Sinister Influences: Kentucky's Fabulous Five and the Point-Shaving Scandal of 1951

by Ron Elliott

Overview

The passion that is University of Kentucky basketball's Big Blue Nation is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, fans' maniacal devotion to the 'Cats traces back to Coach Adolph Rupp's early days at UK in the 1930's. As Rupp grew into his job, his teams steadily grew more formidable until they became nearly invincible in what came to be known as UK's “glory years,” 1946-1951. In that time frame, Kentucky's Fabulous Five merely: won the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which was considered the national championship at the time, once; finished runner-up once; won the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament three times and could have won it a fourth time and formed the nucleus of the United States Olympic team which won the Gold Medal.

Then, on a crisp October day in 1951, the roof caved in. Authorities arrested the stars, Ralph Beard and Alex Groza, on charges of conspiring with gamblers to “shave points” as the “fixers'” felt that UK's teams were talented enough to win by any chosen margin. While that activity was poor ethics anywhere, it was illegal in the State of New York. As many of Kentucky's games were played in Madison Square Garden — “The Mecca of College Basketball” — the players were guilty of a serious crime.

Although UK was the highest pro le team involved, the point shaving scandal was not limited to them. Before it was over, 30 players from seven schools were implicated. Later, more Kentucky players, most notably Bill Spivey, were caught in the net and came under the jurisdiction of an ambitious New York District Attorney and a vindictive judge.

Ron Elliott recreates the charged atmosphere inside UK's old Alumni Gym where the 'Cats steamrolled to 84 consecutive victories and recounts the thrilling action of the big games in Madison Square Garden. Sinister Influences also provides statistics for the big games and the player's careers as well as many previously obscure details of the point shaving scandals which cost the players their vocation and nearly prematurely ended Coach Rupp's fabulous career.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781938905759
Publisher:	Acclaim Press
Publication date:	03/20/2015
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	1,072,312
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Ron Elliott, a native of Lincoln County, Kentucky, is a graduate of Stanford High School, Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.

Ron's background includes working on the historic Apollo missions and a stint on Kentucky's Community College system facility. Having a relative involved in the assassination of Kentucky's would-be governor, William Goebel, piqued his interest in

history and launched a writing career.

A much-in-demand member of the Kentucky Humanities Council Speakers Bureau, Ron is the author of several books, including Inside the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire, Through the Eyes of Lincoln, From Hilltop to Mountaintop: The Life and Legacy of One Iwo Jima Flag Raiser and American El Dorado: The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872. His work is also featured in numerous magazine articles. He is the 2012 DAR Literary Award recipient and recently appeared in an episode of “Mastering at the Museum.”

Retired, Ron and his wife, Carol, currently live in Nelson County, Kentucky.