So many ways to look at the Eric Bledsoe situation

Originally published in the Woodford Sun on June 3, 2010

Well, it sure didn’t take long for the wispy smoke of suspicion to blanket the Bluegrass State.

Is a conflagration closing in?

Last week, the New York Times ran a story revealing an NCAA investigation into possible violations surrounding the recruitment of former University of Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe. Suspicion surrounds an amazing academic turnaround during Bledsoe’s senior year in high school, along with allegations that his high school coach paid his mother’s rent and demanded cash payments from schools pursuing the Birmingham A.H. Parker High School star prior to his signing with UK.

According to reports, Brenda Axle, the landlord for the house Bledsoe lived in during his senior year, says A.H. Parker coach Maurice Ford paid four months rent totaling $1,200.

The UK guard’s transcripts also tell an unlikely tale. Going into his final year of high school, Bledsoe had a grade point average in core courses of about 1.9. To reach NCAA eligibility, he had to bring his GPA up to 2.5. A compliance officer said it wasn’t an impossible achievement, but would take an “extraordinary senior year academically” to reach the minimum NCAA qualification.

Finally, the New York Times reports an unnamed coach who recruited Bledsoe claims Ford told his staff that he needed a specific amount of money to let Bledsoe sign.

Ford denied the allegations, telling the Times, “I don’t prostitute my kids.” UK says it did nothing wrong, pointing out that the NCAA Eligibility Center cleared Bledsoe. Kentucky coach John Calipari? Well, he hasn’t said much of anything.

This story makes me feel a little bit like a spectator at a tennis match. The ball can bounce so many ways and spin in a multitude of directions. It makes for a number of “on the one hand, but on the other hand” scenarios.

On the one hand, no indication exists that Calipari did anything wrong. And in fact, he was never directly implicated in any NCAA investigations, even though Calipari-led Memphis and UMASS teams had to vacate wins due to rules violations.

Many in the sports world (UK fans call them haters) are quick to cast aspersions on the Wildcat skipper, assuming that he cheats because: A. He demonstrates uncanny and unbelievable success landing top recruits and B. NCAA investigators seem follow him like a mutt tracking a man with a steak in his pocket. A strong circumstantial case to be sure, but I’m not sure it’s fair to condemn the man without proof of his guilt.

On the other hand, how much billowing smoke does it take before we finally admit a fire is blazing nearby? And smoke surrounds Calipari in the same way it fills a cigar bar in downtown Tampa.

Not once. Not twice. No – three times NCAA investigators have descended upon programs coached by Calipari. It only took a year for them to make their way to Lexington. In case you folks wearing Big Blue glasses haven’t noticed, there is one common denominator here.

On the one hand, UK points out that the NCAA cleared Bledsoe to play college hoops. Kentucky’s defense seems to rest upon this fact.

“He was academically cleared. That’s all, from a university standpoint, we can go on. That’s what the NCAA Clearinghouse is for,” Stephen Branscum, vice president of the UK Board of Trustees, said.

On the other hand, this sounds a whole lot like Memphis’s argument in the case of Derrick Rose. And that didn’t work out so well for them.

On the one hand, if Bledsoe’s high school coach did pay rent for the family, you have to have a little sympathy for the situation. The kid was dirt poor. According to reports, he spent a lot of time sleeping on friends’ and relatives’ couches as his mother struggled to make ends meet. High school coaches are often closer to their players than anybody. They sometimes serve as father figures. They get an up-close and personal look at the circumstances that define these kids' existence. From a human standpoint, can you really blame a man for reaching out to help a poor kid’s family when facing eviction and homelessness?

Ford even alludes to this in the New York Times story, saying he did nothing wrong.

“I’m a poor black man. And when one black man tries to help another black man, there’s always something wrong.”

On the other hand, if Ford paid the rent, there is definitely something wrong. Rules are rules, and high school coaches can’t go around paying expenses for players. Under NCAA rules, a coach paying a student’s family’s rent would be considered an impermissible benefit. Good intentions or not, it’s against the rules. Period. So, find another solution to the kid’s problem.

And the cynic in me could easily conclude that Ford was an opportunist, looking to squeeze a little cash out of a cash cow that landed in his back yard. Is that fair? Perhaps not, but if Ford really demanded payments from coaches in return for Bledsoe’s signature, it takes a few steps beyond tacky.

Only time will tell how this will all pan out. Personally, I can’t help but think that it won’t turn out well for Kentucky fans. Guilty or not, it looks like Kentucky has landed itself in a pickle.

Quick Shots

Did you see Mike Conway crash during the final lap of the Indianapolis 500? Conway’s car went airborne and exploded into a bajillion pieces. My 10-year-old son saw a replay of the crash when we were out eating. His eyes went wide. “He’s dead,” Brendan said matter-of-factly. But Conway wasn’t dead. He did suffer multiple breaks in his leg and a compression fracture of the spine, but he’s still living and breathing. The fact that the driver survived such a horrific wreck stands as a testament to the safety features built into modern race cars. Pretty amazing.

Perfection. Twice in one year. Just weeks after Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden pitched a perfect game, Roy Halladay repeated the feat. The Florida Marlins’ hurler threw 115 pitches and struck out 11 batters, as Florida topped the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0. It’s the first time in MLB history that there were two perfect games in the same season. Also, pretty amazing.

Speaking of smoke and fire, will they actually prove the latest doping violations against bicycle racing phenom Lance Armstrong? Former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis claims he used performance enhancing drugs with Armstrong.

Quote of the Week

“I don't think there's anything a guy like me can say to congratulate a star of his level.” – Oakland A’s pitcher Dallas Braden, who pitched the 19th perfect game in Major League Baseball history on why he didn’t call Roy Halladay after he threw the 20th perfect game less than three weeks later.

Puck to the Head

This week’s puck flies at the head of former NBA and UK basketball star Antoine Walker – again. This time for filing for bankruptcy. It’s not so much that he went bankrupt. It’s that he earned multi-millions of dollars playing a game and then went bankrupt. Walker is no stranger to financial woes. Last November, he agreed to pay back $900,000 so settle Las Vegas bad check charges connected to gambling. Hmmm … I wonder if the gambling might have something to do with those financial woes.

