“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dirt and sweat and blood: who knows the great enthusiasms, and spends himself in a worthy cause .... so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
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One Common Goal UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
UK ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(as of July 1, 2010)
(as of July 1, 2010)
Edward Britt Brockman Sheila Brothers Penelope A. Brown Jo Hern Curris Dermontti F. Dawson William Stamps Farish, Jr. Oliver Keith Gannon Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton Pamela T. May Everett McCorvey
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
Billy Joe Miles Terry Mobley Sandy Bugie Patterson Joe Peek Erwin Roberts Charles R. Sachatello C. Frank Shoop Ryan M. Smith James W. Stuckert Barbara Young
Jack Brown Frank Butler Dermontti F. Dawson Luther Deaton Joe Fink Tom Hammond Scott Kelley Kathi Kern Robert Mock S.T. Roach
Frank Shoop Kumble Subbaswamy Lee T. Todd, Jr. Bruce Walcott Lionell Williamson
The 2010 University of Kentucky Athletics Annual Report is published by the UK Athletics Department, Mitch Barnhart, Director. This publication was written and edited by Eric Lindsey, Craig Hornberger and the UK Athletics Media Relations Staff. Design by Craig Hornberger. Principal photography by David Coyle and Team Coyle. Printing by Welch Printing. UK Athletics Department Joe Craft Center • 338 Lexington Avenue Lexington, KY 40506-0604 UKathletics.com
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
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Table of Contents
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INTRODUCTION 1 Common Goal
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COMPETITION 8 58 Wins Over Ranked Opponents
FOOTBALL 4 Consecutive Bowl Games
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 28-win Season
VOLLEYBALL 5 Straight NCAA Appearances
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EIGHT-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE 8 Years of Historic Progress
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COMMUNITY SERVICE 22 2,037 Hours of Community Service
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SOFTBALL 18 30 Wins in Back-to-Back Seasons
MARKETING 24 7 Teams in Top 25 in Attendance
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PREPARATION 20 90 Miles a Week Training Runs
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 100 Percent Self-supported
MEN’S BASKETBALL 2,000 All-Time Wins
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512 REASONS TO CHEER
Capturing our Collective Imaginations Bowl games, conference and national championships, and deep runs into the NCAA Tournament in numerous sports were the norm rather than the exception in 2009-10. Fittingly, UK’s athletic year officially ended at the men’s and women’s track and field national championships where senior Rondel Sorrillo won an NCAA championship in the 200-meter dash.
“I’ve never seen many championship teams that weren’t built off givers. That’s how you win. That’s where leadership comes from, that’s where humility comes from, and eventually from the love of a team, that’s where it’s built from.” Mitch Barnhart, UK Director of Athletics
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one common goal Numbers are an inextricable part of sports, with success often measured by batting average, lap times on the track or in the pool, field-goal percentage, rushing yards per game and, of course, wins. Numbers were especially meaningful to fans of Kentucky Athletics in 2009-10 as the men’s basketball team became the first program in NCAA history to reach 2,000 wins en route to becoming a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Women’s basketball posted the most overall (28) and Southeastern Conference (11) wins in school history, football made an unprecedented fourth straight bowl appearance and volleyball made its fifth consecutive NCAA appearance. Overall, individuals or teams representing 16 UK sports advanced to postseason play in 2009-10. What the UK Athletics Department values above all else, however, is its student-athletes –all 512 to be exact. Collectively, they provide the strength, speed, agility, intelligence athletic talent and competitive spirit that fuels Kentucky’s 22 varsity teams. Individually, they strive to balance classwork, social life and practice times, volunteer in the community, compete for starting positions or contribute as reserves, earn undergraduate and post-
graduate degrees, overcome personal doubts, fears, injuries, push themselves to new limits, form lasting relationships with coaches and teammates, suffer failure, and revel in success. Each one is in some way accountable for the success of the whole. They are the human element behind the numbers. The faces ... the smiles ... the sweat ... the tears. They are the reason fans cheer. The one common goal of the UK Athletics Department, then, is to support each one of its 512 student-athletes in a unique and lasting way, ensuring they are all given equal and ample opportunity to excel athletically and academically. From coaching instruction and overall game preparation to facilities and equipment to academic advising, our singular mission is to help prepare our student-athletes to be exemplary citizens — well beyond their time at UK. As you flip through the following pages, we hope you’ll appreciate some of the impressive numbers our student-athletes posted over the past athletic and academic year. At the same time, don’t forget to celebrate the individuals — all 512 of them — who are responsible for those numbers.
UK’s 2009-10 athletic year featured many compelling storylines, including the football team’s drive to a historic fourth consecutive bowl game, Elite Eight finishes by both the men’s and women’s basketball teams, a school-record fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance by volleyball, the men’s tennis team’s unprecedented 16th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 17 years, and an individual national championship by Rondel Sorrillo (at bottom, facing page) in the 200-meter dash.
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consecutive bowl games
The catalyst for Kentucky’s amazing resurgence in football, Rich Brooks led the Wildcats to four consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history. Brooks, who retired at the end of the 2009 season, steered the Wildcats to three bowl victories and a historic upset over No. 1 LSU in 2007 during his seven-year tenure at UK.
What was Rich Brooks thinking? When he took over the Kentucky football program in December 2002, he had a wild vision that an annual cellar dweller could rise among the best teams in the nation’s best conference and become a yearly contender. He thought, with the right patience, people and conviction, that UK, long an afterthought in the Southeastern Conference, could not only go to bowl games but win them. That notion doesn’t seem so crazy now. Under the steady guidance of Brooks, Kentucky has gone to four straight bowl games, three in the Music City Bowl and one in the Liberty Bowl. No other coach in school history – not the beloved Jerry Claiborne or the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant – can boast that feat at UK. Despite devastating injuries to key stars like starting quarterback Mike Hartline and All-American cornerback Trevard Lindley, the Wildcats made the annual trip to postseason play again in 2009. It was not always pretty or easy – Kentucky faced No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Alabama in consecutive weeks, the highest ranked back-to-back opponents in school history – but UK made a second-half charge, winning five of seven games with a true freshman quarterback, Morgan Newton, to clinch bowl eligibility. Kentucky’s formula for success was a formidable run game. Workhorses Derrick Locke and Randall Cobb led the effort, as each ranked in the top 35 nationally in all-purpose yards. Kentucky ran for 191.23 yards per game, 21st in the nation.
One of Brooks’ priorities for the 2009 season was to climb the ladder in the SEC. Kentucky did exactly that with historic victories at Georgia and Auburn. The victory at Georgia was the program’s first in Athens, Ga., in 32 years, and the win over Auburn was the first since 1966. Kentucky’s string of three straight bowl wins ended with a heartbreaking loss to Clemson in the Music City Bowl, but it did nothing to tarnish a legendary run by Brooks. At the conclusion of the season, he announced his retirement, ending a successful seven-year reign at UK. The end of an era would seem to indicate a time of transition, but Brooks left the program in good hands when he decided to step down. With a succession plan rooted in place for two years, Joker Phillips, a former player, assistant and offensive coordinator, took the reins. “(I’m) just passing the torch,” a proud but humble Brooks said. The torch of winning – and the torch of bowl games – has been rightfully passed on to Phillips. “Moving forward, I’m making a call to service to all those involved in this program directly and indirectly,” Phillips said at his introductory news conference in January. “We will begin what I’m calling ‘Operation Win.’ This means continuing to strive for excellence in every possible area of Kentucky football. This is not about Joker Phillips. This is about ‘we.’ There are many parts to a successful program and my job is to evaluate how we can turn it up a notch.”
“Moving forward, I’m making a call to service to all those involved in this program directly and indirectly. We will begin what I’m calling ‘Operation Win.’ This means continuing to strive for excellence in every possible area of Kentucky Football.” Joker Phillips, head football coach
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Three Times as Sweet Not only did the Wildcats make their fourth consecutive bowl appearance in 2009, but they also hoisted the Governor’s Cup Trophy for the third year in a row after defeating in-state rival Louisville, 31-27, last September at Commonwealth Stadium. The Governor’s Cup is presented to the winner of the UK-Louisville football game in an annual battle for state bragging rights between the two schools.
