The “Doctors of Dunk” didn’t have an easy road to the finals considering their journey began with back-to-back overtime wins. But their style of play and flair (they’re credited with popularizing the high five) made them one of the most memorable NCAA champions ever. Now, 30 years later, we track down each member from Louisville’s 1980 NCAA Championship team and find their current whereabouts.
G Tony Branch
Branch’s off-balance shot with one second left gave Louisville a slim 71-69 win over Kansas State in the second round, keeping the championship run on track. Today he’s currently the dean of students at River Valley Middle School in Jeffersonville, IN. He was previously the athletic director at Jeffersonville High School.
F Wiley Brown
Brown is currently in his third season as the head basketball coach at NAIA Indiana University Southeast. The Grenadiers are 20-3 overall, 9-0 in conference. He’s most known for losing his prosthetic thumb in the garbage the morning of the 1980 final.
G Roger Burkman
Burkman was a defensive specialist and earned the moniker “Instant Defense” because of his play off the bench. He currently resides in Louisville, KY and is the athletic director at the aptly-named Spalding University (Division III).
G Steve Clark
A walk-on freshman guard, Clark is currently the vice president of Sun Belt General Contractors.
F Daryl Cleveland
Credited with inventing the high five, Cleveland is currently a shipping and receiving supervisor at Hamilton Printing in Louisville.
G Greg Deuser
Deuser is currently the vice president and director of research and risk management for River Road Asset Management in Louisville, KY.
Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow…
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