Jennifer Moonsong/ WCLU News Director
Western Kentucky University basketball legend Bobby Rascoe will be laid to rest this afternoon, leaving behind an admirable legacy.
A graduate of Daviess County High School, he was known during his high school days as an all-around lover of sports, but basketball more than any of those showcased what friends and family called “grit and tenacity of spirit”.
Standing at the tall height of 6’ 4” he lead his team to two Sweet 16 appearances and the championship game his senior year. He also played in the Kentucky All-Star team, as well as received numerous other accolades for his basketball playing abilities.
On July 22 of 1958 he signed play college basketball at Western Kentucky University for Coach E.A. Diddle.
During his WKU tenure, he earned many honors with the Hilltoppers and was noted one of the nations leading scorers with 25.7 points per game his senior college year when he was named an All-American.
Following his WKU basketball career he was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1962’s NBA draft, but chose to play for the 66ers in Bartlettsville, Oklahoma. However, it was obvious that the Hilltoppers never left his heart, as he later settled back in Bowling Green where he returned to his WKU roots as an assistant men’s basketball coach. He retired from an illustrious career at the University after 33 years.
Decades later, Rascoe was honored by retiring his number 45 jersey. He was also inducted into Western’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
