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#21 07-08-2010, 09:39 PM
Hanover Cat
Sophomore Join Date: Oct 2007
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I loved watching Mel Turpin play and loved the early 80's UK teams. Just a lot of talent in the front court.
I didn't know him, but he always came across as a someone who was very personable. Tough news to hear tonight.
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#22 07-08-2010, 09:47 PM
rompcat
Freshman Join Date: Aug 2009
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Wow.
This is really sad. My prayers out to the family.
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#23 07-08-2010, 10:14 PM
largebluej
Blueblood Join Date: Jul 2005
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Warning: rambling post ahead
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Melvin is one of the more under-appreciated players in UK history, IMO. As an earlier poster mentioned, he was a late-bloomer in HS, and even though he was a legitimate, hometown, big man prospect, he was not a very ballyhooed recruit, as I recall, especially signing in the class immediately after Sam Bowie, who was at or near the top of everyone's recruiting list, and coming off a good freshman season. I don't remember that much being expected of Melvin. He and Sam ended up in the same senior class due to Sam's injury.
Bowie had a star-crossed basketball career, to say the least. He was a big man with unique talents. He had good outside shooting touch. He was a great passer. He missed 2 full years at UK due to a lower-leg stress fracture. He (and Mel) were starters on the great 1984 team, which unfortunately is now best known, by most, for 3-33. Sam himself is best-known, outside of UK fans, for the 1984 NBA draft. It is certainly not his fault that the player picked immediately after him went on to achieve such heights. Sam's injury problems persisted into his pro career. I think he once suffered a broken leg in a pre-game layup line, with no contact from anybody. Since his playing days ended, Sam has been a fine representative of his alma mater. I've got nothing bad to say about Sam Bowie.
I said all that to say this: Melvin Turpin had a better UK playing career than Sam Bowie. I've had this argument with a lot of folks over the years, even on a call-in show years ago with Dick Gabriel. I'm not saying he had more talent, but he did more. It's not penalizing Sam for being hurt, but giving Melvin credit for what he did. During the two years Sam was out, Melvin blossomed. Even though those two teams had plenty of talent, the offense very often resembled a clogged toilet (stolen from Simmons' line about this year's Celtics). Melvin was a rock. He could catch the ball with his back to the basket and put it in the hole, a talent that Sam lacked. As a tandem in '84, he was still the more reliable scorer. Again, the point is not to knock Sam, but to give Melvin his due.
As the year's have gone by, I think Melvin's rep has suffered even more than Sam's. Those of us who were fans at that time know all too well his battles with his weight and struggles in the classroom. Sometimes I think UK fans remember those traits more than his playing production. Away from the protecting environment of UK, he was ill-equipped to deal with the demands of professional basketball. He was unceremoniously, and with great media coverage, dealt from the Jazz to a European team. He became the butt of jokes. He was the NBA's token fat guy. I think that is unfair. The guy could play.
More than that, the guy was a good guy. Along with LutherCat and a few other still-close friends, we lived at Keeneland Hall during Melvin's playing days. I can't say we were more than acquaintances, but I had occasion to speak to him several times and he couldn't have been a nicer guy. I can't say that for the rest of players, and that's not to knock them, either. If I had been a UK BB player in those days, Lord knows what a tool I would have been. No, it's to Melvin's credit he always had a smile on his face and would always respond when spoken to. I don't know that I've ever witnessed a more emotional scene in Rupp Arena than the 1984 senior day. In those days, after the senior was introduced and jumped through their hoop, they would join their family at that baseline corner and take a lap together around the court. (Wished they still did that.) When Melvin came out, his mother was waiting in a wheelchair, and Melvin pushed her around the court, with that big smile on his face. If that didn't make you tear up, your heart was made of something harder than stone. NBC televised that game, and Al McGuire talked about it for years afterward. (I looked for a YouTube of that event to attach here, but couldn't find it.)
Who knows what drove Melvin to end his life today.....I hope he is in a better place now. May God comfort and bless his family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you, Melvin, for the great memories.
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"The Road Goes On Forever, But The Party Never Ends" Robert Earl Keen
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Last edited by largebluej; 07-08-2010 at 10:18 PM.
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#24 07-08-2010, 10:53 PM
matt colvin
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Thank you for your wonderful post, largebluej.
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Can't wait for number eight!
