http://www.kentucky.com/334/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com UK Wildcats 60 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:50:15 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/134078.html http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/134078.html Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:11 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/134077.html http://www.kentucky.com/601/story/134077.html Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:05 EDT http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/451462.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/451462.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15 EDT
The museum, located in the Lexington Center near the entrance to Rupp Arena, has struggled to find an audience since opening in 1999.

Kentucky deputy athletic director Rob Mullens said Wednesday that the museum, which was not affiliated with the university, was averaging less than 25,000 visitors a year. Consultants told museum officials before it opened that 110,000 fans a year could push through the turnstiles.

Mullens said the university has decided to reallocate its annual $100,000 donation to the museum to help offset $1.2 million in debt. Mullens said the university would try to open a new fan-friendly experience at the Craft Center, the school's new basketball practice facility.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/451461.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/451461.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15 EDT
Fulmer's deal is worth an average of nearly $3 million over the next seven seasons, and the nearly $1 million raise makes him the fourth-highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

He will get $2.4 million for the upcoming season and his salary escalates to $3.3 million in 2014 with automatic raises of $150,000 annually. Fulmer will also receive raises for achieving certain goals, such as an additional $350,000 for winning an SEC championship or an additional $850,000 raise for winning a national championship.

Fulmer would receive $1 million longevity bonus in December 2012, which would be his 20th anniversary as head coach.

Pearl was previously signed through 2013 and made $1.3 million last season. His new deal increases his salary to an average $2.3 million a year. It includes a $250,000 bonus and an upfront retention bonus of $1.5 million.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/450290.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/450290.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:25 EDT
Fulmer's new deal is worth $2.4 million for the 2008 season and escalates to $3.3 million in 2014 for an average of $2.99 million over the length of the agreement. It also includes a $1 million longevity bonus in December 2012 to reward him for his 20 years as the school's head coach.

"I am very proud to have Phillip as our coach for many years to come," men's athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "We're fortunate to have such a talented and proven coach leading our program. He and his staff have done a terrific job building on our rich tradition and positioning Tennessee football for the future."

Fulmer, a 1972 graduate of Tennessee, has a career record of 147-45 since taking over the program from Johnny Majors. The Vols were 10-4 last season, winning the SEC East Division, and capped the campaign with a victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl.

Pearl's new deal will average $2.3 million per year through the 2013-14 season.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/449410.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/449410.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:09 EDT
The deal, which adds one year onto the agreement he signed last October, runs through the 2014-15 season and includes a guaranteed $1.97 million for next season, rising to $2.3 million in the final year of the contract. The incentive package from his previous agreement, a maximum of $235,000, is retained in the new contract.

His previous contract guaranteed compensation of $1.5 million for the 2007-2008 season and a boost to $2 million in the final year. He earned $1.2 million for the 2006-2007 season.

"I have said this before, but there is no place I would rather be coaching than UCLA," Howland said. "I grew up a Bruin basketball fan and this is my dream job.

"UCLA is a special name in college basketball, thanks to coach (John) Wooden and I am proud to be the caretaker of his program."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/449228.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/449228.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:28 EDT
Howland's new deal will pay him $1.97 million for the 2008-09 season and will escalate to $2.3 million for the 2014-15 campaign. It also includes the incentive package from his previous contract that has a maximum value of $235,000.

The Bruins are coming off a 35-4 season in 2007-08 and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. UCLA lost to Florida in the 2006 championship game, then fell to the Gators again in the 2007 national semifinals before losing to Memphis in the national semis this past spring.

"Ben Howland and UCLA are a great combination," said athletic director Dan Guerrero. "Ben is at the top of his profession and is deserving of this commitment by the university. He has returned UCLA to the nation's elite, as illustrated by three straight Finals Fours and three consecutive 30-win seasons. He is an outstanding recruiter, and the foundation Ben has built for our program promises to keep us at the forefront for the foreseeable future."

Howland has a record of 126-45 in five seasons with UCLA. The Bruins have won three straight Pac-10 titles and two of the last three Pac-10 Tournament crowns.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/448650.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/448650.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:15 EDT
President Michael McRobbie told the committee during a private session on June 14 that Sampson had betrayed the school's trust in violating NCAA regulations on telephone calls to recruits. The text of McRobbie's statement was released Monday by the university under a public records request and was first reported by The Herald-Times of Bloomington on its Web site.

The NCAA has accused Sampson of providing false and misleading information to investigators about more than 100 impermissible phone calls to recruits.

Indiana announced Thursday - the same day that athletic director Rick Greenspan said he would resign at the end of the year - that the university faced a new NCAA allegation of failing to adequately monitor the basketball staff.

Sampson, who left Indiana in February after accepting a $750,000 buyout, was under NCAA recruiting restrictions when IU hired him in 2006 because of a previous phone-call scandal at Oklahoma.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/446589.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/446589.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:02 EDT
McKillop guided the Wildcats to a 29-7 overall record last season, including a 25-game winning streak, the longest in the nation last season.

In addition, he led the team to an Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament, which the team lost by a missed three-pointer at the buzzer to eventual national champion Kansas.