Governor’s Cups 2009 Football Highlights Played in the 2009 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl; 2009 Governor’s Cup Champion Final Record: 7-6, 3-5 (t-4th) Individual honors (player listed under highest honor achieved for All-America, All-SEC honors) Second-team Freshman All-America – 1 (Taylor Wyndham); First-team All-SEC – 3 (Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke, Corey Peters); Second-team All-SEC – 5 (Zipp Duncan, Jorge Gonzalez, Micah Johnson, Trevard Lindley, Sam Maxwell); Third-team All-SEC – 1 (Stuart Hines); Fourth-team All-SEC – 2 (DeQuin Evans, Ryan Tydlacka); National Player of the Week (punt returner, kickoff returner, defensive lineman, kickoff specialist, punter) – 5 (Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke, Craig McIntosh, Corey Peters, Ryan Tydlacka); SEC Player of the Week (offense, defense, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, special teams or freshman) – 7 (Jorge Gonzalez, Micah Johnson, Trevard Lindley, Derrick Locke, Sam Maxwell, Morgan Newton, Corey Peters); SEC All-Freshman Team – 2 (Morgan Newton, Larry Warford); SEC Coach of the Year – Rich Brooks; SEC Good Works Team – 1 (Alfonso Smith); 18 players on SEC Academic Honor Roll
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1,493
average attendance
Crowd Favorites Hand in hand with the recent success of UK volleyball has come increased fan support at Wildcat home games in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky’s average home attendance of 1,493 in 2009 set a school record and was a key factor in helping UK secure a bid to host the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row.
2009 Volleyball Highlights Second in SEC; NCAA Sweet 16 Final Record: 29-5 (17-3 SEC) Final Ranking: 12th Individual Honors: AVCA All-America Second Team – 1 (Sarah Rumely); AVCA All-America Honorable Mention -2 (Sarah Mendoza, BriAnne Sauer); NCAA All-Tournament Team – 1 (Lauren Rapp); All-SEC – 4 (Sarah Rumely, Sarah Mendoza, BriAnne Sauer, Lauren Rapp); All-SEC Freshman Team – 1 (Stephanie Klefot); CoSIDA Academic Third Team – 1 (Sarah Rumely); CoSida Academic All-District – 5 (Lauren Rapp, Sarah Rumely, BriAnne Sauer, Laura Stokowski, Gretchen Giesler); Academic All-SEC – 8 (Ann Armes, Brooke Bartek, Gretchen Giesler, Becky Pavan, Lauren Rapp, Sarah Rumely, BriAnne Sauer, Laura Stokowski)
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consecutive NCAA appearances
Attending NCAA Tournament news conferences, posting monumental wins in front of big home crowds, and regularly competing for national and Southeastern Conference championships have all become regular occurrences for the Kentucky volleyball program under head coach Craig Skinner.
When Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart called for department-wide success in his announcement of last year’s 15 by 15 by 15 Plan – striving for 15 national or league championships and a top 15 ranking in the Directors’ Cup by the year 2015 – he may have had an eye towards the Kentucky volleyball team as if to say, “This is what we want.” For the department to achieve its lofty mandate, it will take a 22team effort. The volleyball program, however, might be the blueprint for how to get it done – a model of consistency that started from the ground and built its way up. It began with an NCAA Tournament berth in 2005, the first postseason appearance since 1993, and has blossomed from there. By 2007, UK had made a school-record three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and the streak continued in 2009 with the team’s fifth straight trip. The key to the run has been progress. When the team made the postseason the first couple of years, it was searching for respect. Somewhere in the middle it became about advancing. And now, with the student-athletes in place, one of the hottest coaches in the nation at the helm and the taste of success, the expectations have shifted to conference and national championships. And that’s what the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan is all about. “We still haven't won a conference championship,” head coach Craig Skinner said. “I think we put ourselves in a position where that's an expectation to compete for. The goal is to compete to go to Final Fours and compete for a national championship. I think our team needs to see itself as one of the elite programs in the country.”
It’s on the verge of becoming one of those elite teams after a historic 2009 season. Behind a school-record three All-Americans (former Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Sarah Rumely, Sarah Mendoza and BriAnne Sauer), UK won the SEC East and came within just a single game of the school’s first league championship since 1988. It marked the first time since 1990 that a school other than Florida won the SEC East championship. The Cats continued their progress with one of the nation’s most potent offenses. UK led the SEC in assists (13.63) and kills (14.74) while also ranking in the top four in hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, blocks and digs. If there was one ceiling UK had yet to burst through under Skinner, it was making it past the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Kentucky did so in 2009 with monumental victories over Michigan State and Oregon. The breakthrough should have came as no surprise, as every year UK has increased its win total under Skinner, going from 17 victories in Skinner’s first year to 19, 22, 26 and 29 in the successive years. It’s that type of mobility that will make the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan a success. What will the next step be for volleyball in 2010? Knowing the trend of this program, it’s destined for even bigger things.
“The goal is to compete to go to Final Fours and compete for a national championship. I think our team needs to see itself as one of the elite programs in the country.” Craig Skinner, head volleyball coach
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58
wins over ranked opponents
The rifle team doesn’t have any wins over ranked opponents because the sport does not have an official rankings system, but the Cats did post wins over traditional powers Army and Nebraska in 2009-10 in addition to the program’s fourth consecutive top-five finish at the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
There is truth to the notion that every game counts the same, but some wins are bigger than others. Aside from the number in the win column and the momentum earned in the season, wins over ranked opponents generate national respect, exposure to media and prospective student-athletes, and pave the way for postseason play. Usually when the opportunity arises, UK sports are known for making a huge splash. This year alone, Kentucky had amassed 58 wins against ranked opponents, ranging from every sport from women’s tennis to men’s soccer. The men’s tennis team became synonymous for impressive wins during the 2009-10 year. En route to a season-long top-15 ranking, the Cats ran over five top-16 opponents, including the likes of perennial powers Illinois and Ole Miss.
UK rode the momentum throughout the year to advance to the program’s 16th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 17 years. In the process, the Cats defeated yet another ranked opponent – No. 24 Georgia Tech in the second round – before falling to the eventual national champion, USC. Overall, the Wildcats posted a school-record 25 wins and finished with a No. 12 national ranking. The baseball team had a penchant for upsetting some of the game’s best teams this year. In addition to out-of-conference triumphs over No. 7 Louisville and No. 12 Coastal Carolina, UK racked up ranked wins over Southeastearn Conference rivals Alabama, Arkansas and Florida. The most impressive stretch came late in the season in consecutive weekends as the Cats captured two victories over No. 4 South Carolina and a series sweep of No. 20 and defending national champion LSU.
But the most important and quite possibly one of the most significant in the last decade came against No. 2 Virginia on Feb. 6.
Some wins vault you among the elite. Others are the beginning of something special.
Annually ranked in or near the top five, Virginia came into the match riding a 63-match regular-season winning streak. The Cavaliers, which hadn’t lost a match outside of postseason play in two years, had won three consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament titles while winning the last three National Indoor Championships.
In that respect, the UK gymnastics team is hoping its victory over No. 15 LSU at the Lady Luck Invitational in Las Vegas on Jan. 15 is the start of something special. Although Kentucky is still trying to find consistency in the SEC, the 195.525-195.350 win gave UK a starting point as it marked the program’s first victory over LSU in 31 tries (since 1996).
Kentucky, apparently, didn’t care. The Cats pulled off the mammoth upset, 4-3, by defeating two top-30 singles players and a pair of top-20 doubles teams. The biggest win came at No. 2 singles where Alex Musialek took down No. 3 Michael Shabaz in straight sets.
Whether it was men’s soccer’s win over No. 19 Illinois-Chicago, women’s soccer stunner over No. 13 LSU or softball’s four wins over top-10 opponents, Kentucky has made one thing abundantly clear: the program knows how to win big games.
“To take two out of three against the No. 4 team in the country (South Carolina) and sweep defending national champion LSU is an indication of what our team is capable of doing and just how good we can be.” Gary Henderson, head baseball coach
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singles victories
Kentucky Pioneer On top of UK’s team success on the court, sophomore Eric Quigley, a Peewee Valley, Ky., native, charted unprecedented individual success by becoming the youngest player in program history to earn All-America honors in both singles and doubles play in the same season. Quigley advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Singles Championships and teamed up with Brad Cox to reach the quarterfinals of the NCAA Doubles Championships. Quigley finished at No. 10 in the national singles rankings.
