Mel Turpin should have his number hanging from the rafters

[bthaunert]

Saw where yesterday was Mel’s birthday and he would have been 62 years old (RIP). He 100% deserves to have his jersey up in Rupp. Some numbers for you:

16th all time in points (9th when he left UK)
21st all time in rebounds (13th when he left UK)
3rd all time in blocked shots (1st when he left UK)
11th all time in FG% (2nd when he left UK)

1st team all SEC twice (3 time all SEC)
2 time all American
2 time NCAA all regional

Crazy that he isn’t up there, especially when you consider how quick Bowie went up there.

 

[catben]

Mel was way more than just a Center. He had a great touch on his jumper, especially on the baseline. He was ahead of his time with his skill level at his size. He LOVED being a Wildcat!!

I agree WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!! Mel belongs up there!!

 

[BlueBomb]

I loved Dinner Bell Mel, but there are quite a few players that should get the honor before him. RIP

 

[bthaunert]

I loved Dinner Bell Mel, but there are quite a few players that should get the honor before him. RIP

Agree with more recent guys. But if you look pre 90’s, he might be at the top of the list.

 

[KFuqua]

There's no doubt that Mel should be in there and I'm not sure why that hasn't been done.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Saw where yesterday was Mel’s birthday and he would have been 62 years old (RIP). He 100% deserves to have his jersey up in Rupp. Some numbers for you:

16th all time in points (9th when he left UK)
21st all time in rebounds (13th when he left UK)
3rd all time in blocked shots (1st when he left UK)
11th all time in FG% (2nd when he left UK)

1st team all SEC twice (3 time all SEC)
2 time all American
2 time NCAA all regional

Crazy that he isn’t up there, especially when you consider how quick Bowie went up there.

Yes!!

 

[SemperFiCat]

How can you be a two time All-America and not have your jersey retired?

 

[bbncal02]

There's no doubt that Mel should be in there and I'm not sure why that hasn't been done.

UK Athletics has a bad habit of doing this.

 

[Kai Slater]

As a kid, I used to love watching the teams he was on. The Big Dipper and Dinner Bell Mel is what I remember being his nicknames. He stole the ball and tossed it to Dirk Minniefield for one of the most insane dunks ever at Rupp. As they say, he was a gentle giant.

 

[VaxxedObamaCat]

The fact that it took almost 20 years to have Tony Delk's jersey is ridiculous. This is a process that has to be changed to not take as long and include some more recent and worthy talent.

Anthony Davis and multiple guys from 96-99 deserve it. I'm sure Bogans is included too.

Wouldn't have an issue with Terp going up.

 

[Finna_Go_HAM]

When I was in college in the 80s I worked at Kentucky Arcade on the weekends in that little strip on Rose & Euclid (Right beside Coliseum Liquors). Every time Melvin came in he'd tell me "Ms. Pac Man took my quarter." So I'd give him a quarter and he'd go play the game for a while and leave. After a few weeks I noticed he would come straight to the counter when he walked through the door. What did I care? It wasn't my place, and it was only a quarter. But then, after he was drafted he'd still come in, occasionally, and do the same thing. Idk, maybe he was just philosophically opposed to paying a quarter to play Ms. Pac Man.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Mel was a great person, not just a great player. Loved that guy. He most def should be in the rafters. RIP big guy.

 

[JHannibalSmith]

As a kid, I used to love watching the teams he was on. The Big Dipper and Dinner Bell Mel is what I remember being his nicknames. He stole the ball and tossed it to Dirk Minniefield for one of the most insane dunks ever at Rupp. As they say, he was a gentle giant.

To add onto his “Big Dipper” nickname, I remember the t-shirts they made in 84 that were a play on Houston’s Phi Slamma Jamma, with Walker, Bowie & Turpin called Sky Samma Dippa. Turpin was a freaking force, on both ends, & it’s absolutely criminal that his jersey hasn’t been retired. Loved those early-mid 80s teams more than I can articulate.

