A section of “Cawood’s Court” is back home in Harlan County.

A program was held Tuesday at the Historic Harlan Museum to mark the addition of a piece of basketball history to its collection with the loan of a section of the original Rupp Arena floor bearing the words “Cawood’s Court.”

The artifact was loaned by Mike Cawood, a relative of legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford, and will become a part of the museum’s Cawood Ledford Experience, an exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of the iconic voice of Kentucky basketball.

Mike Cawood’s connection to the legendary broadcaster runs deep. Cawood Ledford’s mother, Sudie Cawood Ledford, and Mike’s grandfather, Dr. Oscar Cawood, were brother and sister, making Mike a first cousin once removed of Cawood Ledford. Cawood Ledford was named after his grandfather. Mike is the son of Tom and Jane Cawood, and his family has long taken pride in preserving the Cawood family’s history and legacy. Tom Cawood was the football coach at Harlan High School from 1969 to 1975 after serving as an assistant with Dan Beasley

The floor section was removed during the recent replacement of the playing floor at Rupp Arena in 2024. The last high school game reportedly played on the floor was the 2024 state championship game matching Harlan County against Lyon County.

Recognizing its historical significance, Mike Cawood worked to acquire the portion featuring the “Cawood’s Court” logo with the goal of ensuring it would be preserved and shared with the public.

“When Mike first contacted me about the opportunity to display this piece in the Historic Harlan Museum, I was immediately excited,” said Bronwyn Haynes, director of the Historic Harlan Museum. “I knew we had to have it. The section of the original Rupp Arena floor marked ‘Cawood’s Court’ is more than just a piece of hardwood. It is a piece of Kentucky history and a tribute to one of Harlan County’s most beloved figures. It is the perfect addition to our Cawood Ledford Experience, and we are honored that Mike has entrusted us with preserving and sharing this remarkable artifact with our visitors.”

Mike Cawood said the decision to bring the artifact home to Harlan County was an easy one.

“When I went to Rupp Arena with Arkansas basketball, I’d always get my picture taken with the Cawood’s Court logo and explained to everyone the connection. When I knew Rupp Arena was putting in a new floor, I started asking about trying to get that section. Artsman, a company in Cincinnati, was in charge of selling off pieces of the old floor. One thing led to another and they worked with me to make it possible, especially knowing I wasn’t going to keep it but have it displayed in a rightful place.

“I wanted it because I’m proud of being a Cawood and being from Harlan. But it was always my plan to have that displayed where people would appreciate it. There is no place better than the Historic Harlan Museum and Cawood Ledford exhibit. It means a lot to me and my family to have this displayed, and I know it means just as much to the people of Harlan County.”

Harlan Mayor Joe Meadors thanked Cawood for the donation and discussed his history with the family and the significant role Ledford played in the history of both Harlan County and Kentucky, noting that generations grew up listening to UK games on the radio in the days before most games were televised.

Brandon Pennington, the Harlan Tourism director, also discussed the importance of the addition to the museum and the significant role Ledford played in local and state history.

Annie Fox, chairwoman of the tourism commission, talked about how much Ledford meant to Harlan County and Kentucky and the friendship she and her husband, Rick, had with Cawood and Frances Ledford, especially after the Ledfords moved back to Harlan County following his retirement. Fox also talked about how proud Ledford was of his Harlan County heritage.

The addition of “Cawood’s Court” further strengthens the museum’s Cawood Ledford Experience, allowing visitors to connect with the life and legacy of one of Harlan County’s most celebrated figures through an artifact that represents both Kentucky basketball history and hometown pride, according to Haynes

“The Historic Harlan Museum is honored to preserve this unique piece of history and to share it with visitors for generations to come,” she said.

Ledford was the “Voice of the Wildcats” for 39 years. His career spanned five decades, beginning at WHLN in Harlan. He earned the distinction of the most honored and most celebrated sportscaster in Kentucky history. Ledford, known to all as “Cawood,” was voted “Sportscaster of the Year” 22 times in the state. In addition to his service to the University of Kentucky, he was known as one of the most renowned thoroughbred racing sportscasters in the nation. His voice was familiar to fans of the Kentucky Derby as he called the “Run for the Roses” for 22 years. Three times he won the racing industry’s highest honor, the prestigious Eclipse Award. Two times he won the “Englehard Award” for excellence in his coverage of horse racing. He also has received the “Silver Horseshoe” honor from the Kentucky Derby Festival for his contributions to racing and the “Dean Eagle Award” for his Kentucky Derby coverage.