"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men, you just can't reach. So you get what we had here last week, which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it!"
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#25 07-08-2010, 11:28 PM
Jeff Craddock
Junior Join Date: Jun 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt colvin
Thank you for your wonderful post, largebluej.
I'd like to second that...a wonderful post. What a sad night--Mel was one of the good guys.
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#26 07-09-2010, 04:01 AM
Watchtower
Blueblood Join Date: May 2009
Location: Orlando, FL
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Good post, blue.
As a Lexington kid, I've always held special fondness for the guys from Lexington who got to play for the Big Blue. Mel Turpin was one of those guys.
This is just SO sad. My heart goes out to his family, but I'm sure the good Lord has told Mel, "Welcome Home, Son."
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#27 07-09-2010, 06:42 AM
cumberlandredskin
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sterling, Virginia, USA
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largebluej said about everything I was going to say. That was a terrific post!
He was and is one of the most underappreciated players from UK's past. He along with Bowie were some of the first big men who could step outside and hit the jump shot. He had a really soft touch around the rim and could at times score at will. I will always remember his 42 point games against Tennessee and later against Georgia in the SEC tournament. He couldn't be stopped those two games. That senior day game was really emotional. I will always remember Turpin pushing his mother in her wheelchair around the Rupp Arena floor. I believe they said that was the first time she had seen Turpin play. By all accounts he truly was a gentle giant. As good as he was on the playing floor he was even better off of it. I hope his family know and realizes how much the UK family of fans loved and appreciated him and take some comfort in that his legacy at UK will always be top notch. R.I.P. Melvin Turpin
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#28 07-09-2010, 07:19 AM
UK Chic
Junior Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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I am so, so very sad. I came out to my car yesterday and when I got in and heard the news, I just had to sit there for a bit.
I can't help but to think of his family and friends and what they are feeling right now.
Marsha - my thoughts are with you. I know you guys were close.
A sad day for a CAT fan.......
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After the UK/Auburn Football game, my 3 year-old son told me: "Mommy, I want to play football". GO CATS!!!
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#29 07-09-2010, 07:37 AM
WILD1
Senior Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northern KY
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My morning newscast reported that he'd allegedly become despondent over his declining health and other difficulties associated with his diabetes.
Such a sad, sad way to go out. RIP, Big Mel.
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#30 07-09-2010, 07:58 AM
KCKUKFan
Blueblood Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 4,375
Mel was a few years before my time, but reading other folks' posts (and hearing my dad's thoughts) helps me realize the loss a little better. Always terrible when we lose a Cat. Always terrible when we lose someone so young for such baffling reasons. R.I.P.
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#31 07-09-2010, 08:33 AM
SLegend
Freshman Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 235
Mel was a family friend and we are all very very sad about this terrible tragedy.
We were all concentrating on his wife who has been struggling with serious health issues but I for one never noticed that Mel was having any problems.
Growing up and being around him he was always a big jovial giant to me. Someone I looked up to. I still have a few of his NBA sweatshirts that I still wear from time to time even though they swallow me.
I already miss him and can do nothing more but sit in shock at the exit of my hero.
He had his struggles, hell the guy gave me the No Drugs talk and told me about his struggles and what mistakes he made.
I'll miss you Mel, very much. God speed my friend.
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#32 07-09-2010, 08:47 AM
Wally Londo
Junior Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: An Undisclosed Location, Ky,
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As others have said, the news shocked and saddened me. Mel was always one of my favorites, and as others have said, very underrated in UK basketball lore. I remember one game against Alabama, maybe in '83 or '84, he outscored their whole team at halftime. Poor Mel. You will be sorely missed. RIP Dipper.
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#33 07-09-2010, 10:29 AM
baldcat
Junior Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Corbin, KY, ,
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RIP Big Mel.
One of the icons of my childhood is gone.
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"Flynn turns and leaves it with Scott. No!!! He did not get it!!!! Victory!!! Kentucky!!!!! They have done it!!"
Tom Leach's call of the final play versus #1 and eventual national champion LSU.
October 13, 2007
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#34 07-09-2010, 10:57 AM
cumberlandredskin
Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sterling, Virginia, USA
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Updated story. Apparently it was a self afflicted gunshot wound. Also a member of his family said Turpin didn't have any financial problems as a reason for his suicide. We will probably never really know what caused him to do this.
http://www.kentucky.com/2010/07/09/1...f-gunshot.html
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#35 07-09-2010, 05:13 PM
bly
Sophomore Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 691
Quote:
Originally Posted by cumberlandredskin
largebluej said about everything I was going to say. That was a terrific post!
