Former University of Louisville Player Marvin Stone Dies

I hope I never have cause to write such heartbreaking posts again  - especially back to back.  What an unbelievable week this has been.I’m sure you remember Marvin “Tree” Stone - the 6-foot-10 center who played at UK before transferring to U of L. 

Marvin became sick during halftime of a semifinal game on Tuesday night, April 1, while playing for Ittihad Jeddah in Saudi Arabia’s professional Elite Cup, according to eurobasket.com.  

A teammate (and former NBA player), Mahmoud Abdul-RaufAbdul-Rauf said Ittihad’s coach was talking to the team Tuesday in the locker room at Jiddah’s Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium at halftime against Ohud when Stone “started sliding down from the bench” and soon “was on the floor.”

“At first I think people thought he was having a seizure,” he said.  “We put him on the floor. I was rubbing his head trying to calm him down and some people were pouring water on his face. Then some five or six guys picked him up and put him in an SUV and they drove him off.”

Marvin was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.  He was only 26 years old.

Abdul-Rauf told the English-language Arab News newspaper that there wasn’t a physician on hand at the sports complex during the game.  He urged Saudi sports authorities to look into the situation and “provide professional care” at sports facilities like “the rest of the world does.”

26 years old.  I’m sure everyone will forgive me for punctuating that with a damn.

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.

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.

Western Kentucky Wins the Sunbelt Tournament and a Ticket to the Big Dance

Congratulations to the (always) exciting Western Kentucky Hilltopers.  They beat Middle Tennessee (67-57) to capture not only the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship but also an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Jeremy Evans had 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the way and also, very deservedly, won the tournament’s MVP title. 

Tyrone Brazelton and Courtney Lee each added 13 points.  

The third-seeded Hilltoppers have a strong record of 27-6 and enter the NCAA Tournament on a winning streak, having won 6 in a row.

UK plays this evening - and we’d love nothing more than to see the Cats win the SEC Tournament.

As for the Cardinals, we aren’t even going to talk about their last game. 

Celebrate the Kentucky Derby in Style

 

If you’re like most people, your excitement’s building for the Kentucky Derby.  In spite of all the cold, snowy weather here in the Bluegrass - we’re all beginning to focus our attention on Louisville and Churchill Downs.  Bring on the ridiculously large hats, the Mint Juleps, and most of all the horses.

If you’re planning your Kentucky Derby Party, there’s a web site you need to know about - stat!  It’s the Official Kentucky Derby Party Site  and I’m not sure you can have a legitimate party without it.

In addition to Bobby Flay’s advice and recipes, you’ll find Party Packages, Invitations, gorgeous square plates, souvenir cups, napkins, balloons, a Derby Sounds CD, banners, posters, flags, and more.  Click HERE to find these particularly pleasing, perfect party proppers.

Bobby Flay Is the Official Host of the Kentucky Derby Party

Uber Popular Food Network chef and Restraunt owner Bobby Flay has been named the official host of “Kentucky Derby Party.”

 He gives some great  suggestions for entertaining on Derby Day on the Derby Party Web Site.  Click on the Entertain navigational tab, then you’ll find a choice of a Party Checklist, Derby Traditions, Decor and Themes. 

As for recipes (the good stuff), they’re divided into the following categories:   Main Courses, Southern Sides, Desserts, and Lucky Libations.

UK’s Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford Keep the Cats Clawing

Unfortuantely, the past few years have been as rocky as Fred Flintstone’s house, so we UK fans embrace and strongly celebrate each and every win.  So, yes, let’s continue to bask in the feel good glow of the win over a talented (and scary fast) Arkansas team.

When you watch Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford orchestrate on the court, you realize that few players have ever played with more passion or heart.  Do they sometimes take shots that have you screaming Nooooooooooo!  Yes.  But they oftentimes make shots that have you screaming Yesssssssssss!

They’re always fun to watch, never half ass it, and are always in it to win.  They’re leading the way as a very talented and often equally passionate team finds its legs.  The reason my guys take these shots is the key:  They don’t believe themselves to be capable of missing.  They think their every shot is a money shot.

Imagine if the whole team bought into that mentality.

That’s the stuff March Dreams are made of.

The University of Louisville Cardinals Show Their Heart

 

This hasn’t been the type of basketball season we’re accustomed to in Kentucky - the L’s seem to come so easily and the W’s seem to take such effort. 

But hasn’t it been fun?!

These UK Wildcat and the UofL Cardinal teams have been really exciting to watch.  The players have been grinding it out, and the cocaches have been orchestrating the grind.   I know it’s never a good thing to live too far ahead in the future…..but, wow, think of next year for these teams!

Okay, back to the present.  UK outlasted the University of Alabama yesterday afternoon, led by the very gutty Bradley. The University of Louisville Cardinals?   They just went out and beat the number 6 team in the country last night.  That’s all.  

The Cardinals were led by David Padgett, a kid that embodies what being a college athlete is all about.  Padgett had 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and enough heart and drive for 50 people.  He led his Cards to a 59-51 victory over a darned good Georgetown team.  A Georgetown team who’ll probably make the elite 8 if not further.  The way the Louisville played last night, I wouldn’t count them out of a little March Magic, too.

For a great write up about the game, Coach Pitino, and David Padgett, be sure you read Pat Fordes ESPN article:  A Healthy Padgett Leads Louisville’s Resurgence.

« Previous Page — Next Page »