"...does anyone remember a basketball player for the Temple Owls named Bill Mlkvy. His nickname was "The Owl Without a Vowel"."

There was a fairly prominent baseball player several years ago (a member of the Minnesota Twins) named Kent Hrbek. His nickname was "Buy A Vowel" (as in "Kent Buy-A-Vowel Hrbek").

Explanation, if necessary, for those outside the USA: The phrase is one commonly spoken by contestants on the popular syndicated game show "Wheel of Fortune."