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"One of the best books on college football to come down the pike in quite some time." -The Charleston Post & Courier

The Thin Thirty

"A disturbing triumph." - Professor Weldon Johnson

See rare video from the UK-UT game in 1962 (the key play)

Rick Bozich at the Courier-Journal placed it on his list of eight books for the Christmas sports fan (12-22-07)

The Thin Thirty discussed on the leading sports blog Deadspin

A review of the book by UK reporting legend, Russell Rice

Pictures from The Thin Thirty Reunion

The Men of The Thin Thirty

Earl Cox with the Louisville Voice-Tribune - Ragland has done thorough research. I told him that his book could be a good textbook for use by colleges. It should be required for football players planning to be coaches. [The full review.]

The Louisville Courier-Journal said:  It’s almost too much to be believed. But it happened. If UK were a more glamorous football address, it probably already would’ve been the subject of cinematic treatment.

Syndicated columnist Bob Watkins wrote: The Thin Thirty, the story of University of Kentucky football in 1962, is causing a sustained buzz around the Commonwealth. Author Shannon Ragland’s book is a meticulously researched look inside UK’s program in 1962.

The Thin Thirty

In August of 2007, the Set Shot Press, an independent publisher in Louisville, Kentucky, launched its newest title, The Thin Thirty by Shannon Ragland, the complex story of Charlie Bradshaw's first year as the football coach at the University of Kentucky in 1962.

One reviewer wrote of this remarkable book:   Southeastern Conference football, exploitation of players, game fixing and a gay sex scandal involving a legendary pro wrestling promoter and a Hollywood film icon. How's that for a tease?

In this stranger-than-fiction true story, the UK team dealt with brutality, sexual exploitation (a gay sex scandal with a Hollywood icon, Rock Hudson), gambling and overcame it all to defeat Tennessee in the game of games.  They became legends. 

They were The Thin Thirty.

In this excerpt from the book, the star of the Tennessee game, Clarkie Mayfield is introduced and his life before UK in the remote coal camp town of Black Star, Kentucky is described.

What did the players and the families that lived through that fateful and brutal year have to say?  Read their touching remarks about The Thin Thirty.

Contact the Set Shot Press by email

9462 Brownsboro Road, No. 133

Louisville Kentucky 40241

502-339-8794

The Thin Thirty

Order directly from the publisher

See Video of the Key Play in the 1962 UK-UT game