Van Florence, Adolph Rupp, Jr., and Larry Ivy

The 2001 Adolph F. Rupp Trophy was put on display today at the University ofKentucky Basketball Museum. Each year, the Commonwealth Athletic Club ofKentucky, Inc. presents the 175-pound trophy to College Basketball’s Player of theYear as selected by The Associated Press. The trophy, however, stays with the cluband the honoree receives a smaller version to keep.

“With all that Coach Rupp did in his life, it’s an honor to be a guardian of this greatbasketball program,” Coach Tubby Smith said today. “I know this award means a lot toso many players.”

The award, which will be presented during a press conference in Minneapolis duringthe 2001 Final Four, is symbolic of the excellence established by Coach Rupp duringhis 42-year career at the University of Kentucky. Coach Rupp’s 879 victoriesestablished him as the winningest coach in college basketball history, a record heheld until 1997.

“I would like to thank the Rupp family for all of their help and contributions to themuseum,” said Van Florence, Museum director. “One thing we’ve wanted to do is drawmore interest. To be able to display the Adolph F. Rupp Trophy, which honors collegebasketball’s top player each year, will do just that. This is one of the oldest Player ofthe Year awards in existence, and it will remain on display here until the end of Marchwhen it goes to Minneapolis for the Final Four.”

The Commonwealth Athletic Club was established as a non-profit organization in 1972and is comprised of volunteer supporters throughout the Commonwealth who maintainthe legacy of Coach Rupp and establish scholarships in his name.

The 2001 Final Four marks the 30th year of existence of the Club, the 27th consecutiveyear that it has joined with the AP to present the Rupp Award. Throughout this period,the Club has maintained exclusive rights to the Rupp Award without the benefit of anational, regional, or local sponsor.

From its inception in 1972 until his death in 1977, Coach Rupp personally presentedthe solid bronze Player’s trophy to each winner. A list of the honorees is listed below.

RUPP AWARD RECIPIENTS

1972 Bill Walton UCLA 1973 Bill Walton UCLA 1974 Bill Walton UCLA 1975 David Thompson North Carolina St. 1976 Scott May Indiana 1977 Marques Johnson UCLA1978 Butch Lee Marquette1979 Larry Bird Indiana St.1980 Mark Aguirre DePaul1981 Ralph Sampson Virginia1982 Ralph Sampson Virginia1983 Ralph Sampson Virginia1984 Michael Jordan North Carolina1985 Patrick Ewing Georgetown1986 Walter Berry St. John’s1987 David Robinson Navy1988 Hersey Hawkins Bradley1989 Sean Elliott Arizona1990 Lionel Simmons LaSalle1991 Shaquille O’Neal LSU1992 Christian Laettner Duke1993 Calbert Cheaney Indiana1994 Glenn Robinson Purdue1995 Joe Smith Maryland1996 Marcus Camby Massachusetts1997 Tim Duncan Wake Forest1998 Antawn Jamison North Carolina 1999 Elton Brand Duke2000 Kenyon Martin Cincinnati