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Gaining Respect in a Hurry Hardly on anyone’s radar in the preseason, the 2010 UK Hoops team quickly caught the rapt attention of Wildcat fans and foes alike on its way to rolling up a school-record 28 wins, reaching the finals of the SEC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Regional finals.
2009-10 Women’s Basketball Highlights SEC Tournament (Finals); NCAA Tournament (Elite Eight) Final Record: 28-8, 11-5 SEC Final Ranking: TBA (AP) / No. 9 (USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll) Individual Honors: All-America – 1 (Victoria Dunlap); SEC Player of the Year – Victoria Dunlap; SEC Coach of the Year – Matthew Mitchell; WBCA Region 3 Coach of the Year – Matthew Mitchell; All-SEC – 2 (Victoria Dunlap, A’dia Mathies); SEC Freshman of the Year – A’dia Mathies; Freshman All-SEC – 1 (A’dia Mathies); SEC All-Tournament Team – 2 (Victoria Dunlap, A’dia Mathies); SEC All-Defensive – 1 (Victoria Dunlap); Kansas City Regional All-Tournament Team – 1 (Victoria Dunlap)
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2,000 2000
all-time wins
UK’s vaunted men’s basketball program became the first in NCAA history to reach 2,000 all-time wins during the 2009-10 season. The Wildcats posted that historic victory en route to a memorable 35-3 season that included SEC regular season and tournament titles and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance. At right, ESPN’s Hubert Davis does his rendition of the John Wall Dance. Below, far right, UK head coach John Calipari and Patrick Patterson speak to WKYT-TV’s Dave Baker during the “Hoops for Haiti” telethon.
Even Evenby byKentucky Kentuckystandards, standards,the the2010 2010men’s men’s basketball basketball season season was filled was with filledenormous with enormous fanfarefanfare and off-the-chart and off-the-chart expecatations. expecatations. The exciteThe ment commotion started began well before well before the firstthe practice first practice at the Joe at the Craft Joe Center Craft or Center the first or the regular first season regular game seasonatgame Rupp at Arena. RuppItArena. began ItApril began 1, 2009, in April to be exact, 2009,with to betheexact, hiringwith of John the hiring Calipari. of John Calipari. The Theexcitement excitementsteadily steadilyand andrapidly rapidlyincreased increased asas Calipari’s Calipari’s firstfirst edition editionofofWildcats Wildcatstook tookthe thecourt, court,thrilling thrilling fans fans and and transforming transforming skeptics skepinto ticsbelievers into believers with its with youthful its youthful talent,talent, up-tempo up-tempo attacking attacking style ofstyle playof and playunyielding and unyielding desiredesire to win.to win. The Theseason seasonofficially officiallyended endedalmost almost1212months months later later in in thethe finals finals of of the NCAA the NCAA East East Regional Regional in Syracuse, in Syracuse, N.Y. For N.Y.allFor those all those associated associated with the Big withBlue the Nation, Big Bluemost Nation, notably most thenotably coaches theand coaches players, and theplayers, seasonthe ended season prematurely ended prematurely ... leaving...theleaving Wildcats theachingly Wildcatsclose achingly to a 14th closeFinal to a Four 14thappearance Final Four appearance and eighth national and eighth championship national championship banner. banner. Lost, Lost,briefly, briefly,ininthe theimmediate immediatesadness sadnessof ofthat that moment moment was was oneone feelfeel good, good,savor-this-forever, savor-this-forever,euphoric euphoricmoment momentafter after another another that that captured captured what whatthe the2010 2010season seasonwas wastruly trulyabout. about.
44
SEC titles
Returning to Championship Form One year after barely missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 19 years, the 2010 Wildcats — under new head coach and eventual National Coach of the Year John Calipari — returned to the “Big Dance” with a vengeance. As the No. 1 seed of the East Regional, UK won its first three games by an average of 25 points before falling to West Virginia in the regional finals. Kentucky, behind the play of first-team All-Americans John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, entered the NCAA Tourney as SEC regular season and tournament champions.
2009-10 Men’s Basketball Highlights SEC Champions; SEC Tournament Champions; NCAA Regional Finals Final Record: 35-3 (14-2 SEC) Final Ranking: 2nd (AP) / 5th (Coaches) Individual Honors: Adolph Rupp National Player of the Year – John Wall; All-America – 3 (DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson Honorable Mention, John Wall); National Freshman of the Year – John Wall; Freshman All-America – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); SEC Player of the Year – John Wall; SEC Freshman of the Year – 2 (DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); All-SEC – 3 (DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, John Wall); SEC All-Defensive Team – 1 (Patrick Patterson); Freshman All-SEC – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); SEC Tournament MVP – John Wall; SEC All-Tournament Team – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team – 2 (DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall)
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2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
ItItwas, was,among amongother otherthings, things,about abouta acharismatic charismatic head head coach coach who who embraced embracedallallthe thehype hypeand andexpectations, expectations,notnot to to mention mention thethe Lexington Lexington community, community,the theCommonwealth CommonwealthofofKentucky Kentuckyand and myriad myriad Wildcat Wildcat fans fans throughout throughoutthe thenation nationand andworld. world.With Withhim himcame came renewed the dribble-drive optimism, the dribble-drive offense andoffense what most and experts what most called experts the No. called 1 recruiting the No. 1 class recruiting in class the nation. in the nation. ItItwas wasabout aboutbecoming becomingthe thefirst firstprogram programin in NCAA NCAA history history to to reach reach 2,000 2,000wins winsand andbeing beingthe thelast lastundefeated undefeatedteam team in in thethe nation nation (19-0).
It(19-0). was aboutItfilling was about up Rupp fillingArena up Rupp with Arena 22,000-plus with 23,000-plus fans for ESPN fans GameDay. It was about winning thewinning program’s SEC regular season for ESPN GameDay. It was about the 44th program’s 44th SEC title and 26thseason SEC tournament crown. was about being ranked regular title and 26th SECIt tournament crown. It wasin the top fivebeing all season, a No. seed in the NCAA Tournament and about rankedreceiving in the Top 5 all1season, being selected a number finishing overall. was about theand John Wall dance, “Big Cuz” and one seed35-3 in the NCAAIt Tournament finishing 35-4 overall. It was junior Patterson, who“Big opted to return to UKPatrick to earnPatterson, his underabout Patrick the John Wall dance, Cuz” and junior graduate in three who opteddegree to return to UKyears. to earn his undergraduate degree in three years. It also was about the thousands of fans from all over the state and beyond — young — who camped outfrom for days in rain near It also was aboutand theoldthousands of fans all over theand statein and freezing temperatures — waiting complimentary tickets to Big beyond — young and old — whofor camped out for days in rain andBlue in Madness. It was about Calipari with WKYT TV and many near freezing temperatures — joining waitingforces for complimentary tickets to Big others to raise over $1 about millionCalipari in fundsjoining during forces a “Hoops Haiti” TV telethon Blue Madness. It was withforWKYT and to helpothers with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Anda it“Hoops was about the team many to raise $525,000 in funds during for Haiti” getting congratulatory phone callrelief fromefforts the president the itUnited telethona to help with earthquake in Haiti.ofAnd was States for its humanitarian efforts. about the team getting a congratulatory phone call from the President of the United States for its humanitarian efforts. What it seldom, if ever, seemed about was selfish play or individual accolades — evenif though the Catsabout received recognition. What it seldom, ever, seemed wasplenty selfishofplay or indvidual Calipari earned thethough Adolphthe Rupp Cup for National of the Year, accolades — even Cats received plentyCoach of recognition. while Wall received RuppRupp Trophy forfor National Player of the Year. Calipari received thethe Adolph Cup National Coach of the Year, Wall Cousins selected Associated whileand WallDeMarcus received the Ruppwere Trophy for National PlayerPress of thefirstYear. team All-Americans, while Patterson earned first-team Press All-SEC honors Wall and DeMarus Cousins were selected Associated First and Bledsoe waswhile named a Freshman All-American. TeamEric All-Americans, Patterson earned first-team All-SEC honors and Eric Bledsoe was named a Freshman All-American. The feeling that it all ended too soon was almost palpable. So too, however, wasthe thefeeling reassuring thatsoon Kentucky basketball was To be sure, that itrealization all ended too was almost palpable. back — however, in all its majestic — wellrealization positionedthat to compete a naSo too, was the glory reassuring Kentuckyfor basketball tional championship a regular basis. was back — in all itson majestic glory — well positioned to compete for a
28
win season
Key components of UK’s remarkable 2010 Hoops season included a revved-up fan base, a driven coaching staff – led by head coach Matthew Mitchell – an infusion of new talent such as A’dia Mathies (facing page, bottom left corner), team unity, and reliable leadership from veteran players such as Victoria Dunlap (No. 34, facing page), a first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year.
