This story originally ran on Jan. 25, 2024. While we're celebrating Athletic Training month, we'll be dipping into our archive to highlight some of our most exciting AT tales. 
 

By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

When Tim Uhl was in the seventh grade — when he was playing sports and hoping he would continue to grow — his junior high football coach told his parents that his athletic career may have to come to an end.

“Coach told me and my parents he was concerned I would get hurt due to my short stature — but he appreciated my heart and would like me to stay on as manager and help the team,” said Uhl, PhD, PT, ATC, FNATA and professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and a member of the American Academy of Sport Physical Therapists Hall of Fame.

That was the start of Uhl’s career as a future athletic trainer and physical therapist.

Uhl, who grew up playing football and basketball, always wanted to be a member of his school’s athletic teams. Little did he know, his coach set him down the path that would make him a member of many successful teams throughout his clinical and academic career, including being part of the 1984 University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, which went all the way to the Final Four.

That team, along with Uhl, was honored by the University of Kentucky Athletics Department this past weekend, as members invited to take part in festivities surrounding Saturday’s game vs. Georgia inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The ceremony took place during halftime of the game Saturday, which was televised on the SEC Network.

“I’ve been very blessed,” said Uhl, a 1985 UK graduate in Physical Therapy. “I served as the student athletic trainer for that team. I lived with them at the Wildcat Lodge. The event was fun to see them and meet their families — lots of hugs to go around.”  

The reunion was for the members of the team, coaches and managers, and a private reception tipped off the weekend Friday night, with a public recognition at the game last Saturday.

Head coach Joe B. Hall’s 1983-84 Wildcats went 29-5 overall (14-4 SEC), advanced to the Final Four, finished the season ranked No. 3 nationally, and won the Southeastern Conference regular season and SEC Tournament titles.

Uhl said the players lovingly nicknamed him “Biggie Smalls.”

“It was a term of endearment,” Uhl said. “You know, when guys give you a nickname, it means they’ve accepted you. I took it as that.”

During his time with the team, Uhl was responsible for rehabbing two of the team’s biggest stars, Sam Bowie and Kenny “Sky” Walker.

“We were sort of that team that — we were good, we had a lot of potential — and we had a great season,” Uhl said. “Living with these guys, they were the big men on campus. But I didn’t see them as anything more than classmates. They were just human beings.”

The season began on Nov. 26 with a 65-44 home win over No. 6-ranked Louisville, the first of 12 straight victories to begin the campaign. Another highlight came in January with a 74-67 home win over No. 4-ranked Houston. UK wrapped the regular season and clinched the league crown with a pair of home victories over Ole Miss and LSU.

The SEC Tournament, held at Vanderbilt, remains the most closely contested in league history as seven of the nine games were decided by six points or less. Fittingly, the championship game against Auburn went down to a final dramatic shot. Tied at 49, a jumper by Walker hit the rim, bounced high, landed on the rim again, then crawled into the net as the buzzer sounded.

A No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, UK defeated Louisville and Illinois to advance to the Final Four. Played in Seattle, the Wildcats fell to Georgetown in the semifinal as the Hoyas went on to win the national championship.

“I didn’t score any baskets,” Uhl said, “but this career allowed to be a part of the team. I always wanted to be a part of teams — and I like winning, so this was a very meaningful time for me. It was a very special moment to get back together and see everyone again.”