University of Kentucky basketball players were surrounded by a crowd of 1,500 rain-soaked fans and the UK band on March 28, 1951 on their return to Blue Grass Field after winning the NCAA National Championship. The Cats beat Kansas State 68-58 the day before in Minneapolis, claiming their third basketball title in four years. After exiting the plane, the team climbed aboard a truck, displaying the trophy. Some Chamber of Commerce officials held a ceremony praising their win, and each team member was given gift certificates from a local businessman. The team was then loaded into convertibles, and led by the UK band, traveled from the West Main Street viaduct to Rose Street. More than 800 cars, with horns blaring, participated in the parade. Coach Adolph Rupp did not accompany the team home. He stayed in Minneapolis to attend the final sessions of the NCAA coaches convention. Published in the Lexington Herald on March 29, 1951. Herald-Leader Archive Photo

University of Kentucky basketball players on their return to Blue Grass Field after winning the NCAA National Championship, March 28, 1951. From left, Shelby Linville, the man holding newspaper is unidentified, Roger Layne, Frank Ramsey, Bobby Watson, Walt Hirsch holding the trophy, Cliff Hagan and Lucian Whitaker. Click here to see an image from our archives of Hagan during a game played that season at Memorial Coliseum. Herald-Leader Archive Photo