UK's rent-a-player program

A reprint of my April 1 column published in the Woodford Sun.

Wow.

That didn’t last long.

It seems like just yesterday, University of Kentucky fans were wondering how the Wildcat basketball team was going to rebuild.

Today, University of Kentucky fans are wondering how the Wildcat basketball team is going to rebuild.

True, it feels much different this year. The Cats are coming off a successful season. SEC regular season and tourney champs, 35 wins, a deep run into the NCAA Tournament. And the program has a coach known for recruiting prowess. John Calipari certainly proved that during his inaugural season in the Bluegrass.

But UK faces a mass exodus of talent. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson will almost certainly bolt for the NBA. And most pro scouts rank Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton as first round NBA picks as well.

So, Coach Cal will have to reload. And I don’t doubt that he can do it. But is this really what Kentucky fans want? A rent-a-player program? A training ground for the NBA? A string of one-and-doners walking through a blue and white revolving door?

I have to admit, even as a relatively tepid UK fan, I was getting caught up in the Cats’ NCAA tourney run. More than that, I was starting to fall for this team. In the last couple of months, the squad developed a personality. I liked it. Not just the basketball skill. I saw that in the beginning. But as the season progressed, I began to understand the characters that made the team click. Dancing Wall. Joking Cousins. Cerebral Patterson.

And then they walked out my life in a rain of West Virginia treys.

I went to bed after that loss to the Mountaineers feeling a little empty. Maybe even a little emotionally numb. It wasn’t just the loss. It was the realization that, as amazing as the season turned out, it was so fleeting, so temporary – so ephemeral.

And for all of my support of Calipari, I’m beginning to think his approach to building a team may not really turn out to be all that great. Oh, it will probably win more games than it will lose. It may even yield an NCAA championship or two. But it lacks heart. It lacks soul. It lacks substance.

A friend of mine, a lawyer out in Las Vegas, wrote the following.

"The University of Kentucky hereby agrees that the term of rental for Mr. Wall shall be one (1) year, and upon expiration of such period, the University shall return Mr. Wall in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, provided that the University shall be entitled to retain all revenue generated out of or arising in connection with use of Mr. Wall during such period."

When I first read Scott’s little Facebook post, I chuckled. But as I thought about it, I realized that my buddy succinctly captured the reality of the 2009-2010 Kentucky basketball season.

This Big Blue team was never really ours.

It was a collection of players who stopped here in the Bluegrass on their way to something else. Can we really expect these kids to develop a passion for the program? Can we really believe they will truly weave themselves into the fabric of the community? Granted, they seemed to embrace Kentucky hoops, but only for a moment. And now it’s over.

Maybe I’m just old fashioned, pining away for a time long gone. Perhaps this is just the reality of big time college athletics in the 21st Century. The best players chase the money to the NBA as soon as they can. And I don’t begrudge them this. So maybe Cal’s approach is the best way to win. Get the best players, utilize their services for a season or two and send them on their way.

But I’m not sure I buy it. Not anymore. After this tourney it seems a little like a get-rich-quick scheme. It promised a lot. It looked good for quite awhile. But it didn’t quite deliver, did it?

Quick Shots

West Virginia coach Bob Huggins’s record against UK skipper John Calipari stood at 7-1 going into the NCAA Elite 8 match-up between the two schools. After watching the game, I can see why. Huggins out-coached Cal. UK never adjusted defensively to the suddenly hot shooting Mountaineers. Or perhaps it’s more accurate to say Cal over adjusted. West Virginia hit 8-of-15 three pointers in the first half. Even so, the Cats only trailed by seven at the intermission. But UK panicked. Odds are, the typically mediocre outside shooting Mountaineers were not going to put together a repeat performance in the second half. The Cats would have likely been better served to keeping packing in the middle instead of coming out to guard the arc and opening up the paint.

Not only that, Cal’s Cats seemed flummoxed by the West Virginia 1-3-1 zone. It was no mystery that it was coming.

But hindsight is 20-20. And the truth is, UK was not going to win that game missing 13 free throws and 28 three-point attempts.

Finally, an exciting NASCAR finish that did not involve the No. 48. After losing a late lead with an ill advised pit stop. Denny Hamlin took advantage of a yellow flag, and then charged past Jeff Gordon in the final lap to win the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville. Jimmie Johnson was never a factor and finished ninth.

Here’s a little humor for you Wildcat fans. How do you know it’s spring in Kentucky? Cardinals sitting on the couch, watching Cats play basketball.

Quote of the Week

“More than anything, it's money. In this world, there's only one color that matters, and that's green.” – University of Kentucky freshman basketball player Daniel Orton (He later said in a Twitter post that he was just kidding.)

Puck to the Head

This week, pucks fly at the heads of all those University of Louisville fans talking trash after UK lost in the Elite 8. I’m all for a little friendly verbal smack down. But you should really have some high ground from which to throw your taunts. Last I checked Louisville left the party long ago, without so much as an NCAA party favor.

Something positive from big time sports

A repost of my March 25 SlapShots column published in the Woodford Sun.

Cynicism comes naturally to the sports reporter.

It seems that each week I find another negative story to focus on. Arrests. Cheating. Sex scandals. Outrageous comments.

Boorish behavior seems almost the norm for the big time athlete. And unfortunately that leads many sports fans, and detractors alike, to share the cynicism, to assume the worst. Players and coaches tend to find themselves guilty until proven innocent, especially those part of winning programs.

For all of its on court success this season, the University of Kentucky basketball team is no exception. I recently had a conversation with a colleague who insists the program is tainted and that scandal will eventually seep out of the darkest corners of Rupp Arena.

Why? Because he sees the program as a win-at-all cost organization led by a win-at-all cost coach. He reasons that the school will cut corners, recruit bad characters and ultimately mingle with the seedy cast inhabiting the shadows of big time NCAA hoops.

He might be right.

But the evidence, at least in the early going, does not support this notion,

For all of its impressive accomplishments on the court, this UK squad has matched its basketball success with equally notable “decent human being” moments off the court, outside the glare of the spotlight.

