He is a legend in athletics, a respected and revered coach and administrator and loved by all whose lives he has touched in some way. That person is Barney Thweatt. Family and friends, fellow coaches, players, students and co-workers – all gathered at The Stilley House Thursday afternoon to honor Thweatt.
The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Kentucky recognized June 27, 2019 as “Barney Thweatt Day”, in appreciation of his immeasurable contributions to his community and fellow citizens.
An emotional Thweatt was surprised with the honor as well as the gathering of dear friends – many who traveled some distance – to show just how much he has meant to them.
“I don’t have the words to tell you how moved I am by all this”, Thweatt said. “Some of you go way back with me…many, many years…some of you just a few years…but I love all of you and you’ve been so good to me, you’ve been so kind to me and I just don’t have enough vocabulary to tell you how much I appreciate this day.”
Thweatt’s accomplishments are known far and wide, from his 1948 Redmen Brewers team he helped lead to a state title and 36-0 record that still stands today, playing at Memphis State and Murray State to his coaching days where he won several district and regional titles as well as a trip to the Sweet 16. Thweatt also authored the book “Brewers Basketball: A Winning Tradition”.
He was principal at North Marshall, Mayfield and Christian County and a member of several boards including the KHSAA Board of Controls, KHSAA President, President of the Kentucky Association of Secondary School Principal and Marshall County Athletic Foundation Board.
Thweatt is a Hall of Famer several times over – The KHSAA Hall of Fame, Christian County Athletic Hall of Fame and Marshall County Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches Court of Honor.
Barney wore the #42 for the 1948 State Champion Brewers Redmen, whose record of 36-0 still stands today.
