Basketball Autographed by the Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball Team
Artifact ID1982.03013.01
Object Type
Basketball
Gifter
Robert Daniel
Maker
Wilson Sporting Goods
(American sports equipment manufacturer founded 1913, Chicago, IL)
Date
1983
Medium
Leather, Rubber
Dimensions9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Physical DescriptionOrange Wilson basketball autographed by the 1982-1983 University of Kentucky Wildcats Men's Basketball Team members. One section is engraved "Wilson" in open script. The following section is engraved with "Official Jet B1200" and "KENTUCKY" beneath it, both in black. On the reverse is engraved "INFLATE TO 7 TO 9 LBS" around the hole, and "MADE IN USA ____ 80" below that. The "LAST BILT" is engraved in a circle in the next section. One empty section is inscribed "President Reagan, Best wishes from the 'Kentucky Wildcats.' Joe B. Hall" in ink. Autographs in ink include Roger Harden, Kenneth Walker, Dickey Beal, Melvin Turpin, Charles Hurt, Dirk Minniefield, Todd May, Derrick Hord, Troy McKinley, Jim Master, Mike Ballenger, Tom Heitz, and Joe B. Wall.Historical NoteThe 1982-1983 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team competed in the NCAA basketball championship in March 1983, making it to the Elite Eight. The basketball was given when the team toured the White House on October 15, 1982. The head coach was Joe B. Hall, who wrote the inscription on the ball.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)