"In the storied land of Kentucky Colonels, there dwelled but one Baron,
a man of consummate pride and a molder of powerful teams
which for more than four decades made the name University of Kentucky
synonymous with the game of basketball."Tutored by the great Phog Allen at Kansas
and a student of the game under Dr. James Naismith, Rupp learned his craft at an early age.
After leaving the high school ranks in Freeport, Ill., to take the UK job in 1930,
the "man in the brown suit" becamse the winningest coach in all of college basketball.
He was an innovator of the fast break, a trademark of the Wildcats even today.
To become the winningest coach in his sport, Rupp passed his mentor, Coach Allen,
on March 12, 1966, with his 747th victory against Dayton in the Mideast Regional.
He achieved the top ranking when he passed Western Kentucky's E.A. Diddle with
victory No. 760 on Feb. 18, 1967, at Mississippi State.He finished with 876 wins when
he retired in 1972, a mark that stood for 25 years until North Carolina's Deam Smith
moved ahead in 1997. Among the many UK victories were four NCAA titles
(1948, '49, '51 and '58), one Olympic Gold Medal (1948), one NIT Championship (1946),
27 Southeastern Conference titles and his Wildcats were voted No. 1 in the final polls on
six different occasions.Rupp coached some of America's best - Sale, Beard, Groza, Hagan,
Ramsey, Cox, Hatton, Nash, Riley and Issel. Twenty-three of his Cats were voted
All-Americans 35 times and 52 players were honored 91 times as All-SEC performers.His teams
were unmatched in league play, earning a 397-75 (84.1%) record against SEC competition.
In the conference tournament, Rupp's Wildcats were 57-6, winning 13 titles in 19 appearances.
Before the end of his 42-year career, the four-time National Coach of the Year
was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1969. Rupp also earned SEC Coach
of the Year honors on seven occasions.  . .                                   Intense. Caring. Fiery. Friendly. Demanding. Humorous.
Focused. Family-oriented.
The adjectives may seem to contradict one another, but they
all apply when describing
a successful, multi -dimensional coach Orlando Tubby Smith.
The set of eyes that
stare icily toward a missed defensive assignment is the same set
of brown eyes that can
warmly welcome a stranger into Memorial Coliseum. The shouts
that seem to explode from
the sideline during the game are from the same vocal chords that
create a familiar chuckle
heard by Big Blue fans. So it shouldnt be surprising that Smith
has been able to weave these
traits into immense success, both on and off the basketball court.
Perhaps he was molded by
the era in which he was raised, the turbulent 60s. Perhaps it is due
more to growing up with
16 siblings in rural America. Perhaps it is because of his loving parents.
Perhaps it is basketball.
Regardless, the 50-year-old Smith has completed 11 seasons as a head
basketball coach at the
collegiate level, a total of 29 years coaching the game he loves. But his
greatest success has been
recorded at the University of Kentucky, where hes captured one national
championship, three
Southeastern Conference Championships and three SEC Tournament titles.
In the spring of 2001, he was rewarded with a long-term contract that will
keep him coaching
the Wildcats until at least 2007.
Wildcats Nickname
The official nickname for the University of Kentucky's
athletics teams is "Wildcats." The nickname became
synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory
over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road.Commandant
Carbusier, then head of the military department at old
State University, told a group of students in a chapel
service following the game that the Kentucky football
team had "fought like Wildcats." Later the name Wildcats
became more and more popular among UK followers as
well as with members of the media. As a result, the
nickname was adopted by the University.
When Judd graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1990,
she initially thought of becoming a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa.
Her sister Wynonna advised her to pursue an acting career, and next
thing Ashley knew, she was in LA, trying out her luck as an actress.
She didn't need much luck, since the first agency she waltzed into
immediately signed her. The same thing happened with her first audition;
she got the part in the movie Kuffs, albeit not the part she was originally aiming for.  .  Pitino came into UK with impressive credentials,
having rebuilt Boston U., Providence and the Knicks.
His first UK team, "Pitino's Bambinos," shocked the
college basketball world by defeating Shaquille O'Neal,
Chris Jackson and the No. 9-ranked LSU Tigers in
Lexington en route to a surprising 14-14 record in 1989-90.
It was a glimpse into the future. The following year,
UK finished with the best record in the SEC. Then in 1992,
fresh off NCAA probation, the "Unforgettables" took eventual
national champion Duke into overtime of the East Regional
before falling 104-103 in what many have labled "the greatest
college basketball game ever played."In 1993, with Jamal Mashburn
leading the charge, UK advanced to the Final Four for the first time
in nine years, losing to Michigan in overtime. After an Elite Eight
finish in '95, Pitino's squad became the team to beat in '96.
