CCPL Welcomes Kyle Macy

Kyle Macy Coming to the Calloway County Public Library, Discussing New Book on UK Greats

(MURRAY, KY) - Three-time All-American Kyle Macy is coming to the Calloway County Public Library on Thursday, September 25, to share stories from and discuss the legendary careers of some of the University of Kentucky’s greatest basketball players and coaches as found in his new book, “From the Rafters of Rupp.” The event will be held at 6:00 PM in the main library and is open to the public.

Championship banners hang from the rafters on one side of the arena, a tribute to the excellence of those UK teams. On the other side hang tributes to individual players whose excellence on the court have made Wildcat basketball the gold standard of the NCAA. The retired jerseys of Cliff Hagan, Louie Dampier, Dan Issel, Sam Bowie, Rick Robey, Kyle Macy and 36 others hang from the rafters of Rupp, a reminder of the roles they played in the legacy of UK hoops.

Kyle Macy, with the help of collaborator Dr. John Huang, has put the stories of many of those greats in a full-color, coffee table book, From the Rafters of Rupp—the Book, and as the title would indicate, From the Rafters of Rupp—the Book is an extension of his TV series.

“To complement the television series,” Macy writes in the introduction, “why not write a coffee table type book so fans can have a valuable keepsake to hold in their hands—or set on their coffee tables?” To bring the television interviews to print, Macy enlisted the help of Huang, a retired orthodontist who was thrilled to partner with Macy to produce the book. 

“I write for a living,” Huang says, “but words can’t express what an honor it’s been—a real privilege for that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a geek like me to be part of the tradition and pageantry that is Kentucky Basketball. … Working with (Macy) has been like living the dream.”

Macy believes the TV series and book will not only be enjoyed by longtime fans of the Wildcats, but also help to educate the next generation about their hoops heritage. “I felt it was important that younger generations understand the history of Kentucky Basketball and how UK got to where it is as the all-time winningest program,” Macy said.

Jack “Goose” Givens, one of the featured players whose jersey has been retired, is excited to be featured in the book. “Kyle and John have done a great job of capturing the grand tradition that is Kentucky basketball,” Givens said. “I’m honored to be part of that.”

 From the Rafters of Rupp—the Book is an 8 ½ x 11”, 208-page hardbound volume with dust jacket. The Foreword is by former University of Kentucky Basketball Network broadcaster Ralph Hacker, who was “the voice of the Wildcats” for 29 years.

For more information about the event, please email contactccpl@callowaycountylibrary.org.