Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: Tab Brockman
Hoopalooza Welcomes Alumni - 2015 Plans Made
9/14/2014 5:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Gallery 1 I Gallery 2
The second Racer Hoopalooza was held at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky Aug. 7-8. A gathering of all former Murray State men's basketball coaches, players and managers, the event featured a dinner/program and golf scramble at Murray Country Club.
Like the inaugural Hoopalooza in 2013, the event was again a great experience for those former Racers who came back to campus, some for the first time in many years.
Hoopalooza honors all who have a part in this great college basketball program, but this time the spotlight was on the first Racer team to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Murray State team from 1964 was honored along with their head coach Cal Luther.
Among the speakers at the banquet, Coach Luther made several remarks including ones on the successful years he spent as MSU head coach from 1958-74.
"I was very happy when Coach Prohm called me to say that our 1964 team would be honored," Luther said. "We had a special group of young men on that 1964 team, they were quality people and I'm glad to call them my friends. Being at Murray was a big part of my life and I feel a great sense of pride in what we accomplished here and what those young men who played for me have accomplished."
Former Racer Jim Jennings was a senior on the 1964 team and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. After graduation, Jennings coached the freshman team at MSU and was honored with a plaque by some of his players. Sadly, the Racer family lost Jennings (Sep. 3) when he passed away at the age of 73. In usual Big Jim fashion, he used most of his Hoopalooza speech lauding his teammates and coach. This comes as no surprise to those that knew Jennings. He loved his teammates and his coach, Cal Luther.
"I just want to say that over the years I've kept in touch with Coach Cal Luther," Jennings said. "I know coach you have touched the lives of the many people here. I appreciate you and I thank you for being my coach and my friend."
Bennie Purcell was also a featured Hoopalooza speaker. He was a MSU Hall of Fame basketball player and assistant coach on the 1964 team.
"I think it's wonderful to get everyone together again and I hope we can keep doing this," Purcell said. "That 1964 team had really great players and to see these guys again is just great."
The other two featured speakers at 2014 Hoopalooza had more recent history.
Popeye Jones played for the Racers from 1988-92 and currently serves as assistant coach with the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
"When coach Prohm started this last year I told him that I wanted to be part of this and I'm pleased to come back," Popeye said. "Whatever I can do to help, I want to do that. Our program has come a long way and I'm proud of the fact that I had a part in it."
Isaiah Canaan, two-time OVC MVP for the Racers, played from 2009-13, was also a featured Hoopalooza speaker. Canaan will play his second season in the NBA this fall with the Houston Rockets.
"It's always great to come back here and see all of the Racer greats and this year some of my teammates came back with me," Canaan said. "I'll always be part of this place no matter where I go and I'll always be thankful to the people who became part of my life while I was here. Coming back to Murray always feels like I'm coming home."
Plans are already being made for the 2015 Hoopalooza. The event is tentatively slated to again be held in the first week of August on the 7th and 8th. More information will be available later. Racer Basketball alumni are encouraged to get in touch to let us know where you are and to share contact information.
2015 Hoopalooza Contacts
Steve Prohm – Head Coach
(270) 809-
sprohm@murraystate.edu
Steve Harrell – Associate AD- External Affairs
(270) 809-3430
sharrell@murraystate.edu
Dave Winder – Assistant AD – Media Relations
(270) 809-4271
dwinder@murraystate.edu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rafoZthK7CA
The second Racer Hoopalooza was held at the CFSB Center in Murray, Kentucky Aug. 7-8. A gathering of all former Murray State men's basketball coaches, players and managers, the event featured a dinner/program and golf scramble at Murray Country Club.
Like the inaugural Hoopalooza in 2013, the event was again a great experience for those former Racers who came back to campus, some for the first time in many years.
Hoopalooza honors all who have a part in this great college basketball program, but this time the spotlight was on the first Racer team to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Murray State team from 1964 was honored along with their head coach Cal Luther.
Among the speakers at the banquet, Coach Luther made several remarks including ones on the successful years he spent as MSU head coach from 1958-74.
"I was very happy when Coach Prohm called me to say that our 1964 team would be honored," Luther said. "We had a special group of young men on that 1964 team, they were quality people and I'm glad to call them my friends. Being at Murray was a big part of my life and I feel a great sense of pride in what we accomplished here and what those young men who played for me have accomplished."
Former Racer Jim Jennings was a senior on the 1964 team and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. After graduation, Jennings coached the freshman team at MSU and was honored with a plaque by some of his players. Sadly, the Racer family lost Jennings (Sep. 3) when he passed away at the age of 73. In usual Big Jim fashion, he used most of his Hoopalooza speech lauding his teammates and coach. This comes as no surprise to those that knew Jennings. He loved his teammates and his coach, Cal Luther.
"I just want to say that over the years I've kept in touch with Coach Cal Luther," Jennings said. "I know coach you have touched the lives of the many people here. I appreciate you and I thank you for being my coach and my friend."
Bennie Purcell was also a featured Hoopalooza speaker. He was a MSU Hall of Fame basketball player and assistant coach on the 1964 team.
"I think it's wonderful to get everyone together again and I hope we can keep doing this," Purcell said. "That 1964 team had really great players and to see these guys again is just great."
The other two featured speakers at 2014 Hoopalooza had more recent history.
Popeye Jones played for the Racers from 1988-92 and currently serves as assistant coach with the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
"When coach Prohm started this last year I told him that I wanted to be part of this and I'm pleased to come back," Popeye said. "Whatever I can do to help, I want to do that. Our program has come a long way and I'm proud of the fact that I had a part in it."
Isaiah Canaan, two-time OVC MVP for the Racers, played from 2009-13, was also a featured Hoopalooza speaker. Canaan will play his second season in the NBA this fall with the Houston Rockets.
"It's always great to come back here and see all of the Racer greats and this year some of my teammates came back with me," Canaan said. "I'll always be part of this place no matter where I go and I'll always be thankful to the people who became part of my life while I was here. Coming back to Murray always feels like I'm coming home."
Plans are already being made for the 2015 Hoopalooza. The event is tentatively slated to again be held in the first week of August on the 7th and 8th. More information will be available later. Racer Basketball alumni are encouraged to get in touch to let us know where you are and to share contact information.
2015 Hoopalooza Contacts
Steve Prohm – Head Coach
(270) 809-
sprohm@murraystate.edu
Steve Harrell – Associate AD- External Affairs
(270) 809-3430
sharrell@murraystate.edu
Dave Winder – Assistant AD – Media Relations
(270) 809-4271
dwinder@murraystate.edu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rafoZthK7CA
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