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They Call Me Goose: My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond
When Jack "Goose" Givens first walked onto the basketball court at Lexington's Douglass Park for the legendary Dirt Bowl league, it was the beginning of one of the most illustrious sports careers in Kentucky history. After being named 1974's Mr. Basketball for the state of Kentucky as a high school senior, Givens signed with the University of Kentucky and went on to amass a string of achievements that place him among the all-time greats in NCAA college basketball―most notably leading UK to the 1978 NCAA Men's National Championship with his 41-point performance against the Duke Blue Devils in that historic game―and being named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player for that year.
They Call Me My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond is an intimate and all-encompassing look at the life and career of the basketball legend, from growing up in a housing project in Lexington, his success with UK men's basketball through his years with NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the Japan Basketball Association, his career as a college and NBA television color analyst, to his recent appointment as a commentator for the UK Sports Network. Givens shares personal and endearing stories from his childhood―how he was initially interested in baseball instead of basketball, the summers spent with his grandmother in Danville, Kentucky, and the teachers and coaches who guided and supported him along his journey. He also speaks candidly about his experiences with poverty, ruinous financial debt, the blowback from sexual assault allegations, and how his faith and his family helped sustain him through hardships and challenges. In collaboration with journalist Doug Brunk, Givens presents fans with the powerful story of a husband, father, mentor, businessman, and ambassador for Kentucky―who also just happens to be an iconic sports legend.
They Call Me My Life in Kentucky Basketball and Beyond is an intimate and all-encompassing look at the life and career of the basketball legend, from growing up in a housing project in Lexington, his success with UK men's basketball through his years with NBA's Atlanta Hawks and the Japan Basketball Association, his career as a college and NBA television color analyst, to his recent appointment as a commentator for the UK Sports Network. Givens shares personal and endearing stories from his childhood―how he was initially interested in baseball instead of basketball, the summers spent with his grandmother in Danville, Kentucky, and the teachers and coaches who guided and supported him along his journey. He also speaks candidly about his experiences with poverty, ruinous financial debt, the blowback from sexual assault allegations, and how his faith and his family helped sustain him through hardships and challenges. In collaboration with journalist Doug Brunk, Givens presents fans with the powerful story of a husband, father, mentor, businessman, and ambassador for Kentucky―who also just happens to be an iconic sports legend.
- GenresSports
264 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2024
5 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 21, 2024
It is often said in Kentucky that the primary religion is basketball, by that most mean Unv. of Kentucky Men's basketball. Streets in central Kentucky go empty during UK basketball games.
I moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1974 from the Western part of the state. I knew basketball was king, even over horse racing in the Bluegrass. But I had never seen Kentucky men's basketball except on TV in the occasional NCAA tournament. I knew Adolph Rupp was a legend. Now he had a new arena named for the legendary UK coach. But his era was over. His long time assistant Joe B. Hall was in charge. Times were changing. Lexington was still trying to come to grips with racially integrated life. Some weren't happy over it. Guess who. Into this came the Freshman class of Rick Robey, Mike Phillips, James Lee and Jack "Goose" Givens. The latter two were Lexington's own from championship high school teams. They were also the first African-American players in the legendary SEC dominant team from hometown Lexington. The new era began in 1974-75.
Kentucky would go on to win its first post-Rupp national title in 1978 with the help of Givens and that freshman class. No one-and-done in those days.
This is Jack's story told by him, with a little help. It is a great memoir as sports memoirs go. You learn about segregated life for blacks in Lexington, Jack's pro career in Japan and the U.S., and how radio broadcasting finally brought him home to Lexington with his wife Linda. Givens does not shy away from reporting the controversy of his life. Much credit goes to him. Givens is today a champion for many good causes. This book shows the many forces that made him who he is, someone I am proud to have met and have a signed book. Thanks Jack!
I moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1974 from the Western part of the state. I knew basketball was king, even over horse racing in the Bluegrass. But I had never seen Kentucky men's basketball except on TV in the occasional NCAA tournament. I knew Adolph Rupp was a legend. Now he had a new arena named for the legendary UK coach. But his era was over. His long time assistant Joe B. Hall was in charge. Times were changing. Lexington was still trying to come to grips with racially integrated life. Some weren't happy over it. Guess who. Into this came the Freshman class of Rick Robey, Mike Phillips, James Lee and Jack "Goose" Givens. The latter two were Lexington's own from championship high school teams. They were also the first African-American players in the legendary SEC dominant team from hometown Lexington. The new era began in 1974-75.
Kentucky would go on to win its first post-Rupp national title in 1978 with the help of Givens and that freshman class. No one-and-done in those days.
This is Jack's story told by him, with a little help. It is a great memoir as sports memoirs go. You learn about segregated life for blacks in Lexington, Jack's pro career in Japan and the U.S., and how radio broadcasting finally brought him home to Lexington with his wife Linda. Givens does not shy away from reporting the controversy of his life. Much credit goes to him. Givens is today a champion for many good causes. This book shows the many forces that made him who he is, someone I am proud to have met and have a signed book. Thanks Jack!
August 30, 2024
Fans of UK Basketball, my age and older, have fond memories of #21, Jack “Goose” Givens. I remember the night the “Goose” got loose and scored 41 points in the ‘78 National Championship game. What a performance!
Givens also has a remarkable performance in telling his story via this book.
From his humble beginnings in the Bluegrass-Aspendale Public Housing Authority, Jack takes the reader through his life from playing high school hoops at Bryan Station High School, and then at the University of KY, and in Japan. Givens gives the reader valuable insight into his life, and all the ups and downs that came with it.
I had the privilege and good fortune to meet Givens twice, once when I was a ten-year old boy (after UK had won the NCAA Championship in ‘78 and many years later in my forties.
This is an excellent and enjoyable read (especially for fans of UK Basketball)
C-A-T-S, CATS! CATS! CATS!
Givens also has a remarkable performance in telling his story via this book.
From his humble beginnings in the Bluegrass-Aspendale Public Housing Authority, Jack takes the reader through his life from playing high school hoops at Bryan Station High School, and then at the University of KY, and in Japan. Givens gives the reader valuable insight into his life, and all the ups and downs that came with it.
I had the privilege and good fortune to meet Givens twice, once when I was a ten-year old boy (after UK had won the NCAA Championship in ‘78 and many years later in my forties.
This is an excellent and enjoyable read (especially for fans of UK Basketball)
C-A-T-S, CATS! CATS! CATS!
January 23, 2025
This book was special for me. I’ve been a Kentucky Wildcat Basketball fan since - well I can’t remember not being a fan. Many great players have played at UK and I’ve enjoyed all of them and the teams they played on. However, Jack Givens is my favorite Wildcat player and the 1978 team is my favorite UK team. I briefly met Givens at an autograph session in Madisonville, KY when I was a high school freshman. After reading his book and leaning more about him and his life, I’m a bigger fan. The book was well written and a trip down memory lane for me, but more importantly the book helped me to get to know one of my childhood heroes better.
November 14, 2024
I became a UK basketball fan in 1975, when Kentucky beat undefeated Indiana to advance to The Final Four, Jack Givens’ freshman year. Learned some things about him I didn’t know, big fan of his. If you are UK fan or especially love it’s basketball history you will enjoy this book.
May 26, 2024
A great read about the one and only Goose!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews