Bobby Rascoe — considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes to come from Owensboro-Daviess County — passed away on August 24, 2024, at the age of 84. Roscoe was a legendary hoops figure at Daviess County High School and Western Kentucky University.
Born in Trigg County, Rascoe moved to Owensboro at the age of 4. He graduated from Daviess County High School in 1958, where he excelled on the basketball court. As a 6-foot-4 forward, Rascoe led his team to two consecutive state tournaments and earned Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) All-Tournament honors in 1957 and 1958.
In 1958, he earned All-American recognition and finished his high school career with 103 points in the state tournament.
Neil Hayden, current boys’ basketball head coach at DCHS, said Rascoe’s impact on the program is invaluable. Hayden also said Rascoe is the most decorated player in DCHS basketball history.
“Bobby was full of energy and always willing to talk,” Hayden said. “He met with the DCHS teams from time to time or would allow me to sit with him during some WKU games, and he was always a joy to talk to about basketball.”
Hayden said Rascoe would often come to watch the Panthers play when they traveled to Bowling Green.
“He was always full of enthusiasm and a joy to be around,” he said. “As a member of the state runner-up team and Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, he has represented DCHS across multiple decades.”
Rascoe went on to play college basketball at Western Kentucky University (WKU) under coach E.A. Diddle. From 1960 to 1962, he stood out for the Hilltoppers, scoring 1,687 points in just three seasons. According to WKU athletics, his career scoring average of 20.8 points per game ranks fourth in WKU history — and keep in mind, this was before the 3-point line.
During his time on the hill, the Toppers won three consecutive Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) titles and made two NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 in both trips.
Rascoe was also a three-time All-OVC Team member and earned All-American honors as a senior in 1962. His college career led to his induction into WKU’s Athletic Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1991. In 2012, his No. 45 jersey was retired and now hangs in the rafters of Diddle Arena.
After college, the New York Knicks drafted Rascoe with the 20th overall pick in the 1962 NBA Draft. However, he chose to play for the Phillips 66ers out of Oklahoma in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He helped lead the team to an AAU Championship in 1963 and earned AAU All-American honors in 1966. Later, he played for the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1969.
Rascoe returned to WKU in 1970 and served as an assistant coach for the Hilltoppers until 1978. He also worked in various roles at the university, including director of teacher certification, and retired after 33 years of service.
Most will remember Rascoe for his kindness and commitment to mentoring youth.
“He loved his neighbors well and would often serve food to those in times of need,” his family shared in his obituary. “Bobby was a constant encourager of people, a mentor to youth in the schools, and loved working WKU All-Sports camps in the summer.”
Rascoe was married to Nancy Conyer Rascoe for 59 years. He also leaves behind two daughters, Nancy Lynn Skipworth and Mary Elizabeth Shipley, four grandchildren, and several siblings, nieces, and nephews. Read his full obituary here.
Bobby Rascoe leaves a legacy as a dedicated athlete, coach, and community leader whose impact will continue to be felt throughout Owensboro, WKU, and beyond.
