< Previous56 @KentuckyMBB T he 2022 Southeastern Conference Championships was a week to remem- ber for the Kentucky swimming and diving program. In total, the Wildcats collected 15 medals, broke 10 school records, set one conference and meet record, achieved nine NCAA automatic qualifying standards, and earned 66 lifetime bests at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, from Feb. 15-19. Senior standout Riley Gaines stole the show for Kentucky throughout the five-day meet. She successfully defended her title in the 200 free, winning in 1:42.62 for the fourth-fastest time in the country and eclipsing her own school record. Gaines then threw down a nation-leading 1:51.51 to win the 200 fly for another NCAA A cut, also setting a new school, meet, and conference record. To top it off, she also broke her own school mark in the 100 free (47.88). Gaines, who is just as accomplished in the classroom as she is in the pool, was recognized for her achievements both ac- ademically and athletically. Owning a 3.876 grade-point average as a health sciences major, she was named the SEC Women’s Swimming and Div- ing Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming the fourth Wildcat to earn the award in program history. The UK women have won the honor four times in the last eight years. Gillian Davey also had an impressive medal haul in Knoxville, highlighted by a win in the 200 breast for the first gold of her career. Her time of 2:06.21 — the fourth fastest in the country — was .06 ahead of the runner-up and quick enough for an NCAA A standard. The junior also earned bronze in the 400 IM (4:05.28) behind team- mate Lauren Poole’s silver (4:03.36). Mason Wilby led the way with a trio of record-breaking swims on the men’s side. He obliterated his own school re- cord in the 200 fly en route to earning an A cut, also picking up the bronze medal for the first podium finish of his ca- reer in 1:40.15. He became the first UK male swimmer to medal at the conference meet since 2012, and he also set new program standards in the 200 back (1:41.90) and 200 IM (1:43.05). Other medal-worthy performances included the women’s 800 free relay and Caitlin Brooks in the 200 back, both of which earned silver. Additional bronze medalists included Kyndal Knight (1-meter, platform), the women’s 200 and 400 medley relays, the men’s 800 free relay, Brooks (100 back) and Sophie Sorenson (200 back). The Wildcats now turn their attention to the NCAA Championships in March at the McAuley Aquatic Cen- ter in Atlanta, Georgia. The 13th-ranked women’s team will compete at the na- tional meet from March 16-19 while the men will participate in the big dance from March 23-26. Swimming & Diving Successful at 2022 SEC Championships By Chandler Brandes UK Athletics Communications and Public Relations Riley Gaines Gillian DaveyMason Wilby58 @KentuckyMBB Market Call Letters Frequency Ashland, KY WCMI 92.7 FM / 1340 AM Ashland/Greenup, KY WLGC 105.7 FM Benton, KY WCBL 99.1 FM / 1290 AM Bowling Green, KY WGGC 95.1 FM Cadiz, KY WKDZ 106.5 FM / 1110 AM Campbellsville, KY WCKQ 104.1 FM Cincinnati, OH WCKY 1530 AM Columbia, KY WAIN 93.5 FM / 1270 AM Corbin, KY WCTT 107.3 FM / 680 AM Dry Ridge, KY WNKR 106.7 FM Elizabethtown, KY WQXE 98.3 FM Flemingsburg, KY WFLE 95.1 FM Grayson, KY WUGO 99.7 FM Harlan, KY WTUK 105.1 FM Hazard, KY WSGS 101.1 FM Henderson, KY WSON 96.5 FM / 860 AM Hopkinsville, KY WHOP 98.7 FM / 1230 AM Jamestown, KY WJRS 104.9 FM Jenkins, KY WIFX 94.3 FM Lancaster, KY WRNZ 105.1 FM Leitchfield, KY WKHG 104.9 FM Lexington, KY WBUL / WLAP 98.1 FM / 630 AM London, KY WWEL 103.9 FM Louisville, KY WHAS 840 AM Madisonville, KY WKTG 93.9 FM Mayfield, KY WLLE 102.1 FM Maysville, KY WFTM 95.9 FM / 1240 AM Monticello, KY WKYM 101.7 FM Morehead, KY WIVY 96.3 FM Morganfield WMSK 101.3 FM Nashville, TN WPRTHD 102.5 HD Owensboro, KY WBKR / WOMI 92.5 FM / 1490 AM Paducah, KY WKYX 94.3 FM / 570 AM Paintsville, KY WSIP 98.9 FM / 1490 AM Pikeville, KY WDHR / WPKE 93.1 FM / 103.1 FM Pineville, KY WRIL 106.3 FM Prestonsburg, KY WQHY / WDOC 95.5 FM / 1310 AM Providence, KY WWKY 104.9 FM Somerset, KY WSEK 93.9 FM / 910 AM Whitesburg, KY WXKQ / WTCW 103.9 FM / 920 AM Williamsburg, KY WEZJ / WEKX 104.3 FM / 102.7 FM John Calipari Radio Show Tuesday, November 23, 2021 (7-8 pm) Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (7-8 pm) (all remaining shows are from 