The Court of Honor was created in 2002 "to recognize and honor Kentucky high school basketball coaches," according to the KABC's Web site. One boys coach from each region and one girls coach for every two regions are selected each year from nominations submitted to the coaches' association.
Stanford, who was 177-197 in 13 seasons at Casey, also led two Breathitt County teams to the state tournament before coming to Casey.
"I always felt very fortunate that I got to go to the state tournament three times, because I knew some other great coaches that never got to go once," he said. "I guess I've been really blessed, and I'm excited about it."
Proud to represent Casey and Breathitt
Stanford said his notification letter said he would be representing the 14th Region - where Breathitt plays - but he said he is proud to represent both schools. He said he looks back fondly on his years at Casey and said he believes that state tourney team was celebrated more than his championship teams at Breathitt, which has won regional titles with relative frequency.
"The people in Casey County have really treated me just super, and I'm sure they appreciated going to the state tournament much more than the people in Breathitt County do, just because in Breathitt County they're used to doing that," he said.
Casey has not played in the 12th Region Tournament since Stanford retired in 1998.
These days, Stanford splits his time between homes in Liberty and Florida and travels to Colorado "three or four times a year" to visit one of his children there. He visits his children and grandchildren often and plays golf often, and he said he is enjoying his retirement to the fullest.
"When I retired, I've done what I'm supposed to do, I guess," he said.
He said he misses the excitement of coaching but knows he made the right decision to get out.
"I was never blessed with teams with super talent. I just had to work so hard - and that's probably the way my teams played - I just wore myself out," he said.
Past Court of Honor selections include former Lincoln County boys coach Jack Upchurch and former Boyle County and Pulaski County girls coach Larry Hurt in 2006 and former Garrard County girls coach Ken Hurt in 2004.
