Derrick Jasper’s Homeward Bound

Although we saw it coming, it doesn’t make it go down any better. Derrick Jasper is leaving the University of Kentucky. He’ll be transferring to a school closer to his home - Paso Robles, California.

“The decision to transfer is in no way an indication of my experience playing for UK,” Jasper explained in a release issued by the university. “I feel at this point in my life, it is important for me to be close to my family, and I intend to transfer to a school closer to the West Coast where I can see my family more often and they can see me play.”

Derrick, who averaged 4.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game at UK, will have to sit out for a season if he transfers to another Division I school.

It would have been exciting to watch Derrick grow in Gillispie’s system but wanting to be closer to home is always an understandable desire. We certainly wish him nothing but the best.

Franklin’s Golden Son, Kenny Perry, Wins the Memorial

Kenuckian Kenny Perry won the Memorial today and in doing so, joined none other than Tiger Woods as the only three-time winner of the tournament.

While the victory and the money earned are as sweet as Cracker Barrel’s Peanut Butter Pie, the best part is this: The victory is a giant step toward making the Ryder Cup in….where?….. his home state of Kentucky.

At 47, Kenny became the oldest winner of the Memorial. He’ll take it.

Congrats, Kenny!

***As you’ll notice, the “Champ” is in this week’s featured video (see the sidebar).

Speedway Motorsports Buying Kentucky Speedway

Speedway Motorsports Inc. announced this week that it’s in the process of adding Kentucky Speedway to its collection of auto racetracks.

Owner of Kentucky Speedway, Jerry Carroll, has been invited to remain involved with its operations.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear has stated that he would like for Speedway Motorsports to bring a bigger auto race to the track. He even talking about bringing a Sprint Cup race to Kentucky Speedway.

A Sunset in Lyon County, Kentucky Makes a Pretty Amazing Wallpaper

Here’s another beautiful picture that makes a great wallpaper for your desktop. It, too, is courtesy of Michael. It’s a gorgeous sunset he captured in Lyon County, Kentucky.

Click the smaller image above to access the larger one, then set as your background.

Enjoy!

Travis Ford Leaving UMass for Oklahoma State?

Will the free throw shooting machine that put Madisonville, Kentucky on the map leave UMass for Oklahoma State?  Sources indicate that’ll he’ll do just that.

Ford turned down an offer from Providence earlier this month, but Oklahoma State may be more to his liking.  Oklahoma State’s looking for a replacement for Sean Sutton who resigned under pressure.  During Sutton’s reign at the helm, the Cowboys were 39-29. Oklahoma State finished this past season with a record of 17-16 and lost in the first round of the NIT.  They were in the NIT both years under Sutton AND lost in the first round each time.

How has Travis Ford compared at UMass? . In three years at UMass, Ford has a record of 62-35 with two NIT appearances.  Ford has also been a head coach at Eastern Kentucky of the Ohio Valley Conference and NAIA Campbellsville University.  He led Eastern to the NCAA tournament in 2004-2005.

Sad Day for University of Kentucky Fans

Photo by James Crisp, APBill Keightley, Long-Time Equipment manager for Kentucky Basketball, Died on Monday, March 31.  The lovable Kentuckian,  affectionately known to UK fans as “Mr. Wildcat” was 81 years old.He apparently died from internal bleeding that resulted from an undiagnosed tumor on his spine. Earlier in the day,  Mr. Wildcat had been at the Cincinnati Reds season opener.  On the way to the game, he fell while exiting a bus but those with him didn’t think he had been injured.When he arrived at University Hospital, it was discovered Keightley had a tumor on his spine.Bill Keightley had been involved with Kentucky basketball  since 1962 and has become one of our state’s most beloved iconic figures.

Head basketball coach Billy Gillispie said, “He influenced each of us on a daily basis, and he was a great example of someone who loved his University more than anything. Obviously, he’s in a better place, but the void he leaves for all of us, and especially his family, is going to be a difficult situation. Our hearts go out to his family and the millions of Wildcats fans who he loved so much.”

You’ll be sorely missed, Mr. Wildcat.

* The photo above is, of course, Bill Keightley and UK Coach Billy Gillispie.  It was taken during UK basketball’s Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007.  This was his 47th season with the program.  

