Go Big Blue! UK2K

Milestone belongs to Cats past and present

By Mark Story / Herald-Leader Sports Columnist

The journey began Feb. 18, 1903. Win No. 1 for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program came by one, 11-10, over the always formidable Lexington YMCA. On Monday night, the fascinating journey that is Kentucky basketball reached 2,000 wins first — before any other college hoops program — with an 88-44 obliteration of Drexel “This is for the greatest fans in the history of college basketball,” UK Coach John Calipari said. What a trek UK2K has been. Win No. 108 (1921) came when Bill King’s free throw with no time left gave Kentucky its first major tournament championship, 20-19, over Georgia in the finals of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament. Win No. 489 (1946) occurred when a freshman from Louisville walked to the foul line in Madison Square Garden with his hands shaking from nerves and UK’s first national tournament title hanging in the balance. Ralph Beard’s foul shot beat Rhode Island, 46-45, and made Kentucky champions of the NIT. Wins No. 557 (1948), 591 (1949), 648 (1951), 791 (1958), 1,216 (1978), 1,650 (1996) and 1,720 (1998) will always have resonance through the ages — each having made Kentucky an NCAA champion. A series of coaching luminaries are most responsible for UK reaching 2,000 first. Joe B. Hall completed the full racial integration of UK basketball and contributed 297 wins. Rick Pitino took Kentucky from one of its bleakest periods and returned it to national prominence while adding 219 victories. Tubby Smith represented the commonwealth for a decade with unquestioned class, his mere presence as an African-American head coach a statement of the state’s (and the South’s) social progress. He delivered 263 wins. Calipari, the first-year UK coach, says it was on his second day on the job when he began plotting. The goal: Get Kentucky to the 12 wins it needed to reach 2,000 before North Carolina could get to the 16 it required. In his 12th game as top Cat, Cal delivered with maximum efficiency. And, of course, there was Adolph Rupp. All the irascible Baron did for the cause of UK2K was produce 876 of the wins. “A lot of the credit goes not only to the victories that Coach Rupp achieved but the foundation he laid for Kentucky basketball,” says his successor, Joe B. Hall. “He made it easier for me … and the coaches that followed me all benefitted from the aura that surrounds Kentucky basketball. Coach Rupp built that.” The journey to 2K has featured moments around which generations of Kentuckians have spaced their lives. Win No. 771 (1957) came when a Kentucky guard, Vernon Hatton, hit a halfcourt shot as overtime expired to force Temple into a second OT. UK went on to win in three overtimes and, to this day, Hatton’s heave might be the most famous shot in Kentucky history. Win No. 1,039 (1970) was memorable in a far more significant way. When Kentucky beat Northwestern, its starting center was Tom Payne — the first African-American ever to wear the Kentucky basketball uniform. It takes players to win games, of course, and the road to 2,000 was paved by 47 Wildcats who earned All-America honors, from Basil Hayden in 1921 to Jodie Meeks in 2009. Yet UK2K is not just about the great players who have worn Wildcats blue. “From 1903, every player who ever played for Kentucky has a part in this,” says ex-UK guard and second-generation Wildcat Cameron Mills. “This is about the players winning the games 11-10 in the 1920s. It’s about the Fabulous Five and all the great players in the 1940s and ’50s. It’s about my dad (Terry) and the teams in the 1960s. It’s about my era (the late 1990s), and it’s about the guys now. That’s what makes this so cool. It’s everybody’s.” Amid all the winning, the road to 2,000 has featured heartbreak. The Runts fell short. In a national title-game duel of dynasties, the 1975 Cats couldn’t beat UCLA. That dag-blasted Laettner hit that shot. There’s been heartache, too. Point-shaving. A year of NCAA suspension. Allegations of $50 handshakes. That infamous Emery Air Freight package. Still, in so many ways, Kentucky basketball and its trek to 2,000 wins have been the glue that (for most) has united our often-splintered state. “The fans are the ones I’ve heard talking about this,” Kentucky forward Darius Miller says of UK2K. “They’re the ones who told me about it, really. (Two-thousand wins) means a lot to them.” So what a thrill ride UK2K has been. In Win No. 1,139 (1975), Kentucky defeated an unbeaten Indiana with a Final Four berth at stake. Win No. 1,580 (1994) saw the Wildcats victorious in a game in which they trailed by 31 points — in the second half. Win No. 1,979 (2009) featured a Kentucky player, Meeks, scoring more points (54) in one game than a UK Wildcat ever had. And Win No. 2000 (2009) started with fabulous freshmen DeMarcus Cousins (18 points, 13 rebounds) and John Wall (16 points, seven assists) producing wows throughout Rupp Arena. It ended with a blizzard of blue and white confetti and Adolph Rupp Jr. — Herky — taking the microphone in the arena named for his dad “My father would be so proud,” Rupp said. UK2K being a milestone and not a finish line, Kentucky goes for Win No. 2,001 Wednesday against Long Beach State. North Carolina and Kansas be warned: The race to 3,000 is on.