Highlights included the school's first league championship in 10 seasons
, a 27-game win streak, a top-three ranking nearly the entire season,
and the crowning jewel, the school's sixth NCAA title. After
UK lost four players to the NBA Draft, Pitino's task of defending
the national championship became more difficult after star-guard
Derek Anderson severely injured his knee during the '97 season.
But the Cats wouldn't fold, rolling to the title game before losing
to Arizona in overtime. Along the way, Pitino won five of six SEC
Tournament Championships, two ECAC Holiday Classics, the
Maui Invitational and the Great Alaska Shootout. He had a
104-28 record vs. SEC teams, winning two league crowns,
and an amazing 17-1 record in the SEC tourney.He coached three
All-Americans and eight All-SEC performers. The NBA drafted
eight of his Wildcats, six in the first round, including three
lottery picks.Following the national runner-up torphy in 1997,
the former point guard at UMass left UK for the challenge of
rebuilding the NBA's Boston Celtics. In March of 2001, he
took over as head coach at the University of Louisville.
Blue and White
The University of Kentucky adopted blue and white
as its official colors in 1892. Originally, however,
UK students had decided on blue and light yellow prior
to the Kentucky-Centre College football game on December
19, 1891. The shade of blue, which is close to a royal blue,
was chosen when a student asked the question, "What color blue?
" At the time, Richard C. Stoll (who lettered in football at UK in
1889-94) pulled off his necktie and held it up. The students then
adopted that particular shade of blue. A year later, UK students
officially dropped the light yellow color for whiteUK Pep Band
With more than 100 members, the University of Kentucky
pep band is the largest in the nation.
Clad in their recognizable blue
and white striped shirts, the pep band is directed
by George Bouldon 
History - UK was founded in 1865 as a land-grant institution,
and the present name dates back to 1916. Located in the heart
of the beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass region, UK's 687-acre
campus is adjacent to downtown Lexington. Dr. Lee T. Todd, Jr.
is UK's 11th president.Students - Enrollment is more than
32,000, up 4.8 from the previous year, and stands at an all-time high.
Students hail from every Kentucky county, every state and some 115
countries. There are 5,000 students now enrolled in graduate school
with 95 master's and 59 doctoral programs offered. Faculty - There are
1,875 full-time faculty on the Lexington campus and approximately 95
percent of them hold the highest possible degrees in their fields. UK's
faculty and staff attract more than $175 million annually in grants,
contracts and gifts. Academic Programs - Currently, there are 16
academic colleges and a graduate school. Students have a choice of 88
undergraduate majors from which to choose. UK offers 93 master's
level and more than 60 doctoral, specialist and professional degree
programs. Research - UK ranks among the Top 100 research
institutions in the nation, and is one of only 59 public universities
in the United States -- the only one in Kentucky -- to be classified
as a Research University of First Class. In 2002, UK was selected
as one of 13 universities nationwide to participate in the Beckman
Foundation Scholars program. This program allows UK to award
grants of $17,600 to students to support their own research projects.
UK maintains more than 50 research centers and institutes.
The centers conduct applied research in areas as diverse as tobacco
and health, aging, cancer, toxicology, equine health,
mineral production, manufacturing systems and public policy.
Medical Center - The Albert B. Chandler Medical Center,
including a 473-bed hospital, is located on the Lexington campus.
More than 3,800 students are enrolled in its five colleges --
medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health professions.
The UK Hospital is supported by more than 500 faculty physicians
and dentists, 400 resident physicians and a staff of 3,200 health
professionals committed to high-quality
patient care.Library - Only four years old, the William T. Young
Library has already assumed a position among the world's leading
research libraries. Its book endowment is the largest among public
universities, ranking second only to Harvard's among all universities.
Its broad scope of technology offers students, faculty and Kentuck
y residents special access to the most up-to-date information from
online journals, government publications and private studies, as well
as more traditional materials.Sports - The current number of UK
sports on the varsity level is 23 -- 10 men's sports, 12 women's sports
and one coed sport. The men's sports consist of football, basketball,
baseball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, swimming,
golf and soccer. For the women, UK sponsors basketball, volleyball,
swimming, golf, tennis, gymnastics, cross country, indoor and ourdoor
track, softball and soccer on the varsity level. The single coed sport is
rifle. The UK men's basketball team has been prominent nationally for
70 years under the leadership of five coaches, Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall,
Eddie Sutton, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith  2002-03 Cheerleaders
Blue and White Squad No other college cheerleading squad has dominated
the Universal Cheerleaders Association National
Championships like the team from Kentucky The
UK squad has won UCA's National College Cheerleading
Championship an unprecedented twelve (12) times, in
1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999,
2000, 2001 and 2002, more than any other Division 1-A school.