"I'd like to thank [school president] Tom Ross, the Davidson College community, my staff, all of my players and my family for giving me the opportunity to continue my commitment to Davidson," said McKillop. "Commitment has been the foundation of what we have accomplished, and this clearly strengthens the foundation."

Over his 19 seasons with the school, McKillop has a record of 340-225 and is 58-12 over the past two seasons. He has guided the school to seven 20-win seasons and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/446015.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/446015.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:12 EDT
Lawrence led the Tigers with 29.2 minutes played last season as a sophomore appearing in all 32 contests, including 20 starts. He finished as the team's third-leading scorer with 11.0 points per game and a team-leading 307 field goal attempts.

"The well-being of our student-athletes is always a chief concern for us," Anderson said. "With that, I have always wanted my players to be happy. I feel by granting Keon his release it's in the best interest of both him and our program. We appreciate Keon's efforts at Missouri and wish him nothing but the best."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/445999.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/445999.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:32 EDT
Humphrey, 20, was set to enter his senior season with the Bulldogs after appearing in 30 of 34 games last season including 28 starts. He was Georgia's second-leading scorer last season, averaging 12.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Humphrey led the Bulldogs with 37 percent shooting from three-point range and 83 percent from the free-throw line.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Humphrey was arrested Tuesday morning for DUI, failure to maintain his lane and purchasing alcohol while under age.

This was Humphrey's second arrest on alcohol-related charges in the past six months after being charged with two misdemeanors, including underage consumption of alcohol, in February.

"I am disappointed in Billy," Georgia head coach Dennis Felton said. "We've worked really hard with him in the past to see that he succeeds, but I feel that it's now best for our program to move forward without him."]]> http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/445762.html http://www.kentucky.com/540/story/445762.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:34 EDT
The 36-year-old Groce was introduced at a news conference Friday. He had been the top assistant under Ohio State coach Thad Matta for the past four years. He also worked under Matta at Xavier University and at Butler University.

Ohio athletic director Jim Schaus said Groce is known for being a top recruiter and for helping to build winning programs.

The Bobcats finished at 20-13 last season.

Groce replaces Tim O'Shea, who left this week to become head coach at Bryant University in Rhode Island.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/544/story/451461.html http://www.kentucky.com/544/story/451461.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15 EDT
Fulmer's deal is worth an average of nearly $3 million over the next seven seasons, and the nearly $1 million raise makes him the fourth-highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

He will get $2.4 million for the upcoming season and his salary escalates to $3.3 million in 2014 with automatic raises of $150,000 annually. Fulmer will also receive raises for achieving certain goals, such as an additional $350,000 for winning an SEC championship or an additional $850,000 raise for winning a national championship.

Fulmer would receive $1 million longevity bonus in December 2012, which would be his 20th anniversary as head coach.

Pearl was previously signed through 2013 and made $1.3 million last season. His new deal increases his salary to an average $2.3 million a year. It includes a $250,000 bonus and an upfront retention bonus of $1.5 million.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/544/story/451462.html http://www.kentucky.com/544/story/451462.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:15 EDT
The museum, located in the Lexington Center near the entrance to Rupp Arena, has struggled to find an audience since opening in 1999.

Kentucky deputy athletic director Rob Mullens said Wednesday that the museum, which was not affiliated with the university, was averaging less than 25,000 visitors a year. Consultants told museum officials before it opened that 110,000 fans a year could push through the turnstiles.

Mullens said the university has decided to reallocate its annual $100,000 donation to the museum to help offset $1.2 million in debt. Mullens said the university would try to open a new fan-friendly experience at the Craft Center, the school's new basketball practice facility.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/451364.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/451364.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:00 EDT
A former University of Kentucky basketball player was arrested early Thursday after he poured an alcoholic beverage onto the floorboard of his car as he was being stopped by Lexington police, according to court records.

Souleymane .Jules. Camara, 28, was driving a gold 1998 A8 Audi about 3 a.m. Thursday when a Lexington police officer attempted to stop him because the temporary plate on the car was expired.

Camara, however, turned onto Commodore Drive, traveling at least 45 mph in the 15 mph residential apartment complex, court records say. Lexington police caught up to the vehicle when Camara stopped to leave the car.

Camara admitted that he was drinking and poured out a glass of .Jim Beam and coke. onto the floorboard of the car. Police found a wet spot and ice cubes on the floorboard. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/451107.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/451107.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:01 EDT
Former Indiana guard Jordan Crawford, the younger brother of ex-Kentucky guard Joe Crawford, expects to announce his college choice this weekend.

According to their mother, there's no chance that Jordan will follow in Joe's footsteps and play for UK.

For one thing, Kentucky did not express interest in Jordan, Sylvia Crawford said Wednesday. When asked what the family heard from UK, Sylvia Crawford said, .Uh, well, we didn't..

That was fine with the Crawfords, who have maintained good relations with UK's coaches, Sylvia Crawford said. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/449589.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/449589.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:52 EDT
The UK Basketball Museum closed its doors this week. It will re-open in an altered form on campus sometime before the upcoming season begins.

The museum had a history of financial struggles dating to its inception in 1999. That history led, inevitably it seemed, to a University of Kentucky news release on Tuesday that officially, if vaguely, announced its demise.

