Louisville's Hometown Athletes

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali – Only three-time heavyweight boxing champion in history. Ali became the best-known athlete in the world. Born Cassius Clay, Jr. in Louisville, he adopted the Muslim religion and changed his name after winning the title in 1964. Stripped of title because of refusal to be drafted, he regained it in 1974, lost it again in 1978 but won it back before retiring. Career record of 56-5. The self-proclaimed “Greatest of all-time” was known for style of “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

Frank Beard - Frank won 11 tournaments and more than $1 million in almost 20 years on PGA golf tour. Victories include Tournament of Champions, Westchester Classic and American Golf Classic. Best year was 1969, when he won twice, was tour's leading money-winner with $175,224, and co-authored with Dick Schaap a best-selling book. Member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1969 and '71. Graduate of Louisville St. Xavier High and University of Florida.

Ralph Beard - All-American guard and fiery leader of Coach Adolph Rupp's famed University of Kentucky basketball team known as "The Fabulous Five" that won NCAA championships in 1948 and '49. Was member of the U.S. gold medal Olympic team of 1948 and later made the NBA All-Star team with the Indianapolis Olympians. At Louisville Male High, Ralph starred in basketball, football, baseball and track. Was known for speed, hustle, and fierce competitiveness.

Gus Bell - A native of Louisville, and graduate of Flaget High School, Bell was one of the most feared hitters throughout the 1950s and was a highly ranked outfielder for the Pirates and the Reds, as well. A four-time All-Star selection, Bell enjoyed his best seasons in 1953, when he hit .300 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI, and 1955, collecting .308, 27, 104. Four times, he knocked in more than 100 runs in a season and hit 103 home runs from 1953-56.

Wesley Cox - One of the finest players in Louisville history, Cox was a star on the 1975 Cardinal team that lost in overtime to UCLA in the NCAA semi-finals. He also played in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors. He came to the University of Louisville from Male High School which he led to the state tournament title as a sophomore in 1971. As a senior in 1973, he was chosen Kentucky's Mr. Basketball.

Louie Dampier - Known affectionately as "Little Louie," the 6-foot guard was regarded by Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp as the best shooter he ever coached. As a college junior, he was a mainstay of the beloved "Rupp's Runt" team that was 1966 NCAA tournament runner-up. During a 12-year pro career, he became the ABA's all-time leading scorer while playing 9 years with the Kentucky Colonels.

Jimmy Ellis - Louisvillian Jimmy Ellis, who started boxing as a youngster at the old Ferguson Youth Center, defeated Jerry Quarry for the World Boxing Association heavyweight championship on April 27, 1968 and successfully defended the title against Floyd Patterson. He retired in 1975 with a record of 40 wins (24 by knockouts), and one draw and 12 losses in 53 professional bouts.

Bill Gatti - During his professional career with the Kentucky Bourbons from 1977-83, Gatti became known as the Babe Ruth of softball. He is credited with 1,937 home runs and 4,076 RBI's in Amateur Softball Association competition. He is a member of the ASA's National Hall of Fame. Gatti was a star football and baseball player at the University of Louisville from 1966-70.

Roscoe Goose - Born in Louisville, this little man with a big heart earned world acclaim by riding Donerail to victory in the 1913 Kentucky Derby. Donerail paid $184.90, the longest odds ever posted in the Derby. He added to his laurels in horse racing by becoming a successful trainer, a keen judge of horseflesh at yearling sales, and owner of many fine thoroughbred racers.

Darrell Griffith

Darrell Griffith - Called the “Louisville Legend” and “Dr. Dunkenstein”, this exciting leaper led University of Louisville's "Doctors of Dunk" to the school's first NCAA title in 1980 under Hall of Fame coach Denny Drum. His honors include Mr. Basketball as a Male High senior in 1976, Wooden Award winner as nation's best player in 1980 and NBA Rookie of the Year in 1981. Griffith played his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz.

Joe Guyon - Known as "Indian Joe," the halfback-tackle played with the legendary Jim Thorpe on the Carlisle Indians, then went on to become an All-American at Georgia Tech. A star in the early days of pro football, he was elected to the sport's Hall of Fame in 1966. Played pro baseball for the Louisville Colonels and was a successful high school player at St. Xavier.

Lisa Harrison - This Louisville native led the Tennessee Lady Vols to the 1991 NCAA Championship. During her career at Southern High School, she led the Lady Trojans to the 1988 state title. As a high school senior, she won three national player of the year honors. She went on to an outstanding career in the WNBA.