UK's squad is the only team to win back to back championships twice,
once in 1987 and 1988 and again in 1995 and 1996. Further UK
is the only squad ever to win three, four, five, six, seven and
eight championships in a row. UK's eight-year streak of
championships was broken in 2003 when they finished runner-up
to Central Florida.   RUPP ARENA
The 2001-02 season marks the 26th year for the building
that has become synonymous with championship basketball
--Rupp Arena. It's a showcase in the basketball capital of the
world, where the Kentucky Wildcats have averaged 13.2 wins
per season as opposed to just 1.5 losses annually. Three
national championship squads at Kentucky have called Rupp
Arena home in the past 25 seasons. Three others have advanced
to the Final Four. Eight teams have recorded perfect seasons in
the building, and the Wildcats begin the 2001 season with a 11-
game home win streak. Situated in the heart of downtown
Lexington, the facility is named after Kentucky's legendary
former coach and has played host to several premier basketball
events. In March of 1985, all roads led to Lexington for the NCAA
Final Four. In 1986, Rupp played host to both the Southeastern
Conference Tournament and the NCAA Women's Final Four.
The arena has been the site of numerous NCAA regional
tournaments, including the 1989 NCAA Southeast Regional
that included eventual national champion Michigan, and the 1992
Southeast Regional, which Michigan also won en route to a national
runner-up finish. In 1994 and 1998, Rupp played host to the NCAA
First and Second rounds and in 1996, the 1996 NCAA Southeast
Regional was held there. In 2002, Rupp will host the NCAA South
Regional on March 21 & 23. An awesome structure in sight and
scope, the arena is divided into two seating areas. The lower level
features 10,000 fully cushioned, theater seats in block coloring of blue,
red, orange and purple, offering a spectacular splash of color. The
upper level has 13,000 seats on epoxy-coated metal bleachers. The latter
can be visually isolated to provide a more natural setting for small shows
.Built by the city of Lexington, the arena is the major portion of the
$53 million Lexington Center complex, which includes a convention-
exhibition hall, a 50-store tri-level enclosed shopping mall, and a
Hyatt Regency Hotel.The arena is equipped with a specially designed
sound system nicknamed "Big Bertha," and features lighting for events
and television coverage. Special attention has been paid to such facilitie
s as dressing rooms, service entrances and storage areas.The Wildcats
command an exclusive dressing room 365 days a year, while other facilities
include six team-size locker rooms and eight smaller units.
The portable basketball court, which lies on a an ice rink 118
feet below the ceiling,
is 60' x 120' and is made of a light shade of northern maple
trimmed in Kentucky blue. The floor was specially
designed to convert from the 94' length required for
college and professional basketball to the 84' length for high
school by simply removing two panels. Four 35' x 4' custom-made
scoreboards are placed so spectators
can see at least three of the boards from any seat in the arena. In
addition to serving as home to Kentuck's Sweet 16, the popular high
school state tournament, the arena is also home to hockey's Kentucky
Thoroughblades. To accommodate the professional hockey team, the
arena underwent a $2.5 million renovation during the summer of 1996.
