By LARRY VAUGHT
Former Kentucky All-American Kenny Walker was one of many players who considered former UK coach Joe B. Hall, who died recently at age 93, a “father-figure” for many years after their playing careers were over.“He pushed us to be good basketball players but he also molded us to be good men,” Walker said.Walker said Hall was very concerned with the image of the Kentucky program and made sure his players understood that.“When I played at UK, we had to be clean shaven and wear a coat and tie when we went on the road or did interviews,” Walker said.Walker, and his teammates, didn’t understand why other teams could wear sweats or jeans but the UK players could not. He asked Hall for an explanation.“He said, ‘Son if you look good, you play good. If you look like a team, you play like a team. It’s important how you look and how you carry yourself,’” Walker said.“Those things meant a lot to him and that has stayed with me to this day and will stick with me for the rest of my life.”