< PreviousUK Sports Network Television Information 60 @KentuckyMBB TV Affiliates: Ashland/Huntington – WQCW Bowling Green – WBKO Evansville – WFIE Fox Sports Atlantic Fox Sports Ohio Fox Sports South Hazard – WYMT & eYMT Lexington – WKYT & CW Lexington Louisville – WHAS Paducah - WPSDUK Sports Network Radio Information @UKSportsNetwork 61 Market Call Letters Frequency Ashland, KY WCMI 92.7 FM / 1340 AM Ashland/Greenup, KY WLGC 105.7 FM Benton, KY WCBL 99.1 FM / 1290 AM Bowling Green, KY WGGC 95.1 FM Burkesville, KY bb only WKYR 107.9 FM Cadiz, KY WKDZ 106.5 FM / 1110 AM Campbellsville, KY WCKQ 104.1 FM Cincinnati WCKY 1530 AM Columbia, KY WAIN 93.5 FM / 1270 AM Corbin, KY WCTT 107.3 FM / 680 AM Dry Ridge, KY WNKR 106.7 FM Elizabethtown, KY WAKY 103.5 FM / 620 AM Flemingsburg, KY WFLE 95.1 FM Grayson, KY WUGO 99.7 FM Greenville, KY bb only WKYA 105.5 FM Hardinsburg, KY WXBC 104.3 FM Harlan, KY WTUK 105.1 FM Hazard, KY WSGS 101.1 FM Henderson, KY WSON 96.5 FM / 860 AM Hopkinsville, KY WHOP 98.7 FM / 1230 AM Jamestown, KY WJRS 104.9 FM Jenkins, KY WIFX 94.3 FM Johnson City, TN WETB 790 AM Lancaster, KY WRNZ 105.1 FM Leitchfield, KY WKHG 104.9 FM Lexington WBUL / WLAP 98.1 FM / 630 AM London, KY WWEL 103.9 FM Louisville WHAS 840 AM Madisonville, KY WKTG 93.9 FM Mayfield, KY WLLE 102.1 FM Maysville, KY WFTM 95.9 FM / 1240 AM Monticello, KY WKYM 101.7 FM Morehead, KY WIVY 96.3 FM Morganfield WMSK 101.3 FM Nashville, TN WPRTHD 102.5 HD Owensboro, KY WBKR / WOMI 92.5 FM / 1490 AM Paducah, KY WKYX 94.3 FM / 570 AM Paintsville, KY WSIP 98.9 FM / 1490 AM Pikeville, KY WDHR / WPKE 93.1 FM / 103.1 FM Pineville, KY WRIL 106.3 FM Prestonsburg, KY WQHY / WDOC 95.5 FM / 1310 AM Providence, KY WWKY 104.9 FM Somerset, KY WSEK 93.9 FM / 910 AM Whitesburg, KY WXKQ / WTCW 103.9 FM / 920 AM Williamsburg, KY WEZJ / WEKX 104.3 FM / 102.7 FM UKHealthCare John Calipari Radio Show Monday, November 25, 2019 7-8 pm Monday, December 2, 2019 7-8 pm (All remaining shows are from 6-7) Monday, December 9, 2019 Monday, December 16, 2019 Monday, December 23, 2019 Monday, December 30, 2019 Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Monday, January 13, 2020 Monday, January 20, 2020 Monday, January 27, 2020 Monday, February 3, 2020 Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Monday, March 2, 2020 Monday, March 9, 2020 Monday, March 16, 2020 Monday, March 23, 2020 Monday, March 30, 20207-1 | C/F | Lebanon, Pa. | Lebanon SAM BOWIE 62 @KentuckyMBB RETIREDJER SEY SRETIREDJER SEY S 64 @KentuckyMBB 6-8 | F | Roberta, Ga. | Crawford County KENNY WALKERBlue and White The University of Kentucky adopted blue and white as its official colors in 1892. UK students had first decided on blue and light yellow before the Kentucky-Centre foot- ball game Dec. 19, 1891. The yellow was soon dropped from the combination and replaced by white. The particular Kentucky shade of blue, close to royal blue, was determined without ceremony. After settling on the base colors, a student posed the logical question, “What color blue?” Letterman Richard Stoll looked down at his necktie and raised it to the air. The vote was unanimous. Wildcats Nickname The official nickname for the University of Kentucky’s athletics teams is “Wildcats.” The nickname became synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road. Commandant Carbusier, then head of the military department at old State University (UK), told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Ken- tucky football team had “fought like wild- cats.” Later the name Wildcats became more and more popular among UK followers as well as with members of the media. As a re- sult, the nickname was adopted by the Uni- versity. UK Dance Team The University of Kentucky Dance Team helps generate excitement and enthusiasm at Wildcat athletics events. Under the tutelage of Dawn Duncan Walters and assistant coach Andrea Masters, the dance team includes both Blue and White squads. The team won its first national championship at the 2005 national competition sponsored by the Unit- ed Spirit Association. It backed that up with a second-place finish in 2006 and took home third at the 2007 championships. The 2010 squad placed fifth in the Pom Division at UDA 2010 Nationals. Fan-tastic! The Kentucky cheerleaders, band and dance team combine to entertain the nation’s largest and most loyal fan base in college bas- ketball. Sure, Ashley Judd, Tommy Lasorda, Muhammad Ali and Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson steal the attention, but those Big Blue stars are just a few of the Cat fans in at- tendance at UK games. It’s each and every one of the many Kentucky fans who deserve the credit for helping the Wildcats lead the na- tion in attendance 22 times since Rupp Arena opened in 1976-77, including 14 of the last 15 years. And the tremendous fan base is not limit- ed to just Lexington. Each year, Kentucky fans flock to Freedom