(Editor’s note: This interview was done last season in 2008, soon after Sedat had thrilled the Freedom Hall faithful with his railing handstand at the incredible Georgetown White-Out Game. Will we ever see his like again?)
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“If you show them true love,
they want to perform better. “
Sedat, life-long gymnast, showman, and Card fan since 1968.
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I wanted to go and personally meet a man that does handstands during big ball games on stadium railings 20′ in the air….with a concrete floor as his safety net.
Yes, I wanted to personally meet and talk with such a man.
For over 20 years now, I have watched an older man in the section next to mine emerge suddenly and confidently from the stands, limp stiffly toward the stadium railing, and slowly but steadily raise his body into a handstand–and then L it off to the side!
He only does it rarely, but it drives the crowd freakin’ nuts.
As it damn well should, since it’s a feat of near super-human strength and daring for a man of any age, much less one turning…64!
Sadly, Card fans, we may have just witnessed his last performance at the Hall — or for U of L ….
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Our section calls him the Handstand Guy. His real name is Sedat Acton.
Sedat was kind enough to meet with me for an interview at the up-scale hair salon named appropriately, Sedat’s Salon, that he runs with his wife of over 30 years, Teresa, next to Equus restaurant near Trinity. They have three children.
I expected a rugged, out-going bear of a man. I met a soft-spoken, elegant man of quiet confidence. And, indeed I found the great strength I expected.
Yes… indeed I did.
Frank: Sir, for over 20 years I’ve watched you do a handstand on the 2nd floor railing to excite the crowd in Freedom Hall. I’ve often wondered how you even thought about doing that the first time.
Sedat: I am a trained gymnast. I did half-time and other shows at University of Louisville or Kentucky Colonel games since I came to the United States to be with my sister in 1968. (Shows me an old picture of himself in the 70’s at a Colonels’ game, doing a handstand on chairs, with another female gymnast wrapped around his waist. In the pic, his hair is pitch black and long, well, 70’s hair.)
Frank: Gosh, looking at this picture–I can see you now in my mind doing that routine. I went to most of the Colonel’s games.
Sedat: Yes, I knew all the players. I met a lot of the UK players too. . Dan Issel, Mike Pratt, Jimmy Dan Connor–they all used to say: “Sedat, why don’t you perform for the UK fans, like you do for the University of Louisville. ” I would say, no, no. We used to laugh. You know they were just kidding. Later, I cut the hair of some of them, too.
Frank: When was the first time you did the handstand on the railing 20′ up?
Sedat: I think in 1975. You know, I only do it at certain times. Only in the second half and only when the crowd really needs an oomph (motions upward quickly with his fist) .
Frank: So, you pick your spot–like a showman?
Sedat (smiling): Yes. You can not do it often. Then it means nothing.
Frank: Why did you become a gymnast.
Sedat: Because I saw gymnasts on the beach when I grew up in Turkey, and they looked like they were strong and could do anything. When I was 3 years old, I got polio in my leg. The leg became small and weak. The brace was heavy and I pushed and dragged it along. The kids would make fun of me. You know…
I was determined to be strong. I did exercises in my backyard imitating what the gymnasts did.
(Hesitating, then leaning closer , and in an even softer voice) Frank, I will admit to you, I did not walk along the beach to see the gymnasts. I did not want them to see my leg.
So, every day I swim in the Bosporus about 100 yards off-shore, a distance like from here to Oxmoor Mall. I would swim to see them and watch them offshore.
Frank: That’s 2 to 3 miles in the open ocean one way! You must have been an excellent swimmer by then, too.
Sedat: Yes, good, but I swim from rock to rock, so I could rest some.
Frank: What brought you to this country?
Sedat: My sister already was in the United States. She wanted me to be with her for many years. I was in Switzerland then. I moved there from Turkey when I was 13 years old. The people where I worked were very kind to me. They wanted me to work at the Swiss Embassy in the United States. But I told them no.
I came in 1968 to Louisville to be with my sister, and worked as a professional gymnast doing shows in different places in Louisville. My wife–I want you to say this, she is so understanding. I go to so many games– Sacred Heart, Trinity, University of Louisville. They all want me to perform for them, and I like to do it to please them. (Sacred Hall plans to put Sedat in their Hall of Fame for all his efforts for them; he was named the #1 fan by U of L in both 1980 and 1986.)
Frank: How did you become such a big Card fan?
Sedat: It was through Joe Ledkte (a center for Cards in 60’s). He was dating one of the gymnasts I knew. He introduced me to Wes Unseld. (Former AD) Bill Olson liked my show. That’s when I started doing half time shows for University of Louisville. (Shows me a picture of himself, doing a handstand at half court with a male Card cheerleader supporting him.)