“Here we go!” That was the slogan for the 2009-10 Kentucky Hoops team. Perhaps few could have predicted, however, just how far the Wildcats – projected to finish 11th in the Southeastern Conference – in the preseason would go.
Smith and Lydia Watkins always possessed the talent to succeed in the SEC, but to ensure they understood the privilege of playing at UK, Mitchell required each player to bounce around a blue and white basketball wherever they went.
Few could have imagined, for example, that head coach Matthew Mitchell’s third UK team would finish 28-8, compiling the most wins in school history. Presumably, even fewer could have predicted UK to march to the Kansas City Regional finals, just one win – a mere 40 minutes – shy of the program’s first Final Four.
With a roster filled with speed and athleticism, Mitchell adopted an up-tempo, in-your-face style of play that blitzed opponents. One by one the powerhouses fell. The first were significant victories over nationally ranked opponents Louisville and Vanderbilt, followed by a historic win at LSU. Milestones came in bunches, and by the end, UK had marched to the SEC Tournament finals for only the second time in school history and toppled No. 1 seed Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament.
The doubts and the low expectations from outside observers and the bitter surprise of UK’s opponents were a lethal combination of motivation. The players and coaches used it as jet fuel. They flew from the start of the season and their feet never landed. From 11th in the SEC to the final eight teams in America, the Cats soared like never before. “This team worked so hard, day after day after day,” Mitchell said. “People thought they were going to be a bad team. The players didn’t listen.” Mitchell started by signing one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. The addition of former Miss Kentucky Basketball star A’dia Mathies supplied an instant injection of talent. Sharpshooter Keyla Snowden added a long-range dimension, and Brittany Henderson and Anna Cole provided much-needed frontline depth. A renewed commitment by the returning players also played a huge role in the amazing turnaround. Veterans like Victoria Dunlap, Amber
UK’s Cinderella run came short of the grand ball, but it certainly wasn’t without a myriad of program firsts. Among them were the program’s first SEC Player of the Year (Dunlap), first Associated Press All-American (Dunlap), first SEC Freshman of the Year (Mathies) and first SEC Coach of the Year (Mitchell) since 2006. The biggest accomplishment of them all, however, was 28 wins, many against top-tier opponents. It was the type of season that builds programs. “The important thing is to not take this team for granted,” Mitchell said. “One thing that I’ve been able to learn that’s been very valuable is that tradition is important and tradition is great, but really the focus needs to be every year is a new year. Every year is a new team.” The magical season eventually ended, but the program is just getting started. Here we go indeed.
“This team worked so hard, day after day after day. People thought they were going to be a bad team. The players didn’t listen.” Matthew Mitchell, head women’s basketball coach
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Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart had a dream when he took over the Kentucky program eight years ago. It turned into a vision two years ago when he announced the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan, a department-wide mandate to win at least 15 conference, tournament or national championships and rank among the NCAA’s top 15 athletics programs by 2015.
“We have set our sights on being top 15 in all sports by the year 2015,” Barnhart said. We still have not met our goals, but I am pleased with the progress. We had an outstanding fall and winter, which pleases me greatly in that it means our teams have really done some special things. We must continue to improve if we hope to accomplish our goals.”
Now, thanks to the steady progress and accomplishments of all 22 of UK’s athletics teams, the dream and the vision are becoming a reality. According to the Directors’ Cup rankings, which were developed as a joint effort between the National Association of College Director of Athletics and USA Today to rate the top athletic departments in the country, UK finished as the 29th-best athletics department in the nation for the 2009-10 athletics season.
UK tallied 534.00 total points in the Directors’ Cup race at the conclusion of the fall and winter sports, an all-time high for the program. The department scored 89.0 points in the fall before amassing 445.00 points in the winter, sixth highest among all schools in Division I.
Coupled with Kentucky’s four championships in the last two years (two rifle titles in 2009 and two men’s basketball crowns in 2010), Kentucky is well on its way to accomplishing the 15 by 15 by 15 mission.
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Kentucky’s 29th-place finish is its third-highest final ranking in school history, behind only the 1996-97 athletics season (26th) and the 1997-98 athletics season (28th). The trend of improvement lies in the numbers. Since Barnhart’s first full athletics season in 2002-03, Kentucky has improved nearly 30 spots.
1–Men’s basketball wins its 25th Southeastern Tournament championship in 2004; 2–Women’s tennis claims its first SEC title in 2005; 3–Men’s golf wins the 2005 SEC Championship en route to a top-10 team finish at NCAAs; 4—Taryn Ignacio wins UK’s first individual national title in diving in 2006; 5–UK Hoops upsets No. 1 ranked Tennessee in front of a school-record 13,689 fans in Rupp Arena in January 2006; 6–Women’s soccer wins the 2006 SEC Tournament behind All-America goalie Anne Ogundele; 7-Baseball wins its first-ever SEC title and hosts the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
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Over the last few years, UK has progressively climbed from 45th in 200607 to 36th in 2007-08 to 34th last year and finally to 29th this year.
Gaining ground
More indicative of Kentucky’s improvement is its 703.25 total points in 2009-10 against increasingly improving athletic departments. Not only did this year’s mark shatter last year’s points total of 607.80, it easily bested the 1996-97 26th-place finish of 374.5 points.
Finishing in 29th place in the 2009-10 Directors’ Cup standings, UK Athletics captured only its third top-30 finish and first since 1997-98. Kentucky’s banner year continues a steady upward trend in the Directors’ Cup standings under Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, from 45th in 2006-07 to 36th in 2007-08 to 34th in 2008-09. The program’s highest finish under Barnhart prior to this year was 33rd in 2005-06.
Barnhart put the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan in motion in pursuit of excellence across the entire athletics department. Clearly, the program is trending upward because of the department-wide success. The plan will soon be a reality if the upward trend continues. The year 2015 is still a few years away and Kentucky still has to finish the job, but the progress the department has made over the last eight years is palpable. “That’s the goal,” Barnhart said. “As we talked about a year ago, it is important to finish the deal.” 8–Kentucky celebrates its first of three consecutive bowl victories, under head coach Rich Brooks, at the 2006 Music City Bowl. 9–The Joe Craft Center opens as one of the finest multipurpose facilities in the nation in 2007; 10–UK upsets No. 1 LSU in a three overtime 2007 thriller; 11–Matthew Mitchell takes over as UK’s new women’s basketball coach in April 2007; 12–Rashaud Scott wins an individual national title in the discus in 2008; 13–The softball team makes its first NCAA appearance in school history in spring 2009.
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14–John Calipari is named UK’s head basketball coach in April 2009 and leads the Wildcats to 2010 NCAA Elite Eight appearance; 15–Joker Phillips is named UK’s new head football coach; 16–AllAmerican Victoria Dunlap sparks UK Hoops’ NCAA Elite Eight run.
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13 6 15
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8 1
The UK Athletics program has come a remarkably long way in a relatively short period of time under eighth-year athletics director Mitch Barnhart and his staff. Recent highlights to date (illustrated at left) include conference championships in rifle and men’s basketball, three bowl championships and a string of five straight NCAA postseason appearances by the volleyball program.
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Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart had a dream when he took over the Kentucky program eight years ago. It turned into a vision two years ago when he announced the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan, a department-wide mandate to win at least 15 conference, tournament or national championships and rank among the NCAA’s top 15 athletics programs by 2015.
“We have set our sights on being top 15 in all sports by the year 2015,” Barnhart said. We still have not met our goals, but I am pleased with the progress. We had an outstanding fall and winter, which pleases me greatly in that it means our teams have really done some special things. We must continue to improve if we hope to accomplish our goals.”
