Mr. Smith goes to Seattle.
LEXINGTON, Kty. – Former UK punter Andy Smith has signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. In his only season as UK’s starting punter, Smith averaged 42.7 yards per punt in 1999. He was a unanimous choice as the first-team All-Southeastern Conference punter. His high punts and accurate placement on or near the sideline helped limit opponents to a mere 53 yards in punt returns for the entire 1999 season. UK’s team net punting average of 39.92 yards per punt led the SEC, ranked fifth in the nation, and set the school single-season record.
Smith is the fourth senior from the 1999 team who will be attempting to make in the NFL. Linebacker Jeff Snedegar (Miami) and Anthony White (Oakland) also signed free agent contracts, and tight end James Whalen, Jr., was a fifth-round draft choice by Tampa Bay.
Same Game, Shorter Name: The annual New Year’s Day bowl game in Dallas, Tex., has been renamed the “SBC Cotton Bowl” after a sponsorship agreement was reached between SBC Communications Inc. and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. The game was formerly known as the “Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl.”
The SBC Cotton Bowl matches teams from the Southeastern Conference and the Big XII Conference.
Players at Home or in Four-Week Summer School Term: Many of the players have returned home for the month of May. Some players have remained in Lexington and are taking classes in the four-week summer school term, which runs from May 9 through June 6.
Most of the players will be in Lexington for the eight-week summer school term, June 8 through August 3.
Anthony Kelly to Represent UK at NCAA Leadership Conference: Junior wide receiver Anthony “Champ” Kelly will represent University of Kentucky student-athletes at the fourth annual NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference, which will be held May 28 through June 1 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Kelly is one of 353 student-athletes who were selected from a pool of 885 nominees. The mission of the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference is to provide an opportunity for student-athletes to participate in challenging and thought-provoking activities that will enable them to become better leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Student-athletes will improve their skills in communication, decision making, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration. The conference also promotes better communication among student-athletes, coaches, administrators, faculty and communities.
Coaches Complete Recruiting Period: The Kentucky coaches have completed their allotted days in the May recruiting period. During the month of May, coaches are permitted to visit high schools, meet with principals, teachers, coaches, and counselors, visit athletic combines, and evaluate athletic competition, such as spring football practice, baseball games, track meets, etc.
Now, the coaches will compile their information and also begin preparing for the summer camps, which start on June 7.
Memorial Day: The Memorial Day holiday is Mon. May 29. Remember those who gave their lives for our freedom. And, if you know a veteran of military service, thank him or her for the commitment that was made.
