LONDON — Thursday night will be a night to remember as Laurel County basketball legend and Hall of Famer Roy Bowling is honored for his contributions to the sport.
The 88-year-old Bowling, who led Laurel County High School’s girls basketball program to four state titles and a remarkable 73-game win streak, will have the South Laurel High School basketball court dedicated in his name. The court will now be known as the “Roy Bowling Court,” a fitting tribute to his legacy.
The dedication will take place before the tip-off of the North Laurel vs. South Laurel varsity basketball game.
For Bowling, who also coached at Louisville Mercy, and North Laurel, having the court named after him is a dream come true.
“I didn’t ask for this and I’m totally surprised,” he said. “It’s something that’s unreal. I am totally humbled and tickled to death that it’s happened. I’m really happy about it.
“It doesn’t (happen every day),” he added. “It seems like it was yesterday, I just had started coaching. I had a lot of good athletes and friends that helped me accomplish this. Both teams have carried on the Laurel County tradition, and both have to been to state. A lot of good and talented players in this county, and I pull for both teams, and when they play each other, I’m neutral. This is going to be a special night.”
Bowling posted a 403-61 record as Laurel County’s coach, guiding the Lady Cardinals to 12 48th District titles, eight 12th Region titles, and state championships in 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1987.
“Roy Bowling is one of the main reasons the South Laurel job interested me when it came open,” South Laurel coach Chris Souder said. “The tradition he built in the Laurel County program was special and there just aren’t many schools that can boast what he accomplished.
“It was long overdue and just a small token of appreciation to his legacy,” he added. “So every time our kids step on the floor it is an easy reminder of what they are representing. It is hard for young players to understand tradition and really what that jersey represents but now they have no excuse. All the pictures on that championship wall are great, but we are now bringing it to the floor. It’s just an honor to be able to even coach on the same floor he once dominated. Coach (Eddie) Mahan and I thought it would be a great gesture on his behalf to play the first game on the new floor and it involve all of Laurel County. It will be such a special night and I’m just glad our team gets to be a small part of it.”
Mahan said he was excited when Souder had mentioned having the court dedication before tip-off of the North Laurel vs. South Laurel matchup.
“When you talk about Laurel County tradition, coach Roy Bowling is going to be brought up. He has had a great career. I’m glad that we are being able to play in the game with South because this is more than a North/South thing, this is Laurel County tradition, and he accomplished so much, and is so deserving. I know the impact he has had on so many people’s lives in Laurel County, and he deserves to have his this court dedication.”
South Laurel boys’ basketball coach Jeff Davis echoed both Souder’s and Mahan’s sentiments, and is happy to see Bowling receive the court dedication honor.
“It’s not only what coach Bowling has done on the court that makes him so special, it’s what he has done off the court,” he said. “He has contributed to the Laurel County community by helping young men and women become successful in life. In my 13 years here in this community, he has touched so many people in a million different ways, by the stories that I have been told. He is a legend as a coach, teacher, mentor, husband, father and as a friend. Not many people have or ever touched the number of lives has he has. So honoring this court after him is just a small thank you to him for all that he has done.
“Many years ago Coach Bowling was eating at a local restaurant and I happened to be there,” Davis added. “He yelled at me to come sit with him and I remember it like it was yesterday. We were struggling and I was pretty down. He put his arm around me and said, ‘Coach stay true to who you are and continue to do things the right way, it will pay off trust me.’ To this day, I never forget that moment and to have him around our program, coaches and kids is something I cherish every day. When he misses a practice or game, there is something missing but when he is there, it’s always better.
“I personally want to tell Coach this,” he continued. “There is no better person that has ever done this job than you, congratulations on this honor that you most definitely deserve. Thank you for all that you do and continue to do. I love you coach.”
NOTE: All Photos are courtesy of Keshia Amburgey Photography