Now, thanks to the steady progress and accomplishments of all 22 of UK’s athletics teams, the dream and the vision are becoming a reality. According to the Directors’ Cup rankings, which were developed as a joint effort between the National Association of College Director of Athletics and USA Today to rate the top athletic departments in the country, UK finished as the 29th-best athletics department in the nation for the 2009-10 athletics season.
UK tallied 534.00 total points in the Directors’ Cup race at the conclusion of the fall and winter sports, an all-time high for the program. The department scored 89.0 points in the fall before amassing 445.00 points in the winter, sixth highest among all schools in Division I.
Coupled with Kentucky’s four championships in the last two years (two rifle titles in 2009 and two men’s basketball crowns in 2010), Kentucky is well on its way to accomplishing the 15 by 15 by 15 mission.
4
Kentucky’s 29th-place finish is its third-highest final ranking in school history, behind only the 1996-97 athletics season (26th) and the 1997-98 athletics season (28th). The trend of improvement lies in the numbers. Since Barnhart’s first full athletics season in 2002-03, Kentucky has improved nearly 30 spots.
1–Men’s basketball wins its 25th Southeastern Tournament championship in 2004; 2–Women’s tennis claims its first SEC title in 2005; 3–Men’s golf wins the 2005 SEC Championship en route to a top-10 team finish at NCAAs; 4—Taryn Ignacio wins UK’s first individual national title in diving in 2006; 5–UK Hoops upsets No. 1 ranked Tennessee in front of a school-record 13,689 fans in Rupp Arena in January 2006; 6–Women’s soccer wins the 2006 SEC Tournament behind All-America goalie Anne Ogundele; 7-Baseball wins its first-ever SEC title and hosts the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2006.
7
Over the last few years, UK has progressively climbed from 45th in 200607 to 36th in 2007-08 to 34th last year and finally to 29th this year.
Gaining ground
More indicative of Kentucky’s improvement is its 703.25 total points in 2009-10 against increasingly improving athletic departments. Not only did this year’s mark shatter last year’s points total of 607.80, it easily bested the 1996-97 26th-place finish of 374.5 points.
Finishing in 29th place in the 2009-10 Directors’ Cup standings, UK Athletics captured only its third top-30 finish and first since 1997-98. Kentucky’s banner year continues a steady upward trend in the Directors’ Cup standings under Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, from 45th in 2006-07 to 36th in 2007-08 to 34th in 2008-09. The program’s highest finish under Barnhart prior to this year was 33rd in 2005-06.
Barnhart put the 15 by 15 by 15 Plan in motion in pursuit of excellence across the entire athletics department. Clearly, the program is trending upward because of the department-wide success. The plan will soon be a reality if the upward trend continues. The year 2015 is still a few years away and Kentucky still has to finish the job, but the progress the department has made over the last eight years is palpable. “That’s the goal,” Barnhart said. “As we talked about a year ago, it is important to finish the deal.” 8–Kentucky celebrates its first of three consecutive bowl victories, under head coach Rich Brooks, at the 2006 Music City Bowl. 9–The Joe Craft Center opens as one of the finest multipurpose facilities in the nation in 2007; 10–UK upsets No. 1 LSU in a three overtime 2007 thriller; 11–Matthew Mitchell takes over as UK’s new women’s basketball coach in April 2007; 12–Rashaud Scott wins an individual national title in the discus in 2008; 13–The softball team makes its first NCAA appearance in school history in spring 2009.
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14–John Calipari is named UK’s head basketball coach in April 2009 and leads the Wildcats to 2010 NCAA Elite Eight appearance; 15–Joker Phillips is named UK’s new head football coach; 16–AllAmerican Victoria Dunlap sparks UK Hoops’ NCAA Elite Eight run.
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13 6 15
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The UK Athletics program has come a remarkably long way in a relatively short period of time under eighth-year athletics director Mitch Barnhart and his staff. Recent highlights to date (illustrated at left) include conference championships in rifle and men’s basketball, three bowl championships and a string of five straight NCAA postseason appearances by the volleyball program.
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ONE BIG BLUE NATION
512 REASONS TO CHEER
2,000 2000
all-time wins
UK’s vaunted men’s basketball program became the first in NCAA history to reach 2,000 all-time wins during the 2009-10 season. The Wildcats posted that historic victory en route to a memorable 35-3 season that included SEC regular season and tournament titles and an NCAA Elite Eight appearance. At right, ESPN’s Hubert Davis does his rendition of the John Wall Dance. Below, far right, UK head coach John Calipari and Patrick Patterson speak to WKYT-TV’s Dave Baker during the “Hoops for Haiti” telethon.
Even Evenby byKentucky Kentuckystandards, standards,the the2010 2010men’s men’s basketball basketball season season was filled was with filledenormous with enormous fanfarefanfare and off-the-chart and off-the-chart expecatations. expecatations. The exciteThe ment commotion started began well before well before the firstthe practice first practice at the Joe at the Craft Joe Center Craft or Center the first or the regular first season regular game seasonatgame Rupp at Arena. RuppItArena. began ItApril began 1, 2009, in April to be exact, 2009,with to betheexact, hiringwith of John the hiring Calipari. of John Calipari. The Theexcitement excitementsteadily steadilyand andrapidly rapidlyincreased increased asas Calipari’s Calipari’s firstfirst edition editionofofWildcats Wildcatstook tookthe thecourt, court,thrilling thrilling fans fans and and transforming transforming skeptics skepinto ticsbelievers into believers with its with youthful its youthful talent,talent, up-tempo up-tempo attacking attacking style ofstyle playof and playunyielding and unyielding desiredesire to win.to win. The Theseason seasonofficially officiallyended endedalmost almost1212months months later later in in thethe finals finals of of the NCAA the NCAA East East Regional Regional in Syracuse, in Syracuse, N.Y. For N.Y.allFor those all those associated associated with the Big withBlue the Nation, Big Bluemost Nation, notably most thenotably coaches theand coaches players, and theplayers, seasonthe ended season prematurely ended prematurely ... leaving...theleaving Wildcats theachingly Wildcatsclose achingly to a 14th closeFinal to a Four 14thappearance Final Four appearance and eighth national and eighth championship national championship banner. banner. Lost, Lost,briefly, briefly,ininthe theimmediate immediatesadness sadnessof ofthat that moment moment was was oneone feelfeel good, good,savor-this-forever, savor-this-forever,euphoric euphoricmoment momentafter after another another that that captured captured what whatthe the2010 2010season seasonwas wastruly trulyabout. about.
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SEC titles
Returning to Championship Form One year after barely missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 19 years, the 2010 Wildcats — under new head coach and eventual National Coach of the Year John Calipari — returned to the “Big Dance” with a vengeance. As the No. 1 seed of the East Regional, UK won its first three games by an average of 25 points before falling to West Virginia in the regional finals. Kentucky, behind the play of first-team All-Americans John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, entered the NCAA Tourney as SEC regular season and tournament champions.
2009-10 Men’s Basketball Highlights SEC Champions; SEC Tournament Champions; NCAA Regional Finals Final Record: 35-3 (14-2 SEC) Final Ranking: 2nd (AP) / 5th (Coaches) Individual Honors: Adolph Rupp National Player of the Year – John Wall; All-America – 3 (DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson Honorable Mention, John Wall); National Freshman of the Year – John Wall; Freshman All-America – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); SEC Player of the Year – John Wall; SEC Freshman of the Year – 2 (DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); All-SEC – 3 (DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson, John Wall); SEC All-Defensive Team – 1 (Patrick Patterson); Freshman All-SEC – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); SEC Tournament MVP – John Wall; SEC All-Tournament Team – 3 (Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall); NCAA East Regional All-Tournament Team – 2 (DeMarcus Cousins, John Wall)
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2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
ItItwas, was,among amongother otherthings, things,about abouta acharismatic charismatic head head coach coach who who embraced embracedallallthe thehype hypeand andexpectations, expectations,notnot to to mention mention thethe Lexington Lexington community, community,the theCommonwealth CommonwealthofofKentucky Kentuckyand and myriad myriad Wildcat Wildcat fans fans throughout throughoutthe thenation nationand andworld. world.With Withhim himcame came renewed the dribble-drive optimism, the dribble-drive offense andoffense what most and experts what most called experts the No. called 1 recruiting the No. 1 class recruiting in class the nation. in the nation. ItItwas wasabout aboutbecoming becomingthe thefirst firstprogram programin in NCAA NCAA history history to to reach reach 2,000 2,000wins winsand andbeing beingthe thelast lastundefeated undefeatedteam team in in thethe nation nation (19-0).