Rob Mullens, UK's deputy director of athletics, confirmed that the museum had closed. As he did earlier this year, he pledged that the school would pay tribute to college basketball's winningest program in some fitting way.

.What we will do is find a way to represent the tradition of Kentucky basketball as it deserves to be represented,. Mullens said on Tuesday. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/446257.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/446257.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:52 EDT
The Los Angeles Lakers had to sit through 57 picks in Thursday night's NBA Draft before selecting former UK guard Joe Crawford at No. 58.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak seems to think getting Crawford was worth the wait.

.We had him projected to be drafted a lot higher than 58,. Kupchak told the Los Angeles Times on Friday. .He comes from a top-rate basketball program, used to playing in big games. He had a great career..

The Lakers' first-round pick went to the Memphis Grizzlies in the Pau Gasol trade earlier this season, leaving Los Angeles with one pick. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/445164.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/445164.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:40 EDT
Joe Crawford wasn't at the 2008 NBA Draft at Madison Square Garden in New York Thursday night, and if he was watching at home, it was a long night.

He was chosen around midnight, 58th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers, three picks away from the end of the draft.

Crawford joined Western Kentucky product Courtney Lee as the only Kentucky collegians chosen in the draft.

Lee was taken in the first round, selected 22nd overall by the Orlando Magic. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/445183.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/445183.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:58 EDT
For Mitch Kupchak it felt like a lifetime before the Lakers were able to announce that they had selected Crawford with their lone pick, No. 58, in Thursday's NBA Draft.

When Kupchak finally called Crawford after 9 p.m. PDT, 57 players had been selected.

“When the day started, I was really nervous,” Crawford said. “Then to go to one of my favorite teams in L.A, I can't explain it.”

Crawford, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, played four seasons at Kentucky, averaging 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 127 games. He scored 17.9 a game in his senior season. A second-team All-Southeastern Conference pick, he finished his collegiate career as the Wildcats' 19th all-time leading scorer with 1,438 points.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/443901.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/443901.html Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:38 EDT
There once was a time when Rajon Rondo could barely stay on the court much less imagine competing for an NBA championship.

Speaking in front of about 200 kids at his week-long Rondo Camp at the Kentucky Basketball Academy on Wednesday, the former University of Kentucky standout told aspiring basketball stars that he was suspended .about 15 times. during his freshman year in high school.

Early in Rondo's career at Eastern High School in Louisville, he continually butted heads with Coach Doug Bibby.

There were times that Rondo just wanted to go back to his childhood dream of playing football. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/444175.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/444175.html Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:38 EDT
A handful of basketball players with Kentucky ties will have their eyes on the NBA Draft Thursday night.

They likely will have to watch every last minute of coverage on ESPN, especially former Kentucky guards Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley. Neither is expected to get picked until late in the draft, if at all.

Most major mock drafts haven't included Crawford or Bradley in their latest versions, leaving both in a cloud of uncertainty heading into Thursday night's draft.

Western Kentucky's Courtney Lee is expected go somewhere in the mid- to late-first round. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442976.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442976.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:17 EDT
JACKSON, Miss. . Former Texas Christian University assistant Sean Woods was chosen as the head basketball coach at Mississippi Valley State University on Tuesday.

Woods replaces James Green, who left earlier this year to become the new coach at Jacksonville State in Alabama.

Woods, a former college basketball standout at Kentucky, served two seasons at TCU as director of basketball operations and then assistant coach. Before his time at TCU, Woods spent one year as an assistant coach at Texas A.M Corpus Christi.

The former guard, now 38, led the Wildcats in assists in each of his three seasons, and he ranks fifth on the school's career list at 482. He capped his career as a member of .The Unforgettables,. the team that completed UK's transition from scandal-ridden program to participant in the epic NCAA Tournament East Regional finals against Duke in 1992. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442845.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442845.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:32 EDT
Random notes:

. Let's hope Thursday's NBA Draft is the year-end capper for Joe Crawford.

Remember, the Kentucky senior started the year on the bench and in Billy Gillispie's doghouse. By season's end, he was playing at an All-Southeastern Conference if not All-American level. Crawford went out blazing, finishing his Cats career with a 35-point effort in that first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Marquette. Now, after his stellar play in the NBA pre-draft camp, Joe could go in the latter half of the second around. He's deserving.

. Poor Valhalla can't catch a break. First, its scheduled role as host of a second PGA championship is scrubbed. Then the Louisville-area golf club is awarded the Ryder Cup, without knowing it will be a Tiger-less Ryder Cup. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442006.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442006.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:52 EDT
China will soon meet Kentucky's Prince.

Tayshaun Prince and 11 others were named Monday to the United States men's basketball team that will compete in the Beijing Olympics.

The 6-foot-9 Wildcat with the 7-foot wingspan is set to become the first UK men's basketball player to play in an Olympics since Adrian Smith in 1960. Sam Bowie was named to the 1980 squad that stayed away from the Moscow Olympics because of an international boycott, led by President Jimmy Carter.

