The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Esther Schmidt Rupp, widow of former University of Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, died of natural causes at Central Baptist Hospital. She was 95. Mrs. Rupp died Sunday, on the eve of Kentucky's attempt for its seventh national basketball championship.
Adolph Rupp coached the Wildcats for 42 years, from 1930-1972, and finished his career as the winningest coach in the history of college basketball with a record of 876-190. He died Dec. 11, 1977 at the age of 76.
Rupp, who led Kentucky to four NCAA championship titles, was an extrovert while Mrs. Rupp was quiet and shy.
The Rupps met in Freeport, Ill., while Rupp was coaching at Freeport High School. The couple married Aug. 29, 1931, a little over a year after Rupp was named UK head basketball coach.
"We are saddened with her passing," Kentucky athletic director C.M. Newton said. "She was a wonderful lady from a family that has contributed greatly to the University of Kentucky for a number of years. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during their time of need."
Mrs. Rupp is survived by her son, Adolph Rupp Jr., of Lexington, and two grandchildren.
Family members were in San Antonio for the NCAA Final Four games and presentation of the Adolph F. Rupp Trophy when she died. The family members had reluctantly left for San Antonio after doctors told them Mrs. Rupp, who recently had been staying in a nursing home, was in stable condition, friends said.
The trophy is given annually by the Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky to the college basketball player of the year.
W.R. Milward Funeral Directors-Broadway of Lexington is handling funeral arrangements, which were incomplete Monday night.
