sad day for the program, but also for his family and close friends.

I appreciate UK and Calipari for helping him have an opportunity to share some of the knowledge, the reflections, his time with us along the way.

I'd like to post some neat videos featuring Coach Hall.

[DA#23]

Coach Calipari interviewing him:

[DA#23]

Some of you might not have seen this episode of KY Afield, but here's a great episode with Joe B and Denny Crum having fun on a farm pond. Just chewin' the fat and catching some fish together.

[Catsrock]

Very sad even though he lived a long life. I was born in ‘72 so my entire early childhood Joe B had us in the top 10–usually the top 2 with legitimate hopes of a title. Easy for a young kid to develop a lifelong love for a program with a start like that.

RIP Coach Hall. Hope our Cats do him proud today in a big rivalry game.

[Dwight Schrute]

He always seemed like a nice man, and the way fans embraced him long after he’d retired was a testament to how beloved he was. You could tell Cal’s embrace and love for him was genuine and meant a lot to him over the last few years. Every photo I saw off him over the last couple years in assisted living showed him with a big smile on his face.

Him following Rupp was tough but he did it very well and kept the program at a high level. Sad news for the program and the state.

[KCKUKFan]

It's only fitting that we are playing Tennessee at home today. Cats by a thousand.

RIP to a legendary coach, and by all accounts, a true gentleman.

[TrueblueCATfan]

RIP to a Legend....Joe B was the best......Let's win today for Coach

[Joneslab]

What a life he lived. I vaguely remember Hall coaching for Kentucky but I do remember the rolled-up program in his hand.

I wrote a thing for the Kentucky General Assembly in his honor a few years back. There's a bridge in Cynthiana dedicated to him and I wrote the sign attached to the bridge. He was instrumental in international basketball back in the early 1980s, I recall. Had a big hand in introducing South American players to the game.

Extraordinary human and coach.

[Jeff ROCKober]

Many emotions come to me when I heard the passing of Joe B Hall. I know Rupp, Cawood and Bill Keightley and Joe B Hall will be cheering on the CATS above. Watching Joe B win in 78' when I was 11 years old was awesome. Listening to games being called by Cawood sitting with my dad in complete darkness ( the lights would cause static from the radio) as we lived in Virginia Beach as only games I usually saw were in the ACC.
I took my son to a UK basketball camp and it was a thrill that my son was able to talk to him. Such a class act. RIP Coach.

[capcat]

No finer person.

Rest In Peace, Joe B. Well done...and I know you never stopped coaching.💙

[capcat]

Thanks so much for the videos, Matt.

[Lighthouse]

One night after a game at Rupp I had the privilege of riding the elevator with Coach Hall. He was a great Gentleman, and a very good Coach. Praying for his family.

[Westtncat]

I was lucky enough to' meet him and have my picture taken with him back in the 90s. Very down to earth guy.

[Jload]

Several years ago UK played Ole Miss at the old Memphis pyramid. My father who used to,coach basketball at Fulton County in the late 60’s took me and my wife to the game. He locked his keys in his truck, this was in the days before we had cell phones, and we went back in the arena to see if we could use a phone to call a lock Smith. The cops were unhelpful and the officials at the Pyramid basically said tough we aren’t helping you. We were standing by the court in the nearly empty arena trying to figure out what we would do,and suddenly Coach Hall appeared. He greeted my father by his first name although they ahdn’t Seen each other in about 15 years. He asked dad what was wrong and when we told him he said “Come with me”. He took us to the arena managers office and said, “This fellow is a good friend of mine and is having some trouble and I EXPECT you to help him out.” Needless to say we got a phone and the arena manager called a locksmith he knew and the problem was solved. What a fine amazing man Coach Hall was. I bet literally hundreds of people could tell similar stories about the coach.