Jeff Abbott (1991-94) was a UK baseball All-American and a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 1994 after setting single-season school records for batting average (.445), hits (102), home runs (23), total bases (203) and slugging (.886), all of which still stand today. Abbott also holds the UK single-season on-base percentage mark of .533 set in 1992 and ranks in the top five in eight career offensive categories, including batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage. UK won at least 30 games in each of his four years, including a then-school-record 41 wins in 1991. Abbott’s class posted more wins in a four-year span than any other class in school history. He went on to play five seasons in the major leagues with the Chicago White Sox.

Derek Abney (2000-03) is arguably the greatest kick returner in college football history after setting seven NCAA records, 11 SEC records and 14 school records for kick returns and all-purpose yardage. Abney was named a first-team All-America as a junior, second-team All-America as a senior and a three-year first-team All-SEC performer, becoming only the fourth player in school history to accomplish that feat. The talented star was the first player in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 receiving yards, 2,000 kickoff return yards and 1,000 punt return yards. In all, Abney returned eight kicks for touchdowns during his career (six punts, two kickoffs), while he ended his UK career ranked second in three statistical categories: receptions (197), receiving yards (2,339) and touchdowns receiving (18). Abney’s NFL career ended because of injury.

George Adams (1981-84) As a steadfast running back for the Wildcats from 1981-84, George Adams led the team in rushing and all-purpose yardage as a sophomore, junior, and senior. His great 1984 campaign was topped by being named first-team All-SEC, UK’s Most Valuable Senior, and UK’s Most Outstanding Offensive Back. Adams helped lead the Wildcats to Hall of Fame Bowl appearances in 1983 and 1984 and was chosen as Kentucky’s MVP of the 1983 bowl. He ranks highly in school history in seven career categories and six single-season categories. The persistent back finished his career with 2,468 rushing yards on 638 attempts and played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. Adams was a first-round draft pick of the New York Giants and had a seven-year career with the Giants and New England Patriots.

Ermal Allen (1939-41) Ermal Allen lettered for three years at quarterback for Coach A.D. Kirwan and guided the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons. In addition to football, he also played varsity basketball for three seasons under Coach Adolph Rupp and helped pace the Wildcats to a pair of SEC Tournament championships. Following military service, Allen came to Kentucky in 1946 as an assistant coach before playing professionally with the Cleveland Browns in 1947. He returned to UK in 1948 to be an assistant coach until 1961. His assignments included offensive backs coach, head coach of the freshman team, and defensive coordinator. During Allen’s time as an assistant, the Wildcats racked up 12 winning seasons. Following his success at Kentucky, Allen spent 22 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (1962-83) as an assistant coach and Director of Research and Development. He made five trips to the Super Bowl during his tenure with Dallas.

Josh Hines-Allen (2015-18) National Defensive Player of the Year as winner of the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award and Lott Trophy as a senior … Unanimous First-Team All-America and SEC Defensive Player of the Year … Totaled 88 tackles that season, with 21.5 tackles for loss, including 17 quarterback sacks, while helping lead UK to a 10-win season and victory over Penn State in the VRBO Citrus Bowl … Set UK career record for sacks with 31.5 … Tied UK career record for fumbles caused with 11 … Second in UK history in TFL with 41 … Second-team All-SEC as a junior … No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by Jacksonville and earned a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team … Has played six seasons with the Jaguars and twice has been named to the Pro Bowl … Set Jacksonville records for most sacks in a season and most sacks by in a season by a rookie.

Jim Andrews (1970-73) All-SEC First Team as a junior and senior … Led UK with 20.1 points and 12.4 rebounds as a senior and 21.5 points and 11.3 boards as a junior … He is the last Wildcat to average 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds over two seasons (Dan Issel, Cotton Nash and Cliff Hagan are the only other Wildcats to accomplish that feat) … Over the last 50 years, only four Wildcats have averaged 20 or more points in two seasons (Andrews, Kevin Grevey, Kenny Walker and Jamal Mashburn) … Led UK to SEC championships all three seasons on the varsity (freshmen were ineligible) … Team made three trips to the NCAA Tournament, twice advancing to the Elite Eight … Named NCAA All-Mideast Regional Team as a junior and senior … His 43 double-doubles rank third in UK history.

Sam Ball (1963-65) During his three letter years as on offensive tackle at Kentucky, Sam Ball was named a first-team All-American in 1965 by United Press International, Football Writers, and Sporting News. He was also named first-team All-Southeastern Conference the same year. Ball played in the College All-Star Game, North-South Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl. He was later a first-round draft choice by Baltimore in 1966. He played five years in the NFL, including two Super Bowls.

Cliff Barker (1947-49)

Oliver Barnett (1986-89) capped his career as UK’s all-time quarterback sack leader. He earned third-team All-America and first team All-Southeastern Conference distinction as a senior. Barnett registered 271 career tackles and 26 quarterback take-downs as a defensive lineman. In addition to his tackling prowess, Barnett notched 12 forced fumbles and 43 career tackles for loss. As a junior, he was named to the National Strength Coaches Association All-America Team for his on-field performance and excellence in strength training. Furthermore, he was tabbed All-America honorable mention and second-team All-SEC as a junior. His 850-pound squat lift is still the record at UK. Following his collegiate career, Barnett suited up for the Blue-Gray and Senior Bowl all-star games before beginning a six-year stint in the NFL. His professional highlights include a trip to the 1994 Super Bowl as a member of the Buffalo Bills.

Ralph Beard (1946-49)

Chanda Bell (2009-12) Her arrival in 2009 coincided with the emergence of UK softball as a national power … Led UK to its first four NCAA Tournament appearances in school history, including UK’s first Super Regional … Won 68 games with a career ERA of 2.55 … Still holds five school records, including strikeouts in a game (16), season (288) and career (910) along with lowest opponent batting average in a season (.175) and career (.200) … Threw five no-hitters, including the first no-hitter (2009) and first perfect game (2012) in UK history … National Pitcher of the Week in 2012 … Two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week and SEC Freshman of the Week … 2009 SEC All-Freshman Team … UK student assistant coach in 2013 … Assistant coach at Marshall (2014-17) and Indiana (2018-present).

Calvin Bird (1958-60) excelled as a running back, pass receiver, defensive back, kickoff returner, and punt returner during his three letter years. He set four school records for highest kickoff return average in a season (30.4, 1959) and career (27.05). Bird averaged 8.44 yards every time he touched the ball during his career, formerly a school record (min. 300 plays), and scored a school-record 25 points in one game, vs. Hawaii, in 1958 and tied the school mark for touchdowns in a game with four. A second-team All-SEC selection as a junior, Bird was also a third-team All-SEC selection as a senior and chosen as the SEC’s “Sophomore of the Year” in 1958 when he led the league in pass receiving. He led the team in receiving and all-purpose yardage for three consecutive seasons, played in three all-star games following his senior season and was chosen as the Most Valuable Back in the All-American Bowl

Jerry Bird (1954-56)

Rodger Bird (1963-65) lettered three years for the Wildcats as a halfback. He was named first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC and a two-time All-Southeastern Conference first team (1964-65) by the Associated Press and United Press International. Bird played in the College AllStar Game, North-South Shrine All-Star Game, and the Senior Bowl. Later, he was a first-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 1966 and played with the team from 1966 to 1968. Career wise, Bird finished with 1,699 yards and 21 touchdowns at Kentucky. He tallied a season-best 646 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns in 1965. Bird had his career-high game of 157 yards rushing against Virginia Tech in 1963.

George Blanda (1945-48) During his four seasons at Kentucky, George Blanda led the Wildcats in total offense in 1948 and passing in
1947 and 1948. He threw for over 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final two seasons. Blanda was the first player in professional football to score 2,000 points (2,002) in a career and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after 26 seasons. In the pros, he threw for 26,920 yards, 236 touchdowns, played on three American Football League championship teams, and was a member of the All-Time AFL Team and the AFL Hall of Fame.

Keith Bogans (2000-03) Associated Press third-team All-America in 2003 in addition to National Association of Basketball Coaches second-team All-America honors … First-team All-SEC member (AP and Coaches) in 2003 and second-team All-SEC (AP and Coaches) in 2001 … Named 2003 SEC Tournament MVP and earned All-SEC Tournament team honors in 2001 … Made 2000 All-SEC Freshman Team … Ranks fourth on UK’s all-time scoring list with 1,923 points … Ranks second in UK history in three-point field goals made (254) and started the second-most games in UK history with 122 … Led UK to two Elite Eight finishes in the 2000 and 2003 NCAA Tournaments … 11 seasons in the NBA.

Marsha Bond (1980-83) earned All-America honors in 1982 and 1983, the only two-time volleyball All-American in UK history. She led UK to its first NCAA Tournament appearance (1983) and helped the Cats win two SEC Tournament championships during her tenure. A three-year All-SEC and All-SEC Tournament selection, she continues to hold the UK career record for attack percentage (.380), a mark that rates fifth in SEC history.

Sam Bowie (1980-84)

Lisa Breiding Duerr (1986-89) Winner of seven SEC titles and one NCAA championship … Earned six All-America accolades as a Wildcat … Won SEC indoor titles in the mile and 3,000-meter run during her career … Outdoor SEC titles include the 3,000-meter run and 5,000-meter run (twice) … Also part of two league champion relay teams … National champion in the 3,000 meters as a freshman … Key member of UK’s only national champion cross country team (1988).

Gay Brewer (1952-54) joined the PGA Tour in 1956 and won 10 tournaments during his career, highlighted by a victory in the 1967 Masters. He was a member of the 1967 and 1971 United States Ryder Cup Teams.

Rich Brooks (2003-09) First coach in school history to guide UK to bowl games in four consecutive years and win three straight bowls … Took over a program mired in a severe NCAA probation and by 2006 led UK to a 28-20 upset win over Clemson in the Music City Bowl … Followed with a win over Florida State in the 2007 Music City Bowl, a season which included a Top-10 ranking and victory over No. 1 (and eventual national champion) LSU … Following 2008 season, defeated East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl and completed his career at the Music City Bowl in 2009 … Won at least seven games four years in a row, first time that had happened at UK since 1909-12 … 2009 SEC Coach of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com … In last four seasons, led UK to 12 fourth-quarter comeback wins.

Pam Browning (1974-78) is one of only two players in UK women’s basketball history to be named All-America by Street & Smith’s annual publication (1977). She ranks fifth on UK’s career scoring list with 1,598 points and she continues to hold the school record for highest scoring average in a season, averaging 25.5 points in 1976-77. As a member of the first women’s basketball team at UK in the modern era, she led UK to its first two wins over ranked opponents in program history with victories over No. 2 Tennessee Tech and No. 18 Indiana during the 1976-77 campaign. Browning averaged 14.9 points during her four-year career.

Al Bruno (1948-50), who caught 38 passes for 589 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1950, huge numbers for that era, was a third-team All-America by both AP and UPI. His single-season school record for receiving yards stood until 1964 and his UK single-season record for TD receptions held until 1998. In addition to playing a key role on UK’s Orange and Sugar Bowl teams, he also played on UK’s national championship basketball team in 1949. Following his time at Kentucky, Bruno played and coached in the Canadian Football League, where he won a CFL Grey Cup championship as both a player and a coach.

Derek Bryant (1970-73) Two-time All-SEC First Team honoree during his days at UK … Exceptional hitter with career batting average of .369 (stats available for his last three seasons), with a career-high mark of .408 in 1971 … First African-American baseball player at UK … Drafted by the San Francisco Giants out of Henry Clay High School before deciding to enroll at Kentucky … Drafted by the Oakland A’s out of UK in 1973 and spent his entire professional career with the A’s (1973-1981) … Played in 39 MLB games for the Athletics during the 1979 season … Had a successful playing and managerial career in the Mexican Professional League after his playing days, including two league titles (1995 and ’96) as manager of Monterrey … Member of the Mexican Baseball League Hall of Fame .. Continues to be an executive with Hermosillo of the Mexican Pacific League (winter league).

