Guy R. Strong

Guy R. Strong
Biographical details
Born(1930-06-15)June 15, 1930
Irvine, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedMay 19, 2024(2024-05-19) (aged 93)
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Playing career
1949–1951Kentucky
1952–1955Eastern Kentucky
Position(s)Guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1963–1967Kentucky Wesleyan
1967–1973Eastern Kentucky
1973–1977Oklahoma State
1983–1990George Rogers Clark HS
1995–2001George Rogers Clark HS
Head coaching record
Overall186–165 (college)
Tournaments10–2 (NCAA College Division)
0–1 (NCAA University Division)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA College Division (1966)
OVC regular season (1972)
Awards
OVC Coach of the Year (1972)
Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame (2002)

Guy R. Strong (June 15, 1930 – May 19, 2024) was an American basketball player and coach. Strong, a Kentucky native, graduated from Estill County's Irvine High School in 1948.[1] Traveling to the University of Kentucky he was one of five players, including Bill Spivey, who made the final cut during a two-day session. He played for two years including the 1951 National Championship team. After his third year he served in the Korean War, before transferring to Eastern Kentucky to close out his collegiate career. As a coach in High School and College he compiled a 541–355 record. He was also the first coach to win a national championship at Kentucky Wesleyan College, a tradition the school continued by winning 7 more, the most in Division II. Strong was born in Irvine, Kentucky, on June 15, 1930,[2] and died in Lexington, Kentucky, on May 19, 2024, at the age of 93.[3]

Head coaching record

College

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (NCAA College Division independent) (1963–1967)
1963–64 Kentucky Wesleyan 15–8 NCAA College Division Regional Third Place
1964–65 Kentucky Wesleyan 9–12
1965–66 Kentucky Wesleyan 24–6 NCAA College Division Champion
1966–67 Kentucky Wesleyan 25–4 NCAA College Division Third Place
Kentucky Wesleyan: 73–30
Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley Conference) (1967–1973)
1967–68 Eastern Kentucky 10–14 6–8 6th
1968–69 Eastern Kentucky 13–9 7–7 4th
1969–70 Eastern Kentucky 12–10 8–6 T–3rd
1970–71 Eastern Kentucky 16–8 10–4 T–2nd
1971–72 Eastern Kentucky 15–11 9–5 T–1st NCAA University Division First Round
1972–73 Eastern Kentucky 12–13 7–7 T–4th
Eastern Kentucky: 78–65 47–37
Oklahoma State Cowboys (Big Eight Conference) (1973–1977)
1973–74 Oklahoma State 9–17 3–11 7th
1974–75 Oklahoma State 10–16 5–9 6th
1975–76 Oklahoma State 10–16 4–10 6th
1976–77 Oklahoma State 6–21 4–10 7th
Oklahoma State: 35–70 16–40
Total: 186–165

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ^ "Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  2. ^ "UK Career Statistics for Guy Strong".
  3. ^ Legendary coach, former UK player dies WKYT