One story made national news last week. Rebekah Sims was celebrating her 16th birthday at P.F. Chang’s in Fayette Mall. Wildcat players happened to be sitting at a nearby table, celebrating their SEC Championship. When Rebekah’s older sister asked Patrick Patterson if the players would sing “Happy Birthday,” he arranged a restaurant wide serenade for the birthday girl. Then the players gave her their SEC Championship cake the restaurant had made. But it wasn’t over. About five minutes after the team left, Josh Harrellson returned and presented Rebekah with a basketball signed by the whole team.

“Do you think this would make a good birthday present?” Harrellson reportedly asked as he presented the ball from behind his back.

No, it wasn’t really a big deal. Unless you are a UK fan celebrating your 16th birthday. And that small gesture illuminates something bigger about the character of the kids playing for UK, a fact not lost on Rebekah’s dad, Brian Sims. He sent out an e-mail that ultimately brought national attention to the Cats’ little act of kindness.

“To try to debunk some of the beliefs about the team and the things they’re accused of,” Sims said. “They’re good kids. I think it’s a bad rap.”

He told the Herald-Leader he was referring to commentators’ talk about DeMarcus Cousins’ temper and the notion that UK players are thugs.

Sounds like Sims has experienced the cynicism.

It’s true; singing “Happy Birthday” and giving away a cake and ball doesn’t really prove anything. But consider this: they didn’t have to do it. The players could have easily said, “Sorry, we’re busy.” Or they could have dutifully performed the song and gotten back to their party. But they didn’t. They went above and beyond, and I think that says something about the character of these kids.

And that’s not the only story I’ve heard about UK players going out of their way to engage in a little kindness.

A co-worker had a child participating in a basketball camp at UK last fall. After a session, he and his son ran into John Wall in the hallway. The father asked Wall if he would sign an autograph for his son, who was suddenly overtaken by a fit of shyness. Wall said, “Sure,” and then bent down to face level with the awestruck little boy, stuck out his hand and said, “Hi, I’m John Wall. What’s your name?”

Here’s another. A little boy of about 5-years-old recently approached Cousins. The boy looked up and down the UK big man’s 6-foot-11 frame and finally said, “I like your socks.” Big Cuz scooped the boy up into his arms, ran his hand through the youngsters’ curly locks and said, “I like your hair.”

Small gestures to be sure. But they give us tiny glimpses of a bigger picture. And that image looks pretty good right now.

Sure, the team may eventually disappoint us. Cousins may blow a gasket and embarrass Wildcat nation. Calipari may prove himself the cheater many assume him to be. Cynicism may yet be validated.

But for now, I will give the Wildcats the benefit of the doubt. I will assume the best. And I will enjoy a wonderful moment for the state and the university.

After all, what fun is cynicism, really?

Quick Shots

This year’s NCAA Tournament gods seem intent on mocking my column last week, in which I pooh-poohed low seed teams’ chances to win in the Big Dance. Fifteen lower seeded teams won games in the first two rounds. That said I still don’t support expanding the tourney field and thus expanding the rewards of mediocrity.

The University of Kentucky showed up to the tourney with the one thing needed to make it a nightmare for every other NCAA team pursuing that elusive National Championship – an outside shooting game. In the first two games of the tournament, UK blistered the nets from behind the arc, hitting 22-of-54 3-pointers. (What happened against West Virginia?)

A chill still hangs in the air, but the Woodford County High School baseball and softball teams kicked off the 2010 season the week of March 21. That means warm weather can’t trail far behind.

Jimmy Johnson won – again. The 48 drove to victory on Bristol’s short track. I vacillate between hating Jimmy for his dominance and loving him for his excellence.

Quote of the Week

“To be honest, he’s a terrible trash talker. I mean, that was the worst job I’ve seen in my life. He just kept saying the same thing over and over. Come with a momma joke or something.” – DeMarcus Cousins on Wake Forest center Chad McFarland.

Puck to the Head

This week’s puck flies at the head of aforementioned Wake Forest center. McFarland refused to shake hands with Cousins before the Cats’ second round game against the Demon Deacons. I understand the trash talking and physical play that McFarland is known for. It’s designed to throw an opponent off and get under his skin. It’s all part of the game. But the pre-game handshake refusal crossed the line. McFarland proved he isn’t the savvy player he’d like you to think. He’s just a tall skinny jerk.

Some thoughts on the resignation of WCHS football coach Chris Tracy

Reprinted from my Feb. 18 SlapShots column

Coaches come and coaches go.

That’s just part of the life of every sports program. But that doesn’t make it any easier for those left behind when a coach makes the decision to move on.

The Woodford County High School football team lost a good one when head football coach Chris Tracy made the decision to step down and accept the coaching position at Franklin County High School.

The move is understandable. Heading to Franklin County represents a homecoming for Tracy, and he sees the change a great opportunity for him and his family. So I don’t fault him for pursuing the Flyers position.

But I’ll be honest, I’m going to miss Chris. I’ve not only grown to respect Tracy as a coach and an educator, he’s become a friend.

And to make matters worse, I now face the prospect of having to train a brand new Yellow Jacket skipper.

Coaches are notoriously hard to train.

Chris Tracy was the first Woodford guy I met when I took over as the Woodford Sun sports editor. I’d been on the job exactly one day when I covered my first Yellow Jacket football game, a 49-34 win over Bardstown. Tracy made the transition from big city news guy to small town sports editor a lot easier through his kindness and respect.

Chris was easy to work with, and believe me, when it comes to coaches that’s not always the case. Win or lose, he always answered my questions. He never seemed put off, never bristled and never refused to answer the tough ones. In fact, Tracy would often bring up controversial issues on his own accord. I always appreciated the fact that he never made excuses. He refused to use referees, field conditions or outside circumstances as scapegoats for a bad performance.

But what truly sets Christ Tracy apart is his love for his kids.

You can criticize Chris’ choice of offensive systems. You can question his play calling. You can say he ran the ball too much, or didn’t run it enough. But nobody can legitimately say that he didn’t care about his players.

In fact, Chris Tracy cares more about the kids on his team than he cares about football.

And once again, in the world of high school sports, that’s not always the case.

Don’t get me wrong; Chris wants to win. He harbors a deep and intense competitive streak. But he always emphasized learning. He always seemed more concerned about making sure his players grew up into good citizens as opposed to great football players. He always looked at the big picture.

