Cook to Have Reconstructive Surgery: An MRI test has confirmed that senior wide receiver Tommy Cook has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and he will undergo reconstructive surgery, Coach Rich Brooks has announced.

Given the normal length of rehabilitation, there is a strong possibility that Cook will miss the entire 2004 season. Cook sustained the injury while making a cut during the Blue/White Game last Saturday. Dr. Darren Johnson, the team?s orthopedic surgeon, will perform the procedure.

?I?m extremely disappointed for Tommy, and also for our team,? Brooks said. ?It is difficult to lose the experienced leadership that Tommy brings to our team. I have encouraged Tommy, and he has agreed, to be with the team next season and help develop our young receivers.?

Cook is the team?s leading returning receiver from the 2003 season, when he caught 21 passes for 222 yards and one touchdown. He is a three-year starter for the Wildcats who has caught 63 passes for 796 yards and six touchdowns during his career. He also is an outstanding performer on special teams, most notably on punt coverage.

Brooks noted that if Cook has to miss the entire season that the UK Athletics Department would support an appeal on his behalf for an extension of his five-year eligibility clock. Cook took a redshirt season in 2000.

Cook plans to complete his bachelor?s degree in kinesiology during the summer and hopes to begin studies for a master?s in business administration in the fall.

Kentucky Football Calendar:

Apr. 26 ? May 22 – Coaches in spring recruiting period
May 3-7 – Final examinations for spring semester