Alex Herman, Gary Hughes, and Neal Brown Awarded Scholarships
Three Wildcat walk-on wide receivers, Alex Herman, Gary Hughes, and Neal Brown, have been awarded full scholarships by Coach Hal Mumme.
Herman, a senior from Ryle, Ky., has been with the team since 1996. He played for the UK junior varsity in 1997 and ’98, then saw his first varsity action in the 1999 season. He played in every game last season, mostly on the punt coverage team, and earned his first varsity letter. He showed a knack for covering punts and downing them before they reached the end zone.
Hughes, a junior from Louisville, Ky., has been a standout on the UK junior varsity team the last two seasons. He has shown excellent speed and sure hands. He caught 11 passes for 76 yards during the spring practice scrimmages.
Brown, a sophomore from Harrodsburg, Ky., played in nine games for the 1998 Wildcats, catching two passes for 10 yards. He sat out game action last season as a redshirt. He was impressive in spring practice, catching 16 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns during the scrimmages.
Mumme is a major advocate of awarding scholarships to walk-on (non-scholarship) players. Now in his fourth season as head coach at Kentucky, Mumme has given scholarships to 17 walk-ons. In addition to Herman, Hughes, and Brown, current Wildcats Mark Perry, Grayson Smith, and Patrick Wiggins came to UK as walk-ons.
Mumme has gotten outstanding contributions from players who came to UK as walk-ons. Last season, for instance, tight end James Whalen was a first-team All-American and punter Andy Smith was the first-team All-SEC punter. Strong safety Patrick Wiggins played a key role in the win over Vanderbilt and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in that game.
New SEC Policy Eliminates Fan Re-Entry to Stadium
A new Southeastern Conference policy prohibits schools from allowing fans to re-enter an SEC stadium except for emergency situations.
The new SEC policy will affect game-day operations at UK’s Commonwealth Stadium. In previous years, stadium gatekeepers had issued “pass-out checks” at halftime, enabling fans to leave the stadium and re-enter. Because of the new SEC rule, this option will not be available. Fans who choose to leave the stadium will not be allowed to re-enter.
Claiborne Hall of Fame Enshrinement on August 11
Former Wildcat player, assistant coach, and head coach Jerry Claiborne will be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame on Friday, August 11, in South Bend, Ind.
Activities slated for the Enshrinement Weekend on Aug. 11-12 include a golf outing, reception, enshrinement banquet, and fan festival. Coach Claiborne will be unable to attend. Claiborne’s son, Jonathan, will make the acceptance speech on behalf of his father.
Claiborne played at UK from 1946-49 and was an assistant coach under Paul “Bear” Bryant in 1952-53. In 28 seasons as a head coach at Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Kentucky, Claiborne posted a 179-122-8 record. He was head coach of the Wildcats from 1982-89.
Fans’ Day Set for August 13
The annual UK football Fans’ Day is scheduled for Sunday, August 13. The event begins at 3 p.m., with free hot dogs and drinks given to the first 2,000 fans. Posters and schedule cards will be given away. The 2000 UK football media guides will be on sale for $10 each.
There will be games and activities for youngsters from 3-4 p.m. in the Nutter Field House. The players and coaching staff will be available for autographs and photos from 4-5 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium.
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Aug. 11 First team practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 12 Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 13 Fans’ Day, 3-4 p.m. at the Nutter Field House, 4-5 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium
Aug. 14 Practice, 10 a.m., 3 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 15 Practice, 2 p.m.
Aug. 16 Practice, 10 a.m., 3 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 17 Practice, 2 p.m.
Aug. 18 Practice, 10 a.m., 3 p.m., 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 Practice, 2 p.m.
Aug. 20 Off
Aug. 21 Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 22 Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Aug. 23 Classes begin, practice at 2 p.m.
Aug. 25 Kickoff Luncheon
Sept. 2 Season opener at Louisville
2000 Schedule
All times Eastern and subject to change if selected for network television.
Sept. 2 at Louisville 7:00
Sept. 9 South Florida 1:30
Sept. 16 Indiana (ESPN2) 6:00
Sept. 23 at Florida (CBS) 3:30
Sept. 30 at Mississippi 7:00
Oct. 7 South Carolina 7:00
Oct. 14 at Louisiana State 8:00
Oct. 21 Georgia 7:00
Oct. 28 open
Nov. 4 Mississippi State 1:30
Nov. 11 Vanderbilt 1:30
Nov. 18 at Tennessee TBA