Dezerea Bryant (2014-15) Two-time NCAA champion in the 200-meter dash, winning the indoor event as a junior and the outdoor event as a senior … Set the NCAA outdoor record with a time of 22.18 … Five-time NCAA medalist … Also silver in the 2014 indoor 60m, bronze in the 2015 indoor 200m and bronze in the 2015 outdoor 100m …Nine-time All-American in her two seasons at UK … Won the SEC indoor 60m as a junior … 10-time SEC medalist, with six silver and three bronze to accompany her gold … Continues to compete, winning the 4x100m relay at the 2019 World Relays and also winning the 2019 United States Championships in the 200m.

Paul “Bear” Bryant (1946-53) A national football legend, coached at Kentucky for eight seasons and compiled a record of 60-23-5 for a .710 win percentage while reaching four bowl games. Not only did Bryant total 60 wins during his time at UK, but he also led the Wildcats to their first bowl game (1947 Great Lakes Bowl), first national championship and first Southeastern Conference title in 1950. He also took Kentucky to consecutive appearances in the 1950 Orange Bowl, 1951 Sugar Bowl, and 1952 Cotton Bowl. Bryant coached eight first-team All-Americans during his term at Kentucky.

Warren Bryant (1974-76) lettered from 1974-76 as an offensive tackle. During his time he was named a first-team All-American by Walter Camp and American Football Coaches Association in 1976, a Jacobs Award selection in 1976 (outstanding SEC blocker), and named to the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger 25-year All-SEC team (1961-85). Bryant was a three-time All-SEC selection and a first-round NFL Draft choice by Atlanta Falcons in 1976. He played eight seasons in the NFL.

Bob Burrow (1955-56)

Keenan Burton (2003-07) Great pass receiver and kickoff returner who also won awards for his outstanding character … Finished his career fourth in school history in pass receptions (189), second in UK history for receiving yardage (2,376) and TD catches (25) … Three-year All-SEC honoree, including first-team honors as a junior … Led UK in pass receiving as a junior and senior as the Wildcats posted consecutive wins in the 2006 and ’07 Music City Bowls … Set UK career record for kickoff return average (25.6-yard average, min. 50 returns) … Named to the UK Athletics Society of Character, the SEC Community Service Team and the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Played two years in the NFL before sustaining a career-ending injury.

Named to the All-Time Kentucky Team, selected in 1990 for the 100th season of UK football, by the Lexington Herald-Leader and Louisville Courier Journal … Excelled as a defensive back and punter … All-America second team as a junior and All-America third team as a senior … All-SEC first team his last two seasons, as a punter in 1983 and a defensive back in 1984 … Helped lead UK to two trips to the Hall of Fame Bowl … Departed UK as the program leader for single-season and career punting average … Set single-game record of 47.2-yard average (min. eight punts) and longest punt in school history (80 yards) … Had nine career interceptions, plus a key pickoff in the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl win over Wisconsin … A retired firefighter who lives in Louisville.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (2016-18) Two-time Olympic medalist in the 100-meter hurdles, winning gold at the Tokyo event and coming off a bronze finish in Paris … First athlete in Puerto Rico history to win two Olympic medals … Three-time NCAA Champion, twice in the 100-meter hurdles (2016, ’18) and also the 4x100m relay (2017) … Six-time SEC Champion, twice in the 60-meter hurdles, three times in the 100 hurdles and also the 4×400 relay … Ran the second-fastest time in NCAA history in the 100H (12.40 seconds), still ranks No. 5 on that list … Set four school records, 100 hurdles and three relays … 12-time first-team All-America … SEC Freshman of the Year in 2016, still holds UK frosh record in the 100 hurdles.

Burgess Carey (1925-26)

Sawyer Carroll (2007-08) Consensus first-team All-America selection in 2008 … Holds UK career records for batting average (.386) and on-base percentage (.483), also ranking fifth in career slugging percentage (.656) … Set the UK single-season record for RBI (83) in 2008, while posting the fifth-best batting average in UK annals (.419) … Finished 2007 ranking second in UK single-season history in hits (98), seventh in runs (69), sixth in doubles (22), ninth in homers (19), second in total bases (183), second in slugging (.762) and fifth in on-base percentage (.514) … Also named first-team All-SEC by the league coaches and to the SEC All-Tournament Team in 2008 … Was a semifinalist for the 2008 Dick Howser Trophy, the Brooks Wallace Award and the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award.

Mike Casey (1968-69, 71) was a three-time first-team All-SEC (1968, 1969 and 1971) selection in men’s basketball. He finished his career with 1,535 points, currently ranking 13th all-time on UK’s illustrious list of top scorers. Casey averaged 17.0 points or more in all three seasons with the Wildcats, including a team-high 20.0 in his first year on the varsity team. The former guard led the team in assists during the 1968-69 season with 129 assists, in addition to leading the team in field-goal percentage (.489) and free-throw percentage (.823) during the 1967-68 season. Casey helped UK win three SEC championships, earn an Elite Eight appearance and also earned Academic All-America and All-SEC honors in 1971. He was named Kentucky’s High School Mr. Basketball in 1966 and was drafted in the eighth round (130th overall) in the 1970 NBA Draft by Chicago.

Rex Chapman (1987-88) is one of the most successful players in program history. In just two seasons in the Blue and White, he poured in 1,073 career points. He was a two-time All-SEC first team selection, while also garnering National Association of Basketball Coaches third-team All-America honors following his sophomore season. Chapman claimed Most Valuable Player accolades at the 1988 SEC Tournament, while also excelling in the classroom and being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. After concluding two successful seasons as a Wildcat, Chapman was selected eighth overall in the 1988 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA before becoming an NBA scout and executive.

Abbey Cheek-Ramsey (2016-19) 2019 National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association National Player of the Year … 2019 NFCA First Team Unanimous All-American … 2019 SEC Player of the Year, the first UK softball player to win that honor … Second in the NCAA in on-base percentage and No. 1 in slugging percentage in 2019 … Currently sits second in UK history in RBI (202), runs scored (189), home runs (61), slugging percentage (.678) and third in total bases (454) … 2019 SEC First Team All-SEC, All-SEC Tournament and All-Defensive Team … Three years NFCA All-Region … Academic All-America … Led UK to three NCAA Regional Championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances … Selected in the National Pro Fastpitch Draft by Chicago … Currently serves as assistant director of athletics and softball coach at a prep school … Also coaches volleyball at a middle school.

Chris Chenault (1985-88) Four-year standout is the second-leading tackler in school history … Totaled 482 tackles as a Wildcat, including 15 tackles for loss … Also had three interceptions in his career, returning one for a touchdown … Made 134 stops as a senior, earning All-SEC second team honors … Had a career-best 160 stops as a junior … Made 93 tackles as a sophomore, earning a spot on the Football News Sophomore All-America Team … Burst on the scene with 92 tackles in his first playing season … Named Freshman All-America first team by Football News.

Jerry Claiborne (player 1946, 1948-49) and (head coach 1982-89) lettered three years at Kentucky under Paul “Bear” Bryant as a blocking back, end and defensive back. He set a UK single-season record for interceptions with nine thefts for 130 yards during the 1949 campaign. As an assistant coach, Claiborne spent 10 years at the collegiate ranks of Kentucky (1952-53), Texas A&M (1954-56), Missouri (1957), Alabama (1958-60), and Colorado (1971) before becoming a head coach. He ended his career as a head coach ranked 21st among all NCAA coaches with 179 victories and compiled an overall record of 179-122-8 in 28 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Claiborne’s career included stops at Virginia Tech (61-39-2), Maryland (77-37-3) and Kentucky (41-46-3). He was named Coach of the Year in three different conferences – Southern (1963), Atlantic Coast (1973, 1975, 1976) and Southeastern (1983) – in addition to being named National Coach of the Year by The Sporting News in 1974. Claiborne led the Wildcats to a pair of bowl berths with the 1983 and 1984 Hall of Fame Bowls. In 1989, he guided UK to the College Football Association Academic Achievement Award for highest graduation rate and set an SEC record by placing 17 Wildcats on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. The former head coach received the Neyland Award in 1994 and was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Randall Cobb (2008-10) Arguably the most versatile, dynamic playmaker in UK football history as a wide receiver, quarterback, punt returner and kickoff returner … First-team All-America as a junior … Two-year first-team All-SEC … Set SEC single-season record for all-purpose yardage (2,396 yards in 2010) … Set UK career record for touchdowns (37), although he played only three seasons … Clutch player who scored five game-winning fourth-quarter touchdowns in his career, vs. Arkansas, Louisville and South Carolina at home, also at Auburn and Georgia … Left UK after his junior season and was a second-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers … Has been a star wide receiver during his six-year career with the Packers, making the 2011 NFL All-Rookie Team and being selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2014 season … Returned to UK and finished his degree.

Russ Cochran (1975-78) First-team All-SEC in 1978 after leading UK to top-five finishes at the SEC Championships in each of his final three years … SEC individual runner-up in 1978, the same year the squad won its first-ever outright tournament in program history at the Marshall Classic … Has played professionally since 1979 and is still active on the PGA Tour Champions … Total of 10 professional wins, including one on the PGA Tour and four on the Champions Tour … Best year on the PGA Tour was 1991, when he won the Western Open and had a pair of second-place finishes … For many years was the only left-handed player on the PGA Tour … Finished in the top 10 twice at the PGA Championship … Won the British Senior Open in 2011 … More than $13 million in career earnings.

Blanton Collier (1954-61) served as the head football coach of the University of Kentucky for eight seasons and led the Wildcats to a 41-36-3 record (.531 pct.). Most Kentucky faithful remember his 5-2-1 record against arch-rival Tennessee. Collier had the difficult task of following UK’s most successful head coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant, when he accepted the job in 1954, but immediately led the
Wildcats to a 7-3 record in his first season and was named the Nashville Banner Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. He began his coaching career at his prep alma mater, Paris High School, in 1927 and coached all sports there for 16 years (1927-43) including football and basketball. Collier won two Central Kentucky Conference football titles and six basketball championships. After serving his country in the Navy, Collier joined the Cleveland Browns in 1946 as an assistant coach under Paul Brown and remained there until becoming head coach at Kentucky. He led Cleveland to a sparkling 76-34-2 record (.688 pct.), which included one NFL title in 1964 and four division titles from 1963 to 1970.

Sonny Collins (1972-75) was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference
selection for three (1973-74-75) of his four letter years. He is one of the all-time leading rushers at UK with 3,835 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a 4.9 yards per carry average. Collins has led in rush attempts (777), yards rushing (3,835), rushing touchdowns (26) and 100-yard rushing games (18). His best season came as a sophomore in 1973 with 1,213 yards and 13 touchdowns. Named Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference by the Nashville Banner and Birmingham Post-Herald in 1974, Collins participated in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl before being drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1976.

Larry Conley (1964-66), a member of the famed Rupp’s Runts, was a three-time All-SEC selection and an Academic All-American in 1966. He still ranks ninth on Kentucky’s all-time assists per game list, averaging 3.62 assists during his career. Conley helped the Cats win two SEC championships, and today is known nationwide for his work as a basketball analyst, having done work for NBC, CBS, ESPN and Lincoln Financial (formerly Jefferson Pilot).

Ray Correll (1951-53) During his three letter years at Kentucky, guard Ray Correll was named a first-team All-American in 1953 by the Football Writers of America Association and the Chicago Tribune, as well as first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press and second-team All-Southeastern Conference by United Press International. He was named Defensive Most Valuable Player in the 1952 Cotton Bowl as Kentucky defeated TCU, 20-7, and earned a spot on the All-Time Cotton Bowl Team. Correll was named a permanent co-captain as a senior in 1953 and went on to play in the East-West
Shrine All-Star Game and the Senior Bowl.

Collin Cowgill (2005-08) One of the top players in Kentucky baseball history, paced UK from a last-place finish in 2005 to its first-ever SEC Championship in 2006 … First-team All-America in 2008 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, leading UK to a then-record 44 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament … Also first-team All-SEC by the league coaches … A two-time Academic All-America selection … Ranks among the UK career leaders in runs, homers, RBI, walks, on-base percentage, sac bunts, sac flies, hit by pitches and steals … Fifth-round pick by Arizona in the 2008 MLB Draft … Reached the majors in 2011 and has played for the Diamondbacks, the Oakland Athletics, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians.