| Keith Bogans |
|
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: The fans
My favorite former Wildcat is: Wayne Turner
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: An Actor
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Football
The best player Ive ever played against was: Michael Jordan
Favorite TV show: Hits
My greatest fear is: Snakes
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: Kevin Murphy
All-time favorite movie: Scarface
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Chris Tucker
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Martin Luther King, Jr
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Coach Tubby Smith
My favorite all-time sporting event that I saw on TV was: 1998 NBA Finals
Not many people know this, but I: Like cartoons
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Fried chicken Keith Bogans
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: The winning tradition
My favorite former Wildcat is: Antoine Walker
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Pro football
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Football
The best player Ive ever played against was: Michael Jordan
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: Jules Camara
My dream date is: Jennifer Lopez
Favorite TV show: Sportscenter
My greatest fear is: Snakes
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: Bill Keightley
All-time favorite movie: Scarface
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Chris Tucker
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Michael Jordan
Not many people know this, but I: Love kids
The first and last concert I ever saw was: Janet Jackson
The CD that is currently in my player is: Jadakiss
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and greens Cliff Hawkins
|
| Cliff Hawkins |
|
| Chuck Hayes |
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: Legacy and tradition
My favorite former Wildcat is: Antoine Walker
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Football
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: NASCAR
The best player Ive ever played against was: Najeeb Echols
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: Josh Carrier
My dream date is: Martha Stewart
Favorite TV show: SportsCenter
My greatest fear is: Getting an F
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: J.P. Blevins
All-time favorite movie: Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Will Smith
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Jesus
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Michael Jordan
My favorite all-time sporting event that I saw on TV was: When Vince Carter dunked over the 7-footer in the
Olympics
Not many people know this, but I: Like to travel
The first and last concert I ever saw was: Bill Cosby
The CD that is currently in my player is: K-Ci and JoJo
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Cornbread and fish Chuck Hayes
|
| Click Estill Slam Above To Cool Link |
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: We are one big family
My favorite former Wildcat is: Reggie Hanson
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Sports Management
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Football
The best player Ive ever played against was: Reggie Evans
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: Matt Heissenbuttel
My dream date is: Jennifer Lopez
Favorite TV show: Martin
My greatest fear is: Singing the National Anthem
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: J.P. Blevins
All-time favorite movie: Scarface
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Denzel Washington
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Martin Luther King, Jr.
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Snoop Dogg
My favorite all-time sporting event that I saw on TV was: 1998 NBA Finals
Not many people know this, but I: Was born with 12 fingers
The first concert I ever saw was: Michael Jackson in Atlanta
The last concert I ever saw was: Janet Jackson in Lexington
The CD that is currently in my player is: P. Diddy
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Spaghetti Marquis Estill
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: Because Kentucky Wildcats are one of a kind
My favorite former Wildcat is: Derek Anderson
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Becoming successful in something
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Fishing
The best player Ive ever played against was: My little nephew
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: None of them
My dream date is: All of Destinys Child, Nia Long, and Janet Jackson at the same time
Favorite TV show: Martin
My greatest fear is: To not win a million dollars
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: Coach David Hobbs
All-time favorite movie: Boyz in the Hood
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Ice Cube
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Martin Luther King, Jr.
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: My brother
Not many people know this, but I: Am laid back
The first and last concert I ever saw was: Pastor Troy
The CD that is currently in my player is: Pastor Troy
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Potato salad and crab legs Gerald Fitch
| Erick Daniels |
|
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: Close to home
My favorite former Wildcat is: Derek Anderson
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Rapper
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Football
The best player Ive ever played against was: Darius Miles
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: Cory Sears
My dream date is: Stacy Dash
Favorite TV show: Martin
My greatest fear is: Heights
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: J.P. Blevins
All-time favorite movie: Friday
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Silkk the Shocker
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Julius Caesar
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Master P
My favorite all-time sporting event that I saw on TV was: Magic Johnsons last NBA All-Star game
Not many people know this, but I: Love jewelry in my mouth
The first concert I ever saw was: M.C. Hammer
The last concert I ever saw was: Ruff Ryders/Cash Money
The CD that is currently in my player is: Jadakiss
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Beans Erik Daniels
| Jules Camara |
|
The thing I like most about being a Kentucky Wildcat: Winning tradition
My favorite former Wildcat is: Derek Anderson
If I can choose another career besides pro basketball, it is: Academics
My favorite sport, other than basketball, is: Soccer
The best player Ive ever played against was: Allen Iverson
If I had to choose one of my teammates to date my sister, it would be: Cliff Hawkins
My dream date is: Janet Jackson
Favorite TV show: Martin
My greatest fear is: Snakes
If I had a lifeline, I would choose the following phone-a-Cat: Bill Keightley
All-time favorite movie: Independence Day
If a movie were made of my life, Id want this actor to play me: Denzel Washington
The person in history that Id most like to meet is: Nelson Mandela
If I could switch places with one person for a day, it would be: Michael Jordan
My favorite all-time sporting event that I saw on TV was: UK vs. Duke in 1998
The CD that is currently in my player is: Bob Marley
My favorite home-cooked meal is: Lasagna Jules Camara
http://harlemglobetrotters.com/index.php Wayne Turner http://www.nba.com/playerfile/antoine_walker/index.html?nav=page  .
SEC
UK  . NCAA
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