Sept. 7, 2001

Selected emails

Name: Rev. Charles E. Burgin
City: Louisville, KY 40291
Mrs. Ledford: My family join me in sending sincere sympathy and condolences in the passing of your beloved Husband, Mr. Caywood Ledford.
Caywood was a vital part of my live for nearly 40 years as he reported the fortunes of our Beloved Wildcats. He was a genuine professional on and off the playing court, field and track. We will always remember him. They will probably NEVER BE ANOTHERAS TALENTED OR DEDICATED AS THAT MAJESTIC, GOLDEN VOICE. I thank Caywood and You and all the family for allowing us to share in his life and love of sports. May God bless you Mrs. Ledford in the days ahead. Remember, ‘MEMORY IS ONE GIFT OF GOD THAT EVEN DEATH CANNOT DESTROY.” We will not say “GOODBY CAYWOOD, but “SO LONG, OUR FRIEND, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!” We loved every game he ever called and will never forget our – CAYWOOD LEDFORD! Thank you for taking the time to read this heartfelt message.
Dr. Charles E. Burgin, President CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES,
Louisville, KY.

Name: STEVEN,GOODIN,R.
City: CHATTANOOGA,TN
MY DEEPEST HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE SURVIVNG FAMILY OF THE LATE,GREAT CAWOOD LEDFORD.AS WELL AS MOST BIG BLUE FANS,I GREW UP LISTENING TO THE VOICE OF THE CATS ON THE RADIO.WHEN THEY WERE ON TV I WOULD MUTE THE SOUND AND CRANK UP CAWOOD,CAUSE NOBODY COULD CALL THE GAME LIKE HIM!!HE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE GREATEST SPORTSCASTER EVER!!I’M A HUGE CAT FAN,AND I KNOW WHEN YOU THINK OF KENTUCKY LEGENDS, CAWOOD IS ONE OF THE FIRST ONES TO COME TO MIND.HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED,BUT AS ALL LEGENDS AND HEROES…,HE WILL LIVE FOREVER IN MY MIND AND HEART!!!GOD SPEED CAWOOD!!!

Name: JIMMY SEWELL
City: FRANKFORT KY
I can remember when I was six yearsold going down stairs of our house and seeing my two brothers and my dad gathered up around the radio and hearing that voice.And thats where it all started for me Kentucky Basketball and Cawood Ledford. Im 40 now and when I think back to my childhood and all the great things that happen to me I still go back to that night downstairs at my house with my dad and my brothers and Cawood. Thank you Cawood I know your in a better place now but we’er going to miss you.

Name: Elkin, Bill G.
City: Tacoma, WA
I never met Cawood, but I feel like I’ve lost a great friend and a part of my child hood. I became a Wildcat fan during the ‘Rupp’s Runts’ era. I’ll never forget the excitement in Cawood’s voice as he described Louie,Pat,Larry,Tommy and Thad “moving left to right on your radio dial”. I’ve followed the ‘cats ever since. Great baskeball teams at Kentucky will always be the norm. There will never be another Cawood Ledford.

Name: PHILLIP KIRBY L.
City: BOWLING GREEN, KY
I USED TO BE A SPORTS ANNOUNCER OF HIGH SCHOOL GAMES AND EVEN A WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME. I ONCE GOT TO DO A GAME WHEN KARL MALONE WAS AT LOUISIANA TECH. IN ALL THE GAMES I DID, WHETHER FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL, I PATTERNED MYSELF AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AFTER CAWOOD. I HAVE EVEN BORROWED SOME OF HIS WELL KNOWN PHRASES SUCH AS “BETWEEN THE RINGS”, “FREE THROW LINE EXTENDED” AND “WRITE IT DOWN” OR “GIVE IT TO HIM”. I MET CAWOOD AT A BOOK SIGNING AND GOT TO TALK WITH HIM AND HAVE MY PICTURE MADE WITH HIM. THAT WAS AN EXTREME HONOR FOR ME. I KNOW HE WAS THE BEST AND THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE HIM. LIKE MANY OTHERS, I WOULD TURN THE SOUND DOWN ON THE T.V. AND TURN THE SOUND UP ON THE RADIO TO LISTEN TO HIM. WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I WOULD PLAY THE GAME IN MY ROOM WHILE HE WAS ANNOUNCING AND I WOULD BE THE STAR OF EVERY GAME. CAWOOD BROUGHT THE GAMES TO US WITH TRUE PROFESSIONALISM AND HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED AS AN ANNOUNCER AND AS A WONDERFUL MAN. THANK YOU MR. LEDFORD FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES.

