Danny Foutch was one of, if not, the best DeKalb County High School male basketball players of all time.  He is now 63-years-old and a resident of Glascow, Kentucky.  And he can still hit the long-distance baskets.

As a child, he was known as little “Danny Jo.”

As a teenager, he was known as “Danny.”

As an adult, he is known as “Dan.”

As a senior, he is known as “What’s your name?”

Regardless, his basketball playing abilities and every record known to man during his four-year tenure at DeKalb County High School remains untouched and beyond reproach.  It stands today.  His picture still hangs in the school’s trophy case.

His long-time basketball coach, the late Harold Luna, remarked, “He’s the greatest all-around player I’ve ever coached in DeKalb County.”  Luna continued, “He’s gone against every defense imaginable and still scored against it.  He’s the main ball handler against the press and he’s a great leader.”  He played for Luna from 1974-1978.

Danny and basketball are of the same genre.  Today, more than 50 years afterwards, Foutch continues hitting the nets with infiltrating basketballs as his family and friends watch.  I guess it’s true: “Once you learn, you’ll never forget.”

During his senior year at DCHS in 1978, Foutch scored an average of 28.7 points per game, which was easily a record.  In further documentation, Foutch was All-District and All-Conference for three years and as a senior in 1978, he was first team All-State, Midstate Most Valuable Player, and led the state in scoring with a 31.4 points per game average during his high school career.  His season high was 50 points.   The word “mesmerizing” could be the definitive descriptive adjective for Foutch’s learned and innate playing ability.

His younger brother, Dr. David Foutch, laughed saying, “In one game, we played together in high school.  Danny and I had a combined score of 56 points that night.  He had 50 points and I had 6!!!”

David’s wife, Kim Eddins Foutch, recalled, “What I remember about watching Danny play was that he could get through any defender on the floor (and they all wanted to stop him), get to the basket, make the shot and make it look effortless.  This was his senior year when I was a freshman.  I had never seen anyone that good!”

Danny was so good that my family and I would attend every Friday night ballgame just to see Danny play.  Dad always said that he had to be a great ballplayer because he had the last name, Foutch!

Following DCHS graduation, Danny played basketball for Belmont University for four years.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, cum laude.  Today, Dan has more than 40 years of comprehensive management experience.  Today, he serves as Baird Managing Director and Branch Manager in Glasgow, Kentucky.  Because of his determination and dedication to his clients, he has been recognized as a top advisor in Barron’s magazine.

He enjoys his involvement with education, healthcare and community organizations.  Continuing, he serves as a member of Belmont University’s Board of Trustees and serves as Belmont’s Chairman of the Athletics’ Committee.  Furthermore, Danny is a member of the Board of Directors at T.J. Samson Community Hospital following his immeasurable service as Chairman of the Board.

Danny is the son of Joe and the late Mainell Foutch of Liberty, Tennessee.  His two brothers are David (Kim) Foutch and John (Laura) Foutch.

On the weekends, Dan and his wife, Lisa, enjoy spending time on their farm with their two grandchildren.

For a summation, Danny’s niece, Kelsey Foutch Pyles said, “He can still play just as good as he once did.  When I was younger and he used to play with us, he could still make every shot he threw up to the goal.”

I’d hate to play a game of “Horse” against him! Come to think about it, anyone with any sense wouldn’t either.