Sports

LILLEY NAMED SEC FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Madison Lilley is the first-ever volleyball player to win the Roy F. Kramer SEC Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Kentucky Volleyball setter Madison Lilley ’21 was named the 2020-2021 Roy F. Kramer Southeastern Conference Female Athlete of the Year. She is the first-ever volleyball player to win the award in the history of the SEC. Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama, was named the male winner of the award. “We are proud to honor DeVonta and Madison, who not only excelled in the SEC but were also recognized as the best in their sport across the country. They are the ultimate examples of what it means to be a student-athlete in the Southeastern Conference,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. “DeVonta and Madison both were members of national championship teams and recipients of their sport’s national player of the year award. Each has competed at the highest level of collegiate athletics, benefitted from the world-class support provided by their universities and, through their hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence, have reached the pinnacle of collegiate athletic success. Congratulations to DeVonta and Madison and thank you for being part of the SEC.” Lilley becomes just the second female student-athlete from Kentucky to win the award, joining Jenny Hansen in 1995. She is the eighth athlete from UK to win the award (AJ Reed, 2014; Anthony Davis, 2012; Tim Couch, 1999; Jenny Hansen, 1995; Jamal Mashburn, 1993; Kyle Macy, 1980; Jack Givens, 1978). Lilley, who was named the SEC Player of the Year this season, in addition to winning AVCA National Player of the Year honors and capturing the 2020-2021 Honda Award for volleyball. She was one of the key pieces to Kentucky’s first NCAA national championship win over Texas, logging 53 assists and a career-high 19 digs in the title match. “Given the number of incredible athletes in our league, to be elected SEC Female Athlete of the Year is an elite honor,” UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart said. “What made Madison so special is that she is worthy of being chosen from both an individual and a team perspective. Individually, her record-setting performance on the court speaks for itself. In addition, the way she led her team — with unyielding commitment to make her teammates their very best and her indomitable will to win — makes her deserving of this distinction.” Lilley was one of four finalists for the 2021 ESPY Award in the category of Female College Athlete of the Year. “I’m proud of what Madison has achieved as an athlete. It’s truly incredible what she’s accomplished,” UK head coach Craig Skinner said. “What I’m even more proud of is her vision that she set forth for herself and the team. She set out a path to win a national championship and she followed through with it like the champion she is.” Exceptional in the classroom, as well, Lilley graduated from Kentucky in the spring with a degree in Integrated Strategic Communications. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team and is a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American. ■

KENTUCKY FOOTBALL: WILDCATS

LOOK TO RELOAD By Hal Morris

Kentucky Football is now at a point where coach Mark Stoops isn’t ready to rebuild, he’s ready to reload.

With two preseason All-American candidates back on the offensive side of the ball and a defense with plenty of returners, Kentucky has no signs of looking back.

Stoops, the first coach in UK history to lead the program to five straight bowl games, leads the Wildcats coming off a 5-6 season playing 10 Southeastern Conference Games. Kentucky capped the season with a 23-21 win over N.C. State in the Belk Bowl, making Stoops just the second coach — along with Rich Brooks — to guide UK to three straight bowl victories.

“I’m as excited this year, as excited to get going right now as I was in year one. I feel really good about this team. I love our coaching staff. I feel like we’re in a really good place,” Stoops said. “I was very pleased coming out of spring. I felt like we progressed probably better than I anticipated. The players have worked exceptionally hard this summer to continue to build on that. Defensively, we have a big nucleus of our guys back. We have some guys that have played a lot of football.”

Kentucky must replace six NFL Draft picks, but return plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. UK returns 14 starters (6 offense, 5 defense, 3 special teams).

Anchoring UK’s offensive line, aka the Big Blue Wall, is 6-5, 338-pound senior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard. He has earned numerous preseason honors, including being named to the Outland Trophy Watch List which goes to the top interior lineman in college football. Kinnard, who has started 26 consecutive games, has been named a first-team All-American by Athlon Sports, Walter Camp, Pro Football Focus and was a second-team pick from Phil Steele. He has also been named first-team All-SEC by numerous publications.

