Grand night for McCorvey
If the late coach Adolph Rupp could have been at the June 9 performance at the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts on the Avenue of Champions, he would have concluded, “that new Kentuckian, he’s really doing well.”
Understand, such words from Rupp always implied incredible praise.
The famous Lexington street is where a large number of university champions performed with unique and repetitive quality. They were mostly athletic performers. The number of basketball champs who played there is too large to count. The number of football champs is respectable. The cheerleading teams have left their laureates. Swimmers too. And, of course, the coaches. Rupp and Paul Bear Bryant highlight a world-famous list.
On June 9, a new coach’s name was added. As the program’s name read, it was a grand night for everyone as Everett McCorvey led his cadre of musical performers. It was the 25th year. Their music continues to make audiences excited and happy.
McCorvey deserves all of his titles: teacher, professor, director, singer, friend of students and the people of Kentucky, Kentucky’s world musical ambassador.
That night clarified his new title: a stakeholder in Lexington’s Avenue of Champions.
Congratulations, Champ Everett.
Bill Collis
Lexington
This story was originally published July 12, 2017 at 7:10 PM with the headline "Grand night for McCorvey."