It was the most successful team in Hilltopper history..the team that advanced to the Final Four in 1971.  An Atlanta businessman who was on that team is doing his best to help the Hilltoppers get back there.  Amy Bingham has the story in this week’s “View from the Hill.”

WKU’s successful run in the NCAA tournament this year was followed by fans and alumni around the world.  But one person who closely identified with the hoopla is hoping his monetary gift will help sustain the momentum.

“It’s a bit of de’ja’vu..particularly with Ty’s shot and going to the Sweet 16, it does bring back a lot of memories.”

Steve Eaton knows what it’s like to be part of a nationally prominent team.  The former Hilltopper made it all the way to the 1971 Final Four.

“You could just sense in the community how much pride and joy and that translated to the school and players themselves so it was special for us.”
It’s been forty years since coach Johnny Oldham first recruited Eaton.

“There was just a warmth and spirit about the campus I think a million people over the years noticed that..it felt like home.”

Eaton looks back fondly on the years he spent in Diddle Arena..some of the most successful years in the school’s history.

“The class before me included some nationally prominent players so I knew if I came to Western there was a chance we could compete.”
Eaton doesn’t just have strong basketball ties to WKU..he also has family ties.

“My freshman year I met my wife in a math class and we dated a couple of years then married our senior year.”

A new wife, a trip to the Final Four…it’s no wonder the Eatons’ want to help WKU continue building the basketball program. 
“What is incumbent on us..not just me but all alumni is having the financial backing to compete at the highest levels.”

The Eatons pledged 375 thousand dollars to the basketball program last year bringing the total to 600 thousand dollars in the past eight years. Eaton says he’s thrilled with the direction the program is headed.  With this week’s “View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.”