Interview with Richie Farmer, October 9, 2018

Interview Summary

Richie Farmer talks about his childhood in Eastern Kentucky, dreaming of playing basketball for the University of Kentucky. He talks about his father's influence on his interest and training in sports. He talks about his experiences playing high school basketball, helping to take his team to the state tournament every year. He talks about being recruited by schools like LSU, and not really being recruited by UK. He talks about thinking that UK eventually gave him an offer due to his popularity in the state from his time in high school basketball. He talks about some of the scandals that plagued the UK basketball team during his freshman season, including Shawn Kemp being accused of stealing a gold chain, as well as Chris Mills' father receiving a package full of money. He talks about Coach Sutton leaving and the hiring of Coach Pitino. Farmer describes the intensity of the practices and training under Coach Rick Pitino. He talks about memorable games from each of his seasons at UK and the effect of the team being banned from post-season tournaments for his sophomore and junior seasons. Farmer talks about the regional final against Duke during which Christian Laettner made his famous last-second, game winning shot. He talks about his jersey, along with the other "Unforgettables," being retired at the end of their season. He talks about how having his jersey hanging from the rafters in Rupp Arena is his greatest accolade. He talks about how became involved in politics, his career as Commissioner of Agriculture, and some of the things he accomplished in that position, including the Kentucky Proud campaign.

Interview Keyword

School sports. Childhood College athletes--Recruiting College sports--Scouting College choice Eddie Sutton Rick Pitino Physical fitness.

Interview LC Subject

Basketball coaches--Kentucky Basketball players Basketball players--Kentucky Basketball--Coaching Coaches (Athletics) College athletes Education, Higher--Kentucky University of Kentucky University of Kentucky--Basketball Basketball Sports Lexington (Ky.) College environment College students--Social conditions Kentucky Wildcats (Basketball team) Sutton, Eddie Pitino, Rick Coaching (Athletics) College students--Attitudes College students--Conduct of life

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.