Uncover Lexington, Kentucky's rich sports history

The curated articles on Lexington, Kentucky's sports history celebrate the city's rich and diverse athletics legacy. They highlight notable figures, events and contributions that have shaped Lexington's sports culture.

The articles explore stories such as the famous horse, Lexington, known for his speed and influence in thoroughbred racing. Paul “Bear” Bryant’s tenure at the University of Kentucky is another focus. His impact on the football program led to the Wildcats’ first bowl appearance and SEC title, establishing him as a legendary coach. Moreover, an article about C.M. Newton details his contributions to sports and race relations at both Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky.

As soon as he stepped of a plane Jan. 5, 1951 at Blue Grass Field, University of Kentucky football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant received a wreath of roses around his neck. Four days earlier in New Orleans, his Cats upset No. 1 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. After being greeted at the airport, the team boarded buses, and was escorted by city, county and state motorcycle patrolmen down crowd-lined streets to Memorial Coliseum. There they were honored before 9,000 fans and presented the Sugar Bowl trophy. The crowd and University President Dr. Herman Lee Donovan lauded Bryant, who cautioned everyone that their first game on next year’s schedule was just around the corner. Bryant coached at Kentucky for eight winning seasons from 1946 to 1953 before leaving for Texas A&M. He later went to Tuscaloosa and was the legendary coach of Alabama for 25 years, leading the Crimson Tide to six national titles. Published in the Lexington Leader January 5, 1951.

NO. 1: WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF BEAR BRYANT HAD REMAINED AT UK AS ITS FOOTBALL COACH?

A sports fan can’t mention Lexington, Kentucky without referencing UK basketball. But would football be a more prominent part of the university’s sports lore today had Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant stayed instead of moving to Alabama? | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 2: FROM A RADIO SPORTSCASTER AT UK TO BEING ONE OF AMERICA’S MOST NOTABLE HORSE EXPERTS

The Herald-Leader’s celebration of Lexington’s 250th anniversary focuses on James Baily “JB” Faulconer – sports broadcaster, horseman and father of the Eclipse Award. | Published February 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 3: C.M. NEWTON’S WORK ON RACE RELATIONS, BASKETBALL AND UK SPORTS ‘CONTINUES TO THIS DAY’

Ninety-five years ago, the former coach and athletics director was born. He played a prominent role in integrating college basketball programs at the height of racial tensions in the US. | Published February 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 4: CELEBRATING LEXINGTON. NOT THE CITY, BUT THE RECORD-SETTING HORSE BY THE SAME NAME

The Herald-Leader’s yearlong coverage of Lexington’s 250-year history examines the legacy of Legacy, the award-winning horse. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 5: NOT ALL OF LEXINGTON’S LEGENDS ARE FOUND IN HISTORY BOOKS. THEY ALSO PLAY BALL!

The Herald-Leader’s yearlong coverage of Lexington’s 250th birthday celebrates its baseball heritage, including the Lexington Legends. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Indiana head coach Bob Knight, left, talks with UK head coach Joe B. Hall prior to the Mideast Regional championship game in Nashville on March 17, 1973 in Nashville. Indiana won that game and also beat Kentucky earlier in the 1972-73 season, which was Hall’s first as the leader of the Wildcats. By Frank Anderson

NO. 6: RELIVE UK’S BASKETBALL VICTORY OVER INDIANA IN THE 1975 NCAA TOURNAMENT

The Wildcats and Hoosiers faced off in the 1975 NCAA college basketball tournament, months after IU coach Bobby Knight slapped UK coach Joe B. Hall. | Published June 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

The Kentucky women’s basketball team returns to the newly renovated Memorial Coliseum for the 2024-25 season.

NO. 7: ‘THE HOUSE THAT RUPP BUILT’: HISTORY OF UK’S MEMORIAL COLISEUM

Memorial Coliseum first opened in 1950 and underwent major renovations again last year. | Published June 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

UK quarterback Jared Lorenzen second effort scores a touchdown in the 4th overtime in the loss to Arkansas at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, November 1, 2003, in Lexington, Kentucky By Mark Cornelison

NO. 8: UK, ARKANSAS PLAYED ONE OF THE LONGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES IN HISTORY IN 2003

Editor’s Note: | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Kevin Jarvis, a graduate of Tates Creek High School in Lexington, pitched for 10 major league clubs between 1994 and 2006: Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland A’s, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Cardinals, Boston Red Sox.

NO. 9: MLB PITCHER KEVIN JARVIS FIRST PLAYED BASEBALL FOR TATES CREEK

Editor’s Note: | Published September 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Pitcher Roger Clemens continues his rehab for the Houston Astros by pitching for the Lexington Legends at Applebee’s Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 against the Lake County Captains. This is Clemens first stop on a three-tier tour of the minor leagues as Clemens prepares to join the Astros on June 22th. Frank Anderson/Staff

NO. 10: FOR ONE NIGHT IN 2006, MLB PITCHER ROGER CLEMENS JOINED THE LEXINGTON LEGENDS

Editor’s Note: | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 11: FROM THE NCAA TOURNAMENT TO THE OLYMPICS: UK’S 1948 BASKETBALL TEAM WENT FOR GOLD

Editor’s Note: | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Dermontti Dawson (63), former Bryan Station High School & University of Kentucky player and now a all-pro Center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, during game with Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 19, 1997 that was played in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by Frank Anderson | Staff

NO. 12: FROM BRYAN STATION TO THE NFL: DERMONTTI DAWSON’S FOOTBALL CAREER STARTED IN KY

Dermontti Dawson didn’t start out high school playing football, but once he got started, he turned his love for the sport into a professional career. | Published September 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

A panoramic view of Commonwealth Stadium before the UK vs UL football game Saturday Sept. 4, 1999. This was the first game in the newly renovated Commonwealth Stadium. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff

NO. 13: IN 1973, UK PLAYED — AND WON — THE FIRST GAME IN COMMONWEALTH STADIUM

Editor’s Note: | Published October 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Left to right, are Greg Page, Marty Joyce and Dick Palmer as UK football players (Photo submitted)

NO. 14: GREG PAGE HELPED DESEGREGATE SEC FOOTBALL, BUT DIED BEFORE HE GOT TO PLAY FOR UK

Editor’s Note: | Published October 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.