He will be helping to open holes for junior running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. The 5-11, 224-pounder ran for 785 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine games last season. He has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell Award (best player in college football) and Doak Walker Award (top running back). Rodriguez was named a preseason second-team All-Southeastern Conference by Athlon Sports, third-team All-SEC by Phil Steele and a preseason honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Focus.

Kentucky also returns senior lineman Luke Fortner and junior Kenneth Horsey, and added LSU transfer Dare Rosenthal. Junior Kavosiey Smoke (229 yards, 1 TD) will back up Rodriguez.

The biggest offensive question mark is at quarterback. Returners Joey Gatewood and Beau Allen, who combined to throw for just 149 yards and no touchdowns in limited action last year, will be battling with Penn State transfer Will Levis for the starting nod.

Josh Ali is the top returning receiver with 54 catches for 473 yards and a touchdown. Tight ends Justin Rigg (12 catches, 145 yards, TD) and receiver Demarcus Harris (14 catches, 87 yards) also return. Nebraska transfer Wan’Dale Robinson is also expected to contribute to the passing game.

The Wildcats again return a strong defense.

Senior safety Yusuf Corker, who has been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy 2021 Watch List, has 24 straight starts He was second on the team in tackles (77) with 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Linebackers DeAndre Square (60 tackles), defensive back Tyrell Ajian (48 tackles), linebacker Jordan Wright (45 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and defensive end Josh Paschal (32 tackles) also return.

Kicker Matt Ruffolo, who went 12 of 14 on field goals and 22 of 23 on extra points in 2020, leads the special teams.

“I feel good about where we’re at,” Stoops said. “We have a very good team. We’re constantly learning, we’re constantly growing and we’re getting better.” ■

Senior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard, also known as the Big Blue Wall, has started in 26 consecutive games for the Wildcats.

Sports BIG BLUE NATION DOMINATES AT TOKYO OLYMPICS

As the eyes of the world turned to Tokyo for the delayed 2020 Olympics, UK fans may have recognized many students, alumni and staff competing in The Games. A school-record 22 athletes with University of Kentucky connections competed in Japan bringing home 12 medals, including eight gold medals.

UK alumna Sydney McLaughlin led the way with two gold medals. She broke her own world record winning gold in the 400-meter hurdles. Her time of 51.47 seconds bested her mark of 51.9 set at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. She also ran the first leg of the U.S.’s winning 4x400-meter relay squad (3:16.85). McLaughlin is now the only Wildcat to win two gold medals in the same Olympics and second to win two medals in the same Olympics.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn ’19 edged fellow alumna Keni Harrison ’15 to win gold in the 100-meter hurdles. She set an Olympic record of 12.26 seconds in the semifinals and posted a winning time of 12.37 seconds in the final, clipping Harrison (12.52). Javianne Oliver ’18 ran the lead leg of the silver-winning 4x100-meter relay team (41.45).

UK Rifle team member Will Shaner became the first American to win gold in men’s air rifle 10-meter with an Olympic-record score of 251.6. UK teammate Mary Tucker took home a silver medal as she teamed with Lucas Kozeniesky in the mixed air rifle competition. The duo lost to China in the final 17-13.

Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo and Keldon Johnson were part of USA Basketball’s gold-medal winning squad. The U.S. beat France 87-82 in the gold medal game.

U.S. fencers Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt are married and students in the UK College of Medicine. Kiefer won gold becoming the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in individual foil while Meinhardt won his second bronze medal as part of Team USA in the men’s team foil competition.

