Kentucky's Annual "CATSPY" Awards Information

 The 13th annual CATSPY Awards, celebrating the 2014-15 athletics year at the University of Kentucky, will be held Monday in Memorial Coliseum.

The awards ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The public is invited.

Tickets for the CATSPY Awards cost $5 each and may be purchased at the UK Athletics Ticket Office (Joe Craft Center) or by calling 800.928.2287. All persons must have a ticket to enter, regardless of age.

All general public will enter through the Lexington Avenue entrance of Memorial Coliseum. Public parking will be available in the E lot on the west side (Lexington Avenue) of the Joe Craft Center. Additional parking will be available in parking structure No. 5, located near Kennedy’s Book Store. Also, a free shuttle will be available between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. with pick-up at the Alumni Drive sky bridge and drop-off at the Wildcat Alumni Plaza.

A spin-off of the popular ESPY Awards held each year by ESPN, the CATSPY Awards feature individual and team honors, chosen from UK’s 22 varsity sports. The event is dedicated to celebrating the more than 500 student-athletes that represent Kentucky. Videos of the nominees in each category are shown, and UK student-athletes and head coaches serve as presenters.

The list of awards includes: 

·         Community Service

·         Wildcat Pride

·         Rookies of the Year

·         Bill Keightley “Assist” Award

·         Blue Heart

·         Scholar Athlete

·         Academic Team

·         Scratch

·         Supporting Role

·         Performance of the Year

·         K Club Male and Female Athlete of the Year

·         Coach of the Year

·         Teams of the Year

·         Mr. and Miss Wildcat

John Calipari To Be Named Adolph Rupp Coach of The Year

The Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky will present the Rupp Cup to UK men’s basketball head coach John Calipari on Thursday, April 23 as the recipient of the Adolph Rupp Coach of the Year.

The Commonwealth Athletic Club of Kentucky was founded in 1972 as a non-profit organization to preserve the legacy of Coach Adolph F. Rupp of the University of Kentucky while recognizing excellence in the Division I ranks of Men’s College Basketball. All of the original club members either played for Coach Rupp or had a close connection with him. 

The CAC of Kentucky national voting panel is assembled by invitation and includes active and retired coaches, active and retired sportswriters, and active and retired college sports administrators. 

Coach Calipari became the first two-time recipient of the Rupp Cup, winning the award previously in 2010. This year, he received 85 percent of the first-place ballots, winning the honor over Tony Bennett of Virginia.

Karl Anthony Towns Autograph Tour Dates

Now that his career at Kentucky is officially over, Karl Anthony Towns is going to be making his rounds across the commonwealth to sign autographs and meeting all of Big Blue Nation that he can. Here is his schedule so far if you want to get out and meet the potential #1 pick in this years NBA Draft...

Monday-Nicholasville, KY @ Wildcat Sports Apparel 6 – 7:30

Tuesday -Ashland, KY @ Wildcat Wearhouse  6-7:30

Wednesday-London, KY @ Shepards Fan Shop 5:30-7

Sunday- Dry Ridge, KY @ Wildcats N More 4-5:30

Some Quick Thoughts On Kentucky's Loss To Wisconsin

Usually, after a tough loss, I have to take a day or two to get my thoughts together before I even attempt write about it and last night was no different.

Last nights loss to Wisconsin was a tough one to take, one of the toughest in the last 20 years to be honest. After starting the season an astonishing 38-0 it almost felt like it was destiny for this Kentucky team to win the school's ninth NCAA Championship and when they fell short, it hurt and hurt bad. But, you cannot judge this team or it's accomplishments by not winning a championship. What these kids accomplished on the court was historical and should be remembered as such. All the great teams that Kentucky has had over the years and all the great teams over the years nation wide has NEVER started a season 38-0, so yeah, it was beyond special to say the least. 

I've heard the argument that since Kentucky didn't have a hard non-conference schedule and the SEC was so weak this year that that is what led to the loss to Wisconsin, well, I'm going to say that is the dumbest and most uneducated argument that I have ever heard in my life. The Cats played and DESTROYED Kansas, UCLA, Providence, Buffalo, North Carolina, Louisville and Texas in their non-conference schedule and guess what... those were ALL tournament teams in this years dance. Then when you consider that Kentucky played and beat (some more than once) Arkansas, Ole Miss, Georgia and LSU who also was among this years tournament field, that argument becomes more laughable. That's eleven teams that was in this years tournament, so to say that they played a weak schedule is ignorant and is an argument that people who didn't want to see Kentucky win will say. So, just overlook those poor people because they don't have enough knowledge on the subject to hold an intelligent conversation and only want to try to tarnish what this team accomplished this season. Don't feed them.

Once the pain of this loss leaves and it will take a while, we can look back and really appreciate the things this team did.  This team was special and will be ranked among the greatest teams of all-time as well they should be.