Stephanie Hightower - Five-time (1980, 82-84, 86) 60 yards hurdles indoor champion and four-time (1980-82, 1984) 100m hurdle outdoor champion held several American and world records and was a member of 1980 Olympic Team before retiring in 1988. Her world record of 7.36 set in the 60 yard hurdle dash still holds today. As a student-athlete at the Ohio State University, she earned Big Ten Conference, Collegiate and National Championship titles and is in The Ohio State University's Athletic Hall of Fame

Paul Hornung

Paul Hornung – From Louisville’s Portland area, he became football's golden boy with Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers. Won Heisman Trophy in 1956. Made No. 5 familiar to fans as runner and blocker with Packers for nine years. Played on Packer NFL Title Teams in 1961 and '62. NFL scoring champion in 1959, '60 and '61. In ’60 and ’61 he was the NFL player of the year. His record 176 points scored in 1960 is still an NFL record. Regarded by legendary coach Vince Lombardi as the greatest player inside the 20-yard line.

Joe Jacoby - The 6 foot 7, 300 pound Jacoby was the mainstay of the Washington Redskins offensive line, known as "The Hogs" that helped the franchise win three Super Bowls during his 13-year career. He played in the Pro Bowl four times. A 1976 All-Stater at Louisville Western High, Jacoby played college ball at the University of Louisville.

Adrienne Johnson - a native of Louisville and a graduate of Butler Traditional High School where she was named a member of the Kentucky All-State basketball team. While at Ohio State, she played for the National Championship in 1992 and earned Big Ten All-Star, All-Big Ten, scholar athlete, and leadership honors. Following graduation, she became one of the pioneers of the Women's National Basketball Association. In 2001 she was named the very first recipient of the WNBA's Hometown Hero Award for community service. She is currently Community Development Coordinator and Marketing Assistant for the Cardinal Athletic Department.

Ron King - In 1969 he earned Mr. Basketball honors after leading Louisville Central to state high school basketball championship. He later led Florida State to 1972 NCAA runner up honors.

Sherman Lewis - Sherman Lewis was a fleet halfback on Manual's 1959 unbeaten state champions, a team considered by many to be the greatest in Kentucky high school football history. He also starred at Michigan State, where in 1963 he was team captain, a consensus All-American and third in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. He later played in the pros with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League and New York Jets of the American Football League.

Lenny Lyles - One of the University of Louisville's greatest football running backs. Little All-American in 1957, when he led the nation in scoring with 132 points. Played pro football for 12 years. A superb defensive back for the Baltimore Colts. He was an all-sport star at Louisville Central.

Dicky Lyons - One of the most versatile football players ever, this St. Xavier High School product starred at the University of Kentucky from 1966-68, playing quarterback, running back and safety. He set UK records for most punt return yards in a season (1,095) and longest punt return (97 yards).

Mary T. Meagher

Mary T. Meagher - Known around the world as "Madame Butterfly", this product of Louisville Lakeside Swim Club and Assumption High School won 3 gold medals in the 1984 Olympics. In 1981 she set world records of 57.93 seconds in the 100 meter butterfly and 2:05.96 in the 200. She would go on to win 24 national titles. In 1981, Mary T. beat her previous record for the 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. Long Course Nationals in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, and set the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at 57.93 seconds. Sports Illustrated called the 57.93 record the "fifth-greatest, single event record of all time in any sport."

Mo Moorman - Considered one of the finest offensive linemen ever produced in the state, Moorman was an All-Stater for John Meihaus at St. Xavier High and an All-American candidate for Gene Stallings at Texas A&M. Drafted by the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, the 6-5 Moorman was the starting right guard for the Chiefs team that whipped Minnesota 23-7 in Super Bowl IV in New Orleans.

Tori Murden-McClure

Tori Murden-McClure - In 1999, she became the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Her journey began September 13 and ended December 3. In 81 days, 7 hours, and 46 minutes she rowed 3,333 miles from the Canary Islands to Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.

Bobby Nichols - A 1954 graduate of St. Xavier High School, Nichols overcame serious injuries from an auto accident to become first Kentucky golfer to win a major championship. In 1964 PGA championship at Columbus, Ohio, Nichols defeated Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer by three strokes. He won 11 PGA tour events and played on the 1967 Ryder Cup team.

