KNOXVILLE, TN. – The road to becoming the oldest college basketball player
in history was not an easy one for Ken Mink, with his path strewn with seemingly
insurmountable obstacles.

Three doctors told him he would never be able to play basketball again following
injuries and illnesses as he sought to return to college basketball after a 53-year absence.

But he fought through the physical problems and numerous other challenges to
earn a spot on the Roane State Community College Raiders team for the 2008-2009
season.

He played in seven games and scored a total of five points--all world records.

His unique feat earned him national and international fame, including being
featured in a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not panel.

Mink details in his new autobiographical book “HOOPS DREAMER: The Ken
Mink Story” how he was unfairly kicked out of college in 1956 after being deemed guilty
of a minor prank and how he had yearned for decades to return the college game. Roane
State Coach Randy Nesbit gave him that chance and Mink became a full-fledged team
member in 2008.

Some highlights from Mink’s book include:

--His coal town coming of age adventures included a life-threatening unorthodox train ride and his high school hoops career in which he set school scoring records.

--His Lees Junior College team scored a monumental 1956 upset over Kentucky
as he and his teammates resorted to some impromptu plays in the final seconds.

--His Air Force career, which involved basketball and interaction with some famous people, including the pilot who dropped the atom bomb on Nagasaki.

--His journalism career and basketball mixed: With exclusive interviews with Rocky Marciano, Harlem Globetrotters, Tracy Stallard and Dave Loggins in addition to numerous film/TV stars. He also starred in city and rec leagues.

--His college basketball at age 73 included overcoming major physical ailments, surviving a confrontation with his coach, a successful bonding with his teammates (which resulted in numerous funny stories), and a season filled with everything from team dissension to another unjust ruling which cost him playing opportunities.

“My season at Roane State was a dream come true, despite the various problems I encountered during the year,” said Mink. “I achieved redemption by finally getting back on the court after 53 years and I think I played reasonably well under the circumstances. I never embarrassed myself on the court. I think I earned respect from foes and teammates. Our team was never outscored during my time on the court.”

Mink’s 254-page book (which includes more than a dozen full-color photos) is available in print and electronically through several outlets, including Amazon.com Books, Scribid.com, Pubit.com, lulu.com, and Smashwords.com.

Price ranges vary from $31.50 print copies at Amazon to 99-cents at the electronic outlets. Signed author discounted print copies at $26 are available through the author by contacting him at [email protected].

This story was published on 24 Apr 2011.