Tim Couch (1996-98) A storied name of the Kentucky program, Tim Couch was a quarterback from 1996-98. After giving up his senior season of eligibility, Couch was drafted as the No. 1 pick by Cleveland in the 1999 NFL Draft. In 1998, the junior quarterback was named a first-team All-American and consensus SEC Player of the Year. Couch completed 400 of 553 passes for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns and led the nation in pass completions while ranked second in completion percentage, passing yardage and touchdown passes, and fourth in total offense. After guiding the Wildcats to the Outback Bowl, UK’s first New Year’s Day bowl appearance in 47 years, Couch finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting. He was also a finalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award as a junior and sophomore. His breakout sophomore campaign featured 363 of 547 passes for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the nation in pass attempts, completions, yardage, and completion percentage. Also during his sophomore year, Couch earned second-team All-SEC honors and finished ninth in Heisman voting. He played in seven games as a true freshman, with two starts. Career wise, Couch completed 795 passes on 1,184 attempts for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns. The legend ended his career with seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 26 school records. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

DeMarcus Cousins (2010) NCAA Consensus Second Team All-American, including first-team nod from the AP … 2010 SEC Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches … All-SEC First Team (AP and coaches) … Made the SEC All-Freshman Team … Led UK to a No. 1 national ranking, an SEC regular-season championship and an SEC Tournament championship … Averaged 15.1 points and 9.9 rebounds … Concluded freshman season with eighth-most rebounds in a single season in UK history with 375 … Selected the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft … Four-time NBA All-Star in his nine-year NBA career … Named to All-NBA Second Team in 2015 and 2016 … Averaged double figures in every NBA season, including 20-plus points in five years.

Johnny Cox (1957-59)

John Cropp (1991-2013) Served UK athletics for 22 years, including assistant football coach (1991), athletics recruiting coordinator (1992-93), assistant athletics director for special projects (1993-95) and associate athletics director (1997-2013) … Among numerous other responsibilities, he was founding administrator for UK softball in 1997 and John Cropp Stadium was named in his honor upon his retirement in 2013 … Noted for his dedication to the student-athlete, he served in coaching/administration for almost half a century at UK, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, Duke, Vanderbilt and in high school … Won a national championship as a high school head football coach … Served four years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army … Elected to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Anthony Davis (2012) Led UK to the 2012 national championship … Unanimous national player of the year … National freshman of the year, SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC Freshman of the Year … Tabbed the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after blocking six shots and grabbing 16 rebounds in the title game … NCAA Consensus First Team All-American … Guided UK to a 38-2 record and SEC regular-season championship … Shattered the single-season school record for blocks in a season with 186, which ranks as the fourth in NCAA history … Selected No. 1 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft … Six-year NBA veteran … Five-time NBA All-Star … Three-time All-NBA First Team member … 2017 NBA All-Star MVP … 2012 Olympic gold medalist.

Bob Davis (1935-37) In his three years at Kentucky, Bob Davis was recognized as the program’s career rushing leader in the pre-modern era with 2,083 yards rushing. He was also a former all-time leading scorer at UK with 180 points. Davis twice had five-touchdown games and scored a UK all-time high 30 touchdowns during his career. Additionally, he had high games of 267 yards against Washington & Lee and 246 yards against Maryville. Davis had four rushing touchdowns of over 70 yards.

Dermontti Dawson (1984-87) lettered for three years as an offensive lineman for Coach Jerry Claiborne. He played guard and center and was named All-SEC following his senior season. Dawson blocked for three of the top rushers in school history – Mark Higgs, George Adams and Marc Logan. A member of the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl championship team, Dawson went on to have a 13-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being drafted by the team in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection (1992-98) returned to Lexington and served as an analyst on the UKTV Network Telecasts. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Kathy DeBoer (1984-2002) was the winningest volleyball coach in Kentucky history with a 209-97 record (.683; 1984-92), helping lead UK to the NCAA Tournament four years, claiming two SEC regular-season championships and two SEC Tournament titles. A former national and SEC coach of the year, DeBoer worked in the UK athletics administration, rising to senior associate athletics’ director, before taking current position as the executive director of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

John “Frenchy” DeMoisey (1932-34)

Two-time NCAA Champion, 2018 indoor heptathlon and 2018 outdoor decathlon … Only the second man in history to win the NCAA heptathlon and decathlon in the same year … Also an NCAA silver medalist in the heptathlon as a junior … Three-time First-Team All-America, twice heptathlon, once decathlon … 2018 National Indoor Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association … 2018 SEC Field Athlete of the Year, indoor and outdoor … Set NCAA decathlon long jump record … 2018 USTFCCCA Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year … Still holds the UK records for heptathlon and decathlon … Still holds the British record in the heptathlon (6,188) … Currently an assistant coach at Alabama.

Victoria Dunlap (2008-11) First-team All-America as a junior and third-team All-America as a senior … Two-time SEC Player of the Year … SEC Defensive Player of the Year … Two-year WBCA All-Region … First-team All-SEC as a junior and senior, second team as a sophomore … Led team to NCAA Elite Eight as a junior … Ranks top 10 on numerous UK career lists, including second in games started (133), rebounding (1,099), blocks (178), free throws made (445) and free throws attempted (714), third in scoring (1,846), steals (307) and double-doubles (31), and sixth in games played … First UK player with more than 100 assists, 100 blocks and 300 steals in her career and just the second player with more than 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career … Played two seasons in the WNBA.

Four-year All-American as selected by the American Volleyball Coaches Association … Named to the AVCA All-Region team four years … Two-time SEC Player of the Year … Four-time All-SEC … 2016 SEC Freshman of the Year … An aggressive attacker and finisher, she is the school record holder for kills (1,978) in the rally-scoring era … During her four years, team posted a record of 103-24, three SEC championships and a highest finish of Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament … Has continued her career in professional volleyball … Most Valuable Player of Major League Volleyball in the league’s inaugural season in 2024 … Only player named to the All-MLV team in the three years of the league’s existence.

Leroy Edwards (1935) was named the 1935 Helms National Player of the Year after averaging 16.3 points per game that season. A consensus first- team All-American, Edwards was also named first team All-SEC after leading the Wildcats to a perfect 11-0 record in league play en route to the SEC Championship. A member of the Helms Basketball Hall of Fame, Edwards left UK in 1935 to play in the National Basketball League, a forerunner of the NBA. He played in the NBL from 1936-42, leading the league in scoring three times and was the all-league center several years.

Dennis Emery (1983-2012) Head coach of the men’s tennis team for 30 seasons … His teams won 568 matches, never losing to an in-state opponent … Took UK to 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 11 trips to the Sweet 16 and four appearances in the Elite Eight … UK earned 23 final top-25 rankings during his career, including seven final top-10 rankings … Coached 19 Wildcats to 38 All-America honors … Guided three players to the finals of the NCAA singles championship, including Eric Quigley, who tied the NCAA record for singles victories … SEC Coach of the Year three times … Won the SEC team tournament championship in 1992 and the regular-season championship in 2012 … Had 655 career victories, including his five seasons at Austin Peay.

Makayla Epps (2014-17) First-team All-America by College Sports Madness (2016) … Three-time All-America honorable mention by the Associated Press … Three-year first-team All-SEC … Currently sixth in UK history with 1,790 points … Currently sixth in UK history in career games played (133), sixth in field goals made (668), eighth in assists (408), eighth in free throws made (353) and 10th in scoring average (13.5) … Recorded the second triple-double in UK history with 21 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds vs. Morehead State … Single-game high of 42 points ranked as the 10th-highest scoring performance in NCAA history at the time and tied the Memorial Coliseum record … Helped lead UK to a four-year record of 97-38 and advance to four straight NCAA Tournaments … Played one year in the WNBA.

Pat Etcheberry (1963-89) Former track athlete and coach who went on to become a world-renowned strength and conditioning trainer … Won the SEC championship in the javelin in 1966 … Throw of 220-11 ranks fourth in school history … Represented his native country of Chile in the 1964 Olympics … A participant in the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games … Was UK assistant track coach for 12 years and head coach five years … UK’s first strength and conditioning coach, a role he held from 1973-89 … A legend in the field of sports fitness, Etcheberry has trained nearly two dozen tennis champions, 15 Olympic medalists and numerous world-class athletes, including Pete Sampras, Monica Seles, Nick Faldo, Dan Jansen and Charles Woodson, as well as former Wildcats Rex Chapman, Kenny Walker and Dermontti Dawson.

Bettie Lou Evans (1979-2001) Head coach of UK women’s golf for 23 seasons … Led UK to the NCAA Regionals 14 times, including five trips to the NCAA Championships … Best national finishes were fifth place in 1986 and 10th place in 1998 and 1991 … SEC Coach of the Year in 1992 … Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1990 … Coached two All-Americans and had six first-team All-SEC selections … Coached four All-SEC second-teamers after that honor was added in 1993 … After retiring from coaching, served as UK’s director of golf operations for 17 years … UK’s golf tournament is named in her honor … Inducted into the National Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997 … Elected to the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame and Transylvania University Sports Hall of Fame.

Billy Evans (1952, 54-55)

Robin Ewing Bodem (1994-97) One of the most decorated competitors in UK gymnastics history … Second Wildcat in program history to earn All-America honors in 1996 … All-America Second Team … Third Wildcat in program history to individually qualify for the NCAA National Championships … She was a leader on the UK team that produced the school’s first top-four finish at the SEC Championships in 1996, a feat which has only since been matched in 2018 and 2021 … Also a part of UK’s third-place finish at the 1996 NCAA Regionals, surpassed only by second-place finishes in 2018 and 2023.

Richie Farmer (1989-92)

Joe Federspiel (1969-71) One of the top linebackers in Kentucky history, Joe Federspiel was named second-team All-America and first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1971, as well as UK’s Most Valuable Senior. Federspiel led the team in tackles during his junior campaign with 125 stops and won UK’s “Unsung Hero Award” his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a second-team All-SEC pick as a sophomore. He was named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and Louisville Courier-Journal. Federspiel played in the North-South Shrine Game and the All-American Bowl following his senior year and was later named to the SEC All-Decade Team for the 1970s by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. He had a 10-year career in the NFL, including nine years with the New Orleans Saints (1972-80) and a season with the Baltimore Colts (1981). He is a member of the Saints’ Hall of Fame was named to the Saints’ All50th Team in 2016. He also served several years as an SEC game official as an umpire.

Deron Feldhaus (1989-92)

Steve Flesch (1987-90) played at UK from 1986-87 through 1989-90 and ranks among the top 40 golfers on the all-time PGA Tour career-earnings list. Flesch has won more than $17 million as a professional and has four PGA victories, the 2003 HP Classic of New Orleans, the 2004 Bank of America Colonial, the 2007 Reno-Tahoe Open and the 2007 Turning Stone Resort Championship. He turned pro in 1990 on the Nationwide Tour and won the Nike Tour Championship in 1997, earning exempt status on the PGA Tour in 1998. In 2001, Flesch ranked second behind Tiger Woods in top-10 finishes with 13. One of three UK medalists in Johnny Owens Invitational history, he was a two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and named to the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame.

Doug Flynn (1970) Played baseball and basketball at UK before going on to an 11-year career in major league baseball … Reached the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and was a member of the 1975-76 “Big Red Machine” that won back-to-back World Series and is one of the most dominant teams of all time … Also played for the New York Mets, Montreal, Texas and Detroit … Won the Gold Glove fielding award for second basemen in 1980 … Set a major-league record by hitting three triples in one game … Now a member of four halls of fame, including the (State of) Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame … Since 2004, has served as an analyst for television broadcasts of Kentucky baseball and also has called games for the Cincinnati Reds … Won an Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Award for his work on the television show “Kentucky Life” … Has served with numerous nonprofit/charitable organizations and has helped raise millions of dollars for them.

Dom Fucci (1948-51), a catcher, was Kentucky’s and the SEC’s first baseball All-American in 1949. He led UK to its first NCAA Tournament appearances, in 1949 and 1950. Fucci held the school record for batting average in a season (.440) for 45 years.