Chris emphasized academics. He taught life lessons. He never neglected the spiritual. More than once, I’ve seen the coach put his arm around a kid’s shoulder, pull him close just to share a few encouraging words.

Tracy leaves Woodford County with a 36-39 record, but that’s not his legacy. His legacy resides in the hearts and minds of the kids he coached over the last seven years. Lessons learned. Character built. Boys grown into men.

Yes Chris. We will miss you.

Good luck at Franklin County – until that Friday nigh you play Woodford.

Quick Shots
The University of Kentucky put the fan in fanatic. The Wildcat faithful proved once again that when it comes to basketball passion, no place on earth comes close. More than 22,000 fans packed Rupp Arena for a TV show on Feb. 13. Not for a game. Not even for practice. They came just to watch ESPN broadcast its GameDay program the morning before the UK – Tennessee match-up. Talk about over-the-top. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” GameDay host Rece Davis said. “This place is so special.” Special – or downright insane.

The kickoff of the 2010 NASCAR season had some bumps in the road – literally. Chunks of pavement came loose, forcing officials to delay the Daytona 500 twice for patch jobs. It seemed as if city road crews were doing the repairs. You know, one guy working and a whole gaggle watching. After more two hours worth of delays, Jamie McMurray won the storied race. Fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. made all the waiting worthwhile, charging from 10th place to second in the span of one lap to challenge for the win. At least that part was exciting, because if you think watching care drive in circles for hours is boring, you should try watching them sit parked.

That said, the guys at FOX did a pretty good job of keeping things interesting during the delays. Thank the NASCAR gods that this didn’t happen during TNT’s coverage.

The Woodford County High School basketball teams are both peaking at just the right times. With the post season less than two weeks away, both Jacket squads earned big wins. The girls’ team upset Anderson County 50-49. And it didn’t look like a fluke. The Lady Jackets went toe-to-toe with the top team in the 8th Region. Not to be outdone, the boys’ team beat West Jessamine, a Sweet 16 final four team last season and then turned around and took out 15-win Boyle County. It looks like the Jackets are poised to make some noise in the postseason. Wins at the end of the year can make up for a lot of early season frustration.

Is it just me, or have the Olympic opening ceremonies gotten kind of creepy?

Quote of the Week
“That car has no idea how old I am.” – Mark Martin, 51-year-old NASCAR driver

Puck to the Head
This week’s puck flies at the head of the International Luge Federation officials. They claim the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili during a training run before the start of the Vancouver Olympics had nothing to do with “deficiencies in the track.” But they built a big wooden wall to cover the steel beams that Kumaritashvili hit at over 90 mph, and placed padding on other exposed beams. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like that might have been a better plan before the crash.

Should they stay or should they go?

A repost of my Jan. 28 SlapShots column

University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari rarely engages in “coach-speak.” I appreciate that about him.

Every sports fan has heard “coach-speak” before – those virtually meaningless clichés rolled out when the coach doesn’t want to say what he actually thinks. For instance, when asked about a player leaving school early for the pros, 99 out of 100 coaches will rattle off some mundane statement about the athlete doing whatever he thinks best for himself and his family. And after a lot of verbiage, fans and media remain with only the vaguest notion what the coach really thinks.

But oh no, not Cal. No sir. We know exactly what he thinks. The Wildcat skipper embraces the exodus.

When asked if John Wall might possibly return next season, Cal all but showed his superstar point guard the door.

“He had better not be,” Calipari said during an appearance on the Dan Patrick radio show. “I am saying that if he came to me and he was the No. 1 pick in the draft and he said that he wanted to come back, we would probably be wrestling around on the floor. Because there is no reason other than me trying to win more games that he should come back.”

Ahh – honesty.

Agree or disagree, Calipari has an agenda, and part of that agenda involves sending players on to the NBA. And he would gladly see others depart the Bluegrass State along with Wall.

“If we do something unique and special, we’ll lose a bunch of guys. Will you be happy? I’ll be happy.”

Granted, Cal’s optimism stems from the fact that he has no plans to face next season with an empty chamber.

“If something unique and special happens, its reload. Let’s go. Who’s next? And I’d be happy.”

Yes, Calipari makes no bones about turning UK into a farm system for the NBA. He’s not a dumb man. The players may not stay around for more than one or two seasons, but he knows that if he develops a reputation for sending his boys on to the main stage, he will always have a long line of kids waiting to step in for their shot. And Cal also knows that a steady stream of NBA prospects means winning teams and championships.

That’s what he wants. That’s what the university wants. And that’s what the fans want.

This attitude doubtlessly disturbs the purists among us – the idealists who cling tenaciously to the pristine concept of the student-athlete.

And I will admit, there is a part of me that would like to see every player on every team earn their degrees. A little yearning deep inside to see college sports more about the college than the sport. But as I’ve reflected on Calipari’s words over the last few days, I’ve come to realize that I’m nothing but a hypocrite.

I spent four-and-a-half years earning my first college degree, followed up by two more years roaming the hallowed halls of academia pursuing a second degree. Why? So I could move into the work world and earn a good living. So I would possess the tools I need to succeed in my chosen field. And if I could have accomplished all of that in one year, would I given up those other five years of schooling?

You bet your hockey stick I would.

So why is the standard any different for John Wall? If one year playing at UK proves enough to earn him the No. 1 NBA draft pick – the pinnacle of his chosen field – why should he hang around Kentucky? We go to college to prepare for our career. If he’s ready to go – God bless him.

There will be plenty of role players working their way through the Wildcat program. They will contribute to the team and earn four-year degrees. Every now and again, we’ll see a Patrick Patterson. He will likely leave the Cats after his junior year – with his degree. And we will rightly praise their hard work and hold up their academic achievements.

But these players rank no better or no worse than the Walls of the world. Each player – each individual – must chart her or his own path through life.

As for Calipari, he’s about winning games. And he seems to think that recruiting the best with the promise of helping them achieve their dream of going pro is the best way to get that done. Believe me, if Coach Cal brings a winning tradition back to UK, the fans won’t complain. And neither will the administration. The ex-UK players making millions in the NBA surely won’t complain. Seems to me everybody wins.

And for those who really want to embrace academic rigors as a student-athlete, there’s always Vandy.