6-7 pm) Monday, December 6, 2021 Monday, December 13, 2021 Monday, December 20, 2021 Monday, December 27, 2021 Wednesday, January 5, 2022 Wednesday, January 12, 2022 Monday, January 17, 2022 Monday, January 24, 2022 Monday, January 31, 2022 Wednesday, February 9, 2022 Wednesday, February 16, 2022 Monday, February 21, 2022 Monday, February 28, 2022 Monday, March 7, 2022 Monday, March 14, 2022 Monday, March 21, 2022 Monday, March 28, 2022 UK Sports Network Radio Information gently cleans & protects. available at Kroger & all major retailers. find out more at waterwipes.com the world’s purest baby wipes.6-4 | F | Lexington, Ky. | Bryan Station 60 @KentuckyMBB JACK GIVENS 1975-78 21ldly Possible ldly Possible Now accepting applications for Fall 2022. applyuk.com There are moments when doors of opportunity open. Moments when barriers are broken. Moments when you are called to provide hope for someone in need. Moments when you harness something deep within you that you didn’t know existed. Moments when you’re drawn to a cause greater than yourself. Moments when champions are born. These are the moments when nothing else matters. Moments made possible at the University of Kentucky. This is who we are. This is what we do. WE ARE WHAT’S62 @KentuckyMBB Blue and White The University of Kentucky adopted blue and white as its official colors in 1892. UK students had first decided on blue and light yellow before the Kentucky-Centre foot- ball game Dec. 19, 1891. The yellow was soon dropped from the combination and replaced by white. The particular Kentucky shade of blue, close to royal blue, was determined without ceremony. After settling on the base colors, a student posed the logical question, “What color blue?” Letterman Richard Stoll looked down at his necktie and raised it to the air. The vote was unanimous. Wildcats Nickname The official nickname for the University of Kentucky’s athletics teams is “Wildcats.” The nickname became synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road. Commandant Carbusier, then head of the military department at old State Uni- versity (UK), told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Kentucky football team had “fought like wildcats.” Later the name Wildcats became more and more popular among UK followers as well as with members of the media. As a result, the nickname was adopted by the University. UK Dance Team The University of Kentucky Dance Team helps generate excitement and enthusiasm at Wildcat athletics events. Under the direction of head coach Dawn Duncan Walters and as- sistant coach Janet Brock, the dance team in- cludes both Blue and White Squads. The team placed second in the Universal Dance Associ- ation national championships in 2020 in both the hip-hop and gameday competitions. Fan-tastic! The Kentucky cheerleaders, band and dance team combine to entertain the nation’s largest and most loyal fan base in college basketball. Sure, Ashley Judd, Tommy Lasorda, Muham- mad Ali and Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson steal the attention, but those Big Blue stars are just a few of the Cat fans in attendance at UK games. It’s each and every one of the many Kentucky fans who deserve the credit for help- ing the Wildcats lead the nation in attendance 22 times since Rupp Arena opened in 1976-77, including 14 of the last 15 years. And the tremendous fan base is not limit- ed to just Lexington. Each year, Kentucky fans flock to Freedom Hall in Louisville, to fill the arena with more than 20,000 fans for an an- nual “home” game. The Southeastern Conference Tourna- ment? Well, it might as well be called the Kentucky Invitational. March Madness? Nearly the same result. The nation’s largest media contingent follows the Cats from start to finish simply because of the fans’ incessant appetite for information on their Wildcats. Trademark Swoosh Only the best wear Nike. Kentucky not only wears Nike, but is under an all-school contract with the athletic apparel company. In 1997, UK signed the contract with the pop- ular makers of the trademark swoosh. Thanks to Nike’s exten- sive research and product development, UK student -athletes stay on the cutting edge of quality and style with all of their gear. All 22 sports use Nike shoes and equip- ment, and over the course of the contract, the Wildcats will receive millions of dollars worth of clothing, equipment and