Phil Cox's Journey: From Mountain Hoops to Scoring Stardom — Show Notes
- kentuckysportsmemo
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
About the Guest:
Phil Cox is a distinguished figure in Kentucky basketball history. Hailing from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, he earned acclaim as one of the finest shooters of his era. A graduate of Cawood High School in 1981 and a recipient of the prestigious Mr. Basketball title that year, Phil boasted an exceptional high school career, averaging 35 points as a junior and 28 as a senior, all before the invention of the three-point line. He went on to play college basketball at Vanderbilt University, leaving as the school's all-time leading scorer upon his departure in 1985. Today, Phil is a middle school principal near Knoxville, Tennessee, instilling his work ethic and love for basketball in younger generations.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Kentucky Sports Memories, Gary Fogle sits down with basketball legend Phil Cox to explore his remarkable journey from the gravel courts of Eastern Kentucky to becoming a record-breaking player at Vanderbilt University. Despite his early aspirations to play for the University of Kentucky, Phil's undeniable talent and dedication saw him flourish elsewhere, becoming a model player on and off the court.
Listeners will hear of Phil's high school glory days at Cawood High, where he showcased incredible shooting prowess in the pre-three-point-line era. Relocating further south to play for Vanderbilt, Phil shares his experiences and the influences that guided his career. His past basketball journey is intertwined with discussions about his current role as an educator, now fully relocated in Tennessee.
Key Takeaways:
Impressive Scoring Power: Phil Cox’s scoring excellence at Cawood High School was achieved without the benefit of a three-point line, highlighting his natural shooting ability.
UK vs. Vandy: While UK was the dream, Vanderbilt turned out to be the right fit—providing him with opportunities for growth both athletically and personally.
Strong Kentucky Roots: A deep-rooted attachment to Kentucky and its culture continues to shape Phil's identity, even as he builds a life and career in Tennessee.
Notable Quotes:
"I had a full court playing area at the house, but one end of the court was gravel and the other one's like clay dirt... and one of the goal posts was a locust bow we'd cut out of the mountains and put plywood on and put a goal on." – Phil Cox
"I was just an old country boy from southeast Kentucky. I still watch it [UK games]. I can't cheer when they're playing Vandy, but... wish them well." – Phil Cox
"I have middle school kids that, you know, they'll go down to the gym during lunch or after school, we'll have a little shooting contest and they give me a hard time. I usually can win." – Phil Cox
Join Gary Fogle as he continues to explore the stories behind the events and figures that have left a lasting mark on the world of sports in Kentucky. Dive into this episode to discover more about Phil Cox and how his foundational years in Kentucky basketball continue to resonate through his personal and professional endeavors.
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