.I'm honored to be selected to the national team that will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympics,. Prince, who has played his entire pro career with the Detroit Pistons, said in a statement. .I take pride in being given the opportunity to represent my country and I strongly believe that with the team that has been assembled, the United States will be represented well.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442008.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/442008.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:27 EDT
Tayshaun Prince is now the ninth ex-Kentucky Wildcat to make a U.S. Olympic men's basketball team.

Yet, assuming the Detroit Pistons forward stays healthy and plays in Beijing, he will be the eighth ex-Cat to play for the U.S.A. in a men's Olympic hoops tournament.

In 1980, Sam Bowie made the Olympic team; the team never made it to the Olympics.

.My initial thought was that we were kind of cheated and robbed,. Bowie said Monday. .As I've gotten older, I've realized why politics and athletics had to interact in that time.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/439962.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/439962.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:36 EDT
Jordan Crawford, the younger brother of former Kentucky guard Joe Crawford, has not heard from UK as he searches for a new school, the player's mother said on Friday.

Sylvia Crawford said she was under the impression that Indiana had not put restrictions on Jordan's transfer. The younger Crawford decided earlier this month to transfer after playing one season for the Hoosiers.

Sylvia Crawford said she had not asked Jordan for a reaction to Kentucky not expressing interest.

Meanwhile, Jordan has spoken with other schools, she said. She declined to identify the schools for fear of leaving one out. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/438869.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/438869.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:33 EDT
University of Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie said last night he will comply with a recommendation from the National Association of Basketball Coaches that college coaches not offer scholarships or accept commitments from prospects who have not yet completed their sophomore season in high school.

.I'm a firm supporter of our coaches association,. Gillispie said. .They've done so many positive things with regards to players and fostering relationships with universities that I have no problem with whatever recommendation they may have with regards to what's best for our game..

The NABC released a statement on Thursday addressing the issue. Former UK Coach Tubby Smith is the president of the NABC.

.If the current rules state coaches cannot offer scholarships or accept commitments from students earlier than June 15 following the conclusion of the sophomore year, it certainly makes sense that this should apply to anyone in lower grades,. Smith said in the statement. .The academic and athletic profiles of these younger students are still very much works in progress. Coaches and athletes need to respect the process and allow development to occur in both areas prior to making commitments.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/437887.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/437887.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:42 EDT
BOSTON . With 7:10 left in the fourth quarter Tuesday night, Rajon Rondo left Game 6 of the NBA Finals to a rousing ovation from the TD Banknorth Garden crowd. It was a performance worthy of one of his new Reebok commercials. Yes, the Lakers had been Rondo'd.

The little point guard from Kentucky had been questioned all season . and all series . but he came up big Tuesday night. After totaling just 16 points and six assists in the three games in Los Angeles and playing just 23 combined minutes in Games 4 and 5 after he injured his left ankle in Game 3, Rondo submitted a playoff-career-high 21 points and added eight assists (against just one turnover) and six steals as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 131-92 to capture their 17th NBA title.

.Before the game, I was going through a lot, especially not playing well on the road,. Rondo said. .I talked to Ray (Allen) before the game, just to let my frustration go, and he said I could still be a threat for the team, and I tried to go out there and still be aggressive . no matter how many shots I missed.

.I think I started 0-for-4, but I just kept attacking the rim. I just wanted to keep making Kobe (Bryant) play defense. I didn't want to give him a night off like I did the first couple of nights on the road.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/435774.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/435774.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:38 EDT
Seventy-five days to get through the Kentucky summer sports doldrums:

. When ex-Kentucky Wildcats athletes achieve success on the biggest national stages, it has become something of a University of Kentucky Athletics Association tradition to buy an advertisement in USA Today to congratulate them.

Kentucky has bought ads in the past in honor of Tayshaun Prince (2004 Detroit Pistons) and Nazr Mohammed (2005 San Antonio Spurs) winning NBA championships. It purchased one when Brandon Webb (Arizona Diamondbacks) was named the 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.

Earlier this year, UK used one ad to recognize both Jared Lorenzen, backup quarterback for the NFL champion New York Giants, and golfer J.B. Holmes, who won the PGA Tour's FBR Open on Super Bowl Sunday. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/435902.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/435902.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:19 EDT
Former Kentucky guard Derrick Jasper has decided to transfer to UNLV, orally committing Monday to Runnin' Rebels Coach Lon Kruger, according to a report in the Las Vegas Sun.

Jasper, who announced his decision to leave Kentucky two weeks ago, had cited a desire to play closer to home as his reason to transfer. The 6-foot-6 guard stayed true to his word Monday, choosing a college destination about a six-hour drive away from his home in Paso Robles, Calif.

The Herald-Leader could not reach Jasper or his former AAU coach, Darren Matsubara, Monday night.

According to the report, Jasper visited Las Vegas over the weekend and committed to Kruger during breakfast Monday morning at a restaurant inside the Green Valley Ranch Station Casino in Henderson, Nev. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/434003.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/434003.html Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:25 EDT
The current discussion about recruiting ever-younger prospects will lead to voluntary restrictions, and, if necessary, legislation limiting when coaches can offer scholarships.