Name: Dana O. Ladd
City: Findlay, OH
I first met Caywood when he agreed to be our featured speaker at the Greater Ashland UK Alumni Scholarship dinner. I was amazed at Caywood’s patience and kindness to the many fans who came to see him and hear some old tales about Adolf Rupp and other coaches and players. Everyone felt a personal bond with this man they had listened to for decades. He somehow came through the radio right into people’s hearts. I’ll always hold a special memory of him and will support his scholarship. My heart felt condolences to all of his family and friends.
Dana Ladd
Former President – Greater Ashland UK Alumni Club.

Name: John M. Mason Jr.
City: Goshen, Ohio
Your voice and spirit will live forever in Fathers & Sons, Mothers & Daughters who had he pleasure of hearing you over these many years. Your voice has been handed down from parents to children, children to granchildren as a Kentucky Icon.I remember when I was a child my father (John Mason from Harlan/Cawwod)moved us to California. My dad purchased a radio that would pickup Kentucky Basketball and Cawood’s voice. I wish I had a nickel for everytime the cats were on T.V. and my dad turning the sound down so he could listen to Cawood call the game. Thanks for the memories. I am now 45 years old and have grown up listening to the cats with my dad and Cawood.

Name: Chet Miller, E.
City: Troy, Michigan
Growing up in Covington, Ky., I was able to watch the University of Kentucky play basketball on t.v. often. However, my father and older brother taught me about the legacy of Cawood Ledford and I began to watch the games with the volume down and the radio up. I have continued to do this but it has never been the same without Cawood calling the game. His honesty, integrity and soothing voice was always a pleasure. I will miss him very much. Condolences to his friends and family.

Name: Tony Cornett
City: Alpharetta, Georgia
I will never forget the cold winter nights growing up in East Kentucky when I would turn on the radio and listen to Cawood make the call. My Brother and I would act out the action as if we were the UK basketball players and Cawood was talking about us. I will dearly miss him.

Name: Rob Ellington
City: Florence, KY
Dear Cawood,
My friend, you painted a picture for a young Kentucky boy so that he could see the same thing you saw, the Kentucky Wildcats taking the field, or the court, letting us know what exactly what was going on with OUR team. You told us the good, and you werent afraid to tell us the bad. You were the eyes and ears of the Big Blue Nation, many of us who didnt make it to Lexington to see all the games. But that was ok, you were watching it for us, and we had the best seat in the house, through your eyes, and you described it better than we could see for ourselves.
Many heartfelt prayers and thoughts to your family and loved ones. Godspeed!
GO BIG BLUE!
Rob Ellington

Name: Melissa Hensley
City: Union, KY
Once in a while, when the luminous sun warms your face to a soft rose hue, and the breeze is blowing gently through the swaying trees on a velvety green hillside, miles from anywhere…once in a while, if you plop down under a tree, close your eyes, and listen to the whispering wind, you can vaguely hear old Happy crooning the long ago sung melody of MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME, his vibrato so deep and rich that the birds hush to hear it, too.

Listen now and you can hear another deep, distant voice wafting along behind…A voice rapt with vividly worded images of long since played Wildcat games. A voice that once rang proud and true across the bluegrass airwaves for four decades in our beautiful state. A voice, THE VOICE, that is now and forever silent to us on Earth. Those Lucky Angels…

Cawood Ledford1926-2001Rest In Peace

Name: Jerry McClanahan Jr. M
City: Monroe, North Carolina
I would like to extend my condolences to the Ledford family and the entire UK family. I grew up listening to Mr. Ledford call the games of my favorite team. He was the greatest announcer of all time, but more importantly he came across as genuinely good person. When I think of Kentucky Basketball, I think of two people: Adolph Rupp and Cawood Ledford. Two legends who will live forever, in our minds and our hearts. May God Bless you all.

Name: Mary M Henderson
City: Richmond, KY
A poem in tribute to Cawood Ledford:
“A Tribute to Cawood Ledford”

A loving son, brother, husband and a friend
God gently carried Him to the end.
Kentucky lost a powerful voice
The love He shared was His choice.

Cherish the memories of Him in your heart
He valued Kentucky right from the start.
From, Cawood Kentucky and across this land
We will always remember this wonderful man.

