Gary Waddell was born in Lexington, Kentucky and played basketball at Lafayette High School He played for Herky Rupp his sophomore and junior years and for Jock Sutherland his senior year. The Courier-Journal named him first team All-State his senior year.   Gary lived four miles from Memorial Coliseum, so as soon as he received his driver’s license, he spent a great deal of time there getting to know many of the UK players and hearing the inside scoop most fans didn’t know.  After graduating high school, he was recruited by the University of Florida.

Mike Harreld, a native of Owensboro, Kentucky, grew up listening to the Wildcat games and learning the deep traditions and intense loyalty of the UK fans. He was student manager for Coach Bob Watson’s OHS Wildcats. Bob, a member of the 1000 Point Club at UK, used most of the UK basketball system at OHS. He helped Mike earn a tryout for student manager for Coaches Rupp and Lancaster. About 8 students tried out for freshman manager in 1962, all but two dropping out during the year due to the time demands of the job.
 
 Mike was fortunate to earn the seat next to Coach Rupp under the basket for all home games and many of the road games. Listening to the two coaches throughout the four years was a tremendous lesson in the details of basketball strategy.