Quick Shots
It looks like NASCAR plans to go old school. There’s a saying in stock car racing. “If you ain’t rubbin’ you ain’t racin’.” Looks like there’s gonna be some racin’! NASCAR announced last week that it will lift its ban on bump drafting at the Daytona 500. They will also up the horsepower in the season’s opening race with the largest restrictor plate since 1989. NASCAR said it plans to encourage drivers to show more aggression and emotion in the upcoming season. As a Kyle Busch fan, lets just say I can’t wait to see how this works out.

One fairytale had to trump the other. In two equally compelling storylines, the Saints kicked a field goal in overtime to beat the Minnesota Vikings 31-28 and punch their ticket to the Super Bowl. In one storybook, you had the 40-year-old Bret Favre showing guts and determination, repeatedly picking himself up off the turf as the New Orleans Saints defense pummeled him play after play. Not even an ankle injury could knock him out of the game. You can’t help respect the toughness and tenacity of the old bird. In the other storybook, you have the Saints, hailing from the Big Easy, still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. The Saints had never made it to the Super Bowl and their triumph symbolizes the resurgence of the city itself. You can’t help but share a little joy with the people of New Orleans. It’s just a shame both fairytales couldn’t have happily ever after endings.

I can admit when I’m wrong. I never expected Kentucky’s freshman laden squad to be this good. And after watching the Wildcats dismantle Arkansas, it appears they really are this good. The pollsters agree, making UK the unanimous No. 1. No doubt, there remain plenty of opportunities to slip, but this team has the potential to win it all.

And then UK traveled down to South Carolina. No. 1 - Wow, that didn’t last long.

Quote of the Week
“I keep hearing about this time out. People I’m closest to are going to demand I take some time off, but I tried that already. I tried a day and a half, and it didn’t work.” – Florida Gator football coach Urban Meyer.

Puck to the Head
This week’s puck flies at the head of former major league baseball player Jose Offerman for attempting to punch an umpire in the head during a Dominican Winter Baseball League playoff game. Offerman, serving as interim manager for the Licey Tigers, took a swing at the first base umpire while arguing a call. Offerman played 15 years in the majors. In 2007, he was arrested for assaulting an opposing pitcher and catcher with a bat while playing in the minors. On second thought, a puck to the head might not faze this guy.

They said what??

A reprint of my Jan. 7 Slapshots column from the Woodford Sun

For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed my New Year’s Day trip to football Nirvana.

I managed to spend the bulk of the day firmly planted on the couch. It all started at 11 a.m. with the Outback Bowl and continued past midnight as I celebrated the Gators’ 54-24 thumping of the Cincinnati Bearcats. And with a little channel surfing, I also managed to catch parts of the NHL Outdoor Classic between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers.

Yeah, hockey in Fenway Park was pretty cool.

I followed up on Saturday watching my USF Bulls win the meaningless International Bowl over Northern Illinois and then caught the UK-U of L basketball game.

But with all of that time absorbed in sports, there was bound to be a downside. And no, I do not consider eating an entire bag of Tostitos and a container of salsa in one afternoon a low point.

No, that involved some of the TV commentators.

Is it just me, or do some of these guys need to learn the value of silence?

I think the low point came during the Kentucky-Louisville game when Clark Kellogg repeatedly used the word “spurtability.” Really Clark? On network TV?

And other announcers managed to make themselves sound like idiots using real live words – from the English language.

So I thought it would be fun to start the year by sharing some of the more asinine comments out of the mouths’ of TV analysts.

“Neither one of these defenses want to give up the big play.”

As if somewhere a defensive coordinator is sitting in his darkened office scheming ways to give up the big play - hopefully leading to points.

“That is just a pure football player.”

As opposed to all of the diluted football players on the field? Or perhaps some hybrid players.

“The game’s changed a little, you’ve got to make plays.”

I vaguely remember football back in the early ’70s. They didn’t have to make plays back in those days. Refs arbitrarily awarded points.

“I think Jimbo (Jimbo Fisher, offensive coordinator for Florida State) would love to make first downs.”

After watching the Seminoles play the Gators a few weeks ago, I could debate that notion.

“And Florida State makes this a football game.”

I’m not sure what they were playing before. Perhaps badminton?

“They each have a touchdown, so they both know how to get into the end zone”

If they need help, they can always purchase one of those fancy GPS contraptions.

“Not quite as straight, but they all count if they go through the uprights.”

Woohoo! Thank you obvious man!

And finally, my personal favorite…

“Good feet. He needs those feet.”

I guess I won’t ask to borrow them then.

Happy New Year, sports fans.

Quick Shots
University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks announced his retirement on Monday, Jan. 4. He said that he felt like it was just time to step aside.

“This is the end of the road of the old man’s coaching career,” Brooks said.

Some inside sources say that frustration with the university partly drove his decision – frustration stemming from UK’s reluctance to pour money into the football program, particularly facilities and assistant coaches salaries. Brooks is too classy to come out and blast the program, but the fact that he mentioned facilities upgrades on his laundry list of things he’d like to see Kentucky do in the future makes me wonder if there isn’t some truth to the rumors. Basketball will always reign as king in Kentucky. Perhaps Brooks got tired of playing in the backup band.

Analysts have raised a number of valid questions regarding Tim Tebow’s future as an NFL quarterback. It was almost as if he set out to erase those question marks in the Sugar Bowl. The Gator senior completed 31 of 35 passes for 482 yards and three touchdowns. Some may suspect his throwing mechanics. They may question his ability to read pro defenses. But I sure wouldn’t bet against the heart and desire of this kid.

Broadcasters praised UK big-man DeMarcus Cousins for maintaining his cool despite the intensity of the Kentucky-Louisville game. After watching several replays of his elbow to the head of Jared Swopshire, I’d hate to see what would have happened if he HAD lost his cool.

Quote of the Week
“I’d like to start like I always do with the injury report. I’m walking and well, so that’s the injury report.” –Former University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks opening up the press conference announcing his retirement.

Puck to the Head
This week’s pucks fly at the heads of the four University of Tennessee basketball players for getting themselves arrested after a traffic stop in Knoxville. Tyler Smith, Melvin Goins, Brian Williams and Cameron Tatum were arrested after police say they found a handgun with an altered serial number, marijuana and an open container of alcohol in the car. Police initially pulled the car over for speeding. Mixing guns, alcohol and drugs. Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. * Insert strains of Rocky Top here *

Midnight madness

A reprint of my Oct. 8 SlapShot column published in the Woodford Sun.

