Denny was a familiar face at the KFC Yum Center for years after he stepped down as UofL head coach (Charlie Springer photo).

Denny Crum is turning 80 and still creating legacies at the University of Louisville. Creating UofL milestones in 1980 and 1986 with the school’s first two NCAA championships.

He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1994, with the late John Wooden of UCLA fame as his presenter. Denny compiled  a 675–295 record over 30 years at UofL.

His latest legacy is the Denny Crum Scholarship Fund, which was established in 2001. More than $750,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to more than 350 students attending UofL — based on academics, community service and financial need.

Denny Crum had a 30-year tenure with Louisville basketball (Jim Reed photography).

Many of his fans and friends will be attending an 80th birthday bash for Denny on Wednesday, March 1 at the at the Ramada Plaza Louisville Hotel and Conference Center on Hurstbourne Lane, starting at 6 p.m., with a live auction. The event is also a fundraiser for the scholarship fund, intended to be a permanent offering at UofL.

Makers Mark has created a limited edition special label bottle, numbered from 1 to 80 to mark the occasion. Individual bottles are available at the auction, starting at $1,000 each. The No. 1 and No. 80 bottles are expected to be in major demand.  Denny wants No. 30  for his 30 years at the helm.

Tickets are $80 each. For  ticket info, contact mary@yorkmgmt.com at York Management or call 502-894-9768.

Share this

By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

2 thoughts on “Denny Crum turning 80, gets his own Makers Mark label”
  1. Two National Championships, plus a bunch of Final Fours, and bucketful of great memories, we were blessed to have him as our coach!

  2. Always will remember Denny dancing before the championship game in 1986. The kids told him to sit down and never do that again. Great guy, we were blessed to have him.

Comments are closed.