Bob Gain (1947-50) played four years at Kentucky, 1947 through 1950, and was a two-way starter at tackle. He also was the team’s place kicker, accounting for 38 extra points. In 1950, he blocked kicks against North Texas and Georgia Tech. He recovered both kicks inside the opponents’ 20 to set up touchdowns for Kentucky. Gain also served as a powerful blocker on offense, and he won the 1950 Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman. This helped Kentucky to a 10-1 regular season record, its first Southeastern Conference title, and a victory over Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. He was a consensus All-America and conference MVP after gaining first-team All-America status as a junior. He played in 1951 with Ottawa in the Canadian League and 1952 with Cleveland in the National Football League. In 1953, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in Korea. He returned to play with the Cleveland Browns 1954-64.

Danielle Galyer-Day (2014-17) was the first and only Kentucky swimmer to win a national championship, winning the 200 backstroke in 2016 … Her time of 1:49.71 was the sixth-fastest in American swimming history … Four-time first-team All-American and four-time NCAA Championships qualifier …  Two-time Elite 90 Award recipient (2016, 2017) for the highest grade-point average of any competitor at the national championship event … 2015 SEC champion in the 200 backstroke … 2015 All-SEC first team … 2016, 2017 All-SEC second team … Two-time SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2015, 2016) … 2015-16 USA Swimming National Team Member … Still ranks second in program history in both the 100 and 200 backstroke … 2016, 2017 CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American At-Large.

Arin Gilliland-Wright (2011-14) was a 2014 NSCAA All-American, the second in program history … 2013 and 2014 Hermann Award finalist for National Player of the Year … 2014 espnW Female Athlete of the Year finalist … Three-time All-SEC First Team selection (2012-14) … Ranks in the top five at UK in total minutes played (third), goals scored (30, third), assists (25, third) and shots (210, first) … 2014 SEC Defensive Player of the Year … Set school record with eight career game-winning goals … Led UK to its only NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2014 … 2014 Honda Award Winner for Inspiration … Selected by Chicago with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League draft and still plays for the Red Stars … First UK women’s soccer player to receive a call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Jack Givens (1975-78)

Irvin “Irv” Goode (1959-61), a center and linebacker, lettered three years at Kentucky under head coach Blanton Collier. Permanent team captain of the
1961 squad, Goode was also named a first-team All-American by Time and third-team All-SEC by United Press International the same year. Though most of his notoriety came as a center, Goode did manage a career-high 23 tackles against national champion Ole Miss as a junior. He played in four postseason all-star games – Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, College All-Star Game and Senior Christian Bowl. After showcasing his talent at the collegiate level, Goode was the number one draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962. He was a 13-year veteran of the National Football League and played with the Cardinals (1962-71), Buffalo Bills (1972), and Miami Dolphins (1973-74). Goode was a two-time Pro Bowl selection in 1964 and 1967.

Phil Grawemeyer (1954-56)

Andy Green (1997-2000) School-record holder in five career categories: games played (228), games started (225), at-bats (908), runs (199) and hits (277) … Ranks in the top five in four other career categories: fifth in total bases (395), fifth in sacrifices (24) and second in stolen bases (81) … Ranks in the top 10 in several single-season lists: sixth in at-bats (244), sixth in hits (89) and 10th in stolen bases (27) … An Academic All-American and four-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Drafted in the 24th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2000 MLB Draft … Completed a decade in the pros in 2010, including three years in the majors with the Diamondbacks and one year with the New York Mets … Currently the third base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kevin Grevey (1973-75)

Alex Groza (1945,`47-49)

Ralph Hacker (1966-2000) spent 34 years on the UK Radio Network … Served as the men’s basketball analyst for many years with legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford … Following Ledford’s retirement, he took over play-by-play duties for eight years, including UK’s 1996 and 1998 national championship seasons … The play-by-play voice of the Wildcat football team for five seasons … Was president of HMH Broadcasting, building a prominent network that featured then-UK flagship station WVLK … Also hosted head coaches’ pregame and postgame shows, as well as the weekly “Big Blue Line” call-in shows … All totaled, he was on the radio call for three men’s basketball national championships, seven Final Fours and four football bowl games.

Wilbur Hackett (1967-70) served as a pioneer of integration in SEC football, becoming the first African-American team captain in SEC history in 1969. Began his career playing with the freshman team, and later served as a three-year varsity starter, earning sophomore All-SEC honors in 1968. Was also named UK’s co-Most Valuable Player as a senior and later served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons. Hackett is currently in his 12th season as an SEC football game official.

Cliff Hagan (1951-52, ’54)

Sonia Hahn (1986-89) was named a two-time singles All-American and a two-time doubles All-American … Won the 1987 ITA National Indoor Singles championship … Won the SEC No. 1 singles title in 1987 … Four years All-SEC and advanced to the NCAA Singles Championship all four years … Compiled a career singles/doubles record of 148-45, usually playing at the No. 1 position … Team had a four-year record of 79-29, including a pair of runner-up finishes at the SEC Championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances … Won the doubles gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games … 1987 World University Games bronze medalist … Co-Head Coach at Tennessee for 19 seasons, named National Co-Coach of the Year in 2002 … Currently serves as the deputy director of athletics at California State University at Northridge.

Joe B. Hall (1973-85)

Joe B. Hall, who grew up just 30 minutes north of the University of Kentucky campus in Cynthiana, had the unenviable task of following the legendary Adolph Rupp, who was forced to retire at age 70. But Hall, the former Rupp assistant, met the challenge head on, coaching three teams to the Final Four (1975, ‘78 and ‘84) and winning the 1978 NCAA championship, the school’s fifth title and first in 20 seasons.

Hall began his association with Kentucky as a student-athlete during the “Fabulous Five era.” He played one year of junior varsity and one year of varsity basketball before transferring to the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, where he finished his eligibility and set a single-game scoring record. Following his college career, Hall toured Europe with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1951, but later returned to UK and completed his degree requirements.

His coaching career began at Shepherdsville (Ky.) High School in 1956. It continued on to Regis College in Denver, where he spent five years (57-50 record), and Central Missouri State, where he recorded a 19-6 mark in one season before returning to UK as an assistant to Rupp on July 1, 1965.

As the UK head coach, Hall won national coach of the year honors in 1978 and four Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year awards. He had seven players win All-America honors 11 times.

Hall’s squads recorded a 172-62 (73.5%) record versus SEC competition during the regular season, winning eight SEC titles in 13 seasons and one league tournament championship in six tries.

While Coach Rupp witnessed 44 of his players drafted by the NBA, Hall saw 24 players drafted during his 13-year tenure, five in the first round.

Jenny Hansen (1993-96) is one of the most distinguished gymnasts in NCAA history, holding NCAA records with eight individual titles at the national meet; four titles in one year (1995, floor exercise, balance beam, vault, all-around); and three all-around championships (1993-95). The 1995 SEC Female Athlete of the Year, Hansen was recently named the NCAA’s most outstanding gymnast of the past 25 years.

Tim Harden (1993-96) was a three-time NCAA dash champion who won the national indoor 55-meter title in 1995 and 1996 and added the outdoor 100-meter national championship in 1995. He earned All-America honors in 10 events during his career and was a six-time SEC dash champion. Harden, who still holds the school record in the 100 meters, had a prolific track career following graduation, highlighted by winning a silver medal in the 1996 Olympics in the 4×100-meter relay.

Kendra Harrison (2014-15) is the former world record holder in the 100-meter hurdles at 12.20 seconds … National Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA as a senior, as she was the NCAA champion in the indoor 60m hurdles and outdoor 100m hurdles … NCAA silver medalist in the 400m hurdles as a junior and senior … Led UK to an NCAA second-place outdoor team finish in 2015, the best showing in school history … All totaled, a 15-time All-American … Five-time SEC gold medalist – 60m indoor hurdles as a junior and senior; 100m outdoor hurdles as a junior and senior, and 400m outdoor hurdles as a junior … Still holds the school record in the 60m hurdles … Exemplary student who earned Academic All-America and received the NCAA Top 10 Award as a senior.

Vernon Hatton (1956-58)

Basil Hayden (1920-22)

Chuck Hayes (2002-05) was a fan favorite for relentless defense and tenacious rebounding … Named the 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year … Ranks seventh in career rebounds with 910 boards … Led the team in rebounding for three straight seasons from 2003-05 … Led UK in blocks in 2004 … Ranks eighth in career steals with 170 … Led team to the 2005 SEC regular-season championship … Also a key member on the SEC Tournament championship teams in 2003, 2004 … Member of the 1,000-point club … Appeared in the NCAA Tournament in all four of his seasons, including Elite Eight finishes in 2003 and 2005 … Two-time All-SEC honoree, including first-team honors by the AP and Coaches in 2005 … Named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2002 … 11-year NBA veteran.

Patty Jo Hedges-Ward (1980-83) Known as Patty Jo Hedges during her playing days, she is the UK all-time assist leader, a member of the (state of) Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, the KHSAA Hall of Fame and the Louisville Metro Area Athletic Directors Hall of Fame … First-Team All-SEC as a senior and was a gold medalist for the United States at the 1983 Pan American Games … Helped lead UK to 1982 SEC Tournament championship and named to the All-Tournament Team … Led UK in assists and steals all four seasons … Holds UK career record for assists (731, also fifth in SEC history) and single-game record (16) … Third in single-season assists (209) … A capable scorer who tallied 1,176 career points … Sixth in UK history in steals (272) … Helped lead team to four-year record of 85-33 and four tournament appearances, including NCAA Elite Eight in 1982 … Played several years of pro basketball in the United States and internationally … Currently, the Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches presents the “Patty Jo Hedges Ultimate Teammate Award” each year to the girl who exemplifies her selfless style of play … Patty Jo is a retired teacher.

Mark Higgs (1984-87) was a standout running back from 1984-87, is one of UK’s all-time leading rushers with 2,892 career rushing yards. He set school records for highest rushing average in a season (6.6 yards per attempt in 1987) and rushed for, what was then a school-record, 1,278 yards (broken in 1995). Higgs was selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week when he rushed for 192 yards in a 35-6 victory over Mississippi. In addition, he was named second-team All-SEC, UK’s Most Valuable Senior, and to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Following his senior season, Higgs played in the Blue-Gray Game and Hula Bowl before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys. The running back enjoyed an eight-year career in the NFL with Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, and Arizona.

J.B. Holmes (2002-05) led UK to its lone SEC championship in 2005 on top of being named the SEC Golfer of the Year, becoming the only UK player to claim the distinguished honor in school history. During his career, Holmes earned six first-place finishes and 35 top-10 finishes, more than any other player in the Brian Craig Era. The Kentucky native was a PING All-American three years, including a first-team All-American in 2004. He also earned first-team All-America by the Golf Coaches Association of America in 2005 and was named an Academic All-American, the GCAA All-American Scholar and the Cleveland Golf All-American Scholar in 2004 and 2005. Professionally, Holmes won two FBR Open titles on the PGA Tour and was a member of the 2008 Ryder Cup championship team. He has surpassed more than $10 million in career earnings.

Sherry Hoover Bordner (1986-89) was a seven-time All-America honoree … Won SEC championships in the mile and on a pair of relay teams during her career … Set 10 school records during her career, including outdoor records in the 800- and 1,500-meter runs, 4×800 meter relay and the distance medley relay, and indoor records in the 1,500 meter run and 4×800 meter relay … Broke outdoor freshman record in the 800 meters and indoor freshman records in the 1000-yard run, 1,500-meter run and the mile … Member of the 1988 national champion cross country squad, which remains the only women’s national championship team at UK.

Jim Host (1957-59) began his impressive career as one of the first scholarship baseball players at Kentucky, helping lead UK to a then-school record 18 wins as a senior. During his senior season, Host totaled a 1.66 ERA, striking out 69 in 75.1 innings, hurling six complete games in eight starting assignments before pitching in the minor leagues. Host then began a noteworthy career in business and government service, founding a company in 1972 that eventually became Host Communications, a pioneer in the sports marketing industry. He served in state government as Commissioner of Public Information, Commissioner of Parks, and most recently, Secretary of Commerce. Host’s numerous honors include the State of Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, UK Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Kentuckian of the Year, National Tourism Foundation Hall of Fame, and lifetime achievement awards from two organizations.