I used to think I was a sports fan.

I have my University of South Florida, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning gear. Lots of it. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and jackets.

I’ve been known to rearrange my schedule to watch a big game. I’ve plunked down several hundred dollars for Lightning partial season tickets. I’ve yelled at the TV, stood in line for autographs and called into sports talk radio. My friends and family have witnessed my moods change based on a big win or loss by one of my teams.

And yes, I’ve even driven 45 minutes across Tampa Bay to watch the Lightning - practice.

But true blue University of Kentucky basketball fans have shown me the error of my thinking.

I’m no fan. I’m a poser. A pretender. A wannabe.

Because never in a million years would it have ever occurred to me to camp out for tickets – to a practice. And even more, I would never contemplate forking over more than $300 to purchase free tickets – to practice.

They call it Big Blue Madness. They got the last word right.

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people camped out for several days around Memorial Coliseum. Tents started popping up on Wednesday for a ticket distribution that took place at 6 a.m. Saturday morning. University officials said that it took just 45 minutes to distribute all of the Big Blue Madness tickets.

Did I mention that all of this carrying on was for a glorified practice?

And in the immortal words of Billy Mays, “That’s not all!”

Yesterday the tickets started showing up on eBay and Craigslist for upwards of $300 a pair. Perusing eBay on Monday morning, I found one pair of lower level tickets with a current price of $305. There were 24 bids. The highest asking price I found was $500. No bids on that one yet. Keep in mind; these tickets were originally distributed for free.

And it’s for a practice.

On a side note, I have no problem with enterprising folks selling their free tickets for big profits. This represents capitalism at its best. If a seller can find a buyer willing to pay a given price, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, I say more power to both parties. They both get what they want. They both walk away happy.

But I do have to question the sanity of anyone who would camp out for three days (don’t they have jobs??), or pay $150 to watch what amounts to a practice. Okay, call it a scrimmage if you like. But all in all, Big Blue Madness still amounts to an over-hyped layup line.

Sorry Big Blue fans, I just don’t get it.

But you see that just proves my original point. I’m clearly not a fan – of anything.

Quick Shots

I did think it was good PR move for UK basketball coach John Calipari and his son to camp out with the Big Blue Madness ticket seekers on Friday night. It remains to be seen what the new coach will do with his team on the hardwood, but he clearly knows how to endear himself to fans and the community.

The Woodford County High School volleyball team will go into the 39th District Tournament as the number two seed with a 4-2 district record. What an amazing turnaround from last season when the team failed to manage even a single district win. The Jacket volleyball squad’s improvement will surly rank as one of the best Woodford County sports stories of the year. Coach Meredith DellaGuistina has managed to get her team to believe in themselves, play as a team and most importantly find the fun in their game.

I’ve officially suspended calling the Cincinnati Bengals the “bungles.” I loved the grit and determination showed by Bengal quarterback Carson Palmer when he talked his coach into going for it on fourth-and-10 with time winding down in the overtime period against Cleveland. Palmer scrambled for the first down and Cincinnati kicked a field goal for a 23-20 win. The Bengals will face the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday for first place in the AFC North.

The University of Kentucky football team lost to another top-five opponent in Alabama. The path doesn’t get any easier with road games against two more ranked opponents. UK seems to suffer some kind of voodoo jinx when it comes to playing South Carolina (ranked 25th) and number 17 Auburn is much better than anybody expected.

Speaking of rankings, the USA Today Coaches’ Poll is just plain silly in some respects. The poll ranks Penn State (4-1) 12th and Iowa (5-0) 14th. Iowa beat Penn State two weeks ago. On what planet does this make any sense?

Quote of the Week

Have any of you ever stepped on a cat’s tail? I have accidentally stepped on a cat’s tail before and it’s pretty funny how fast – they make a noise and they go really fast. That’s kind of like when I step on the gas of the five car today, it was like stepping on a cat’s tail.”
-NASCAR drive Mark Martin after winning the pole for the Price Chopper 400 at Kansas Speedway

Puck to the head

This week’s puck flies at the head of any coach who voted Penn State ahead of Iowa in the above mention USA Today Coaches’ poll.

A review of Calipari's book

A reprint of my Sept. 3 SlapShot column published in the Woodford Sun

I spend an inordinate amount of time involved with sports, not only in my professional life, but also personally.

Obviously, sports consume my workday. Off the “clock” I watch sports as a fan and participate as an athlete. My experience in college hockey was an extremely significant part of my life.

With all of this focus on sports, I have to confess that I sometimes struggle with the significance of that which consumes so much of my life. I mean really … sports – so what?

Every once in a while, while in the heat of competition or pontificating on this game or that team, I hear that little voice.

“Dude, it’s just a game.”

But from time to time, something comes along to remind me that the valuable lessons learned on the fields and courts of athletic competition apply in my everyday life.

University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari’s new book Bounce Back serves as such a reminder.

For those of you looking for a “sports” book in the strictest sense of the word will find yourself disappointed. Fear not Cat fan, the book has plenty of references to basketball, and provides some interesting insights into the heart and mind of your coach. But Calipari’s focus really centers on practical ways to bounce back from setbacks in life. The book was written to help you – not entertain.

Drawing primarily from his experience of getting fired from the New Jersey Nets, and to a lesser degree Memphis’ loss to Kansas in the 2008 National Championship game, Calipari takes the reader through a step-by-step process in dealing with and overcoming setbacks, whether personal or professional. His advice focuses on practical steps – surrounding yourself with people who can help, maintaining a positive attitude, being proactive and engaging in serious self-evaluation. Bounce Back even contains interactive exercises throughout.

As regular readers know, I’m not much of a Wildcat fan, so I wasn’t exactly ga-ga about reading a book by the Wildcat coach. But the publisher sent me a prerelease, so I decided give it a read. I’m about two-thirds through and I have to admit, the more I read, the more impressed I become.

The book makes for something of an odd read because Calipari wrote it assuming that the reader is in the midst of a setback. It takes you step-by-step through the process of dealing with personal adversity, from the moment of the “trigger event”, the anger and frustration, and all the way through to the ultimate success of the bounce back.