Frank: What’s your greatest U of L memory after watching them for 40 years?Sedat: It is probably not what people think. It was many years ago in a Metro tournament in Memphis. People did not think our team was good that year. Not many people came to the tournament.
My daughter was having her First Communion that Sunday. I went for the first game on Thursday. Not many people thought they would win one game. But we won the first game, and we won the second game. So I called my daughter and apologized. I had to be there. They needed me on Sunday!
Jock Sutherland and Van Vance were nice and let me apologize to my daughter on the radio. They even gave me a spot on TV to apologize.
Larry Finch–he was so nice to me. He was the coach of Memphis, but he remembered me from playing against us. He gave me free tickets for every game after they lost–he didn’t care. He and other Memphis fans, they say: ” Sedat, why don’t you do your routine for us. We wish we had fans like you.” They kid me. They were very nice to me. Other fans are always nice to me because I try to be kind to them and to be professional.
Frank: And, I guess we won that final game in the tournament…
Sedat: Yes! We won! You know, the players are bigger and stronger, but their heart’s are the same as any 17 or 18 year old. If you show them true love, they want to perform better.
You can not win all the time. Some fans may think so, but no, it is impossible. I told my children when they played: “Give your heart! Do your best!” That’s all you can do.
Frank: How do you keep yourself in shape? What’s your routine?
Sedat: Every morning, I stretch 20-30 minutes. Every morning. And every other day I go to the gym and lift weights, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I go slow and do not do heavy weights. Once, I did a bench press of 317 pounds. In 1968.
Frank: 317! That’s more than twice your bodyweight. My best was only in the 250’s. (Sedat smiles.)
Sedat: Yes, Ken Waller–you know, Mr. Universe in the 1960’s. He was here, and worked with me some. Red hair.
Frank: Yes, I do remember Waller and the red hair vaguely. Let’s talk about U of L some more. Besides honoring you as # 1 fan in ‘80 and ‘86, have they ever given you season tickets, or recognized you in any other way?
Sedat: U of L has always been kind to me. My season tickets are on the floor so the U of L people were very nice, particularly many years ago. But no, they have never paid for my season tickets. I have never asked for anything.
But Frank, I must tell you, I do not know if I can do the handstand again. Last game, they came to me after the handstand and told me I can not do the handstand any more. They brought two police men.
They let me do it at the Georgetown game. Nobody said anything. I don’t understand.
Last year, they said they didn’t want me to do it. It was after I did a handstand at a time out on the court with one of the cheerleaders. When we were done and walking off, a fan yelled at the official near me that it was a bad call. I agreed and I said it was a bad call. And the official heard me. And he got upset and told me to walk off faster. I told him I was walking fast –I pointed at my leg. But he got angry. I did say it was a bad call.
After that, (a U of L official who should remain nameless so he doesn’t get death threats from irate fans –like me) told me he didn’t want me to do it. I don’t understand. After 40 years, why now? After he told me that, I was upset. I tried to talk to Coach Pitino. I heard that he liked what I did. (Another U of L official) talked to me and said he would try to work things out. So I thought it was ok.
I have signed all the papers ( absolving U of L, etc. of any liability for this stunt.) I signed them years ago. I’m willing to sign them again.
I can not hurt anyone but me. There is only concrete below me–no people.
I do not understand. I just do not know.
Frank: Then you won’t be doing the handstand at the Villanova game for Senior’s night?
Sedat: I do not think I should. They had two police last time. I don’t want to get in trouble.
I want to. I will be at the game. I just don’t think I should. I wish someone could do something.
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Many people think Sedat is crazy for doing his handstand. Most of the women I’ve talked to, and at least some of the men. They think he’s going to kill himself or others. At some point they think he won’t know his limit –and then the crowd will witness an incredible tragedy. It’s bordering on insane and U of L is crazy for letting him do it, they say.
I say this. This man wants to fly. This man lives to entertain.
People forget: A few generations ago, it was considered an act of true manhood to show feats of strength and of great daring. For a professional, who knew their limits, to risk their life in a feat of true death-defying daring was (and still is) breath-taking and inspiring to many people–even to some who later will decry it as crazy or stupid.
To lose your life–or to be wounded or scarred —in the effort, was considered noble. Think Harry Houdini or lesser known daredevils and world adventurers.
Physical strength, daring, skill and fearlessness were (and are) core elements of being a man. For Sedat to perform at his level, in spite of his handicap, is transcendent. Sedat is what my Dad’s generation (and Teddy Roosevelt) would call a “man’s man.” It was the highest compliment possible.
But I feel Sedat is more than even that. Devoted husband and family man, selfish giver of his time to schools and charities, soft-spoken and kind….Sedat is the kind of person we all aspire to be.
I have only one question left: Will someone please, please help this man fly?