It(19-0). was aboutItfilling was about up Rupp fillingArena up Rupp with Arena 22,000-plus with 23,000-plus fans for ESPN fans GameDay. It was about winning thewinning program’s SEC regular season for ESPN GameDay. It was about the 44th program’s 44th SEC title and 26thseason SEC tournament crown. was about being ranked regular title and 26th SECIt tournament crown. It wasin the top fivebeing all season, a No. seed in the NCAA Tournament and about rankedreceiving in the Top 5 all1season, being selected a number finishing overall. was about theand John Wall dance, “Big Cuz” and one seed35-3 in the NCAAIt Tournament finishing 35-4 overall. It was junior Patterson, who“Big opted to return to UKPatrick to earnPatterson, his underabout Patrick the John Wall dance, Cuz” and junior graduate in three who opteddegree to return to UKyears. to earn his undergraduate degree in three years. It also was about the thousands of fans from all over the state and beyond — young — who camped outfrom for days in rain near It also was aboutand theoldthousands of fans all over theand statein and freezing temperatures — waiting complimentary tickets to Big beyond — young and old — whofor camped out for days in rain andBlue in Madness. It was about Calipari with WKYT TV and many near freezing temperatures — joining waitingforces for complimentary tickets to Big others to raise over $1 about millionCalipari in fundsjoining during forces a “Hoops Haiti” TV telethon Blue Madness. It was withforWKYT and to helpothers with earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Anda it“Hoops was about the team many to raise $525,000 in funds during for Haiti” getting congratulatory phone callrelief fromefforts the president the itUnited telethona to help with earthquake in Haiti.ofAnd was States for its humanitarian efforts. about the team getting a congratulatory phone call from the President of the United States for its humanitarian efforts. What it seldom, if ever, seemed about was selfish play or individual accolades — evenif though the Catsabout received recognition. What it seldom, ever, seemed wasplenty selfishofplay or indvidual Calipari earned thethough Adolphthe Rupp Cup for National of the Year, accolades — even Cats received plentyCoach of recognition. while Wall received RuppRupp Trophy forfor National Player of the Year. Calipari received thethe Adolph Cup National Coach of the Year, Wall Cousins selected Associated whileand WallDeMarcus received the Ruppwere Trophy for National PlayerPress of thefirstYear. team All-Americans, while Patterson earned first-team Press All-SEC honors Wall and DeMarus Cousins were selected Associated First and Bledsoe waswhile named a Freshman All-American. TeamEric All-Americans, Patterson earned first-team All-SEC honors and Eric Bledsoe was named a Freshman All-American. The feeling that it all ended too soon was almost palpable. So too, however, wasthe thefeeling reassuring thatsoon Kentucky basketball was To be sure, that itrealization all ended too was almost palpable. back — however, in all its majestic — wellrealization positionedthat to compete a naSo too, was the glory reassuring Kentuckyfor basketball tional championship a regular basis. was back — in all itson majestic glory — well positioned to compete for a
28
win season
Key components of UK’s remarkable 2010 Hoops season included a revved-up fan base, a driven coaching staff – led by head coach Matthew Mitchell – an infusion of new talent such as A’dia Mathies (facing page, bottom left corner), team unity, and reliable leadership from veteran players such as Victoria Dunlap (No. 34, facing page), a first-team All-American and SEC Player of the Year.
“Here we go!” That was the slogan for the 2009-10 Kentucky Hoops team. Perhaps few could have predicted, however, just how far the Wildcats – projected to finish 11th in the Southeastern Conference – in the preseason would go.
Smith and Lydia Watkins always possessed the talent to succeed in the SEC, but to ensure they understood the privilege of playing at UK, Mitchell required each player to bounce around a blue and white basketball wherever they went.
Few could have imagined, for example, that head coach Matthew Mitchell’s third UK team would finish 28-8, compiling the most wins in school history. Presumably, even fewer could have predicted UK to march to the Kansas City Regional finals, just one win – a mere 40 minutes – shy of the program’s first Final Four.
With a roster filled with speed and athleticism, Mitchell adopted an up-tempo, in-your-face style of play that blitzed opponents. One by one the powerhouses fell. The first were significant victories over nationally ranked opponents Louisville and Vanderbilt, followed by a historic win at LSU. Milestones came in bunches, and by the end, UK had marched to the SEC Tournament finals for only the second time in school history and toppled No. 1 seed Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament.
The doubts and the low expectations from outside observers and the bitter surprise of UK’s opponents were a lethal combination of motivation. The players and coaches used it as jet fuel. They flew from the start of the season and their feet never landed. From 11th in the SEC to the final eight teams in America, the Cats soared like never before. “This team worked so hard, day after day after day,” Mitchell said. “People thought they were going to be a bad team. The players didn’t listen.” Mitchell started by signing one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. The addition of former Miss Kentucky Basketball star A’dia Mathies supplied an instant injection of talent. Sharpshooter Keyla Snowden added a long-range dimension, and Brittany Henderson and Anna Cole provided much-needed frontline depth. A renewed commitment by the returning players also played a huge role in the amazing turnaround. Veterans like Victoria Dunlap, Amber
UK’s Cinderella run came short of the grand ball, but it certainly wasn’t without a myriad of program firsts. Among them were the program’s first SEC Player of the Year (Dunlap), first Associated Press All-American (Dunlap), first SEC Freshman of the Year (Mathies) and first SEC Coach of the Year (Mitchell) since 2006. The biggest accomplishment of them all, however, was 28 wins, many against top-tier opponents. It was the type of season that builds programs. “The important thing is to not take this team for granted,” Mitchell said. “One thing that I’ve been able to learn that’s been very valuable is that tradition is important and tradition is great, but really the focus needs to be every year is a new year. Every year is a new team.” The magical season eventually ended, but the program is just getting started. Here we go indeed.
“This team worked so hard, day after day after day. People thought they were going to be a bad team. The players didn’t listen.” Matthew Mitchell, head women’s basketball coach
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
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ONE BIG BLUE NATION
ESPN GameDay Visits Rupp Arena UK fans turned out in full force to welcome the ESPN College Basketball GameDay crew to Rupp Arena for special national coverage prior to Kentucky’s showdown with Tennessee. “That was an amazing display of passion,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said of the crowd.
22,144 ESPN GameDay record “studio audience”
“I’ll say it again – I’m excited, I’m humbled and I’m honored to be your head coach at your university.” John Calipari, addressing crowd at Big Blue Madness
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512 REASONS TO CHEER
.385
team-leading batting average
A First, but Likely not the Last Senior shorstop Molly Johnson was an integral part of many firsts during her four-year career on the UK softball team. As a junior in 2009, she became Kentucky’s first-ever softball All-American while leading the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament in program history. Johnson helped Kentucky return to the NCAA Tournament in 2010, leading the team in six offensive categories while posting a career-best .943 fielding percentage.
2010 Softball Highlights Sixth in SEC, SEC Quarterfinals, NCAA Tournament (1-2) Final Record: 32-27, 13-15 SEC Individual Honors: NFCA All-Region Team – 2 (Molly Johnson, Megan Yocke); All-SEC – 2 (Molly Johnson, Megan Yocke); Spring Academic Honor Roll – 14 (Jessica Adkins, Macy Allen, Meagan Aull, Chanda Bell, Samantha DeMartine, Ashleigh Gustafson, Molly Johnson, Destinee Mordecai, Rachel Riley, Annie Rowlands, Erika Silence, Natalie Smith, Megan Yocke, Jennifer Young
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wins in back-to-back seasons
Defense wins championships in most sports, but pitching is the vehicle to success in softball and one of the biggest reasons in UK’s recent historic turnaround. The addition of pitching stars Chanda Bell and Rachel Riley has helped Kentucky post two of its three lowest all-time ERAs in 2009 (2.91) and 2010 (2.82). In just two years, Bell is 46 strikeouts shy of becoming UK’s all-time strikeout leader.