William “Bubba” Paris – An All-State offensive lineman at Louisville DeSales, Paris became an All-America selection at Michigan playing for Bo Schembechler. At Michigan his teams won two Big 10 titles, a Rose and Bluebonnet Bowl. In 1982, he was the San Francisco Forty-niner's first draft choice. He started with them for nine years; eight of which he started at left tackle. In those nine years, they won three Super Bowl Championships, eight Western Division titles and played in five NFC Championship games.

Harold "Pee Wee" Reese

Harold “Pee Wee” Reese - Known universally as "PEE WEE" because of his winning ways in marbles, Reese played shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers for 19 years. He excelled in fielding and clutch hitting. Born at Ekron, he played baseball for DuPont Manual before signing with the Louisville Colonels in 1937. He joined Brooklyn the following year and helped Jackie Robinson, the first African-American in the major leagues, overcome racial barriers. A statue of Reese stands outside Louisville’s minor league baseball field.

Gene Rhodes - This native of Louisville excelled as both an athlete and a coach. Started on 1945 Male High state basketball champions and coached St. Xavier to 1957 state title. After playing college ball at Western Kentucky University, he both played and coached at the professional level.

Howard Schnellenberger

Howard Schnellenberger - A graduate of Flaget High, he went on to an All-American career as a tight-end at the University of Kentucky and one of the greatest coaching careers in football history. After years as an NFL assistant under the likes of coaches Blanton Collier, Bear Bryant, Don Shula and George Allen, Schnellenberger was the offensive coordinator during the Miami Dolphins' back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1972 and ’73. The 1972 team is the only NFL team to ever go undefeated. He coached the University of Miami to the 1983 national title, then moved on to do another outstanding rebuilding job at the University of Louisville, leading the team to victory over Alabama in the 1990 Fiesta Bowl and spearheading the building of a new football stadium. He is currently the coach (and founder) of the Florida Atlantic University Fottball team.

Mike Silliman - The 6-foot-6 center led Louisville St. Xavier to the 1962 Boys State Tournament championship, then went to the U.S. Military Academy, where he became the finest basketball player in West Point history under Bobby Knight. Knight called Silliman his “greatest player ever.” An unselfish player who emphasized rebounding and defense as much as scoring, Silliman was named captain of the 1968 U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal in Mexico City under Coach Henry Iba.

Phil Simms

Phil Simms - Quarterbacked the New York Giants for 14 seasons, leading them to their first Super Bowl title after the 1986 season. After graduating from Southern High in 1974, Simms distinguished himself enough at Morehead State University to become a first round draft pick. His jersey No. 11 was retired by the Giants.

Danny Sullivan - On Memorial Day, 1985, this native of Louisville drove his Miller American Special to victory in automobile racing's Indianapolis 500, the first Kentuckian to win the sport's most famous race. His winning time was 152.982 miles per hour. He also was champion of the Championship Auto Racing Teams series in 1988. In his career, Sullivan won 17 CART races and had earnings of almost $9 million.

Charlie Tyra - A Louisville native, Tyra led the University of Louisville to the 1956 NIT championship in New York's Madison Square Garden. The first U of L player to get more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career, Tyra averaged 18.2 points and 17.0 rebounds per game. After college, he played for five years in the NBA with New York and Chicago.

Westley Unseld - Led Louisville Seneca High to state basketball championships in 1963-64 before going on to become consensus All-American at University of Louisville in 1968. In first pro season, became only the second player in National Basketball Association history to be named both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. At just 6’6”, Unseld used bulk and strength to hold his own against taller foes. Was known for his picks, outlet passes on the fast break, and rebounding. Selected as one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players in 1996.

Susie Shildes White - At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, she won a bronze medal in the 100 meter butterfly, losing to the winner by seven-tenths of a second. A 1970 graduate of Eastern High School, she was one of the few athletes from Kentucky to participate in individual Olympic competition.

Albert Wolff - 2 Time Fencing Olympian (1948 & 1952) in the Épée. 1946 U.S. National Champion.

Will Wolford

Will Wolford - An All-State defensive lineman at St. Xavier, Wolford was switched to offensive tackle at Vanderbilt and became one of the best in the SEC. A first-round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1986, he played 13 seasons in the NFL with Buffalo, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. He played in three Super Bowls with the Bills, and went on to a career as a thoroughbred racing owner.