1986ua024Guide to the William H. Townsend papers, 1946-1958Processed by Janice Childers in March 2009 under the supervision of Deirdre A. Scaggs, University Archivist.; machine-readable finding aid created by Janice ChildersSpecial Collections2005

Special CollectionsUniversity Archives and Records ProgramUniversity of KentuckyMargaret I. King BuildingLexington, Kentucky40506-0039 USAPhone: (859) 257-8611Fax: (859) 257-6311Email: sclref@lsv.uky.eduURL: http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/libpage.php?lweb_id=298&llib_id=13

Machine-readable finding aid derived from ${DERIVED}. Date of source: Janice Childers in March 2009 under the supervision of Deirdre A. Scaggs, University Archivist. Description is in English.Guide to the William H. Townsend papers, 1946-1958Contact InformationSpecial CollectionsUniversity Archives and Records ProgramUniversity of KentuckyMargaret I. King BuildingLexington, Kentucky40506-0039 USAPhone: (859) 257-8611Fax: (859) 257-6311Email: sclref@lsv.uky.eduURL: http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/libpage.php?lweb_id=298&llib_id=13Processed by: Janice Childers in March 2009 under the supervision of Deirdre A. Scaggs, University Archivist.Finding aid completed by: Janice Childers in March 2009 under the supervision of Deirdre A. Scaggs, University Archivist.Encoded by: Janice Childers

William H. Townsend papers, 1946-19581986ua024William H. Townsend0.44 cubic feet (1 box)The materials are in English.The majority of materials in the William H. Townsend papers relate to the point-shaving scandal involving several University of Kentucky basketball players and the NCAA investigation into these allegations during 1951-1952.University of Kentucky Libraries, Special Collections

Collection is open to researchers by appointment.

The intellectual rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections.

1986ua024: [identification of item], William H. Townsend papers, University of Kentucky Archives.

Donovan, Herman, 1887-1964.Rupp, Adolph Frederick, 1901-1977.Kirwan, Albert Dennis.Spivey, Bill.National Collegiate Athletic Association.University of Kentucky Basketball.University of Kentucky Alumni Association.Sanctions, administrative.Basketball Betting.Basketball players Kentucky.

William H. Townsend was born in Anderson County, Kentucky, and graduated from the University of Kentucky Law School in 1912. He represented Adolph Rupp in Adolph Rupp vs. Cowles Magazine, Inc., in which Rupp sued the publishers of Look magazine for defamation. Townsend was the president of the UK Alumni Association during the 1951-1952 NCAA investigation into violations at the university, and served on a special committee charged with drawing up new policy proposals for intercollegiate athletics at UK.

Townsend may be best known as a Lincoln scholar and collector, and he was also the founder and first president of the Kentucky Civil War Round Table in 1953.

In 1951, a scandal erupted involving several University of Kentucky basketball players accused of shaving points, resulting in an NCAA investigation. Ultimately, the basketball program at UK was handed the "death penalty," barring the team from play during the 1952-1953 season.

The other well-known outcome was the indictment for perjury and acquittal of Bill Spivey, whom several other players implicated in the point-shaving scandal. Spivey proclaimed his innocence for the rest of his life, but the negative publicity not only led to his permanent suspension from UK's basketball program, but also resulted in his being barred for life from NBA play.

The majority of materials in the William H. Townsend papers relate to the point-shaving scandal involving several University of Kentucky basketball players and the NCAA investigation into these allegations during 1951-1952. These materials include correspondence, statements, indictments, reports, and minutes.

Also included in the collection are general materials relating to the Alumni Association, including commencement programs, publications, minutes, and a listing of alumni contacts. The materials span the years from 1946-1958.

This collection is arranged in two topical series: I. Athletics investigation II. University of Kentucky Alumni Association

Container ListSeries I. Athletics Investigations

The Athletics Investigations series contains correspondence, minutes, reports, and statements generated by the university, regulatory bodies, attorneys, and affected parties relating to the NCAA, SEC, and SAC investigations into allegations of game fixing by basketball players.

11Correspondence between Herman Donovan and other interested parties, November 1951-May 195312Indictment and correspondence, Bill Spivey case, December 1951-April 1952126Letter from Shelby Blatterman to Herman Donovan expressing disagreement with UK's handling of Bill Spivey case, March 4, 1952127aResponse from Herman Donovan to Shelby Blatterman explaining actions taken by the university in the Bill Spivey case, page 1, March 6, 1952127bResponse from Herman Donovan to Shelby Blatterman explaining actions taken by the university in the Bill Spivey case, page 2, March 6, 1952127cResponse from Herman Donovan to Shelby Blatterman explaining actions taken by the university in the Bill Spivey case, page 3, March 6, 1952128Reply from Shelby Blatterman to Herman Donovan regarding different outlook on Bill Spivey case, March 10, 195213SEC (SouthEastern Conference) statements and correspondence, November 1951-March 19531315aStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 1, August 11, 19521315bStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 2, August 11, 19521315cStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 3, August 11, 19521315dStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 4, August 11, 19521315eStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 5, August 11, 19521315fStatement to Executive Committee of Southeastern Conference by Herman Donovan, page 6, August 11, 19521317Press statement on SEC ruling by Herman Donovan and A.D. Kirwan, August 11, 195214SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) memoranda and correspondence, May-November 195215NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) memoranda and correspondence, October 1951-August 19541517aLetter from NCAA President H.C. Willett informing Herman Donovan of ruling and punishment, page 1, October 22, 19521517bLetter from NCAA President H.C. Willett informing Herman Donovan of ruling and punishment, page 2, October 22, 19521518Response from Herman Donovan to H.C. Willett pledging compliance with NCAA ruling, October 30, 195216UK Board of Trustees and staff memoranda, statements, and correspondence, 1946-1952165Letter from Bill Spivey to Herman Donovan proclaiming innocence in point-shaving incident and asking to be considered ineligible for play, December 24, 195117Special committee reports and correspondence, January-July 195218Adolph Rupp vs. Cowles Magazine, Inc. , 195219General materials on investigation, circa 1951-1952110Lucille Crumley Bradberry vs. Edward William Curd, et. al, April 1953 Series II. University of Kentucky Alumni Association

The University of Kentucky Alumni Association series contains miscellaneous materials relating to Townsend's responsibilities to the Alumni Association, and includes commencement programs, publications, notes, minutes, and member listings.

111Alumni Association materials, 1948-1958112List of alumni contacts, circa 1950-1964