Head coach Rachel Lawson choked up when she looked back at the last two years. All-American shortstop Molly Johnson wiped away tears as looked back on her Kentucky career for the final time.
straight year, but for a team that had never even been in that position before two years ago, it spoke volumes of the progress the program has made.
Disappointment was heavy with the Kentucky softball team following its 5-3 loss to Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament. The coaches, players and fans were disappointed that UK couldn’t make it past regionals for the second year in a row.
Where the postseason used to be the ultimate dream, it’s now viewed as a stepping stone to a bigger prize.
It’s an indicator of how far the program has come in a very short period of time. Two years ago, the notion that the UK softball team could make two straight NCAA Tournaments was nothing more than a dream. Stuck in mediocrity since the team’s inception in 1997, the program had visited its own conference tournament just twice in school history and had never even sniffed NCAA Tournament play. That has all changed now under the guidance of Lawson. In just three short years, Kentucky has been transformed from one of the most underachieving programs in the department to one of its best. A strong foundation of juniors, a core of up-and-coming sophomores and a pair of freshman pitchers led the team to its historic first NCAA Tournament last year. The Cats doubled their win total from 17 in 2007 to 34 in 2009. This year, with virtually the same team as 2009, the Cats made an unprecedented second straight NCAA Tournament. Sure, there was disappointment when UK was bounced by Ohio State for the second
“I think our senior class has definitely helped change the program,” Johnson said. “I think we're headed in the right direction. Two seasons of going to postseason play was probably more than I ever expected. I'm definitely happy that it happened and I can guarantee it will happen in the future for the young girls coming in.” As the program’s first All-American, first U.S. National Team selection and holder of more than a handful of school records, Johnson was clearly one of the catalysts behind UK’s rise. Kentucky will have to wave goodbye to Johnson and several other seniors that were important to the program’s turnaround, but Lawson is confident that a second straight NCAA Tournament is just the start of a long and special run. “The seniors have really started a new era for us,” Lawson said. “Moving forward we know we have to get better. The players on this team have largely been the same for the last two years and they have put us in a pretty good position to move on. I'm very proud of them and their work ethic, and we're looking forward to doing even better in the future.”
“We’ve made huge strides. We are well on our way to being in Super Regionals and the College World Series. Two years ago, when I was a freshman, there wasn’t even a shot and now we’re disappointed that we’re getting kicked out (of the NCAA Tournament).” Megan Yocke, junior catcher
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90
miles a week training runs
During the summer of 2009, each Kentucky women’s basketball player was mandated to dribble a basketball around campus at all times. The idea was to reestablish their commitment to the program and reaffirm the notion that it was a privilege to play at UK. Matthew Mitchell’s offseason program worked wonders as the team reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 1982.
Watching UK Athletics from the stands or on television, fans of UK Athletics usually only see a small glimpse of the life of a student-athlete. Behind every first-place run, game-winning shot or match-winning ace are hours upon hours of preparation, training and sometimes just downright grueling hard work. Although each sport is confined to 20 hours or less of practice each week by NCAA rules, Kentucky student-athletes make the most of their practice time to reap the ultimate reward of winning. Blood, sweat and tears, often sandwiched between their responsibilities in the classroom at odd hours of the day, are the key ingredients to winning championships at UK. Shooting thousands of jump shots in the offseason can be the difference in a shot at the buzzer; hundreds of hacks in the batting cage can separate a three-run home run from a fly-ball out; or an extra mile or two in the pool can be the ultimate factor in deciding who is first and who is second in a two-minute swimming race. That’s the type of mentality the swimming and diving athletes at Kentucky must conquer every day when they wake up in the wee hours of the morning – long before the sun rises – to train for their season. On average, each swimmer at UK will swim an average of 613 miles per season, far more than the average person will even run in a decade. During the middle of the season, the swimmers will spend 10 to 12 hours in the water, swimming an average of 7,500 yards each workout.
Over the course of the week, the swimmers will cover 68,000 yards in the pool that requires about 43,520 strokes of work. That’s 38.6 miles per week, the equivalent of driving from Lexington to Paris, Ky., and back. In addition to the work the team puts in the pool, each swimmer goes through rigorous dry-land training to increase strength, stamina and speed. The eight to 10 hours of dry-land training includes running, lifting weights, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, medicine ball throws and bleacher running, among countless other preparation tactics. The swimming and diving team certainly isn’t alone when it comes to the commitment it takes to become a champion. For example, to build endurance for the grueling races the cross country team must run in, the student-athletes will run as much as 85 to 90 miles each week. Whether it is swimming or running mile after mile, spending extra time on the golf course or sneaking into the Joe Craft Center late at night to work on a jump shot, it is the commitment and dedication to practice that often proves to be the difference in sports. The training is not glamorous nor is it fun, but each studentathlete at Kentucky understands that proper practice and preparation builds perfection and ultimately wins championships.
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ ” Muhammad Ali
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Making All the Hard Work Pay Off With every step, lunge and bead of sweat, the UK swimming and diving team gets one step closer to what seems like an annual rite of championships. Due in part to a rigorous offseason and in-season training program that includes swimming, running and weight lifting, the men’s team finished 16th at NCAAs and the women placed 34th.
steps to the top of Commonwealth Stadium
“I succeed on my own personal motivation, dedication, and commitment. My mindset is: If I’m not out there training, someone else is.” Lynn Jennings, three-time American Olympian
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Giving Back and Supporting Worthy Causes in Many Ways More than 200 Wildcat student-athletes and all 22 teams participated in outreach activities in 2009-10, including reading to school children at several local elementary schools, raising over $2,000 for the 2009 SEC Together We Can Food Drive benefiting God’s Pantry–a local Lexington Food Bank–and distributing balloons, candy, and giving small gifts to children at the annual Breakfast with Santa event held at UK Children’s Hospital.
organizations impacted by UK student-athletes in 2009-10
“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” Mother Theresa
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2,037
hours of community service
Large photos on facing page, counterclockwise from left: volleyball teammates Ann Armes, Laura Novikoff and Sarah Rumley and UK football players Marcus Davis and Jacob Lewellen wash dishes during a mission trip to Nicaragua in March 2010; softball’s Samantha DeMartine received the Darrell A. VanMeter Award in recognition of her “selfless heart and continual acts of service” in the campus community; and the UK Hoops team wore pink uniforms to raise breast cancer awareness during its home game against Florida. The uniforms were later auctioned off as part of a national effort to raise money for the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. One dollar from each single-game ticket purchased was also donated to the fund.
The baseball team didn’t have to be there. Entrenched in a brutal winter of practice and preparation for a long season on the diamond and with midterm exams quickly approaching, a group of UK players on the baseball team had other things they could have been doing. But there they were at UK Children’s Hospital during the middle of their practice season, delivering a helping hand in whatever way they could. It is one of an array of stories of Kentucky Wildcats going above and beyond their primary duties as student-athletes. Although a student-athlete is not required to participate in the community, it is highly encouraged, a call that hundreds of student-athletes are more than willing to answer. As of publication of this report, UK student-athletes had volunteered 2,037 hours in the community this athletics year, helping out everywhere from local hospitals, to the Hope Lodge, God’s Pantry and more.
Earlier this year, DeMartine – to her surprise – was awarded the Darrell A. VanMeter Award, given annually to a person in Lexington who touches the campus community with their selfless heart and continual acts of service. DeMartine’s “good Samaritan” approach is far from an isolated event. Every day student-athletes from UK’s 22-sport athletics program serve as role models in the community. There is Chad Hagerty from the men’s soccer team, who volunteered nearly 35 hours of his time in between the demanding schedule of the soccer season and the classroom. Josh Nadzam of track and field, who won the Male Community Award at this year’s CATSPY Awards, and rifle’s Leslie Angeli are both nearing 100 hours each in the community. And then there are student-athletes like Andrea Halasek-Richardson from the track and field team who pour every ounce of their free time into making the Lexington community better for everyone. HalasekRichardson, who won this year’s Female Community Award at the 2010 CATSPYs, has logged nearly 125 volunteer hours this year.