I’m glad Coach Gillispie had an opportunity to get to know and love Mr. Keightley.  What better way for him to tap into what UK basketball really means?  I’m also glad Mr. Wildcat had an opportunity to meet Coach Gillispie - after all, he’ll be the next coach to take us to the Promise Land.  Then again… and again… and again….

….and Mr. Wildcat will be looking on from the greatest seat in the world, and smiling ear to ear.

Kentucky Afield Radio Program with Tim Farmer

Kentucky Afield’s Tim FarmerKentucky Afield Radio is a “Public Forum” that addresses issues affecting the hunting, fishing, trapping and boating sports in the Bluegrass.  The host is Tim Farmer, of Kentucky Afield Television.Kentucky Afield Radio provides advice from from Kentucky Fish and Wildlife experts - the kind of advice you won’t find anywhere else AND the kind of advice that could make all the difference in whether you return home defeated or delirious.Not only will Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Personnel provide you with tips,  well-known sportsmen and women also share their wisdom. Callers even have a chance to ask questions about their favorite subjects associated with wildlife-related recreation. Kentucky Afield Radio airs each Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. Eastern/5-7 p.m. Central from its flagship station, WKYW-AM 1490 in downtown Frankfort.  The show will begin syndication throughout portions of the state on March 30.Other stations carrying Kentucky Afield Radio beginning March 30 include WKCM-AM 1160 in Hawesville; WBGN-AM 1340 in Bowling Green; WNBS-AM 1340 in Murray; WLYE-FM 94.1 in Glasgow; and WLXO-FM 96.1 in Lexington. More stations may be added as demand for the program grows.MyHuntingandFishing.Com is a proud sponsor of Kentucky Afield Radio.  Replays of each show can be heard exclusively on their website starting March 30th.

To learn more about Tim Farmer and Kentucky’s Fish and Wildlife, visit The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.  You’ll also want to Sign Up for the Kentucky Afield Newsletter.

*** To get a great “feel” for the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Afield experience, watch today’s Featured Video to the right.    Turtle man….  I now know fear.

President Bill Clinton Visit Kentucky

Ex-President, and “First Gentleman?” hopeful, Bill Clinton spoke at Frankfort’s Convention Center Tuesday.  More than 3,000 people listened as he touched on issues and told why they should support Hillary Clinton for Presidency.

He touched on the three E’s:  Energy, Education, and the Economy.

President Clinton also spoke before a group in Paris.  He gave a  30-minute speech that was mostly geared toward veteran’s issues and the need to invest in clean coal technologies and other alternative energy sources.

He described Hillary as a veterans advocate, noting that she serves on the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee.

“She’ll stick with them,” he said. “She won’t forget about them when she gets elected president.”

Former Miss America Heather French Henry was also on hand and described herself as a “Clinton fan.” She praised Hillary Clinton for helping her with the Heather French Henry Foundation for Veterans.

Western Kentucky Upsets Drake and Carves out Their Own Shining Moment

The University of Kentucky’s dancing days may be over for now (losing Patterson all but killed us), but just wait until next year - I guarantee they’ll be in the running.  At least I don’t have to do the whole naked dancing on the patio thing. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for next year to enjoy Western Kentucky and the University of Louisville.  Louisville, of course won their game.  It really wasn’t even a question of if they’d win, but by how much they’d win by.Western Kentucky is the biggest story right now, though.  They could very well own the “one shining moment” of the tournament.  TY ROGERS’ long 25 foot shot that ended the game, in overtime for extra drama, has been shown again and again to the delight of everyone.

That’s what this tournament’s all about, to me.  Of course we enjoy watching the superstars do what they do so well, but when a kid who’s name probably hasn’t been mentioned on ESPN all year steps up and wins a game for their team and school - WHOOSH!  Magic.

The magic is all the more enjoyable when the magician has on a UK (next year, I tell you), U of L, or Western Kentucky jersey.

Congratulations to Western and Louisville - and also congratulations to the University of Kentucky Wildcats.  They finished the regular season strong - and what a lot of people don’t realize is that it’s tough to learn a new system with a new coach.  They just have to start believing in themselves and start trusting their new coach.  Remember when Pitino arrived at UK, he took us to the Glory Land, but it wasn’t overnight.

We’ll get there again - I feel it in my blood!!

Yessssssssss! UK

Just when it looked like it might be a pipe dream - our cats are dancing.  Whew.If we can manage to beat Marquette  on Thursday, I’ll dance on my patio wearing nothing but a towel. Game on.

Next Page »