Hall in Louisville, to fill the arena with more than 20,000 fans for an an- nual “home” game. The Southeastern Conference Tourna- ment? Well, it might as well be called the Kentucky Invitational. March Madness? Nearly the same result. The nation’s largest media contingent follows the Cats from start to finish simply because of the fans’ incessant appetite for information on their Wildcats. Trademark Swoosh Only the best wear Nike. Kentucky not only wears Nike, but is under an all-school contract with the athletic appar- el company. In 1997, UK signed the contract with the popular makers of the trademark swoosh. Thanks to Nike’s extensive research and product development, UK student - -athletes stay on the cutting edge of quality and style with all of their gear. All 22 sports use Nike shoes and equip- ment, and over the course of the contract, the Wildcats will receive millions of dollars worth of clothing, equipment and cash. The men’s basketball team has been recognized by the apparel company as a “Nike Elite” team. Kentucky Traditions 66 @KentuckyMBBKentucky Traditions @UKSportsNetwork 67 While clothing adorned with “Kentucky” was already popular throughout the nation, thanks to Nike and its international market- ing reach, Kentucky’s blue and white can now be found worldwide. Cawood’s Court Prior to the UK-Louisville game on Dec. 29, 2001, the court at Rupp Arena was named “Cawood’s Court” in honor of Cawood Led- ford, the beloved “Voice of the Wildcats” for 39 years (1953-92). Ledford passed away in Sep- tember 2001, after a long battle with cancer. The ceremonies included the unveiling of a logo courtside, not far from where Ledford called the action. Also included in the cere- mony were donations by two area business- es to the Cawood Ledford Scholarship Fund, established in 1992 to assist former student- athletes in obtaining their degrees. The Wildcat The Wildcat mascot originated during the 1976-77 academic year at UK. Gary Tanner was the original Wildcat, dancing and entertaining thousands of UK fans at Commonwealth Stadium and Rupp Arena during athletics events. A few years later, he was joined by an- other Cat — walking on stilts — who made his appearance during UK’s twin tower era of Melvin Turpin and Sam Bowie. Today, both the Wildcat and his sidekick, Scratch, attend each football and basketball game, several academic functions and gen- erally serve as friendly ambassadors for the University. Scratch Scratch joined the cheerleading squad in the mid ’90s in conjunction with the UK Kids’ Club, but today he has become almost as recognizable as the Wildcat. The lovable face of UK Athletics gar- nered national attention after being named to the 2003 Capital One Mascot All-Ameri- ca team, an honor he earned again in 2004. Senior Day Senior Day at Kentucky has become one of the most celebrated ceremonies in col- lege basketball. Honoring its senior class, UK’s event is one of the most elaborate and moving programs of its kind. The pregame ceremony begins with player introductions. Once they have all burst through banners bearing their likenesses, their families join them at center court. Then the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” is sung as the home crowd bids farewell. UK Cheerleaders Rooting on the Wildcats every game are the award-winning UK Cheerleaders. Under the direction of adviser T. Lynn Williamson and coach Jomo Thompson, the UK Cheerleaders have become the mod- el cheerleading squad in the nation. Since 1985, UK has earned the Universal Cheer Association national championship an im- pressive 18 times. The squad has been run- ner-up five times. UK Pep Band With more than 100 members, the Uni- versity of Kentucky pep band is one of the largest in the nation. Clad in its recognizable blue and white outfits, the pep band is directed by Scott-Lee Atchison. Performing at both home football and basketball games, the UK pep band has been named by Southern Living as one of the “top 10 bands in the South.”RUPP ARENA @UKSportsNetwork 69 Adolph Rupp was synonymous with win- ning. As coach of Kentucky, he was a pioneer in the Wildcats’ fast-break offense while becoming the winningest coach the game had ever seen. The site that now serves as a tribute to his outstanding coaching accomplishments – Rupp Arena – has become one of the most recognizable gym- nasiums in the world while serving as home to college basketball’s most storied program. Now in its 43rd season as the Kentucky Wildcats’ home court, the facility has seen UK win nearly 90 percent of its home games since it opened in 1976. Long considered the mecca of college basketball, Rupp Arena received a $16 mil- lion upgrade over the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons that has enhanced the fan experi- ence and once again made it one of the pre- mier venues in all of college basketball. The most notable updates include: n