PHOTO - WKU Athletics
The man who coached the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers to their only mens’ NCAA Final Four appearance has died. According to wkusports.com, John Oldham, passed away Monday morning in Bowling Green at the age of 97.
Oldham left his mark on Hilltopper basketball in each of his roles, earning All-America accolades as a player in 1949 and later as a coach. Oldham, a native of Hartford, Kentucky, arrived at WKU in 1942 and played basketball for Coach E.A. Diddle, after earning All-State honors at Hartford High School.
After his freshman season at WKU, Oldham served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II.
In four years at WKU, he earned a place in WKU’s 1,000-point club, racking up 1,006 career points, and helped the Hilltoppers to three appearances in the NIT, four conference championships and 102 wins. He was named an All-American by both the United Press International and the Associated Press as a senior in 1949, and he was also named to a spot on the first All-Ohio Valley Conference Team that season.
Oldham was selected to the WKU Basketball All-Century Team in 2018 as a player.
He returned to Western in 1964 to take over from the retiring E.A. Diddle.
In seven seasons as coach, Oldham compiled a 142-40 record and led the Hilltoppers to five postseason trips, four conference championships, a Sweet 16 berth and a trip to the 1971 Final Four.
Oldham’s .780 winning percentage as a head coach remains the best in WKU history, and his number 42 from his playing days hangs at Diddle Arena in tribute.
Oldham was also a pioneer for social change in the sport, putting the Hilltoppers on the forefront of integration in the south in the 1960s. Oldham also served as athletics director from 1971-86 and, in 1971, conceptualized the Red Towel logo, which has evolved into one of the most easily recognized and historic athletic logos in the country.
WKU’s Big Red mascot was also created during his tenure.
(Info courtesy of WKU Athletics)