cash. The men’s basketball team has been recognized by the apparel company as a “Nike Elite” team. While clothing adorned with “Kentucky” was already popular throughout the nation, thanks to Nike and its international market- ing reach, Kentucky’s blue and white can now be found worldwide. Kentucky Traditions@UKSportsNetwork 63 Kentucky Traditions Cawood’s Court Prior to the UK-Louisville game on Dec. 29, 2001, the court at Rupp Arena was named “Cawood’s Court” in honor of Cawood Led- ford, the beloved “Voice of the Wildcats” for 39 years (1953-92). Ledford passed away in Sep- tember 2001, after a long battle with cancer. The ceremonies included the unveiling of a logo courtside, not far from where Ledford called the action. Also included in the cere- mony were donations by two area business- es to the Cawood Ledford Scholarship Fund, established in 1992 to assist former student- athletes in obtaining their degrees. The Wildcat The Wildcat mascot originated during the 1976-77 academic year at UK. Gary Tanner was the original Wildcat, dancing and entertaining thousands of UK fans at Commonwealth Stadium and Rupp Arena during athletics events. A few years later, he was joined by an- other Cat — walking on stilts — who made his appearance during UK’s twin tower era of Melvin Turpin and Sam Bowie. Today, both the Wildcat and his sidekick, Scratch, attend each football and basketball game, several academic functions and gen- erally serve as friendly ambassadors for the University. Scratch Scratch joined the cheerleading squad in the mid ’90s in conjunction with the UK Kids’ Club, but today he has become almost as recognizable as the Wildcat. The lovable face of UK Athletics gar- nered national attention after being named to the 2003 Capital One Mascot All-Ameri- ca team, an honor he earned again in 2004. Senior Day Senior Day at Kentucky has become one of the most celebrated ceremonies in col- lege basketball. Honoring its senior class, UK’s event is one of the most elaborate and moving programs of its kind. The pregame ceremony begins with player introductions. Once they have all burst through banners bearing their likenesses, their families join them at center court. Then the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home,” is sung as the home crowd bids farewell. UK Cheerleaders Rooting on the Wildcats at every game are the award-winning UK Cheerleaders. Under the direction of head coach Ryan Martin O’Connor, the UK Cheerleaders are the gold standard in the nation. Kentucky has won 24 Universal Cheer Association national championships, more than all oth- er schools combined. UK placed third in the nation in 2020. UK Pep Band With more than 100 members, the Uni- versity of Kentucky pep band is one of the largest in the nation. Clad in its recognizable blue and white outfits, the pep band is direct- ed by Scott-Lee Atchison. Performing at both home football and basketball games, the UK pep band has been named by Southern Liv- ing as one of the “top 10 bands in the South.”RUPP ARENA AT CENTRAL BANK CENTER A dolph Rupp was synonymous with win- ning. As coach of Kentucky, he was a pioneer in the Wildcats’ fast-break offense while becoming the winningest coach the game had ever seen. The site that now serves as a tribute to his outstanding coaching accomplishments – Rupp Arena – has become one of the most recognizable gym- nasiums in the world while serving as home to college basketball’s most storied program. Now in its 43rd season as the Kentucky Wildcats’ home court, the facility has seen UK win nearly 90 percent of its home games since it opened in 1976. Long considered the mecca of college basketball, Rupp Arena received a $16 mil- lion upgrade over the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons that has enhanced the fan experi- ence and once again made it one of the pre- mier venues in all of college basketball. The most notable updates include: n State-of-the-art Daktronics center-hung video board n 15mm ribbon boards n Replaced 16mm LED corner video boards with 6mm LED video boards to produce HD quality image n L Acoustic Line Array audio speaker system n Total sanding and repainting of the floor to reflect UK’s updated branding and logo n New basketball goals and new shot clocks n Added press box seating to the east side of the arena n Replaced LED scorer’s table with 6mm version and moved the