In addition to the 11 Olympic medalists, 11 other UK students, alumni and staff competed in Japan. The other Wildcats making Big Blue Nation proud in Tokyo were: • Incoming freshman and UK softball player Alexia Lacatena played softball for Italy • UK track and field’s Megan Moss, a human health sciences junior, ran for the Bahamas • Graduate student and UK track and field runner Dwight St. Hillaire ran for Trinidad and Tobago • Devynne Charlton, a volunteer assistant coach for UK’s track and field team, ran hurdles for the Bahamas • Alumnus Daniel Roberts ran hurdles for Team USA • Brittany Cervantes ’12 ’20, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in kinesiology and health promotion, played softball for Mexico • Marketing graduate Ali Galyer ’20 swam for New Zealand • Alumnus Henrik Larsen shot in the men’s 50-meter smallbore for Norway • English graduate Leah Nugent ’15 ran hurdles for Jamaica • Kinesiology graduate Jennifer O’Neill ’15 played basketball for Puerto Rico • Financing and accounting graduate Peter Wetzlar ’20 swam for Zimbabwe ■

A Big Blue Thanks Thank you to all of our new Life Members!

Life Members are among our most loyal alumni and friends. We salute your commitment to strengthening UK’s alumni community and honor your dedication to the university’s past and future.

Haviland Argo Robert Bathalter Michael Belman Brad Billingsley Susan Blum Dean Brothers Stephanie Broughton William Burnett Michael Carlton James Casalino Larry Corea Tamara Cress Marsha Cummins Michelle Curry Benjamin Dawson Dustin Donaldson Gwen Donaldson David Drummond Joshua Duddey Whitney Duddey Kevin Duffy Kathleen Elberson Thomas Embry John Farmer David Fisse Mark Floro Leslie Forsythe Eric Friedman Stephanie Godsea Gabriel Gooch Johanna Gordon David Griffin Jane Hale Anne Marie Hoopes James Horn David Hovekamp Janet Hovekamp Michael Howard William Hunt Lloyd Jones J. Judy Tracy Koleber Dirschl Lacy Jesse Lanham Melissa Lippert James Littrell Brian Mayfield Laurie McCausland Mark McCaw Melissa McGlothen Michael Mercer Chuck Mullins Dana Muse Nanette Neal Amanda Nierzwicki Anne Noss Charles Noss Holly O’Connor Koji Otani Lindsay Penn Maria Pepitone Donna Pfaff Ronnie Pfaff Bryce Pierce Jorge Pierce Joshua Profitt Mark Ripato Keely Rock Samuel Rock Elizabeth Romans John Rowlett Thomas Scott Clyde Simmons Nicholas Skerczak Sharon Smith Linda Speed McArthur Stidom Zachery Stillwell Sanna Stone Lauren Sutherland Sandra Thomas Diane Wallace Courtney Weekley Matthew Weekley Kelly Welsh Cecilia Wertheimer Meredith White Anthony Whitley Jacob Williams Pete Williams Ray Wolf Chad Young Karen Young

You can help make Big Blue Nation stronger than ever! Become a Life Member today! www.ukalumni.net/membership or call 800-269-ALUM (2586)

The Chicagoland UK Alumni Club Student Send-Off at DuPage River Park in Naperville, Illinois. The Northeast Ohio UK Alumni Club Student Send-Off at the home of Fran Stewart ‘87 Cl in Solon, Ohio.

The Greater Ashland UK Alumni Club Student Send-Off at The Winchester in Ashland

The Christian County UK Alumni Club Student SendOff at Planters Bank Latham Building in Hopkinsville. The Greater Dayton UK Alumni Club Student Send-Off at Marion’s Piazza in Dayton, Ohio.

The Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati UK Alumni Club Student Send-Off at UC Health Stadium, home of the Florence Y’alls baseball team, in Florence.

Photos submitted

When asking an individual why they decided to become a dentist, it’s common to hear about an experience they encountered. It may be a sports injury that impacted their smile, having a wonderful experience with a dental provider, or seeing the impact that rampant tooth decay can have on people. But, in Dr. Zindell Richardson’s case, it was an awful dental experience that encouraged his career choice.

One horrible toothache and unfortunate tooth extraction encounter in high school was all Richardson needed to help narrow his career options. Interested in doing something in the medical field, he set his sight on becoming a dentist who would focus on providing patients the best experience and care possible.

Speaking of his dental extraction, he shared, “I walked out of the dental office that day and decided it doesn’t have to be like this. I’m going to do dentistry. I’m going to come home, set up a practice, and make sure others don’t experience this.”