Tom Hutchinson (1960-62) Formerly the all-time leading receiver at UK, Tom Hutchinson earned three varsity letters as a split end under head coaches Blanton Collier and Charlie Bradshaw. He ended his career with then-school-records of 94 pass receptions, 1,483 receiving yards, averaged 15.9 yards per reception and scored nine touchdowns. The end was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press in 1960, 1961, and 1962, first-team All-SEC by United Press International in 1961 and 1962, and third-team All-SEC by United Press International in 1960. Despite not earning a starting assignment in any of the 10 regular season games, Hutchinson caught 30 passes for 455 yards as a sophomore and grabbed 32 pass receptions in 1961 and 1962. He played in five postseason all-star games – Coaches All-America Game, College All-Star Game, Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, and the Senior Christian Bowl. His NFL career began after he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the draft in 1963 were he played for three seasons before spending one season with Atlanta (1966).

Taryn Ignacio Patrick (2004-07) became Kentucky’s first-ever national diving champion, winning the platform event at the 2006 NCAA Championships with an NCAA, SEC and UK record score of 335.20 in the finals … Also owns the school record with a 333.90 on 1-meter … Is a five-time All-American in three seasons at UK … Was named SEC Diver of the Year in all three seasons with the Wildcats … Won a total of five SEC titles, including two each in 2005 and 2007, the most of any male or female in UK history … Became the second diver in SEC history to win three consecutive conference titles on platform … Currently the diving coach at Fresno State.

Dan Issel (1968-70)

Ilkka Jantti (1998-2001) was the first All-American in UK men’s soccer history. The four-time NSCAA All-Region honoree was named the 2001 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, the 1998 MAC Newcomer of the Year and earned All-MAC honors in all four years at UK. Jantti took Kentucky to three NCAA Tournament appearances and led UK to back-to-back MAC regular-season championships in 2000 and 2001, as well as MAC Tournament titles for three straight years from 1999-2001. In addition to being named to the All-Tournament team twice, Jantti was a first-team NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-American, a Verizon Academic All-American, a winner of a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and he was named to the conference academic honor roll three times.

Clyde Johnson (1940-42) owns the honor of being the University of Kentucky’s first All-American in football. He was named a first-team All-American and first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press in 1942. Johnson played two seasons (1946-47) in the NFL with Los Angeles Rams.

Ellis Johnson (1930-33) played men’s basketball, football, baseball and track at UK and is considered one of the greatest all-around athletes in the history of the Commonwealth. A basketball All-American, he was a starter on Adolph Rupp’s first Wildcat team and later served as head football and basketball coach at Morehead State and as basketball coach at Marshall.

James Johnson (1977-80) was a four-year letterman who started from 1977-80 at UK as a 190-pounder … Finished with a record of 65-21 and won the Southern Open twice … Three-time Southeastern Conference medalist, including a second-place finish at the 1980 SEC Championships … Went on to remarkable success in his post-college career as a Greco-Roman competitor … Member of the USA National Wrestling Team for 12 years, winning three national championships wrestling at 100 kilograms (220 pounds) … Named USA Wrestling’s Athlete of the Year in 1993 … Began coaching career as a graduate assistant at UK … Has coached in numerous national and international events, including the 2012 Olympics, and is on the training staff for the 2016 Olympics.

Molly Johnson-Belcher (2007-10) was the program’s first All-American … UK’s first four-time All-SEC honoree … NFCA Scholar-Athlete … Led UK to its first NCAA Tournament berth … Ended her career owning career records in batting average (.389), doubles (56), runs (161), home runs (35), slugging percentage (.656), total bases (445); was second in assists (510) and RBI (135); third in hits (264) and stolen bases (66); fourth in triples (10) … Also set single-season records in hits (81), doubles (20), runs scored (53), on-base percentage (.498), as well as single-game records for runs (4), doubles (3), home runs (2) … Member of US National team in 2009 and 2010 helping lead the Americans to gold at the 2012 ISF World Championship and the 2011 Pan Am Games … Current UK assistant coach.

Tina Johnson (1994-96) was an eight-time All-America diver, winning the honor in one-meter, three-meter and platform diving. The 1996 SEC one-meter diving champion and NCAA runner-up in the platform event, she was named SEC Swimmer and Diver of the Year by league coaches three times (1995-97). Also an Academic All-American and a three-time member of the SEC All-Academic Team, Johnson left school as UK’s record-holder in three categories.

Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones (1945-48) lettered four years at Kentucky as an end and was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference selection. He was also named first team All-SEC by the Associated Press in 1946 and third-team All-SEC in 1948. Jones led Kentucky in receiving in the 1947 and 1948 seasons and had a season-high 19 receptions for 243 yards and five touchdowns during his senior campaign. He helped lead the Wildcats to the Great Lakes Bowl, their first bowl appearance, in 1947 as a junior. The UK legend was also a four-year letterman in basketball and baseball. Jones, also a basketball standout, is the only UK athlete to have his jersey retired in both sports.

Henri Junghanel (2010-13) is an Olympic gold medalist, World Shooter of the Year, four-time All-American and the leading shooter on UK’s 2011 national champion rifle team … Led UK in shooting average for both air rifle and smallbore during the 2011 national champion campaign … Earned All-America distinction all four years as a Wildcat … Named World Shooter of the Year for 2013, his senior season … Won the gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 50-meter prone event … Broke the Olympics finals record with a score of 209.5 … Also holds the 50-meter prone world record with a score of 211.2 points … Graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Cedric Kauffmann (1995-98) was the first three-time All-American in singles play in Kentucky men’s tennis history. Kauffmann went 121-61 during his four-year career at UK and finished in the top 10 in the country from 1996-98. He climbed as high as No. 2 in 1997. Kauffmann was a National Clay Court Singles Championship finalist in 1997 and a National Indoor Singles Championships semifinalist in 1996. He played on the ATP Tour after his time at Kentucky and reached as high as the world’s No. 170 ranking. Kauffmann competed in the 2001 French Open and the 2000 United States Open, losing in a fifth-set tiebreaker at the 2001 French Open to tennis legend Pete Sampras. He was hired as the UK men’s tennis assistant coach in 2005 and currently serves as the head coach.

Jeff Keener (1980-81) compiled a 20-5 pitching record during his two seasons with the Wildcats and still holds UK career records with a 2.01 ERA. He allowed only 5.1 hits per nine innings en route to a career winning percentage of .800, which is second in school history. His senior All-American year featured the best single-season pitching performance ever at UK, with a 13-1 record, 0.51 ERA and just 3.9 hits per nine innings, all of which continue as school records. Keener helped lead the team to a then-school-record 39 wins in 1981, advancing to the finals of the SEC Tournament. During his junior season, Keener led the SEC in strikeouts. The UK star was drafted by St. Louis Cardinals and played two years in the major leagues.

Bill Keightley (1962-2008)

John “Shipwreck” Kelly (1929-31) lettered as a halfback for the Wildcats from 1929-31 and gained approximately 2,100 rushing yards during his career. He accomplished a season-best 1,074 yards rushing in 1931 and held the UK all-time, single-game record with 280 rushing yards vs. Maryville in 1930.

Ralph Kercheval (1931-33) was known as perhaps the finest punter in the history of the SEC, Ralph Kercheval lettered in 1931, 1932, and 1933 for the Wildcats. He set SEC season records for most punts (101), yards punted (4,413) and set single-game record for punting average (52.0 avg., min. 10). Kercheval holds one of the longest punts in UK history at a mark of 78 yards. Career wise, he punted 234 times for 9,749 yards and averaged 44.8 yards per punt. He also played quarterback, defensive back and kicker.

Rick Kestner (1963-65) As a first-team All-Southeastern Conference offensive end in 1964 and 1965, Rick Kestner was one of the most prolific pass catchers in Wildcat history with 82 receptions in his career. His 42 catches in 1964 set a school record and his best game came the same year with nine catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns as Kentucky upset top ranked Mississippi, 27-21, in Jackson. The 185 receiving yards was the most ever in a game for a Wildcat until 1998. Kestner was placed on the Academic All-SEC team in 1964.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2012) Key member of the 2012 national championship team … Consensus All-America Second Team selection … Tabbed to the All-NCAA Final Four Team … Named the South Regional Most Outstanding Player after averaging 21.5 points and 7.5 rebounds to get to the Final Four … Averaged 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds for the season, in addition to being a defensive stopper … All-SEC First Team pick … Selected No. 2 overall (behind Anthony Davis) in the 2012 NBA Draft … NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013 … Played eight years in the NBA … A national advocate for people dealing with stuttering, he endorsed a bill passed by the 2024 Kentucky legislature that expanded insurance for speech therapy.

Rachel Komisarz (1996-99) was an Olympic gold-medal winner and NCAA All-American swimmer. She was a versatile performer whose six All-America honors were spread over five separate events. Was UK’s only three-time SEC champion women’s swimmer, victorious in the 200 butterfly, 500 freestyle, and 1650 freestyle. Komisarz ended her career with school records in the 200 freestyle, 1000 freestyle, 1650 freestyle, along with the 100 and 200 butterfly. She holds four UK Lancaster Aquatic Center records and co-owns school records on four different relay teams, in addition to earning Academic All-America accolades as a senior. Komisarz was a part of the 2004 United States Olympics Team that won the gold medal in the 800 freestyle relay and the silver medal in the 400 medley relay. She was named to the 2006 United States World Championship Team.

Jim Kovach (1974-76, 1978) As one of the all-time leading tacklers in UK history, Jim Kovach is credited with 521 tackles, including a season high 164 in 1976. He was a four-year letterman who received medical hardship ruling in 1977 because of a shoulder injury, but made a comeback and was voted a consensus first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 1978. As an off the field accomplishment, he was named to the Academic All-SEC Honor Roll four times. In addition to being named second-team All-SEC in 1975 and 1976, Kovach was named the squad’s Most Valuable Player, an Academic All-American, and received the 1978 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. He played in the 1978 Hula Bowl and received a 1979 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship. The linebacker was a fourth-round draft choice by the New Orleans Saints in 1979 and played there until 1985 when he moved to San Francisco to play for one year. He was named to the Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 2010.

Harry Lancaster (1946-75) was a cornerstone in UK Athletics for three decades. As AD, he oversaw the construction of Commonwealth Stadium and the multi-sport Shively Sports Center, along with helping plan for Rupp Arena and directing the revival of varsity women’s basketball at UK. He also spent 16 seasons as head baseball coach, but was perhaps best known as Adolph Rupp’s top assistant, helping the Wildcats win national championships in 1948, 1949, 1951, and 1958. He is also a member of the State of Kentucky’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Henrik Larsen (2018) A generational talent, winning a team and individual national championship as a freshman before turning professional … Led Kentucky to the 2018 NCAA National Championship, posting the highest aggregate score on the team … Won the 2018 NCAA Air Rifle Individual National Championship … Set school records in smallbore, air rifle and aggregate in just his one collegiate season … 2018 NCAA Shooter of the Year and NCAA Freshman of the Year … With the exception of the NCAA Smallbore Individual final, Larsen finished first in every event in which he competed during the 2017-18 season … Represented his home country of Norway in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics … Won the Smallbore Men’s Gold at the 2022 ISSF World Championships.

Cawood Ledford (1953-92)

Billy Ray Lickert (1959-61) was a three-time, first-team All-SEC selection in men’s basketball, including a second-team All-America selection by the Helms Foundation in 1961. He ranks 47th on Kentucky’s all-time scoring list with 1,076 points. Lickert was named to the 1961 NCAA All-Region Team and led the team in scoring during the 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons, averaging 14.4 points per game in his junior year and 16.0 in his senior campaign. He finished his career with a 14.7 scoring average and was also UK’s leader in field-goal percentage in 1959-60 (.401) and 1960-61 (.420). Named the SEC “Sophomore of the Year” following the 1959 season, his team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments during his three years. Lickert was drafted in the fifth round (No. 45 overall) of the 1961 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Jared Lorenzen (2000-03) set six NCAA records, four SEC records and 11 school records for passing and total offense … Four-year starter at quarterback … Career totals feature 862 completions in 1,514 attempts for 10,354 yards and 78 touchdowns … Added 12 rushing touchdowns during his career … Two-year semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award … Named second-team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and the Coaches … SEC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2000 … Team captain as a junior and senior … National Player of the Week against Vanderbilt in 2001 … Played three years in the NFL with the New York Giants and was a member of the Giants’ 2008 Super Bowl champion.