Watching this game last night provoked a flurry of emotion. Any rational person will tell you that crying over a sports game is silly and frivoulous. But it wasn’t the game, it was a lifetime of memories. A legacy given to me by my Papa. Watching the Kentucky games on a little black and white TV with rabbit ears in the store. Seeing Kentucky win a NCAA title in 1996 after being on probation, knowing it would be his last championship. Going to a bookstore in Lexington to have Jamal Mashburn sign a book for him. Kentucky basketball is just another sports team with loyal fans, but it is a road to the past. I don’t remember becoming a Kentucky fan–I just always was. I remember watching Kyle Macy when I was little. Having a crush on the Unforgettables–the first team to have their games on TV in seven LONG years. The crush on Darren Feldhaus, his dad a coach at Russell County High School and my dad playing golf with both of them with no signature or picture to show for it. Travis Ford–#5, >90% free throw shot accuracy, the best point guard ever. The team of the 90’s–the best 3 point shooters ever. I have jumped up an down, yelled, squalled, and cried over Kentucky games. I was so loud in my college dorm during Kentucky games the dorm gave in and watched the games with me on my little 12″ RCA TV. The dream of a lifetime–going to Kentucky play IU at the Hoosier Dome, front row seats under the basket with Jen and Matt. So many UK fans in student section the Wildcat would come over to encourage us. Of course Kentucky won this game in a landslide. Last night after Kentucky won, tears of joy and sorrow–wishing my Papa would have lived to see this moment. He was around for win 1,000. Seeing my baby boy jump up and down cheering for Kentucky. A new generation Kentucky fan in the making? He even said he wanted to play basketball for Kentucky–an even bigger dream. Maybe we will the game that cinches the 3,000th victory together in about 40 years.

13th Anniversary-Lace

Today is a day similar to 13 years ago. The snow on the ground and roof, but the roads are clear, temperature of 32 degrees. 13 years ago today I married the man of my dreams. Who could imagine that I could possibly love him more today than I did 13 years ago. He has only improved with age. Tonight we celebrated at Red Robin on Michigan Road. Curtis loved the refill on fries. It was a quiet anniversary, but no less special. Today a special basket was delivered to Jeremy, complete with lace.

Christmas Blessings

Today I got to hug and kiss my godchildren, Josh and Anna. I can’t believe how quickly they are growing. I wish they lived nearby so I could see them all the time. I would love for us to go to the same church, same sports, and celebrate birthdays and other big events together. It amazes me how much love you can have for a child that you never gave birth to. However, I have a deep love of the children of people that are very important to me. A gift God gave us, this overwhelming sense of love. A love that can make you heart ache or feel higher than any other emotion. God is love.