Dear God, we ask you to watch over His family today
Comfort and love them along life’s way
Cawood’s voice will forever echo in our mind
We felt His love and joy all the time.

Written/copyright: Mary M Henderson
Date: Sept 6, 2001

Name: Steve Honto
City: Lexington, Kentucky
The Headlines read A Legend Passes Away. How true are those words. To the family of Cawood Ledford,my heart felt sympathy on your loss. Cawood will always remain an icon of respect, dignaty, and what it is to be a true gentleman in a profession that provided the eyes and ears of Kentucky sports. Cawood Ledford shall always remain in the hearts of every Kentuckian who had the pleasure of listening to him broadcast a Football or Basketball game. His voice and presents will be missed

Name: Lance Heise, J
City: Ellensburg, WA
Dear members of the Ledford Family:
As I was driving to work this morning in Seattle, I heard the newsof Mr. Ledford’s passing on a local sports radio station.
Having grown up in Shelbyville, Ky. and attended UK, I was devastated whenI heard the news.
I was a huge fan of Mr. Ledford, often times imitating his radio voice and mannerisms, as I listened to UK basketball and football broadcasts as a small child. I am sure I wasn’t alone.
A few years ago I had received a book as a gift, Hello Everybody, This is Cawood Ledford”. I read all of it almost immediately. I will read it again and will remember.
I deeply regret that I never had the opportunity to meet him. My prayers are with his entire family tonight.
If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me. Lance Heise

Name: Charlene Hatton J
City: Winchester, KY
Some several years ago, I was a small child, but I can still hear Mr. Ledford’s voice coming over the radio, and T.V. stations. Most of the time it was a voice without a face, but none the less, one felt as though they knew him personally. So today, out of love for this sportscaster, and love for what he stood for, my deepest sympathy goes out to the family, and yes, the fans who hold his memory deep within their hearts. May God comfort you always.

Name: J. Craig Greenham
City: Muskogee, Oklahoma
I was saddened today to learn of the passing of Mr. Ledford. Being a 1975 graduate of Daville High School he was Kentucky sports to me. Now living in Oklahoma I still have occasion to listen to the rebraodcasts of the Kentucky games on WHAS. There have never been the same since his retirement. What a joy it was to listen to one of the Kentucky Basketball highlight CD’s recently and to once again hear that fabulous voice. Mr Leadfords passing is a great loss to the state of Kentucky as wekk as to those of us who respected and enjoyed his work for so many years. My condolences to his family. My thoughts and paryers are with them in this time of their loss. I truly believe that my life is brighter for having Mr Leford as an influence in it.

May God be your strngth in the days to come.

Name: Jim Doyle
City: Louisville, Ky
Why did UK have the biggest radio network for collage basketball, because of Cawood. I remember people calling in from Iowa and Nebraska in the 60’s who loved UK B’ball. Why, because when you listened to Cawood on the radio, it was better than watching it on TV. Even whey TV took over, everyone who could, would turn down the tube and tune in Cawood.

Now he will be calling the games between the Saints and Angels and God will have his radio turned up.

Jim

Name: Gary Wells H.
City: Jamestown, Tn
The Ledford Family’
Cawood holds a special place in my heart that will never be filled again. He helped a relationship begin when I was 10 years old. I saw my Dad sitting beside an old radio in the late 1950s, I was hooked on the Wildcats, forever. The news of Cawood passing away hit me as hardas if he was a loved one close in my family, May God bless all the Ledford family

Name: Sam Shafer
City: Nashville, TN
My thoughts and prayers are with the Ledford family at this time. Cawood had a magical way of bringing the games to life. He was a comforting, yet straightforward voice for one of the most storied collegiate teams in history, and I will always be grateful to him for many memories. Cawood, you will be missed.

Name: Wayne M. Jenkins
City: Nashville, TN
I first heard Mr. Ledford’s UK basketball broadcasts when 101.1FM out of Russellville was carrying the games. Even this UT fan realized that what UK had with Mr. Ledford was something special. That assessment would be reinforced when I heard him call the Final Four (I often wondered why CBS ALWAYS got him to do it!) and that incredible game with Duke. Things just haven’t been the same on the KY network since he retired. He was the last most visible remnant of the Rupp era and a legend in his own right.