Mike Lyden (1993-2008) was the 1996 NCAA Women’s Diving Coach of the Year … 12-time SEC Diving Coach of the Year, including nine times at Kentucky and three at LSU … Led 12 Wildcats to 49 All-America selections … In 2006, led Taryn Ignacio to the school’s first national championship in program history when she set school and then-NCAA records on the platform … Coached Kentucky’s first diving All-American, Tina Johnson, who earned All-America platform honors in 1994, and UK’s first single-season three-time All-American, Clayton Moss, in 2002 and 2003 … In 2005 the Wildcat women divers swept the SEC championships, winning all three boards, an unprecedented achievement … Having died in 2008 after a lengthy illness, the UK Athletics CATSPY Courage Award is named in his honor.

Dicky Lyons (1966-68) was known as one of the greatest punt and kickoff return aces in Southeastern Conference history, Dicky Lyons lettered three years as a running back, flanker and kick returner at UK. He was named first-team All-SEC as a junior and senior and earned second-team all-league honors as a sophomore. Lyons was the first player in SEC history with 1,000 yards rushing, 1,000 yards in punt returns and 1,000 yards in kickoff returns. He held the SEC record for most return yardage in a game when he racked up 235 yards in punt and kickoff returns against LSU in 1967. Lyons’ career punt return average of 15.4 yards per return ranks as one of the best in school history and SEC annals. He has been ranked so highly among the leaders in several other statistical categories at Kentucky and the SEC that he was named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team by the Lexington Herald-Leader. He would go on to play for the New Orleans Saints in the NFL.

Kyle Macy (1978-80)

Bernadette Madigan-Dugan (1981-85) One of the greatest distance runners in Kentucky history … First UK female to win a national track championship when she won the NCAA two-mile run in 1982 … Won two Southeastern Conference titles, the 1982 3,000-meter run and the 1983 three-mile run … Earned All-America honors in five separate events – cross country, indoor two-mile, outdoor 3,000 meters, indoor 3,200-meter relay and the outdoor 10,000 meters … Competed for Great Britain in the 1985 World Student Games … Has coached collegiately at Marshall, Furman, UK and Transylvania … Currently coaching at Lexington Catholic High School … Also has been a mentor for numerous athletes in the running community.

Keith Madison (1979-2003) compiled a school-record 735 wins during his 25-year career at Kentucky. During his 25-year tenure, UK averaged 29 wins a season and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice (in 1988 and 1993).

Jamal Mashburn (1991-93)

A’dia Mathies (2010-13) AP All-American second team (2013) and third team (2012) … Two-time finalist for the John R. Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy … SEC Player of the Year as a junior and senior … UK’s all-time leader in steals (320), games played (140) and started (139), while ranking second in scoring (2,014) and 3FG made (177), third in FG made (712), FT made (413) and ninth in assists (349) … First player in UK history (men or women) to accumulate over 2,000 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 300 steals in a career… Part of UK’s all-time winningest class with an overall 111-30 (.787) record … Helped UK claim an SEC regular-season title for the first time in 30 years in 2012 … Advanced to four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16s and three Elite Eights.

Charlie McClendon (1949-50) was a versatile performer for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and helped lead the 1949 team to the Orange Bowl and the 1950 squad to the Sugar Bowl. He lettered two seasons at UK as a defensive end, cornerback, and tight end. McClendon later became an assistant coach and joined Kentucky in 1951, Vanderbilt in 1952, and LSU from 1953-61 before taking over the reins in Baton Rouge in 1962. He compiled a 137-59-7 mark in 18 years at LSU, took the Tigers to 13 bowl games, and was named National Coach of the Year in 1970 by the American Football Coaches Association. In 1980, McClendon was the Executive Director of the Tangerine Bowl for two years before completing 12 years (1982-94) as Executive Director of the AFCA. He would later receive the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award from the AFCA in 1992 for “outstanding service in the advancement of the best interests of football.”

Valerie McGovern Young (1988-91) won three individual national championships in the 5,000-meter run and was a key contributor on the 1988 cross country team that won the NCAA national championship. McGovern Young was UK’s top performer at the 1989 national meet, finishing second individually. An eight-time All-American in cross country and track, McGovern Young won eight individual SEC championships, including cross country, 3,000-meter indoor, 5,000-meter indoor (twice), 3,000-meter outdoor (twice) and 5,000-meter outdoor (twice). She still holds five UK track records: 3,000-, 5,000- and 10,000-meter outdoor and the 3,000- and 5,000-meter indoor.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (2018) Four-time Olympic gold medalist, twice each in Paris and Tokyo in the 400-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay … Had a world-record performance in the 400 hurdles in each Olympiad, lowering the mark to 50.37 seconds in Paris … The 4×400 relay set an American record in winning Paris gold … Turned in a stunning performance in her year at Kentucky … NCAA champion in the 400 hurdles … Set the collegiate record (52.75 seconds) – which still stands – while winning the SEC championship in the 400H … Set the world junior indoor 400-meter record in the NCAA Indoor Championships … Three-time SEC champion in the Indoor (400m) and Outdoor Championships (400H and 4×400 relay) … Two gold medals in the 2022 World Championships and was named the 2022 World Athletics Female Athlete of the Year.

Jodie Meeks (2007-09) NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 2009 … Owns UK’s single-game scoring record with 54 points at Tennessee … Also hit a school record 10 3-pointers during that game … All-SEC first team in 2009 …. Made the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2007 … His 854 points during the 2008-09 season rank as the second-most in UK history … Finished his career ranked 33rd on the career scoring list with 1,246 points … Tied for eighth in UK history in 3-point field goals made (177) … His seven career 30-point games is tied for the seventh most in program history … Owns the UK single-season 3-point field goals record with 117 made treys … Tied for the school’s best career free-throw percentage (min. 200 attempts) at .890 … Played 10 seasons in the NBA.

Steve Meilinger (1951-53) The versatile Steve Meilinger lettered three years for the Wildcats as an end, halfback, defensive back, and linebacker. His career totals include 75 catches for 1,210 yards (16.1 avg.) and 17 touchdowns, a former UK team record. Meilinger had 41 receptions and racked up 576 yards and eight touchdowns during the 1951 season, which led to him becoming a first-team All-American in 1952 and 1953. He was also named first-team All-SEC three times (1951-53) and the Birmingham QB Club Quarter Century All-SEC Team (1950-74). He rushed for 714 yards and intercepted six passes during his college career and was later a first-round NFL Draft choice by Washington. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013.

Ron Mercer (1996-97) Member of the 1996 national championship team as well as the 1997 national runner-up team … NCAA consensus All-America first team in 1997 … Named to the 1996 NCAA Tournament All-Final Four Team … Named Freshman All-SEC in 1996 … 1997 NCAA Tournament All-Final Four Team … 1997 NCAA Tournament West Regional Most Outstanding Player … SEC Player of the Year by league coaches and AP in 1997 … 1997 SEC Tournament MVP … Scored 725 points in his sophomore season, at the time the fifth most in a season in program history … Member of Kentucky’s 1,000-point club (1,013) … Declared for the 1997 NBA Draft after his sophomore season … Drafted in the first round, sixth overall, by the Boston Celtics … Played eight seasons in the NBA.

Lou Michaels (1955-57), a two-time firstteam All-America selection (1956 & 57), lettered three years at the University of Kentucky as a tackle, kicker, and punter. He was named an Outstanding SEC Lineman by the Birmingham Touchdown Club in 1956, as well as the following year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club. Also in 1957, he was named SEC Outstanding Player by Nashville Banner. Michaels averaged 39.8 yards per punt, had 122 punts for 4,852 yards, and connected on 13 of 16 PATs and 2 of 3 field goals during his career at UK. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Nazr Mohammed (1996-98) Two-time national champion … Second-leading scorer and leading rebounder on the 1998 team that went 35-4, won the national title and the SEC regular season and tournament championships … A reserve on the 1996 national title team that went 34-2 … Averaged 12 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks during the 1998 run … Tabbed All-SEC First Team by the league’s coaches and the AP … Named to the 1998 SEC All-Tournament Team … Entered NBA Draft after his junior season and was selected in the first round by Utah … Played more than 1,000 games, scored nearly 6,000 points and grabbed nearly 5,000 rebounds during an 18-year NBA career … Won an NBA championship with San Antonio in 2005 … Currently a scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Marty Moore (1990-93) Linebacker who finished his playing days at UK ranking fourth in tackles with 470 … Named first-team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and Coaches in 1993 … UK’s Most Valuable Senior while helping lead the Wildcats to the 1993 Peach Bowl … AP second-team All-SEC as a junior … Led SEC in tackles as a sophomore and junior … Named to the Sophomore All-America team by Football News … UK’s Most Outstanding Linebacker for three consecutive years … Two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and received UK’s Senior Scholastic Award … Played in the East-West Shrine Game … Was the last pick of the 1994 NFL Draft, but defied the odds by earning a spot on the New England Patriots and went on to an eight-year career in the NFL.

Doug Moseley (1949-51) earned three varsity letters as a center and linebacker at the University of Kentucky and played under head coach Paul
“Bear” Bryant on teams that compiled a 28-8 overall record, including one Southeastern Conference championship (1950) and appearances in the Orange, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls. He was named a first-team All-American in 1951 by the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America in addition to being a first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press and United Press International that same year. Moseley was also a second-team All-Southeastern Conference selection by the Associated Press the previous year. A permanent co-captain of the 1951 Wildcat squad, which posted an 8-4 record and a 20-7 victory over Texas Christian University in the Cotton Bowl, Moseley earned the 1951 Atlanta Constitution Award and played in the College All-Star Game in Chicago.

Clayton Moss (1999-2003) was an eight-time All-America diver and three-time All-America honorable mention honoree for the Wildcats. He earned All-America status on all three boards during his time at UK, while becoming the only UK male diver in program history to be named a two-time SEC Diver of the Year (2002 and 2003). Moss captured an SEC crown on three occasions, winning the one-meter in 2001 and 2002 and the three-meter in 2003. He was a SEC Academic Honor Roll performer as a senior before finishing his career with UK records on the one-meter (11 dives) and on the three-meter (11 dives). His performances still rank among the top five scores in school history in five events, including the platform (10 dives), three-meter (11 dives), one-meter (11 dives), three-meter (six dives) and one-meter (six dives).

Nancy Napolski Johnson (1993-96) was a UK Rifle All-American and Olympic gold-medal winner for the United States. She captured the individual national championship in air rifle in 1994 and was a three-time first-team All-American (1994, 1995 and 1996). Napolski Johnson led the team to three consecutive third-place finishes at the NCAA Championships from 1994-96. She continued competitive shooting after her collegiate career and won the gold medal in women’s 10-meter air rifle in the 2000 Olympics. She also went on to win gold medals at several other international events.

Cotton Nash (1962-64)

Vic Nelson (1968-71) Won seven SEC individual championships, at least one in each cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track … Swept the SEC outdoor three-mile crown all four years as a Wildcat, first male athlete in SEC history to win an event four consecutive years … Won the individual SEC cross country championship in 1969 and helped UK to the 1970 SEC team title … Claimed the SEC indoor two-mile run in 1970 and 1971 … Advanced to eight NCAA Championships, participating in a total of 11 events … 1971 UK Athlete of the Year by the K Association … Won an NCAA post-graduate scholarship … Currently a professor and assistant head of the electrical and computer engineering department at Auburn … Has been a track meet official at Auburn since 1979.