That's the opinion of Reggie Minton , the associate executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Publicity about Kentucky getting a commitment from eighth-grader Michael Avery this spring sparked a debate about recruiting young prospects. UK is not alone in pursuing players who have yet to attend high school.

NCAA President Myles Brand called such recruitments .untoward. and Brit Kirwan , the president of the University of Maryland, said he found it .appalling.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/433369.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/433369.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 18:15 EDT
Might Kentucky want Jordan Crawford to transfer in from Indiana?

His mother, Sylvia Crawford, said on Friday that she'd expect UK to show interest. .I would hope they would be interested,. she said.

But, first, the Crawford family and Indiana need to work out the terms of Crawford's release. In the wake of former IU Coach Kelvin Sampson's departure, Crawford decided last week to transfer from Indiana.

Indiana has not decided what, if any, restrictions it wants to place on Crawford's choice of a second college, spokesman J.D. Campbell said in an e-mail message. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/432317.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/432317.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:05 EDT
Lost weight and gained perspective.

That's how Kentucky basketball players Ramon Harris and Jared Carter described a recent trip to Africa.

The two were part of an Athletes In Action tour of Senegal and Mali that began on May 25 and ended on Monday.

The two were reluctant to go. .I was really skeptical,. Carter said at a news conference on Thursday. .From what I've seen on TV, I thought we'd be living in tents.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/450821.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/450821.html Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:02 EDT
Being the official band of summer, it was the Beach Boys who hit upon the idea of .Good Vibrations..

It's the same idea when it comes to Southeastern Conference football. Summer vibrations have much to do with how things might fall in the fall. The absence of pad-popping doesn't restrict us from figuring out which teams have had an enjoyable summer and which have experienced a deplorable one as we enter the final month before training camps.

The up, the down, and the mixed:

Florida (up): Tim Tebow, the quarterback, has a bronze tan and a bronze trophy . you know, that little guy called the Heisman. Meanwhile, Urban Meyer, the head coach, has a biography heading to a book store near you. And Percy Harvin is healing this summer so that the Gators can figure out a thousand more ways to get his flying feet involved in the offense this season. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448960.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448960.html Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:30 EDT
University of Kentucky offensive coordinator Joker Phillips wants to make one thing clear: The race for UK's starting quarterback job this fall is far from over.

Phillips said Monday that he had received reports this summer that sophomore quarterback Mike Hartline has had a solid off-season, but Phillips reiterated Tuesday that no decisions have been made about who will be the starter.

Hartline is battling junior Curtis Pulley for the starting job, and Phillips said on Monday that UK players have lauded Hartline's work ethic this summer. Phillips also challenged Pulley to step up.

While Phillips' comments Monday could have made it appear Hartline would have an advantage entering fall practice, Phillips said Tuesday that the race is still wide open and that there's no clear front-runner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448685.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448685.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:43 EDT
It could be well into fall camp before Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks names a starting quarterback, but if the off-season is any indication, sophomore Mike Hartline has taken a slight edge over junior Curtis Pulley.

Offensive coordinator Joker Phillips said reports that he's gotten so far suggest that Hartline has been the quarterback who has shown the most leadership this summer.

.They both are trying to lead, but Mike's a little bit ahead right now,. Phillips said. .He's doing things the right way.''

UK's first practice isn't until Aug. 5, so Pulley still has time to make up ground. But time is running out, and Phillips said the intangibles that are shown in the off-season mean just as much as what happens on the practice field. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448440.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448440.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:42 EDT
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks had a scare Monday when his boat overturned in an Oregon river while he was on a fishing trip with his son, Brady, and a friend.

All three men made it to a gravel bar in the river and rescuers ferried them to shore.

UK spokesman Tony Neely said he talked to the coach shortly after the trip and he said he was fine.

.He's OK,. Neely said. .He was laughing that people had heard about it so fast.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448441.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/448441.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:17 EDT
University of Kentucky football fans will not be lighting up during games in 2008.

In keeping with a campus-wide policy, Commonwealth Stadium will be smoke-free starting this season.

UK has launched a Football Gameday Web site at UKathletics.com that explains the policy. Fans will also be able to find out other game information at the site including updates on traffic, parking and shuttles.

Special to the Herald-Leader ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/446663.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/446663.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:37 EDT
The University of Kentucky pipeline that UK offensive coordinator and future head coach Joker Phillips has established to powerhouse program LaGrange (Ga.) has been well-chronicled.

Now Phillips may be on the verge of building another pipeline, this one a little closer to home at Louisville's Central High School.

UK got a commitment this week from Central defensive tackle Mister Cobble , and the Wildcats currently lead for Cobble's teammate, linebacker Ridge Wilson .

Central was a basketball powerhouse in the 1960s and 1970s, but the Yellowjackets struggled to maintain the same level of prominence once court-ordered busing began in 1975. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/445007.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/445007.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:09 EDT
Rich Brooks has led Kentucky to back-to-back bowl wins for the first time since 1950 and '51.

Brooks has taken traditionally football-challenged UK to a combined 16 wins in the past two seasons.

That is the best two-year win total at Kentucky since Fran Curci won 19 in 1976 and '77. It's the best two-year, non-probation UK win total since Bear Bryant won 19 in 1950 and '51.