old 10mm scorer’s table to the opposite side of the floor for radio broadcast seating n Replaced static ad panels in lower four corners of the arena with LED ad panels Additional renovations are in store for college basketball’s premier arena as a part of UK’s new leasing agreement with the Lexington Center. Chair-back seating in the upper-level sideline will be installed in sections 211- 217 and 228-234. New club areas to Rupp Arena will also be coming to Rupp Arena. Fans in these new clubs will be able to enjoy first-class ameni- ties before, during and after games. Club ar- eas will be available to season ticket holders starting with the 2020-21 season. After renovations, Rupp Arena will seat approximately 20,500. The top priority is ensuring that all current season ticket hold- ers will maintain seats in the newly reno- vated Rupp Arena and UK fully anticipates being able to do so. Following the 2012 season, the Wild- cats received a $3.1 million renovation to their locker room. Funded with private do- nations, the facility features the actual floor from the 2012 championship game. It has its own kitchen and dining area, as well as hot and cold tubs inlaid with the UK logo. There is also a recruiting room that is available to all 22 sports at the University of Kentucky. Since the fall of 1976, the arena in down- town Lexington has served as home to four national championship teams at Kentucky. Six others have advanced to the Final Four. Thirteen seasons have witnessed the Cats go unbeaten at home. It has played host to more than 600 UK games, more than 30 KHSAA Sweet Six- teens, a number of NBA exhibitions, 12 Men’s NCAA Tournaments, three Southeast- ern Conference Tournaments and two Ohio Valley Conference Tournaments. A new floor was installed in 2001. With so many unforgettable moments, the old floor still maintained a value to hoop fans across the Bluegrass and beyond. Therefore, officials made pieces of the relic available for public sale, with proceeds going to the UK Basketball Museum, the KHSAA and to help offset the costs of the new playing floor. Thanks to an auction of additional sec- tions, like coaching boxes and lettered end zones, the old floor generated more than $250,000. Midcourt of the old floor rests in the main entrance of the Lexington Center. When assembled, the court lies 118 feet below the ceiling and is made of a high-grade northern maple. The floor can be removed and an ice rink can be constructed for ice shows or hockey games thanks to a $2.5 mil- lion renovation during the summer of 1996. But the playing surface is just one aspect of the impressive home of the Cats. Situated in downtown Lexington, Rupp Arena has played host to several premier basketball events. In March of 1985, all roads led to Lexington for the NCAA Final Four as Villanova shocked Georgetown in a memorable finale. In 1986, Rupp played host to both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Women’s Final Four. On numerous other occasions, the arena has served as one stop en route to the NCAA title game. Starting in 2016, Rupp Arena hosted three straight NCAA women’s regional rounds. An awesome structure in sight and scope, the arena is divided into two seating areas. The lower level features 10,000 cushioned theater seats. The upper level has 13,000 seats on epoxy-coated metal bleachers. The latter can be visually isolated to provide more natural setting for small shows. Built by the city of Lexington, the are- na is the major portion of the $53 million Lexington Center complex, which includes an expanded convention-exhibition hall, a 50-store tri-level enclosed shopping mall and a Hyatt Regency Hotel. In January 2001, the Wildcats began uti- lizing a new lights-out introduction, featuring a video presentation and indoor fireworks. Rupp Arena Facts Capacity: 20,500 UK’s record: 610-71 (.896) Most Wins in a Season: 19 (2014-15) Longest Winning Streak: 54 (11/13/09 to 12/1/12) Packed to the Rafters • Now in its 45th season as the home court of Kentucky basketball, the facility has seen UK win nearly 90% of its home games since it opened in 1976. • Prior to reducing seating capacity for the 2019-20 season, Kentucky led the nation in average home attendance in 20 of the previous 24 seasons. • UK has averaged more than 20,000 fans per game in all of John Calipari’s 11 sea- sons at Kentucky @UKSportsNetwork 65Next >