| Overall UK Wins: 8 | Overall UK Losses: 0 | Win % 100 |
Date of Birth: May 26, 1902
Date of Death: December 10, 1967
Hometown: Paris, IL
Alma Mater: Illinois
Notes: Future UK football Coach and Athletic Director

For a generalized listing of officials, please consult this page.

Obituary - Lexington Herald (December 11, 1967)

UK Athletics Director Dies After Heart Attack

Bernie A. Shively, 65, athletics director at the University of Kentucky and former All-American football player, a teammate of the great Red Grange, died at 6:05 p.m. yesterday at the St. Joseph Hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Shively, who had been associated with athletics at the University since 1927, was stricken at his home, 151 Chenault Road, shortly before he was hospitalized.

Known to thousands of University sports fans simply as "Shive," the tall, grey-haired athletics official held a number of offices in the Southeastern Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Prized Project

One of his most prized projects was the UK Invitational Basketball Tournament, a Christmas holiday event, scheduled his year for Dec. 22 and 23.

He was past chairman of the NCAA Basketball Tournament Committee and for 14 years had been president of the Southeastern Conference Coaches and Athletic Directors Association.

He also had served as chairman of the SEC Basketball Committee, was past chairman of the NCAA summer baseball group and was a member of the NCAA executive committee.

Shively, known for his fair-minded policy direction, also guided the major physical plant expansions for athletics at the University, including the construction of Memorial Coliseum, and expansion of the football stadium, McLean Stadium - Stoll Field.

He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he played football with Coach Bob Zuppke's squad and was a teammate of Red Grange. Shively, an outstanding guard, was named to the All-America team in 1926.

He held a master of arts degree from the University of Kentucky, and in 1963, received a Distinguished Service award from the UK Alumni Association for "selflessness in a giving unstintingly of his devotion and labors to the alumni program."

Born in Oliver, Ill., in 1902, Shively attended high school in Paris, Ill., where he played football and ran on the track team. Although he did not attract the serious attention of college scouts, he went to the University of Illinois and tried out for the football team on his own.

In addition to his gridiron laurels, he won the heavyweight wrestling championship of the Big 10 and was a standout in track.

In 1927, Shively came to Kentucky as line coach of football under Harry Gammage and six years later was named head of the UK Physical Education Department.

Got Post in 1938

He succeeded Chet Wynn as athletic director in 1938. He also served as track and baseball coach for several seasons and continued to assist the football staff as line coach until 1944. In 1945 he assumed full charge of the football team for one season before turning the job over to Paul (Bear) Bryant in 1946.

UK Basketball Coach Adolph Rupp, one of Shively's closest friends, canceled a scheduled television appearance when he heard of the death.

"Shive and I had talked a thousand times about retiring together," Rupp said. "This comes as such a shock, I guess we've been closer together than any two men in the last 15 years. He was first on the list in his field and the sports world has lost a great administrator and good friend."

University President John W. Oswald said "The entire University of Kentucky community, the whole state and the athletic world at large are all shocked beyond belief at the unexpected, untimely passing of Bernie Shively.

"The University has lost one of its most respected, dedicated and loyal leaders and I have lost a close and esteemed personal friend."

Football Coach Charlie Bradshaw praised Shively as "one of the guiding lights of the SEC for a great number of years. He served diligently, of course, in the framework of the NCAA and was held in the highest esteem by his contemporaries all over the nation. I'm terribly hurt because I know I've lost a great friend."

Shively was a son of Mrs. Elvessie Hense Shively and the late Bruce A. Shively.

He was a lifetime member of the alumni association, of which he was a former vice president and treasurer. He was a member of Central Christian Church, Omicron Delta Kappa fraternity and the Lexington Country Club.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Mrs. Ruth Frances Higgins Shively; a daughter, Mrs. David Havens, Miami, Fla.; a son, Douglas Shively, Lexington; two sisters, Mrs. John Martin and Mrs. Owen Cox, both of Paris, Ill.; a brother, Leo H. Shively, Indianapolis, and five grandchildren.

The body was taken to the W.R. Milward Mortuary - Southland.

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