Kentucky will enter the 2008 football season having won 13 of its last 19 games. The last time it enjoyed a similar stretch of success was when Jerry Claiborne's Cats won 14 of 20 in 1984 and the first part of '85. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/444538.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/444538.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:36 EDT
Football camp season is generally when high school prospects start to commit to colleges. And now that the University of Kentucky has completed its camps, the commitments have started rolling in.

The Wildcats have received four commitments from prospects in the past couple of days, including a set of brothers from Louisiana.

Jarvis and Myron Walker, seniors-to-be at Archbishop Rummel High in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie, told the UK staff that they plan on signing with the Wildcats in February.

Jarvis is a 6-foot-2, 202-pound linebacker, while Myron is a 5-foot-10, 264-pound defensive tackle. Both Walkers are listed as three-star prospects by Rivals.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/442852.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/442852.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:11 EDT
The University of Kentucky has picked up another in-state commitment, from Louisville Central defensive lineman Mister Cobble.

The 6-foot, 270-pound Cobble committed to UK on Monday night. Cobble, whose full name is Mister Percy Cobble, picked UK over Louisville and Tennessee.

He attended camp at UK last week.

.I've been knowing that I've wanted to go to Kentucky for a while now,. Cobble said. .I just wanted to wait until the right time, and after going to camp last week, everything felt good.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/441770.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/441770.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:27 EDT
Former University of Kentucky quarterback Jared Lorenzen was waived Monday by the New York Giants.

The move ends Lorenzen's three-year run with Giants, who signed him as a free agent in 2004.

Lorenzen left the team during the 2004 mini-camp for personal reasons, but returned for the 2005 season. He played in four regular-season games and one post-season game with the Giants. All eight of his regular-season passes came last season, with four completions for 28 yards. He also used his 285-pound frame to rush twice for first downs in short-yardage situations in 2006.

Lorenzen started last season as the backup to Eli Manning but lost that job to Anthony Wright after an injury. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/438277.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/438277.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:51 EDT
The University of Kentucky has become a major player for one of the nation's top quarterback prospects in the 2009 class.

Morgan Newton, a 6-foot-5, 220-pounder from Carmel, Ind., was on the UK campus for an unofficial visit Monday and has the Wildcats listed among his top schools.

Newton is listed as a five-star prospect by Scout.com, which ranks him as the nation's seventh-best quarterback. Newton threw for 1,900 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for 750 yards and 11 scores as a junior. He has scholarship offers from 19 schools and lists UK among his favorites along with Clemson, Florida, Illinois, Purdue, Miami (Fla.), Indiana and South Carolina.

Newton's father, John, was a teammate of former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Doug Williams at Grambling. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/433539.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/433539.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:18 EDT
Former UK and Cleveland Browns quarterback Tim Couch was inducted into the Kentucky chapter of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Friday night at the Crown Plaza Campbell House in Lexington.

.It means a lot, me being a Kentucky kid,. Couch said. .I recognize a lot of the names that have gone in before me. It's an honor for me to be going in with them tonight..

The chapter also inducted former UK player, Baltimore Colt and longtime college coach Howard Schnellenberger; former UK player Mark Higgs; 15-year NFL veteran and former Louisville Cardinal Ted Washington; and former Detroit Lion Bruce McNorton, who played at Georgetown College.

But the star of the show was Couch, the record-setting UK quarterback who announced his retirement from the NFL. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/431415.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/431415.html Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:38 EDT
ATLANTA . Former University of Kentucky football coach Bill Curry will be named the head coach at Georgia State, the Associated Press and Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday.

Curry's hire to become the first coach of the school's new program was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the process who did not want to be identified because the school has scheduled a news conference for Thursday.

Georgia State will begin play in 2010 as a Football Championship Subdivision team (formerly Division I-AA).

The 65-year-old Curry will join former Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Reeves as patriarchs of the program. Reeves has served as a consultant and helped raise $1.2 million in pledged funds for the program. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/442972.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/442972.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:09 EDT


OMAHA, Neb. . Fresno State kept its amazing post-season run alive Tuesday night thanks to an offensive performance that was nothing short of, well, amazing.

After spotting Georgia a five-run lead in the third inning, Fresno State struck for 15 runs over the next three innings for a 19-10 victory in Game 2 of the College World Series finals.

Tommy Mendonca put Fresno State in front with his record-tying fourth home run of the CWS in his team's six-run third inning. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/442020.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/442020.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:16 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Joey Lewis hit a tiebreaking double in Georgia's four-run eighth inning, and the Bulldogs came from three runs down to defeat Fresno State 7-6 in Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Monday night.

Fresno State appeared to take control in the top of the eighth when it scored three runs to go up 6-3. Now Georgia (45-23-1) stands one win away from a second national championship to go with the one it won in 1990.

Fresno State (45-31), 4-0 in elimination games in the NCAA Tournament, will try to keep its improbable post-season run alive when the teams meet in Game 2 on Tuesday.