 

[Kai Slater]

To add onto his “Big Dipper” nickname, I remember the t-shirts they made in 84 that were a play on Houston’s Phi Slamma Jamma, with Walker, Bowie & Turpin called Sky Samma Dippa. Turpin was a freaking force, on both ends, & it’s absolutely criminal that his jersey hasn’t been retired. Loved those early-mid 80s teams more than I can articulate.

Dicky Beal was another of my favorites from that era.

 

[clevenger32]

I agree on Turpin but I also agree there are some before him that have not made it up in the Rafters. The first and next one that should go up and disgracefully did not happen before he passed away…#22 Mike Pratt

 

[jwphelps]

Saw where yesterday was Mel’s birthday and he would have been 62 years old (RIP). He 100% deserves to have his jersey up in Rupp. Some numbers for you:

16th all time in points (9th when he left UK)
21st all time in rebounds (13th when he left UK)
3rd all time in blocked shots (1st when he left UK)
11th all time in FG% (2nd when he left UK)

1st team all SEC twice (3 time all SEC)
2 time all American
2 time NCAA all regional

Crazy that he isn’t up there, especially when you consider how quick Bowie went up there.

I agree

 

[Smashcat]

As a kid, I used to love watching the teams he was on. The Big Dipper and Dinner Bell Mel is what I remember being his nicknames. He stole the ball and tossed it to Dirk Minniefield for one of the most insane dunks ever at Rupp. As they say, he was a gentle giant.

Dinner Bell Mel is one of the great player nicknames.

 

[UKUGA]

When I was a kid we had a crazy baby sitter.

She took a job at the local western sizzlin.

She came to the house one day and told my mom that “Mel Turpin was my first customer,” only my mom heard “cousin” instead of “customer”.


That just confirmed to my mom that that white girl was crazy.

 

[KMKAT]

Turpin flat out deserves this honor.

He picked up the slack through all the Bowie injuries and kept us in contention.

2 time AA should be enough.

A good time to post the impact Turpin had on our program, RIP Mel.

UK Career Statistics and Bio for Melvin Turpin

 

[blue cincy]

Was at Bryan Station with Mel and Leroy Byrd III. Both good dudes. I played football. One time in weight room Mel was in there and Byrd came in. Mel bench pressed Byrd. Too funny back in the day. We had some guys come through the doors at BSHS.

 

[blue cincy]

Remember the 1984 sign in Seattle from a fan in the stands.
Once again we must battle to get top honor in Seattle, Phi Slamma Jamma has glory no more cause its SKY SAMMA DIPPER in 84.

 

[Blue63Madison]

He was my classmate, teammate, and friend. I’ve told the story here before. His death hurt. The way UK deals with former greats, is disgusting.

 

[yoshukai]

He was my classmate, teammate, and friend. I’ve told the story here before. His death hurt. The way UK deals with former greats, is disgusting.

The best part about him was what a good and nice person he was .

 

[Blue63Madison]

The best part about him was what a good and nice person he was .

Yep.

 

[Kycatspaws]

Big Mel. Gone, but not forgotten.

 

[Ocornett]

Loved Mel. Always felt that he, Sky, Bennett and LeMaster should have won a NC.

 

[kennyskywalker34]

Two 42 point games in his career. He could really score the ball.

 

[Girthang]

Saw where yesterday was Mel’s birthday and he would have been 62 years old (RIP). He 100% deserves to have his jersey up in Rupp. Some numbers for you:

16th all time in points (9th when he left UK)
21st all time in rebounds (13th when he left UK)
3rd all time in blocked shots (1st when he left UK)
11th all time in FG% (2nd when he left UK)

1st team all SEC twice (3 time all SEC)
2 time all American
2 time NCAA all regional

Crazy that he isn’t up there, especially when you consider how quick Bowie went up there.

It's insane. I rarely have time to look back at stats, but that is an eye opener

 

[clevenger32]

I loved Dinner Bell Mel, but there are quite a few players that should get the honor before him. RIP

#34 Mike Casey. If it was for the car accident, he’d been up there before Issel and Pratt.