He was and is one of the most underappreciated players from UK's past. He along with Bowie were some of the first big men who could step outside and hit the jump shot. He had a really soft touch around the rim and could at times score at will. I will always remember his 42 point games against Tennessee and later against Georgia in the SEC tournament. He couldn't be stopped those two games. That senior day game was really emotional. I will always remember Turpin pushing his mother in her wheelchair around the Rupp Arena floor. I believe they said that was the first time she had seen Turpin play. By all accounts he truly was a gentle giant. As good as he was on the playing floor he was even better off of it. I hope his family know and realizes how much the UK family of fans loved and appreciated him and take some comfort in that his legacy at UK will always be top notch. R.I.P. Melvin Turpin
I remember that too very touching moment.
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#36 07-09-2010, 05:33 PM
lribookend
Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005
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Very shocking, and very sad news. Any death in the family is horrible, suicide is even harder. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Larry
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#37 07-09-2010, 06:06 PM
she~cat
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Location: North Tazewell, Virginia, USA
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very sad news
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#38 07-09-2010, 07:27 PM
pidjones
Recruit Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Clinton, TN
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While we were dating, my wife was on the first aid squad at Rupp. I went to Lexington for most weekend home games, and we could go in through the player's entrance and past the dressing rooms to the elevators. I remember several times while leaving after the game that Melvin would be outside the dressing room talking to young kids and signing autographs. He seemed to be really enjoying that. I'll always remember that more than his playing, which was remarkable also.
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#39 Yesterday, 05:34 AM
Dawood Khan
Junior Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Herat
Posts: 4,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by largebluej
Who knows what drove Melvin to end his life today.....I hope he is in a better place now. May God comfort and bless his family and friends during this difficult time. Thank you, Melvin, for the great memories.
Didn't want to quote the whole thing, but, that was an excellent read. Thanks for posting it.
I've got one of those hearts of stone and it brought a chill, a smile and a little water to my eyes.
Thanks again Dude
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#40 Yesterday, 11:28 AM
POEKLM
Junior Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Posts: 2,809
I have been sad and at such a loss for words. This is the second friend that I have lost in this manner. I did consider Melvin a friend. You never were around him when he couldn't and didn't make you laugh. I loved to hear him laugh too.
I just found that great picture of Melvin with our beloved Mel from a tailgate a few years back.
When UK had that 100 year signing a few years back Melvin and I reconnected after not having seen each other in at least 18 years. The day of that signing I grabbed some old pictures of me with some players to take with me to show the guys to remind them who I was.....believe it or not folks I don't look like I did at 21-22 years old. I found the whole pack of pictures that I had taken of Mel's last home game. I had been to his house that day and taken pictures of his mom all dressed up. It was the only time she made it to see him play. I am so thankful I took those pictures.
Anyway when I got to Melvin that day. He was a hoot as usual. I had to jog his memory a little ......believe me that Big Dipper nickname wasn't all about bball....he knew LOTS of females. I showed him the pictures of his mom and he said he didn't have any so I gave all those to him. I got all kinds of hugs and such..that is Melvin. The next day at Rupp I run into Mel again and his friend asked me if I was the one who gave him the pictures of his mother. I said yes and he said you will never know what you did for him. He said Melvin run straight to walgreens and made enlargements and copies for all his siblings. They had no pictures of their mother. Soft hearted Mel.
I remember now talking to Melvin on the phone not too long after that and he was talking about the diabetes and how they were having trouble regulating it and he mentioned meds that he was on. And he told me that he took meds for depression and that he had for years. I never knew. The other friend I lost this way was the same way. Depression is ofter a private battle. So many people speculate and want to know what sent someone over the edge....money? health? family? There is no straw that broke the camel's back often times. I think they get sick and tired of feeling like they do. My other friend used to tell me,"Marsha, I know I have everything in the world going for me but sometimes I just don't want to get up." Can you imagine battling a feeling like that for years and years?
I don't want to think of Melvin feeling that way. It hurts to do so. He gave so much joy. I hope he is at peace and resting in the arms of God.
POEKLM
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