I’m not experiencing any type of setback in my own life, so it was initially a little hard to relate. But as I got into the book, I started to recognize principles I can adopt.

My wife will tell you that I am NOT an optimistic person by nature. I’m definitely a “glass half empty” kind of guy. But in reading through the chapter entitled “Next – the Power of Amnesia,” I realized I would be far better off to develop a more positive attitude and dwell less on the negative.

The underlying message Calipari communicates is that we control our own destiny. We will always encounter obstacles, but how we face them will determine the course of our journey. Too many people ride through this world as passengers in their own lives.

What a waste.

“You have to be adaptable; you will do that by having a positive attitude, unrivaled energy and a vision of where you’re headed,” Calipari writes.

Honestly, I’ve never been a huge fan of rah-rah self-help books. But as I’ve read through Bounce Back I’ve realized that so many of those simple principles I’ve learned out on the ice – self discipline, hard work, a positive attitude and a refusal to quit apply just as much in “real life.” I need to utilize those same principles in my work and my relationships.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of the book – even you Louisville fans.

Maybe sport isn’t as insignificant as I sometimes think.

Quick Shots

A couple of weeks into the fall and Woodford County High School has three undefeated teams. Both the girls’ and boys’ soccer team are 3-0-1 and the football team is a perfect 2-0. All three squads show a lot of promise, but they’ve also shown they still have a lot of work to do.

The Wildcats open their football season this weekend against Miami of Ohio. The Cats have a pretty tough schedule. After its opener against the Redhawks, UK has a bye and then 11 straight games, starting with Louisville on Sept. 19. As usual, Wildcat fans seem a little over optimistic. I’ve heard many UK faithful on talk radio predicting a 9-3 or 8-4 season. Looking through the schedule, I would call 7-5 optimistic. The team should beat Miami and Louisville, but after that I look for them to lose three of their four games against Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Auburn. Of the remaining games, Mississippi State, Vandy and Georgia certainly don’t rank as gimmies. Then there is Tennessee. The Vols are rebuilding under new coach Lane Kiffin. Maybe this is the year the Big Blue will finally take down the dreaded Volunteers. At least they play at home so they won’t have to listen to “Rocky Top” 1,000 times.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough pre-season football. I’m ready for the real thing!

And on a personal note, I’m thrilled that the ice is back up at the Lexington Ice Center. That means one thing – hockey time!

Quote of the Week

“I've got six players coming in who think they poop ice cream.”
-UK coach John Calipari on his heralded recruiting class

Puck to the Head

They make this SO easy. This week’s puck flies at former UK coach Billy Gillispie. Alleged drunk driving. The upside for Wildcat faithful is that he just made the University of Kentucky administration look like geniuses.

Meeks to the NBA

A reprint of my July 2 SlapShots column in the Woodford Sun

Jodie Meeks will head to the land of bratwursts and beer.

The Milwaukee Bucks drafted the former University of Kentucky guard with the 41st pick. He was the 11th pick in the second round.

Last season, Meeks led the SEC with 24.2 points per game. He was fifth in the nation in scoring and earned second-team All American honors. After his breakout junior season, Meeks decided to forgo his senior year at UK and enter the NBA draft.

Was it the right decision?

Only time will tell. We have no way of looking into the future. No way to know if Meeks will develop into an NBA level player. The Bucks think highly of him and believe his scoring ability will translate to the NBA game.

“He was a guy we had on our board for the last few days, and up until (Wednesday) night, and we said, ‘No way this kid makes it to the second round,’” Bucks GM John Hammond said in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “We just felt he’s one of the top-notch shooters in this draft.”

Of course Hammond was already proved wrong on one theory. Meeks did last into the second round.

I tend to think Meeks isn’t quite ready for the NBA. I think he needs some more time to develop his obvious talent. He made huge strides last season. I think one more season would have probably made him a first round pick – especially under the tutelage of John Calipari.

Several readers agree.

“Meeks will have a lot of learning left to do, which he could have done under Calipari,” Versailles resident Paul Krueger said. “I guess he'll be paid for learning now – is that all that different from the SEC, though?”

Woodford County High School senior Carson Reynolds said that he thinks Meeks has a future in the NBA, but that it may take a couple of developmental years before he makes it to the big dance.

“As far as Meeks being successful I’m sorry to say but it won't be for a couple of years. He is either going overseas or to the D- league, he said. “But hey, look at the bright side, at least he got drafted because many thought he was stupid for leaving because he wouldn't get drafted.”

Nate Cowan, a sports writer in St. Petersburg, Fla., counters.

“As far as being happy to just be drafted, that's not a victory for him at all. Only first rounders get guaranteed contracts so he should have stayed in school.”

But this is really all speculation. We won’t know what Meeks will gain by entering the NBA early until next fall. We do know this – as a second round pick, Meeks has no guarantees. As Cowan pointed out, first round picks get guaranteed money. Second round picks get nothing but an opportunity.

And we do know what Meeks gave up. A senior season playing under a coach known for developing NBA players. A legitimate shot at an NCAA national championship. Another year to develop his game. Continuing his education.

Yes, I’m one of those old fashioned folks who actually believe that even talented athletes should take advantage of the opportunity to get a college education.

But Meeks made his decision and now it’s up to him to make the most of his opportunity. Fortunately for him, Milwaukee will likely provide a good fit. The team boasts a long line of successful second round picks. Last year the Bucks took Luc Richard Mbah a Moute from UCLA with the 37th pick. He played all 82 games as a rookie.

I wonder how Meeks will do facing NBA caliber players on defense night after night. Ball handling and driving the net isn’t Meeks’ forte. But he can shoot the lights out – provided he can get open – and sometimes when he’s not.

In that sense, Cowan thinks Meeks landed on the right team.

“The Bucks aren't a great team and Meeks has trouble creating his own shot. Picking up a pass first point guard like Brandon Jennings helps him in that department and he gets to play behind Michael Redd so he won't be facing the other teams' top perimeter defender,” he said. “The NBA isn't the SEC. The guys guarding him will be bigger and better than that game. He's a catch and shoot guy right now but really athletic. D. Jones and Jennings don't even play the same position as Meeks so they aren't in his way. Redd is coming back from ACL surgery so Meeks can make the squad.”