State-of-the-art Daktronics center-hung video board n 15mm ribbon boards n Replaced 16mm LED corner video boards with 6mm LED video boards to produce HD quality image n L Acoustic Line Array audio speaker system n Total sanding and repainting of the floor to reflect UK’s updated branding and logo n New basketball goals and new shot clocks n Added press box seating to the east side of the arena n Replaced LED scorer’s table with 6mm version and moved the old 10mm scorer’s table to the opposite side of the floor for radio broadcast seating n Replaced static ad panels in lower four corners of the arena with LED ad panels Additional renovations are in store for college basketball’s premier arena as a part of UK’s new leasing agreement with the Lexington Center. Chair-back seating in the upper-level sideline will be installed in sections 211- 217 and 228-234 through a project that will be completed for the 2019-20 season. New club areas to Rupp Arena will also be coming to Rupp Arena. Fans in these new clubs will be able to enjoy first-class ameni- ties before, during and after games. Club ar- eas will be available to season ticket holders starting with the 2020-21 season. After renovations, Rupp Arena will seat approximately 20,500. The top priority is ensuring that all current season ticket hold- ers will maintain seats in the newly reno- vated Rupp Arena and UK fully anticipates being able to do so. Following the 2012 season, the Wild- cats received a $3.1 million renovation to their locker room. Funded with private do- nations, the facility features the actual floor from the 2012 championship game. It has its own kitchen and dining area, as well as hot and cold tubs inlaid with the UK logo. There is also a recruiting room that is available to all 22 sports at the University of Kentucky. Since the fall of 1976, the arena in down- town Lexington has served as home to four national championship teams at Kentucky. Six others have advanced to the Final Four. Thirteen seasons have witnessed the Cats go unbeaten at home. It has played host to more than 600 UK games, more than 30 KHSAA Sweet Six- teens, a number of NBA exhibitions, 12 Men’s NCAA Tournaments, three Southeast- ern Conference Tournaments and two Ohio Valley Conference Tournaments. A new floor was installed in 2001. With so many unforgettable moments, the old floor still maintained a value to hoop fans across the Bluegrass and beyond. Therefore, officials made pieces of the relic available for public sale, with proceeds going to the UK Basketball Museum, the KHSAA and to help offset the costs of the new playing floor. Thanks to an auction of additional sec- tions, like coaching boxes and lettered end zones, the old floor generated more than $250,000. Midcourt of the old floor rests in the main entrance of the Lexington Center. When assembled, the court lies 118 feet below the ceiling and is made of a high-grade northern maple. The floor can be removed and an ice rink can be constructed for ice shows or hockey games thanks to a $2.5 mil- lion renovation during the summer of 1996. But the playing surface is just one aspect of the impressive home of the Cats. Situated in downtown Lexington, Rupp Arena has played host to several premier basketball events. In March of 1985, all roads led to Lexington for the NCAA Final Four as Villanova shocked Georgetown in a memorable finale. In 1986, Rupp played host to both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Women’s Final Four. On numerous other occasions, the arena has served as one stop en route to the NCAA title game. Starting in 2016, Rupp Arena hosted three straight NCAA women’s regional rounds. An awesome structure in sight and scope, the arena is divided into two seating areas. The lower level features 10,000 cushioned theater seats. The upper level has 13,000 seats on epoxy-coated metal bleachers. The latter can be visually isolated to provide more natural setting for small shows. Built by the city of Lexington, the are- na is the major portion of the $53 million Lexington Center complex, which includes an expanded convention-exhibition hall, a 50-store tri-level enclosed shopping mall and a Hyatt Regency Hotel. In January 2001, the Wildcats began utilizing a new lights-out introduction, fea- turing a video presentation and indoor fire- works. Rupp Arena Facts Capacity: 20,500 UK’s record: 594-69 (.896) Most Wins in a Season: 19 (2014-15) Longest Winning Streak: 54 (11/13/09 to 12/1/12) Packed to the Rafters • Kentucky has led the nation in average home attendance in 20 of the last 24 seasons • Since Rupp Arena opened for the 1976-77 season, UK has ranked either first or sec- ond in average attendance every season • The Wildcats average home attendance during the 2018-19 season with an aver- age of 21,695 fans • UK has averaged more than 23,000 fans per game in seven of John Calipari’s nine seasons at Kentucky Next >