RELEASED: September 6, 2001

Beloved announcer involved in many endeavors during college years

DANVILLE, KY — Considered one of the finest sports broadcasters in the country over the span of five decades, Centre alumnus Cawood Ledford (Class of 1949) died early Wednesday morning in Harlan after a long illness. He was 75.

Ledford was the play-by-play announcer for University of Kentucky men's basketball and football games for nearly 40 years. The legendary "Voice of the Wildcats" covered Adolph Rupp's famed UK basketball teams, as well as Bear Bryant's football teams. In addition to covering other sports, Ledford also called the Kentucky Derby 22 times.

Ledford, who received a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Centre with minors in history and Spanish, was an active student during his collegiate days in Danville. He was president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity for three years, president of the interfraternity council for two years, a member of student council, a member of the art club, a sports editor and reporter for the student newspaper, and a manager for some of Centre's varsity athletic teams.

Ledford was always appreciative of his alma mater. He taped public service announcements for the school, and returned to Centre in 1996 to celebrate in the 75th anniversary of Centre's famous 1921 upset of Harvard in football. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Centre in 1985, and was awarded an honorary degree from the school in 1992.

"Centre College definitely brings back many wonderful memories of my college years," Ledford once said. "Centre is a grand institution which enriched my education, as well as started me on the road to my career."

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