The admissions process for dental school is competitive. Richardson hoped he would be able to remain in Kentucky but chose to apply to five institutions. Deciding he would attend the first college to contact him, he was pleased to hear from the University of Kentucky.

Following his UK College of Dentistry graduation in 1983, Richardson practiced general dentistry in Kentucky for nearly 20 years before joining the United States Air Force in 2000. While in the Air Force, he completed various post-doctorate training courses to hone his clinical skills, advanced through assignments to grow in military seniority, and was recognized with several awards and decorations.

Originally from Campbellsville, Kentucky, Richardson shares, “The move from private practice to the military was huge. I’m someone who had hardly left Kentucky.” Military life led him to relocate to various states as well as overseas with his family.

“The biggest challenge for me overall was finding out I wasn’t in control. I’m not the boss. You got a voice, but you aren’t the final decision. After owning my own practice and making all the shots, this was a huge adjustment,” he shares.

As his last military assignment, Richardson served as Commander of the 59th Dental Training Squadron, the largest squadron in the Air Force Dental Service, composed of six dental residencies, two fellowships, an oral hygiene program, multiple locations, and over 500 individuals.

Fast forward from 1983 to mid-2020, Richardson found himself returning to UK, but this time to lend a hand in educating future dentists by serving as chair of the Department of Oral Health Science at the College of Dentistry.

Crediting the Air Force for helping prepare him for his role as chair, he says, “After being in command and learning what your role is as a leader, it shaped me and changed me. I bring the same methodology and expectations to my division chiefs as I did to my flight commanders. If any of my divisions can’t tell you my three expectations, then I have failed.”

“My expectations are very simple. Number one, take care of your family. Number two, take care of your coworkers. Number three, take care of yourself. That’s it,” he adds. “You wouldn’t be in these leadership roles if you weren’t adept and knowledgeable enough to do it. So, my role is to give the college’s division chiefs the tools they need to do their job, get out of their way, and let them surprise me with their results,” he says.

Since Richardson was a dental student at UK, class sizes have mainly remained the same, offering students a personalized learning experience. However, he feels today’s students have much more information to absorb, retain, and demonstrate.

“I say this wholeheartedly. I’m glad I’m teaching and observing versus going through it again. The deluge of information our students are given and that they have to turn around and understand, it’s not just taking a test and dumping it. Students of today are much more technologically capable, and we want them to be,” he says.

Richardson is reminded of coaching little league when he thinks about dental students. “I’ve had the opportunity to coach teams from every facet and to see how they progress within a summer. I would hit a ball to the outfield and tell them all to hold their position except for two specific people, only for every one of the kids to take off for the ball. At the end of the season, they are turning double plays.” He explains the same is valid with dentals students; it just takes time for them to master the variety of skills, tools, and procedures introduced throughout the college’s curriculum.

Speaking about this learning journey, he shares, “I want people to understand my philosophy in teaching and bringing students along. Everybody is going to get there. It may take some a little longer. Not all flowers bloom at the same time. Our role is to nurture them and watch them blossom, seeing the beautiful practitioner that they can become.”

Talking about students brings Richardson to mention the class of 2024, the incoming class when he returned to the college as chair. “They are some of the most resilient, fun-loving, respectful group of students I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. They honored me when they asked me to introduce them at the white coat ceremony.”

He has heard them described as the “historic class,” having started dental school during the pandemic. While others believe they have weathered the storm, Richardson sees them more as being the storm as they have “powered right through” the challenges before them.

When asked about his remaining goals, Richardson shares that he is pleased working at his alma mater. “If I’m going to work, I going to work here. I truly do want to see us stretch the success that this institution has already achieved. I just want to be a part of the team and contribute. When I feel like I’m not contributing, it’s time for me to leave.”

His short-range goal is to make sure he sees “his” class of 2024 complete dental school. Long-term, Richardson plans on relaxing during retirement and enjoying his hobby of fishing in Florida, although his wife doesn’t believe he will enjoy “sitting down.” Known as someone to keep themselves busy, the College of Dentistry will hopefully have Richardson around to help many future classes of dental students bloom into the best clinicians possible. ■