C.M. Newton (1949-51; AD 1989-2000) oversaw the upgrading of several facilities, the addition of three varsity sports, and tremendous growth in revenues during his decade-plus as UK’s Athletics Director. Named to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game, Newton was nationally prominent as chairman of the NCAA Tournament, chairman of the rules committee (introduced the shot clock and three-point shot), and working with international basketball. As head coach at Transylvania, Alabama, and Vanderbilt, he won 509 games and several Coach of the Year awards. Newton was also a pioneer for racial integration as both a coach and administrator.

Leslie Nichols (1983-86) remains one of UK’s greatest performers on the hardwood. She was a three-time All-SEC honoree by the league’s coaches en route to a career record of 72-41 and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure. She still ranks fourth all-time in UK’s career scoring chart with 1,797 career points good for an average of 18.2 per game. A four-year starter at forward, Nichols remains the only player in program history to log a triple-double. She totaled 18 points, 13 rebounds and 11 steals against Louisville in 1986. Furthermore, she ranks second all-time at UK in double-doubles (35), fourth in steals (278), fourth in career rebounds (877) and fifth in blocks (102).

Nate Northington (1966-67) One of the pioneers of the integration of SEC football, deciding to play for his home-state team during the height of the Civil Rights Movement … Starred for the UK freshman team in 1966, Northington as a running back and defensive back … Northington averaged 6.0 yards per carry that season as a running back; defensive statistics not available for the frosh … Northington made his debut in an SEC game on Sept. 30, 1967 vs. Ole Miss and played in four games for the varsity, becoming the first African-American football player in SEC history … Northington left the team later that season but encouraged UK’s African-American freshmen, Wilbur Hackett and Houston Hogg, to stay at UK and continue his trailblazing legacy.

Rick Norton (1963-65) lettered three years at quarterback for the Wildcats and was named a first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC along with Academic All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1963. Career wise, Norton finished with 4,139 yards of total offense, and completed 298 of 598 (.498 pct.) passes for 4,514 yards and 26 touchdowns. He held UK mark for season passing with 1,823 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1965. Norton owned the Wildcats’ single-game mark with 373 yards passing against Houston in 1965. As a result of his accomplishments, he was a first-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1966 and played with the team until 1969.

Kelsey Nunley-Moore (2013-16) pitched Kentucky to the 2014 Women’s College World Series, its only appearance in the WCWS … 2016 NFCA First-Team All-American … 2016 SEC Pitcher of the Year … Holds UK career records for appearances (171), innings pitched (943.1), ERA (1.96), wins (92) and saves (9) … 2016 First-Team All-SEC … 2016 Senior CLASS Award All-American … Fifth overall pick in the 2016 NPF Draft to the USSSA Pride, the highest-picked Wildcat in program history … 2014 WCWS and SEC All-Tournament Team … 2013 SEC All-Freshman Team, 2014 All-SEC Second Team … Won all 10 postseason wins for Kentucky in 2014 as the Wildcats made their way past the Lexington Regional, Los Angeles Super Regional and into the Women’s College World Series … Continues to be active in the game as a high school coach.

Rick Nuzum (1972-74) began his career as a defensive end at UK before moving to offensive tackle, offensive guard and center for his last two seasons. He was named a first-team All-American as a center in 1974, second-team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior, and the squad’s Most Valuable Player in 1974. Nuzum participated in the 1974 Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. After being coached at Kentucky by John Ray and Fran Curci, he was drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1975 where he played one season (1977) before playing his final two with the Green Bay Packers (1978-79).

Johnny Owens (1947-50) was considered one of the nation’s best amateur golfers for more than half a century. He capped his UK career by the winning the Southeastern Conference championship his senior year (1950). He also won two state championships at Lexington’s Henry Clay High School, 10 Lexington city championships, two State Amateur titles and four State Seniors crowns. In 1984, he also won the British Senior Amateur championship.

Dick Parsons (1958-61; 1970-80) All-America shortstop in baseball and three-year letterman in men’s basketball, he later coached in both sports as well … Earned All-America honors in baseball after batting .400 as a senior … Two-year first-team All-SEC … NCAA All-District as a junior and senior … Helped team to a three-year record of 53-24 … In basketball, he scored 511 points in three varsity seasons … Helped the hoops Cats to a 61-19 record and two appearances in the NCAA Tournament … Team captain in both sports … Was baseball head coach from 1970-72, posting two winning records in his three seasons … Men’s basketball assistant coach for 11 seasons, including the 1978 national champion team… Longtime high school coach who has been inducted into the KHSAA Hall of Fame.

Greg Page (1966-67) One of the pioneers of the integration of SEC football, deciding to play for his home-state team during the height of the Civil Rights Movement … Starred for the UK freshman team in 1966, Page as a defensive end … Was expected to make major contributions to the varsity as a sophomore; however, Page sustained a neck injury in practice in August, 1967, and died in September.

Vito “Babe” Parilli (1949-51) A two-time first-team All-American in 1950 and 1951, Babe Parilli also finished third and fourth in Heisman
Trophy voting his junior and senior seasons. Parilli completed 331 of 592 passes for 4,351 yards and 50 touchdowns in his career. The team posted a 28-8 record, claimed an SEC title along with spots in the Orange, Sugar, and Cotton Bowls under his leadership. After being taken in the first-round of the NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers in 1952, the quarterback played for six years in the NFL, then 10 years in the AFL, culminating with a 1969 Super Bowl championship with the New York Jets. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

John Pelphrey (1989-92)

Corey Peters (2006-09) Outstanding defensive tackle helped UK to four consecutive bowl appearances, including three bowl wins … Tremendous senior season featured 56 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four quarterback sacks, five pass breakups and six QB hurries … Earned All-SEC first team honors … UK’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player of his senior season … Winner of the Jerry Claiborne Award for academics and team attitude … National Defensive Lineman of the Week vs. South Carolina … SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice … Three-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons … Played 13 years in the NFL with Atlanta, Arizona and Jacksonville … Won or was nominated for multiple community service and sportsmanship honors … Currently works for Jacksonville as a college football scout.

Rick Pitino (1990-97)

Promising to win right away, the 36-year-old coach from the New York Knicks accepted the challenge of rebuilding the Kentucky basketball dynasty. Pitino came to UK with impressive credentials, having rebuilt Boston U., Providence and the Knicks. His first UK team, “Pitino’s Bombinos,” shocked the college basketball world by defeating Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Jackson and the No. 9-ranked LSU Tigers in Lexington en route to a surprising 14-14 record in 1989-90.

It was a glimpse into the future. The following year, UK finished with the best record in the Southeastern Conference. Then in 1992, fresh off NCAA probation, the “Unforgettables” took eventual national champion Duke into overtime of the East Regional final before falling 104-103 in what many have labeled “the greatest college basketball game ever played.”

In 1993, with Jamal Mashburn leading the charge, UK advanced to the Final Four for the first time in nine years, losing to Michigan in overtime. After an Elite Eight finish in ’95, Pitino’s squad became the team to beat in ’96. Highlights included a second straight league championship, a 27-game win streak, a top-three ranking nearly the entire season, and the crowning jewel, the school’s sixth NCAA title.

After UK lost four players to the NBA Draft, Pitino’s task of defending the national championship became more difficult after star guard Derek Anderson severely injured his knee during the ’97 season. But the Cats wouldn’t fold, rolling to the title game before losing to Arizona in overtime.

Along the way, Pitino won five of six SEC Tournament championships, two ECAC Holiday Classics, the Maui Invitational and the Great Alaska Shootout. He had a 104-28 record versus SEC teams in the regular season, winning two league crowns, and an amazing 17-1 record in the SEC Tournament.

Pitino coached three All-Americans and 12 All-SEC performers. The NBA drafted eight of his Wildcats, six in the first round. He was a two-time National Coach of the Year and a three-time SEC Coach of the Year.

Following the national runner-up trophy in 1997, the former point guard at UMass left UK for the challenge of rebuilding the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

Mike Pratt (1968-70) was a second-team All-American basketball player in 1970, finishing his career with 1,359 points (still ranks among the top 25 UK scorers of all-time) and 718 rebounds. A two-time first-team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches (1969, 70), Prate was named an Academic All-American in 1970. Pratt helped lead UK to three SEC championships and two Elite Eight appearances, finishing the regular season ranked No. 1 his senior season. After finishing collegiate career, Pratt played two seasons for the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA and was later an assistant coach on UNC-Charlotte’s 1977 Final Four team, later serving as UNCC’s head coach for four years.

Tayshaun Prince (1999-02) was a two-time men’s basketball Associated Press All-American, garnering second-team honors in 2001 and third-team honors in 2002. Prince was named the SEC Player of the Year in the 2000-01 season by both the AP and the league’s coaches and was a three-time All-SEC selection (2000, 2001 and 2002). He ranks eighth on UK’s all-time scoring list with 1,775 points and third on UK’s all-time 3-point field goals made list with 204. Prince helped lead the Wildcats to three Sweet 16 appearances (1999, 2001 and 2002) and an Elite Eight appearance (1999). He was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. Prince helped lead Detroit to the 2004 NBA Championship and was named to the NBA’s 2005 All-Defensive second team. He was also a member of the 2008 gold-medal Olympic team.

Eric Quigley (2009-12) Winningest Wildcat in school history with 172 victories … Tied the NCAA record for most singles wins in a career … Five-time All-American, three times as a singles player and two times as a doubles player … 2012 SEC Player of the Year … Went undefeated in the SEC his senior season … Captain of UK’s 2012 SEC championship team … Advanced to the finals of the 2012 NCAA Singles Championships … Helped UK appear in the NCAA Tournament four times, including a quarterfinals appearance in 2011 and two Sweet 16s … Helped Kentucky finish in the top-10 rankings twice … As a team, UK racked up 100 wins during his career, including 28 his senior season … Won the ITA/Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award.

Derrick Ramsey (1975-77) was named to first-team All-Southeastern Conference and third-team All-America by the Associated Press and United Press International in 1977. Ramsey was also named the Outstanding SEC Quarterback following his senior campaign by the Birmingham Touchdown Club. He led the Wildcats to 9-3 and 10-1 records as a junior and senior, including a 21-0 victory over North Carolina in the 1976 Peach Bowl. He was the first African-American quarterback to lead his team to an SEC championship. He finished his UK career with 3,417 yards of total offense, 1,764 rushing yards, 1,653 passing yards, 25 rushing touchdowns, and 14 passing touchdowns. Ramsey played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game and later went on to play for three NFL teams as a tight end – Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1978-83), New England (1983-85) and Detroit (1987). He served as Secretary of Education and Workforce Development for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and has written a book, They Call Me Mr. Secretary

Frank Ramsey (1951-52, `54)

Bill Ransdell (1983-86) is one of the top quarterbacks in UK history. He set Wildcat season records for most offensive plays, total offense, pass attempts, pass completions, passing yardage, completion percentage and consecutive passes without an interception. He held single-game UK records for total plays, pass attempts, completions and completion percentage and notched then-school career records for total offense (5,456 yards), total offensive plays (996), pass attempts (816), completions (460), passing yardage (5,564) and completion percentage (.575). Ransdell also helped lead the Wildcats to a 9-3 record and Hall of Fame Bowl victory in 1984 and went on to a two-year career in the NFL. He has been an analyst on UK TV network telecasts and also has served as president of the K-Association lettermen’s group.

AJ Reed (2012-14) Most accomplished player in UK history … 2014 unanimous National Player of the Year, by seven selectors, when he had arguably the greatest single season in college baseball history – .336 batting average, 23 home runs, 73 RBI while going 12-2 as a pitcher (Friday starter) with a 2.09 ERA … Led the nation in homers and slugging percentage (.735) … Also the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Male Athlete of the Year (all sports) … Two-time first-team All-SEC … Freshman All-American in 2012 … Career stats feature .306 average, 40 HR and 168 RBI, along with 19-13 pitching record and 2.83 ERA … Four-year major-league veteran with the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox.

Jay Rhodemyre (1942, 1946-47) During his three seasons at Kentucky, Jay Rhodemyre became a first-team ALL-SEC choice as a senior after garnering third-team all-league honors as a junior. He played his final two years for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant and helped lead Kentucky to the school’s first bowl appearance in 1947. Rhodemyre was named to Kentucky’s All-Time
Team in selections made by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Louisville Courier-Journal. Further accolades include: MVP honors of the 1948 College All-Star Game, a spot in the 1947 Blue-Gray Game, and a four-year career in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers. Following his football career, Rhodemyre worked as an engineer and was part-owner of Thermal Equipment Sales Company.