Dustin Lewis, who monitors Kentucky’s community and volunteer efforts as the life skills coordinator for the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services, said that number isn’t the whole story. A lot of times the student-athletes will volunteer without even reporting the hours. Take softball’s Samantha DeMartine as an example. Despite the countless hours that go into a successful season and the responsibilities each student-athlete has in the classroom to fulfill their grade point average requirements, DeMartine has selflessly pitched in more than 100 hours this year in the community.
So why, with all the time it takes to compete at the Division I level and be a model student, do student-athletes volunteer in the community? “There are so many people in the community who are not as fortunate (as I am) and I hope to give them the motivation, desire and drive to demand more from life and work hard for that ambition,” Halasek-Richardson said. “The changes an athlete can make in a child’s life are incredible and if I have that power I intend to use it in every way possible.”
“The changes an athlete can make in a child’s life are incredible and if I have that power I intend to use it in every way possible.” Andrea Halasek-Richardson, recipient of Female Service Award at the 2010 CATSPY Awards
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7
teams ranked in top 25 in attendance
UK Athletics set school attendance records in five sports (men’s basketball, women’s basketball, football, women’s soccer and volleyball) in 2009-10 and led the nation in men’s basketball attendance for the fifth consecutive time. In addition, a sellout crowd attended this year’s Big Blue Madness event at Rupp Arena and joined in welcoming new head men’s basketball coach John Calipari (facing page). As part of its Drive for 5K season ticket campaign, the UK Hoops team helped organize a “5K for 5k” run/walk on campus (facing page, bottom left).
If there is one constant across Kentucky’s 22 championship-caliber athletic teams, it is the unwavering support and passion from UK’s fans. Whether it is the storied men’s basketball program or the reignited women’s soccer team, Wildcat fans always show up in huge numbers. The 2009-10 athletics season was certainly no different as the men’s basketball (No. 1 in the nation), women’s basketball, football, volleyball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and gymnastics teams all ranked in the top 25 in average home attendance. Kentucky boasts the best and the most passionate fan base in all of college sports, but the consistent support of UK Athletics is also a great testament to the hard work and dedication of its marketing department. What every fan sees as an entertaining sporting event is actually a well-calculated, organized operation. From the placement of a billboard, the design of a poster or the genre of music played at an event, it is up to the nation’s top collegiate athletics marketing team to figure out how it can form a better relationship between the fans and the program. “We all know that games are won and lost between the lines, but we try to create as much of a home field, court, pool, etc., advantage as we can,” said Nathan Schwake of UK athletics marketing. “Maybe a rowdy crowd is what gives that extra step to a soccer player who gets to the ball quicker than the opponent. In addition, when we host an event we try to foster an atmosphere that reflects positively on the athletics department, the participating UK team and the university as a whole.”
Winning makes it easier for fans to support the program, but fan support can also affect winning. Although Kentucky basketball coaches John Calipari and Matthew Mitchell put talented teams on the floor this season, the chance that both teams would have gone undefeated at home without consistently large crowds in Rupp Arena and Memorial Coliseum would have been rare. The marketing team worked tirelessly throughout the UK Hoops season to increase attendance numbers. The season-long Drive for 5K, a successful effort to break the previous season ticket record of 4,808, the UK Hoops Attendance Challenge and the Winning Tools Ticket Program were just a few of the marketing campaigns that helped pack record crowds into Memorial Coliseum this year and aided in the women’s basketball team’s historic NCAA Tournament run. Big or small, every event requires time and effort. At UK’s Big Blue Madness, arguably the most elaborate and successful marketing event in all of college athletics, capacity crowds routinely watch the men’s and women’s basketball teams open the season with a practice inside Rupp Arena. What would seem like a rather rudimentary few hours is transformed into a dynamic and entertaining show, filled with videos, special effects and pyrotechnics that are planned months in advance and require the effort and cooperation of an entire staff. It is the fans at events like Big Blue Madness that makes Kentucky fans so special, but it is the efforts of the athletics marketing department that help UK stand apart.
“When we host an event, we try to foster an atmosphere that reflects positively on the athletics department, the participating UK team and the university as a whole.” Nathan Schwake, UK athletics marketing
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2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
ONE BIG BLUE NATION
1
Starting with a Big Blue Bang Head coach John Calipari and his first UK men’s basketball team took center stage in front of a frenzied crowd that rocked Rupp Arena for Big Blue Madness in October 2009. The event, which signaled the official start of the 2009-10 season, helped set the tone for one of the most exciting seasons in UK’s storied basketball history.
national attendance leader for 14th time in 15 years
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%
100
self-supported (no state or university funds)
With University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart and his staff firmly committed to competing for championships in all of UK’s 22 varsity sports, the athletics department has increased its operating budgets for sports other than football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball by $3 million (69 percent) since 2004.
Providing sound fiscal management. That is one of the steadfast principles behind the Kentucky Athletics Department’s mission to be a self-sustaining, nationally prominent program that values integrity, social responsibility, high academic achievement and competitive excellence. Toward that end, the University of Kentucky Athletic Association Board of Directors approved an operating budget of $79.4 million for the fiscal year of 2010-11. This represents approximately 3.5 percent of the total University budget.
Balanced Budget $79.4 M
UK Athletics boasts the broadest program in the Southeastern Conference (22 sports), yet its budget ranks as average among all 12 league schools. UK Athletics also prides itself on operating with a balanced budget ($79.4M).
UK Athletics, which is 100 percent self-supporting and receives no state or university funds, supports the broadest program in the Southeastern Conference – 22 varsity sports – with an athletics budget that places UK in the midrange of SEC schools. As part of its ongoing commitment to help support the University’s goal of becoming a top-20 research institution, UK Athletics will donate $1.7 million in 2010-11 toward the university’s general fund and in support of UK’s Singletary Scholars program. During the past eight years, the department has given more than $13 million in overall scholarship support of the University’s academic mission. In addition, UK Athletics spends approximately 25 percent of its annual self-supported budget ($19-plus million) back on campus. These expenditures include: • Full rate for 340 scholarships ($9.85 million) • University service assessment fee ($1.8 million) • Payment for all utilities, maintenance, parking and security for all athletic facilities • Financial support of various campus programs, such as UK Opera, UK Women’s Choir, Crunch Bunch, Cultural Diversity Festival and the Women’s Writers Conference. • $500,000 annually in radio advertisement inventory to the University for academic messaging “I continue to be pleased with the financial commitment that UK Athletics makes toward our academic programs,” UK President Lee T. Todd, Jr., said. “This is especially impressive and welcome given the economic environment we currently face.”
“I continue to be pleased with the financial commitment that UK Athletics makes toward our academic programs. This is especially impressive and welcome given the economic environment we currently face.” Dr. Lee Todd, Jr., University of Kentucky President
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2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
s
One Common Goal UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
UK ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(as of July 1, 2010)
(as of July 1, 2010)
Edward Britt Brockman Sheila Brothers Penelope A. Brown Jo Hern Curris Dermontti F. Dawson William Stamps Farish, Jr. Oliver Keith Gannon Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton Pamela T. May Everett McCorvey
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
Billy Joe Miles Terry Mobley Sandy Bugie Patterson Joe Peek Erwin Roberts Charles R. Sachatello C. Frank Shoop Ryan M. Smith James W. Stuckert Barbara Young
Jack Brown Frank Butler Dermontti F. Dawson Luther Deaton Joe Fink Tom Hammond Scott Kelley Kathi Kern Robert Mock S.T. Roach
Frank Shoop Kumble Subbaswamy Lee T. Todd, Jr. Bruce Walcott Lionell Williamson
The 2010 University of Kentucky Athletics Annual Report is published by the UK Athletics Department, Mitch Barnhart, Director. This publication was written and edited by Eric Lindsey, Craig Hornberger and the UK Athletics Media Relations Staff. Design by Craig Hornberger. Principal photography by David Coyle and Team Coyle. Printing by Welch Printing. UK Athletics Department Joe Craft Center • 338 Lexington Avenue Lexington, KY 40506-0604 UKathletics.com
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dirt and sweat and blood: who knows the great enthusiasms, and spends himself in a worthy cause .... so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Theodore Roosevelt
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT
2010 KENTUCKY ATHLETICS ANNUAL REPORT