RESOLUTION NO. ______, SERIES 2020
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A RESOLUTION HONORING DARRELL GRIFFITH, A.K.A. DR. DUNKENSTEIN, AND HIS SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE BY DEDICATING HALE AVENUE FROM CECIL AVENUE TO 41ST 40TH STREET AS “DARRELL GRIFFITH AVENUE.”
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SPONSERED BY: COUNCILWOMAN JESSICA GREEN
WHEREAS, on June 16, 1958, Darrell Steven Griffith was born in Louisville, Kentucky to Monroe and Maxine Griffith. Playing basketball for Louisville Male High School, he led the “Bulldogs” to three State Championship games winning the State Championship in 1975; and
WHEREAS, along with “All State” and “All Tournament” honors in 1975 and 1976, Mr. Griffith earned “Kentucky Mr. Basketball” honors in 1976. With offers to play basketball from many of the nation’s powerhouses, Mr. Griffith elected to stay home and help build the University of Louisville into one of the nation’s great basketball programs; and
WHEREAS, upon signing with the University of Louisville, Mr. Griffith promised his hometown a National Championship. Mr. Griffith led the Cardinals to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. At one point, scoring in double figures in 41 straight games. Mr. Griffith’s career 2,333 points ranks first in Louisville basketball history; and
WHEREAS, the during 1979-1980 season, catapulted the University of Louisville into the elite of college basketball. The Cardinals went 28-3 during the regular season, winning the Metro Conference Tournament, and establishing themselves as the “Doctors of Dunk” during the 1976-1977 season. Mr. Griffith, with his 48 inch vertical, became known as Dr. Dunkenstein, the team leader, and one of the most acrobatic dunkers in basketball history; and
WHEREAS, the Doctors of Dunk and Dr. Dunkenstein, took their exciting and highflying style of basketball into the 1980 NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals, after hard fought victories in the opening rounds, made it to the Final Four in Indianapolis. Against Iowa, Mr. Griffith scored 34 points on 14 of 21 shooting, leading the University of Louisville to its first NCAA Championship Game. There, Louisville faced, what was at the time, the nation’s greatest basketball program in UCLA. In a contest that came down to the end, Louisville was victorious winning its first National Championship. Dr. Dunkenstein led the Cardinals with 23 points and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith was named a First Team All American by the Associated Press and earned the Wooden Award as the best college basketball player in the nation. Mr. Griffith was chosen as one of the top 5 student athletes in the country by the NCAA. His 825 points in the 1979-80 set the single season record for the University of Louisville Basketball program. Following the 1980 championship run Mr. Griffith’s number 35 jersey was retired by the University of Louisville; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith went on to be selected 2nd overall by the Utah Jazz in the 1980 draft going on to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year Award. Mr. Griffith set the league record for most three-pointers made in a single season in both 1984 and 1985. Mr. Griffith played for the Jazz throughout an eleven year NBA career, again having his number 35 retired in 1993 by the Utah Jazz; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith has continued to give back to this great city, through the Darrell Griffith Foundation and is a volunteer and founding board member of the West End School which houses The Darrell Griffith Athletic Center. Mr. Griffith is in every way, a local hero and one of the greats; and
WHEREAS, the Council deems it proper to honor this outstanding individual by instructing the Department of Public Works to install signage on Hale Avenue, from Cecil Avenue to 40th Street in Louisville, Kentucky designating it as “Darrell Griffith Avenue.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT (“LOUISVILLE METRO COUNCIL”) AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: That the dedication and service to Louisville Metro by Darrell Griffith, a.k.a. Dr. Dunkenstein, be honored and memorialized with the placement of honorary street signs on Hale Avenue, from Cecil Avenue to 40th Street in Louisville, Kentucky and designating it as “Darrell Griffith Avenue.”
SECTION II: The Department of Public Works is hereby directed to move forward with the fabrication and installation of the honorary street signs upon the passage of this Resolution and the receipt of funds to cover the expense.
SECTION III: This Resolution shall take effect upon its passage and approval.
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_______________________________ Sonya Harward Metro Council Clerk |
_____________________________ David James President of the Council |
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_______________________________ Greg Fischer Mayor |
_____________________________ Approval Date |
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
BY: ____________________________
R-137-21 Honorary Street Sign for Darrell Griffith rh 102521