After Matt Olson singled leading off the bottom of the eighth, Fresno State called on closer Brandon Burke. Gordon Beckham sent Burke's second pitch over the fence in left-center for his 27th homer. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/441112.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/441112.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:47 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Fresno State's improbable run will end with the Bulldogs playing for a national championship.

Tommy Mendonca drove in four runs, Clayton Allison came back from a shoulder ailment to allow one run over six innings, and the Bulldogs defeated North Carolina 6-1 to win their bracket in the College World Series on Sunday night.

.If you look where we started out,. closer Brandon Burke said, .where we're at now is inconceivable..

A Fresno State team (45-30) that became the first No. 4 regional seed to reach the CWS now finds itself matched against Georgia (44-23-1) in the best-of-three championship series starting Monday. Fresno State joins clubs such as Eastern Michigan in 1976, Wichita State in 1982 and Pepperdine in 1992 as surprise finalists. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440507.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440507.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 09:15 EDT
John Cohen contemplated the final minutes of his time as Kentucky baseball coach.

.I think the minute I walked out that door, the right-field fence moved back about 30 feet,. he said.

Gary Henderson laughed at his friend's remark. The Wildcats' new head coach said he and Cohen joked about the subject frequently.

. ... 310 (feet) down the line certainly has an effect on a game,. Henderson said. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440532.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440532.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:04 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Georgia can rest easy now. The Bulldogs are in the College World Series championship round.

They had gotten more rest than they wanted heading into Saturday's Bracket 1 finals against Stanford. Coming off four days without a game, they unleashed their pent-up energy early and then withstood the Cardinal's ninth-inning comeback try to hold on for a 10-8 victory.

Now Georgia (44-23-1) awaits either Fresno State or North Carolina . who play Sunday in an elimination game after the Tar Heels won 4-3 Saturday . in the best-of-three championship round that starts Monday.

Rich Poythress tied a CWS record with three doubles, and Ryan Peisel hit a three-run homer that gave the Bulldogs a 9-3 lead in the fifth inning. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440533.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/440533.html Sun, 22 Jun 2008 02:04 EDT
North Carolina Coach Mike Fox doesn't hesitate when promoting the talents of sophomore first baseman Dustin Ackley, the College World Series' leading hitter after 10 games.

Ackley had four singles in a 7-3 win over Louisiana State on Friday, giving him seven hits and a .500 batting average in the CWS.

.I think you saw why we think Dustin Ackley is the best player in America,. Fox said .He's got 230 hits in two years with North Carolina. Absolutely incredible..

Ackley and fellow sophomore Tim Fedroff are hitting .413 and .401, respectively, on the season, and they had 111 hits each going into Saturday's game against Fresno State. The 111 hits is third all-time at North Carolina and second nationally behind Buster Posey of Florida. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/439981.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/439981.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:31 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Tim Federowicz's grand slam in the top of the ninth inning Friday night sent North Carolina to a 7-3 victory over LSU in a College World Series elimination game disrupted twice in two days by rain.

Louis Coleman had intentionally walked Tim Fedroff to load the bases with two outs before Federowicz turned on a 1-1 pitch and drove it into the middle of the stands in left field. It was the first grand slam in the CWS since 2001.

Carolina (53-13) moved to the Bracket 1 final against Fresno State on Saturday. The Tar Heels must beat the Bulldogs twice to return to the best-of-three championship series for the third straight year.

Alex White (12-3) got his second win of the CWS in his third relief appearance of the season, and first since March. He worked out of a bases-loaded situation with one out in the top of eighth. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/438363.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/438363.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:16 EDT
Former University of Kentucky outfielder Sawyer Carroll has been named a first-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association, making him the first player in UK history to earn consensus first-team honors, the school announced.

Carroll received first-team honors from every organization to announce a team this year, also including Louisville Slugger, Baseball America, Rivals.com and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Carroll led the Southeastern Conference in 2008 with a .419 batting average and a school-record 83 RBI. Carroll, a native of Henryetta, Okla., added 19 home runs, 22 doubles, three triples, 44 walks and 12 stolen bases.

He finished his career as UK's record-holder for batting average (.386). ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/439057.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/439057.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:44 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Miami couldn't get its bats going, and so the Hurricanes are out after three games.

The No. 1 seed hit just .156 (5-for-32) with runners in scoring position, .245 with runners on base and a series-low .276 overall in its three games. The Hurricanes were hitting .322 going into the CWS.

.We hadn't been hot right here at the end with the bats,. Coach Jim Morris said. .We've got a great offensive club and in the middle of the season I felt we could beat anybody at any time because we had it all, all cylinders clicking..

Miami left seven runners on base in its first game, nine in the second and 12 in an 8-3 loss to Stanford. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/437800.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/437800.html Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:59 EDT
When he was hired recently as baseball coach at Kentucky, Gary Henderson had someone in mind to be the new hitting coach, .... somebody that I know and I can trust..

Brian Green, an assistant at UCLA, was named UK's hitting coach Wednesday.

.Brian is who I had in mind,. Henderson said. .He'll do a great job here..

Green, 36, directed the UCLA offense, participated in recruiting and handled the infield defense, duties he will have with the Wildcats. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/453371.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/453371.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:28 EDT
When Florida received a commitment last week from a prospect who just completed the ninth grade, some Kentucky fans cried foul.

