available in PDF - University of Kentucky Athletics

U N PA R A L L E L E D T R A D I T I O N
National Championship game, falling in overtime to
Arizona, 84-79. It would be the final game with Rick
Pitino as coach.
May 6, 1997
Rick Pitino announces his resignation at Kentucky to take
the challenge of rebuilding the NBA’s most storied franchise,
the Boston Celtics.
May 12, 1997
UK’s director of athletics, C.M. Newton, introduced
Orlando “Tubby” Smith as head coach.
Nov. 20, 1997
It was the dawning of an era as new head coaches Tubby
Smith and Morehead State’s Kyle Macy tipped off the season
in Rupp Arena. Smith won his first game at UK, 88-
49, over the former UK All-American and his Eagles.
March 22, 1998
In one of the most anticipated matchups of the NCAA
Tournament, UK roars back from a 17-point deficit with
9:38 remaining to defeat Duke, 86-84. The victory buried
the nightmare of UK-Duke ’92 and advanced the Wildcats
to their third straight Final Four.
March 30, 1998
The “Comeback Cats” rallied from a 10-point halftime
deficit to defeat Utah, 78-69, winning UK’s second national
title in three years, its seventh overall.
Sept. 5, 2001
After a long illness, Cawood Ledford dies at his home in
Harlan. A planned tribute at Rupp Arena was canceled
following the “9/11” terrorists attacks.
Dec. 8, 2001
Kentucky beats North Carolina for the Cats’ 1,800th victory,
the first college basketball team to reach that milestone.
March 16, 2003
After running the table in regular-season Southeastern
Conference play, Kentucky defeats Mississippi State, 64-57,
in the finals of the SEC Tournament to secure its 24th league
tourney crown and complete a 19-0 season sweep of conference
opponents. It marked the first time the feat had been
accomplished in 51 seasons.
April 6, 2007
Billy Gillispie is named Kentucky’s new head basketball
coach. He is introduced to a crowd of more than 4,000 fans
at a pep rally announcing his hiring. Gillispie replaced Tubby
Smith, who left after 10 seasons at the helm of Kentucky basketball
to become the head coach at Minnesota.
March 31, 2008
Long time Kentucky basketball manager Bill Keightley passed
away at the age of 81 in Cincinnati. Affectionately known as
“Mr. Wildcat”, he had been associated with the Wildcats’ basketball
program since 1962. Keightley, who manned the “Bill
Keightley Equipment Room” in Memorial Coliseum, was as
much a fixture around UK basketball as the seven national
championship trophies on display in the Joe Craft Center. A
crowd of over 3,000 payed their respects at a tribute to Mr.
Keightley held in Rupp Arena. Former players, coaches and
managers traveled from across the country to eulogize him.
Tayshaun Prince earned All-America honors. Chuck Hayes was the backbone for teams that won 109 games from 2002-
05. Rajon Rondo racked up high career steal totals. Cameron Mills introduces Billy Gillispie to the Big Blue faithful.
K E N T U C K Y
B A S K E T B A L L
155