I’m sure I speak for many UT fans as we collectively express our condolences from Rocky Top in what is just not a loss for UK and its legion of supporters, but for all of us who appreciate the standard of performance Mr. Ledford has left for those of us who remain behind, regardless of which teams we support or which endeavors we choose to pursue. Thank you.

Name: Jeffrey, Haines, B.
City: Owenton, KY
There are not enough words to state the contributions that Cawood made to the state and the university. While always the consummate gentleman, he never forgot the fans and the players. In March of ’92, I made a special request to Cawood at the NCAA tournament in Worcester, Mass. The occassion was my great-grandmother’s 102nd birthday. As a lifelong follower of the Wildcats, she believed every word Cawood relayed. If he said it was a bad call, it was the gospel to her. On that day, he took time from his regular broadcast to wish her a happy birthday over the air waves. Little did he know what a thrill he gave her when her friends called to let her know they had heard him personally wish her the best. Over the last nine years I have longed for the golden voice of the man from Harlan. Thanks for the memories Cawood and thanks for allowing the people of the Commonwealth to travel the glory road with you. To his family and friends, There will never be another and our world is a little duller today for your loss. However, Our world as a whole is brighter for the days that this Eastern Kentucky gentleman strolled across this earth. His loyalty and commitment to the people of Kentucky will be missed. Thanks Cawood.

Name: Timothy Weatherholt
City: Nashville, TN
As I lifelong Kentucky fan, I am saddened by the loss of such a great figure. While many nationally identify Pitino or Smith with Kentucky basketball, those within the state always considered UK basketball and Caywood Ledford to be inextricably linked. His beautiful voice warmed many a night in my home, as the volume of the television went down and the irresistable sound of Caywood was cranked up. I hope that this year’s team will dedicate this season to Caywood and play in a manner befitting of this man who put his heart and soul into every broadcast.

Name: Linda M. Cain
City: Smyrna, Tennessee
My deepest sympathy to the Ledford family. I grew up listening to Cawood call the Kentucky games. My fondest memories from a little girl to an adult are of those evenings sitting by my Daddy’s side listening to the radio as Cawood gave play by play of the Wildcat games. With his words I could see every move the players made in my head – he was a master. I lost my Dad to cancer in 1997 – the passing of Cawood is like losing one of my best friends even though I never had the pleasure of meeting him. I could not let the opportunity pass without telling someone how much joy he gave to a little girl who grew up to be a dedicated Wildcat Fan – I owe it all to Cawood and my Dad.

Name: Billy Dean
City: Lexington, KY
As a former University of Kentucky football player from Cawood who finished school because of the Cawood Ledford Scholarship fund. I have had the honor to hear Cawood Ledford say my name on the radio. Although I’ve only met him a couple of times I feel like I have known him for a large part of my life.

Please accept my deepest condolences for the Ledford familys loss, and thank you Cawood for making me believe.

Name: Mac McDonald
City: Charlottesville, VA 22901
We lost one of the greats in our industry…a man we respected, adored, and held in the highest regard. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ledford family.

Mac McDonald
Voice of the Virginia Cavaliers

Name: Jeff Drummond, D.
City: Lexington, KY
My prayers and heartfelt condolences are extended to Ledford family. Words cannot express what a big part of my life, as every Kentucky fan can attest, Cawood was. I found myself both smiling with warm memories and fighting the impossible battle to hold off the tears Wednesday as the various media outlets carried their tributes.

I consider myself fortunate and blessed to have worked alongside such a consumate professional, not to mention a true gentleman. During his retirement years in Harlan, he always had a smile and a kind word for me when I’d stumble across his path in the local shops.

Go rest high on that mountain, Cawood…

Name: Lanny Owen
City: Portland, TN
With the exception of my own dear father, the man that I admired most in the world has been delivered into Heaven. They can take your space, Cawood, but they can never take your place! My sincerest condolences go out to his family in this time of sorrow.
Farewell my friend.

Name: Louis J. Snyder
City: Flint<>
To millions of us forced to live outside the Commonwealth, Cawood was our link to home, to simpler times and the innocence of our childhood. Christmas vacation and the sound of Cawood calling the annual UK-Notre Dame game will be forever linked in my mind. What pleasant memories! Cawood, you were truly the road home.

Name: Chris Budvitis
City: East Lansing, Michigan
My condolences goes out the Ledford Family and the University of Kentucky. I’m a UK alum and listened to many games over my time spent in Lexington. Mr. Ledford will always be the voice of the Wildcats and we will miss him deeply.