Cowan also thinks playing on a small market team will benefit the former Cat.

“Milwaukee is a good place for Meeks to land. He played under more scrutiny at UK then he'll see at a place like Milwaukee so the lights of the show won't get to him.”

The verdict remains out in my mind. I’m not sure how Meeks will fare at the next level. But if nothing else, he’s earned an opportunity. I hope he makes the most of it.

Quick Shots

How about the U.S. beating Spain in the FIFA Confederations Cup? After a lackluster start to the tournament, the American’s finally found some passion and shocked the Spaniards with a 2-0 win. Spain was ranked first in the world.

For the first time in three weeks, NASCAR driver Kyle Busch didn’t whine about coming in second in the Nationwide race. That’s because he finally won one. Busch turned the tables on Joey Logano, who led 108 of the 200 laps, passing the youngster with 36 laps remaining.

But Logano’s week got a lot better on Sunday. The rookie won his first Sprint Cup race, taking the checkered flag in a rain shortened Lenox Industrial Tools 301 in New Hampshire.

Woodford Sun Sports is on Facebook. If you are a Facebook user, join our page. It’s a great place to keep up with Woodford sports throughout the week, check out unpublished photos and engage in discussions with other readers.

Quote of the Week

“The 48 did the same thing. I think they had a pit-road penalty or got caught on pit road or something like that, and drove right up through the field. It looked like the rest of us were racing mini-stocks and he was in a super late model. It looked stupid. We need to make our cars like that where we make everybody look stupid instead of us being the ones that look stupid.” –Kyle Busch talking his recent struggles and the race at Pocono.

Puck to the Head

This week’s puck flies at the head Manny Ramirez – again. The Los Angeles Dodgers slugger is serving a 50 game suspension from Major League Baseball after testing positive for a banned substance. Except he’s not really serving the suspension. Ramirez has spent the last several weeks touring around the west playing in minor league games. What kind of punishment is that? The guy cheats, yet gets to keep playing baseball. And to make matters worse, fans have crammed the ballparks to watch the cheater. They all get pucks to the head too! That’s part of what’s wrong with this society – no real consequences for actions.

Are you a mucker and grinder?

A reprint of my June 11 column published in the Woodford Sun.

We call them muckers and grinders.

They play on the third and fourth lines. They can step up when a star player goes down. They have specific assignments: make a big hit, kill a penalty, or play a puck possession game while the top lines rest up.

They don’t attract the attention or have the name recognition of the superstars, but they play no less an important role on their teams. Nobody expects them to put up big numbers, but they can change the tone of a game with a physical shift, or a timely goal.

The coach just needs them to step up when they’re needed.

The muckers and grinders may not grab the headlines week after week, but without them, no team will succeed. They often play the role of difference maker, but the casual fan might not even notice.

In other sports, we call them role players – the backup linebacker that plays special teams, the defensive forward coming off the bench on the basketball team, the pinch hitter on the baseball squad.

Sometimes these athletes step up when a star goes down and become superstars themselves. The name Tom Brady comes to mind. But more often they labor in relative obscurity their entire careers.

You probably wouldn’t recognize most of their names.

Thanks in part to the muckers and grinders, the Detroit Red Wings have a shot at hoisting the Stanley Cup. They just need to win one of the next two games.

Of course, every time that storied trophy passes from hand to hand in celebration, more than a few of those raised arms belong to the role players.

Wings’ stars like Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom have all missed games in the playoffs due to injury, but in their absence, players like 22-year-old Darren Helm slid in and made their presence known. Helm leads the playoffs with 110 hits. Valtteri Filppula stepped up when Detroit’s leading scorer Datsyuk went down, scoring three goals and notching 13 assists. Justin Abdelkader scored two playoff goals. The first was his first NHL goal – ever.

"It's not about the number of minutes anyone plays. It's not about who gets the goals or assists. It's all about winning,” Helm said.

These guys may not ever reach superstar status. But they play an integral role on their team.

And they will reap the same reward as their headline grabbing teammates if they win the championship - their names will also be forever etched in the Stanley Cup.

I’m proud to say that I’m a mucker and a grinder. I was never higher than number three on the goalie depth chart at the University of South Florida, but I was there. I played my role and I played it to the best of my ability. I’m not writing for the New York Times, but I write to the best of my ability, filling my role here at The Sun and seeking excellence in all I do.

The truth is, most of us fall into the mucker and grinder category. We do our jobs and live our lives in relative obscurity. But the Detroit Red Wings – the team – should remind us that obscurity does not mean that we lack importance. It does not diminish our value. And it certainly doesn’t mean the world doesn’t need us.

We have a role and ladies and gentlemen, that role is important. What you do matters. You have significance. So do what you do the best that you can. Do it will passion and seek excellence.

Be who you were created to be.

Quick Shots

As I’ve watched the Stanley Cup playoffs, I’ve found myself wondering who will fill the mucker and grinder roles for the University of Kentucky basketball team this fall. John Calipari’s recruiting class is amazing. Lots of superstar talent. Lost of big names. But can they all play together and fill all of the roles that a team must fill in order to win? Or will they slide into the chaos of clashing egos? That remains to be seen.

Franklin County won the 11th Region Softball Championship and marched to the quarterfinals of the KHSAA State Softball Tournament before falling to Allen County-Scottsville. I couldn’t help but think, “what if?” as I followed the Yellow Jackets’ rivals’ progress through the tourney. Woodford County beat the Flyers three times this season. Franklin County’s success says a lot for the strength of the 41st District where most pundits considered Western Hills the top-dog.

The wrong bird won the Belmont and I think there was a lesson there for jockey Calvin Borel. Probably better to save the running of the mouth for after the race.

Quote of the Week

“I just wish you all would just quit ticking him off…so he has to come back and keep proving stuff. I think he answered a lot of questions today.”
– Jim Furyk after Tiger Woods came back to win the Memorial on June 7. Skeptics have questioned whether Woods was ready to defend his U.S. Open Championship in a couple of weeks.

Puck to the Head

This week’s puck flies at the head of Joe Bologna for comping UK basketball player meals. I just don’t think we should be increasing these kids’ sense of entitlement.