Fundraiser

I am not a fan of fundraisers. However, Curtis really wanted the limo ride to McDonald’s. So I worked hard, asked everyone at work, church, everywhere. I managed to sell the 45+ items required for the limo ride. My baby boy was so happy that all of the hard work was worth it. Then he was able to throw a pie at his teacher and paint his principal’s hair because he was a top seller. To me, that is cooler than the limo ride!

Happy Holidays

When did “Happy Holidays” become an anti-Christian sentiment? Aren’t all of the holidays from God? Growing up “Happy Holidays” was the shortened version of “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year”! Certainly not like the “x” that takes Christ out of Christmas (most people lack the knowledge that can also be a tilted cross, therefore Christ is still there). Why do Christians mandate that everyone and all stores greet with “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays”? What message are we sending when we get fighting mad over a simple phrase. Doesn’t actions speak greater than words? Wouldn’t an expression of “Happy Holidays” full of love show more of God’s love than a “Merry Christmas” said out of spite or to “prove a point! God is love. God is here. We are made in God’s image to love. Are we being loving when we get hung up on phrases instead of what the phrases mean? So the next time someone says “Happy Holidays” to you, can you try to remember the gift given to us that special night and the blessing of a new year.

Veteran’s Day

The Cub Scouts had the honor of paying tribute to our veterans last night. They went to the Harrison Retirement Community in Speedway. Curtis was able to present our nation’s colors. I was so proud of him. Looking at this picture now brings tears to my eyes. He was so careful with the flag, being sure that our flag did not touch the ground. Throughout the ceremony he sat quietly and respectfully. Although not a perfectly orchestrated event, a very moving event. There is great joy in seeing our boys brought up in the tradition of respecting our nation and its symbols.

Uncle Brian

Every now and then Curtis will give me a sheepish grin, usually when he is trying to con me or get out of something. When he flashes me this grin I see the grin my brother used to give my mom. In most ways Curtis is just like me with a little Jeremy thrown in. This smile however is completely my brother (inherited from my Dad).

Halloween

We went to the Harvest Party at Speedway Baptist this year. This has been an annual tradition before Curtis was even born. This year I didn’t help at all, I was just a mom. It was a wonderful experience. This was the best Harvest Party ever! Miss Julie totally transformed the Family Life Center into a pumpkin haven. Not only did the decorations look wonderful, the workers were all dressed in costumes! Curtis had a blast, playing some games more than once. After the Harvest Party we drove to Brownsburg to visit the Rosenberger family. A wonderful Halloween full of treasured memories.

Croptoberfest

A weekend of scrapbooking with some fabulous ladies. Twice a year we get away and scrapbook. This year I made Miss Karen’s album, made my calendar pages, two Christmas cards, and several pages for the 2009 album. Friday was not the best start to this usually quite relaxing weekend. After dropping off my stuff I went home to take Mom to see Dr. McCready. She had a great report and we were out of the office early. So I got back to Camp Camby. After selecting Miss Karen’s album and making one page, Jeremy called me to come home because we had a significant leak in the kitchen. He had to tear up half of our kitchen floor. So I spent Friday night looking at cabinets and dishwashers on the internet. Fortunately our cabinets sit about 1/4 inch off the floor, so they were not damaged. My kitchen cabinets are old, but I love them. So Saturday morning I get up early and I am back to the retreat by 6am. So a full day of scrapbooking! Sunday morning I sleep in a little and have yummy waffles for breakfast. After breakfast Carrie crowns me Scrapbooking Queen because of my organizational skills =) After lunch I pack up and head home. A fabulous weekend–looking forward to the Winter Retreat in February!

Cub Scouts Circuit of Fun

Curtis is now old enough to join the Cub Scouts. He is having a blast! Today we went over to the Track for Cub Scouts Day at the Track. Curtis was able to shoot a BB gun, shoot a bottle up in the air using air, drive a RC monster truck in a race, use a marshmallow gun and bow. After all the fun at the Track, Curtis marched in the parade for the Speedway Spectacular. He held a banner for one of the cars driving in the parade. Once we got to Leonard Park, Curtis was able to play a variety of games.