I wanna say congratulations to Wisconsin. They played a helluva game and to say that the refs cost us the game is just as dumb of an argument as saying that Kentucky didn't play a competitive schedule. Was there questionable calls last night? Sure, there always is in a basketball game, the refs can't catch everything. I know about the clear shot-clock violation that was missed that led to two points for the Badgers, but that didn't cost Kentucky the game. What did cost them the game however was their lack of rebounding the ball. When you give up 12 offensive rebounds and get pounded on the glass 34-22, you will more than likely lose the game. But, I will tell you this as well. If Kentucky and Wisconsin played a 10 game series, Kentucky would win 7 of the 10. That's not bitterness, just sheer facts, but that's the beauty of the NCAA Tournament, you only have to be better than the other team on one night.

In the end, Wisconsin was clearly the better team last night and I have no problem whatsoever admitting that. It was an excellent Final Four game with an ending that I'd rather forget, but still great none-the-less. So, in closing, I'd like to wish the Badgers the best of luck Monday night and I'd love nothing more than to see them beat Duke by 30...

Calipari Named Associated Press National Coach of The Year

Already named the National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Sporting News, Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari picked up another prestigious honor for leading the undefeated Wildcats to a 38-0 season, entering the Final Four, when he was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year on Friday.

It’s the first time in Calipari’s illustrious career he has been named AP Coach of the Year. He’s the third UK coach to win the AP honor, joining Eddie Sutton (1986) and Tubby Smith (2003 and 2005).

Calipari, now in his sixth season at Kentucky, has led UK to a second straight Final Four this season and the fourth in the last five years. Kentucky is the first team to enter the Final Four undefeated since 1991.

Calipari’s 2014-15 Wildcats have tied his 2007-08 Memphis team and his 2011-12 national championship Kentucky team’s NCAA Division I record for single-season wins (38) with last week’s Elite Eight win over Notre Dame on Saturday. UK is the first team in NCAA Division I history to post a 38-0 record.

Kentucky has spent 19 straight weeks at No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 this season, tied for the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history. UK now owns the NCAA Division I record for most appearances at No. 1 in the AP poll in a single season at 19.

UK also set the school record for home wins with 19 this season.

Earlier this week, Calipari won NABC Coach of the Year honors for the third time in his career. Only legendary UCLA head coach John Wooden, with five, has won more.

Calipari was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year by the AP for the third time in his career earlier this season. He is also one of four finalists for the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year.

The 55-year-old is one of 12 finalists eligible to go in to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September. The Class of 2015 will be announced on Monday at a press conference in Indianapolis, prior to the national championship game.

UK Alumni Association To Host Pre-Game Party Saturday in Indy

The UK Alumni Association will host a pregame party prior to the Wildcats’ Final Four game against Wisconsin from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at Victory Field, 501 Maryland St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Former Wildcats Mike Pratt and Jack “Goose” Givens along with the Voice of the Wildcats, Tom Leach, are scheduled to attend.

The cost is $35 for members and $40 for nonmembers who preregister. Walkups will be welcome at the door for $45 per person while food supplies last. Children ages 10 and under will be admitted for free. UK students and children over 10 will be admitted for $15. Spirit items will be available and the first 100 UK Alumni Association members who show their membership cards will receive a free gift. The menu includes grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, pasta salad, fruit salad and cookies. The ticket price also includes unlimited beer, soda and water and a cash bar will be available for mixed drinks and wine. Alumni and fans will also enjoy a disc jockey and an appearance by the UK Band, and UK merchandise will also be available for purchase.

To register, please visit www.ukalumni.net/finalfourpregame or call 859-257-7161. For questions about the event, contact Kelly Hinkel at kelly.hinkel@uky.edu. Special thanks to Liberty Mutual for sponsoring the UK Alumni Association Pre-game Party.

The UK Alumni Association is a membership supported organization committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association or to become a member, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 1-800-269-2586.

Some Things You Need To Know If You're Going To The Final Four

In order to enhance public safety, the NCAA has implemented a clear bag policy for the 2015 Men’s Final Four. The clear bag policy will be in effect at all Lucas Oil Stadium events, including the semifinal games on Saturday, April 4, and the National Championship on Monday, April 6. In addition, clear bags will be required at Final Four Fan Fest at the Indiana Convention Center and all three days of the NCAA  March Madness Music Festival at White River State Park.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of basketball fans at Final Four events,” said JoAn Scott, NCAA managing director of Division I men’s basketball championship. “The clear bag policy is a standard practice at major events across the country and we have extended it to not just the games, but also our fan events.”

NCAA-provided clear bags, other clear bags not exceeding the size of the NCAA-provided clear bags, and one gallon clear plastic storage bags will be permitted at the aforementioned events, in addition to purses smaller than 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches (please see the attached diagram). 

Clear bags will be provided by the NCAA for free and can be found at downtown Indianapolis hotels, the Indiana Convention Center and most entrances and exits at events where clear bags are required.

The NCAA implemented the clear bag policy at Final Four events in North Texas in 2014. The policies are similar to procedures in place for NFL games in stadiums such as Lucas Oil Stadium.

All individuals will be subject to a search upon entry. All individuals, regardless of age, must have a valid event ticket to access Lucas Oil Stadium on game days. Failure to comply with event or venue management will result in denial of entry.

For a full list of security policies and procedures, please visit www.ncaa.com/finalfour/champgame.