Recent history suggested an injustice had occurred. UK Coach Billy Gillispie received criticism when he watched eighth-grader Michael Avery play one day this spring and then offered a scholarship. After NCAA President Myles Brand called the recruitment of such young players .untoward,. Gillispie then accepted a commitment from ninth-grader Vinny Zollo .

This punctuated a growing trend across the country and led the National Association of Basketball Coaches to ask its members to not offer scholarships nor accept commitments from players who haven't completed the 10th grade.

Less than two weeks later, and after Gillispie said he would comply, Florida got a commitment from Austin Rivers , a member of the 2011 high school class. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/452125.html http://www.kentucky.com/276/story/452125.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:03 EDT
Less than two weeks after the college basketball coaches association formally asked its members not to offer scholarships to prospects who haven't completed the 10th grade, Florida accepted a commitment from a player who completed the ninth grade this spring.

Austin Rivers, the son of Boston Celtics Coach Glenn .Doc. Rivers, committed to Florida on Wednesday night.

The commitment defies the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which .strongly. opposed such commitments in a June 19 news release. The NABC asked its coaches to refrain from offering scholarships or encouraging commitments from players who are 10th-graders or younger.

The NABC recommendation came as a trend toward such commitments grew. For instance, Kentucky received commitments from an eighth-grader (Michael Avery) and a ninth-grader (Vinny Zollo) earlier this year. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/284/story/434003.html http://www.kentucky.com/284/story/434003.html Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:25 EDT
The current discussion about recruiting ever-younger prospects will lead to voluntary restrictions, and, if necessary, legislation limiting when coaches can offer scholarships.

That's the opinion of Reggie Minton , the associate executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Publicity about Kentucky getting a commitment from eighth-grader Michael Avery this spring sparked a debate about recruiting young prospects. UK is not alone in pursuing players who have yet to attend high school.

NCAA President Myles Brand called such recruitments .untoward. and Brit Kirwan , the president of the University of Maryland, said he found it .appalling.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/453400.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/453400.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:34 EDT
Zach Martin is technically a Hoosier, but there's also plenty of blue in his blood.

Martin, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive lineman from Indianapolis' Bishop Chatard High, is one of the country's top tackle prospects and was labeled a four-star recruit by Rivals.com. He also happens to be the son of former UK defensive lineman Keith Martin , who played at Kentucky in the early 1980s with UK offensive coordinator Joker Phillips and linebackers coach Chuck Smith . His mother, Pam , was an athletic trainer at Kentucky during that time.

And while those factors don't mean Martin will end up at Kentucky, it doesn't hurt matters, either.

.My parents are really big UK fans,. Martin said. .It's my decision, and I'll have to make it on my own, but we've got (Kentucky football) season tickets, so I've been going to games for a long time. When we visit there, my dad says a lot of the same people are there in the academic department that were there when he was there. He knows a lot of people, and I feel like I know everything I need to know about Kentucky.. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/451842.html http://www.kentucky.com/295/story/451842.html Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:01 EDT
Former University of Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton signed a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on Thursday.

Burton said his agent, Todd France, negotiated the deal. He added that he didn't have the final terms of the contract but believed it to be worth more than $1 million. Burton was selected by the Rams in the fourth round of the NFL Draft in April.

He was nagged by injuries at UK but still managed to go down as one of the most productive receivers in Wildcats history.

He ranks fourth in receptions, third in receiving yards, second in touchdowns and third in all-purpose yards. He was the fifth UK player to amass more than 4,000 all-purpose yards. His best season came in 2006 when he caught 77 passes for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/283/story/446663.html http://www.kentucky.com/283/story/446663.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:37 EDT
The University of Kentucky pipeline that UK offensive coordinator and future head coach Joker Phillips has established to powerhouse program LaGrange (Ga.) has been well-chronicled.

Now Phillips may be on the verge of building another pipeline, this one a little closer to home at Louisville's Central High School.

UK got a commitment this week from Central defensive tackle Mister Cobble , and the Wildcats currently lead for Cobble's teammate, linebacker Ridge Wilson .

Central was a basketball powerhouse in the 1960s and 1970s, but the Yellowjackets struggled to maintain the same level of prominence once court-ordered busing began in 1975. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/444186.html http://www.kentucky.com/272/story/444186.html Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:02 EDT
OMAHA, Neb. . Fresno State was smashing in its final performance as college baseball's team of destiny, winning a championship that would have been impossible to predict.

With Steve Detwiler providing all the offense Justin Wilson needed, the Bulldogs captured their first national championship in a men's sport with a 6-1 victory over Georgia in Game 3 of the College World Series finals Wednesday night.

Detwiler homered twice and drove in all six runs, and Wilson allowed five hits in eight innings to cap Fresno State's wild ride to a title.

Fresno State was forecast to be a Top 25 team coming into the season, but the Bulldogs lost 12 of their first 20 games. They needed to win the Western Athletic Conference tournament just to make the NCAA field of 64, fought off elimination in regionals and super regionals, and became the first No. 4 regional seed to reach the CWS since the tournament expanded in 1999. ]]>