Russell Rice (1967-87) is a former UK Athletics administrator who was associated with UK Athletics for more than a half-century. Rice spent 20 years on the UK staff from 1967 to 1987, including 18 as a sports information director. He wrote several books chronicling the history of Wildcat men’s basketball and football programs and served as media coordinator for several NCAA men’s basketball tournaments hosted by UK. Rice was also a president of the SEC Sports Information Directors Association. For more than 20 years since his retirement from UK, Rice has written a weekly column for The Cats’ Pause magazine and has been a historical resource for UK Athletics. A World War II veteran (U.S. Marines) and a UK graduate, Rice spent 16 years in the media after graduation, including five years as sports editor of the Lexington Leader, before joining the UK staff.

Passion Richardson (1994-97) A bronze medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as she ran the anchor leg on the United States’ 4×100-meter relay team in the opening round and semifinals … Also the silver medalist in the 60-meter dash at the 1997 USA Indoor Championships … While at UK, was a four-time All-American in the 55 meters, 100 meters and 4×100-meter relay… Continues to hold the UK record at 60 meters, 100 meters and was part of the school-record 4×100-meter relay team … Was SEC bronze medalist at 100 meters in 1997 … She was on the World University Games Gold Medal 4×100-meter relay team in 1997 and took the silver medal in the same event at the Pan-American Games that same year … Later served as an assistant coach for UK track and field and as an academic counselor for UK Athletics.

Pat Riley (1965-67)

Rick Robey (1975-78)

Dave Roller (1968-70) Stalwart defensive lineman Dave Roller lettered from 1968-70 for the Wildcats. He played defensive guard as a sophomore, moved to end his junior year, and then played tackle as a senior. Roller was a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as both a junior and senior and received UK’s “Unsung Hero Award.” As a sophomore, he was selected as a second-team All-SEC choice and was later named to Kentucky’s All-Time team by the Lexington Herald-Leader. After the Wildcats defeated Kansas State in 1970, Roller was named National Lineman of the Week. All-star game wise, he played in the All-American Bowl, the Hula Bowl, and the North-South Shrine Game. Roller enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL with the New York Giants (1971-74), Green Bay Packers (1975-78), and Minnesota Vikings (1979-80).

Kenny Rollins (1943, `47-48)

Rajon Rondo (2004-06) Led the Wildcats to the 2005 SEC regular-season championship after posting a school-record 87 steals as a freshman … Named to SEC All-Freshman Team that season … In sophomore season, in 2006, he led the Wildcats in assists (167), total rebounds (209), points scored (380) and steals (69) … Received All-SEC second team honors while also being named to the Academic All-SEC Team … Drafted 21st overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns … Played 16 years in the NBA, winning NBA championships with Boston and Los Angeles … Four-time NBA All-Star … Four-time selection on the NBA All-Defensive Team … Named to the 2012 All-NBA Team … Led the league in assists for three years and led the league in steals one season.

Gayle Rose (1952, ’54-55)

Layton “Mickey” Rouse (1938-40)

Sarah Rumely (2006-09) First player in program history to be named SEC Freshman of the Year (2006) and SEC Player of the Year (2008) … Two-time AVCA All-American … Four-time All-SEC … Academic All-American third team … Led team to NCAA Tournament four times, including the Sweet 16 in 2009 … Finished career owning UK records in career assists (5,703) and aces (165) … 5,703 career assists also ranked fifth all-time in SEC history … Capped career ranking in the top 10 in sets played (3rd), block assists (9th), digs and attack percentage (10th) … Only player to record a triple-double in a match in program history (10 kills, 56 assists, 18 digs vs. Ole Miss) … Led team to No. 7 national ranking in ’09 … Played professionally overseas … Currently an assistant coach at LSU.

Adolph Rupp (1931-72)

A former UK media guide began, “In the storied land of Kentucky Colonels, there dwelled but one Baron, a man of consummate pride and a molder of powerful teams which for more than four decades made the name University of Kentucky synonymous with the game of basketball.”

Tutored by the great Phog Allen at Kansas and a student of the game under Dr. James Naismith, Rupp learned his craft at an early age. After leaving the high school ranks in Freeport, Illinois, to take the UK job in 1930, the “man in the brown suit” became the winningest coach in all of college basketball. He was an innovator of the fast break, a trademark of the Wildcats even today. To become the winningest coach in his sport, Rupp passed his mentor, Coach Allen, on March 12, 1966, with his 747th victory against Dayton in the Mideast Regional. He achieved the top ranking when he passed Western Kentucky’s E.A. Diddle with victory No. 760 on Feb. 18, 1967, at Mississippi State.

He finished with 876 wins when he retired in 1972, a mark that stood for 25 years until North Carolina’s Dean Smith moved ahead in 1997.

Among the many UK victories were four NCAA titles (1948, ’49, ’51 and ’58), one Olympic gold medal (1948), one NIT championship (1946), 27 Southeastern Conference titles, and his Wildcats were voted No. 1 in the final polls on six different occasions.

Rupp coached some of America’s best – Sale, Beard, Groza, Hagan, Ramsey, Cox, Hatton, Nash, Riley and Issel. Twenty-six of his Cats were voted All-Americans (as recognized by the NCAA) 43 times.

His teams were unmatched in league play, earning a 397-75 (84.1%) record against SEC competition. In the conference tournament, Rupp’s Wildcats were 57-6, winning 13 titles in 19 appearances.

Before the end of his 42-year career, the three-time National Coach of the Year was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969. Rupp also earned SEC Coach of the Year honors on seven occasions.

Forest “Aggie” Sale (1931-33) One of the first All-Americans under Kentucky’s legendary head coach Adolph Rupp. All-American in 1931-32 and 1932-33. Named National Player of the Year by Helms in 1933. First-team All-Southeastern Conference and All-SEC Tournament Team in 1933.

Howard Schnellenberger (1952-55) During his four letter years as an end, Howard Schnellenberger played two seasons each for head coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Blanton Collier and was named a first-team All-American, first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press in 1955 and third-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1954. He became a permanent co-captain as a senior in 1955 and ended his career with 44 receptions for 618 yards (14.0 avg.), 11 touchdowns, and owned a ratio of one touchdown catch for every four pass receptions. Schnellenberger led the Wildcats in receiving during both the 1954 and 1955 seasons. His most memorable reception was a 22-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Bob Hardy to give Kentucky a 14-13 victory over Tennessee in 1954. The Wildcats compiled a 25-12-4 record during Schnellenberger’s time on campus. He went on to play in the 1955 Blue-Grey All-Star Game and Senior Bowl. Shortly later, he began his coaching career as an assistant at Kentucky from 1959 to 1960 under Blanton Collier. From there, he moved on to be an assistant coach at Alabama (1961-65) under his former coach Paul Bryant. Schnellenberger then moved to the professional ranks of the NFL and served as an assistant with the Los Angeles Rams (1966-69) under George Allen and the Miami Dolphins (1970-72; 1975-79) under Don Shula. He was head coach of the Baltimore Colts for two years (1973-74) before going back to the collegiate level and leading the University of Miami (Fla.) to the 1983 national championship. He also became the head coach at Louisville, Oklahoma and Florida Atlantic.

Nancy Scranton (1983-84) was Kentucky’s first All-SEC performer in women’s golf and also is UK’s most successful player in the LPGA ranks. The 1983 All-SEC performer won two tournaments as a senior, the Western Kentucky Invitational and Southern Illinois Invitational. She graduated in 1984 and began playing on the LPGA Tour in 1985 where she has won three LPGA events, including one major, the 1991 du Maurier Classic. Overall, Scranton has garnered more than $3.3 million in career earnings. She won the LPGA’s Heather Farr Award for the player who “best exemplifies outstanding dedication and perseverance,” and received the 2003 Daytona Beach (Fla.) Kiwanis Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Asia Seidt (2017-20) 2020 NCAA Woman of the Year – covering all female athletes in all sports in all three NCAA divisions – for her remarkable combination of athletic and academic achievements … Qualified for the NCAA Championships all four years at UK and totaled 21 All-America honors, including eight first-team honors … 2020 Olympic Trials qualifier … Swam for the United States for two years at the World University Games … 15-time SEC medalist, including four gold medals, five silver and six bronze … Still holds UK records in five events … 2019 Arthur Ashe Female Sports Scholar of the Year … Two years on the official Academic All-America team … SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year for all sports … Currently works as a physical therapist.

Larry Seiple (1964-66) Larry Seiple, a versatile performer who starred for the Wildcats as a runner, pass receiver, kickoff returner, and punter, lettered three years. After being named second-team All-SEC as a junior, he won UK’s “Unsung Hero Award” as a senior. Seiple set Kentucky records for average yards per pass reception in a season (23.5, 1965) and career (19.8). Career wise, he caught 72 passes for 1,422 yards and 36.9 yards per punt during his career. Known as a big-play collegian, Seiple had four catches of 70 yards or more during his career and on 4th-and-41 yards to go against Mississippi in 1965, he ran a fake punt over 70 yards for a touchdown. After college, Seiple played with the Miami Dolphins for 11 years (1967-77) and later served as an assistant coach to the Dolphins.

Washington Serini (1944-47) Also known as “Wash,” Washington Serini earned four varsity letters as a tackle at Kentucky and played under three different head coaches – A.D. Kirwan, Bernie Shively, and Paul “Bear” Bryant. He was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by the Associated Press in 1944 and twice was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1945 and 1947. Serini was a member of the Wildcats’ first bowl team (1947 Great Lakes Bowl) and participated in three Blue-Gray All-Star games in 1944, 1946, and 1947. He went on to play in the NFL for the Chicago Bears from 1948-51 and the Green Bay Packers in 1952.

Bernie Shively (1938-67) Bernie A. Shively served as director of athletics at the University of Kentucky for 30 years and supervised major expansions of UK athletic facilities during his tenure. He is responsible for the expansion of Stoll Field/McLean Stadium in 1948, 1949, and 1950 to increase the seating capacity to 37,500. Shively is also credited with the construction of Memorial Coliseum (11,500) in 1950 and for what is now known as the Shively Sports Complex that was constructed in 1959. The complex includes the football practice fields and is now home to Kentucky baseball and track & field. In addition to being the head coach of the football team for a year in 1945, Shively was also a Chairman of the NCAA Basketball Tournament Committee.

Terry Shumpert (1985-87) Named an All-American in 1987 as a junior for the 40-15 Wildcats …First-team All-SEC as a sophomore and junior … All-SEC Tournament in 1987 … Prolific hitter finished his career with a .333 average after batting .364 as a sophomore and .376 as a junior … Belted 19 doubles in two different seasons … Is one of just five players in school history to hit 10 home runs and steal 20 bases (10-28) in a season (1986) … Ranks third in school history in stolen bases with 66 … Played for Team USA in the 1986 Amateur World Series .. Drafted in the second round of the 1987 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals … Played 14 years in the major leagues for six teams.

Adrian Smith (1956-58) was a starting guard on Kentucky’s 1958 national championship team and won gold medals as part of the United States’ 1959 Pan American team and 1960 Olympics squad. A 10-year veteran of professional basketball, he was named MVP of the 1966 NBA All-Star Game.

Orlando “Tubby” Smith (1998-2007) coached the Wildcats to the program’s seventh national championship in his inaugural season. At the time, the 35 victories during the 1997-98 title run were tied for the second most in a season in program history. Smith was a three-time National Coach of the Year (1998, 2003, 2005), as well as a three-time SEC Coach of the Year selection. During his term, the Blue and White claimed five regular-season SEC championships and five SEC Tournament crowns. In NCAA Tournament play, Smith finished his career at UK with the sixth-best winning percentage (.690) among active coaches with a sterling 29-13 record, including 23-9 while with the Wildcats. Along with the national title, he guided UK to three additional Elite Eight appearances. In SEC Tournament action, he owned a 20-5 mark in winning five of the events. Smith coached UK to 22 or more victories in all 10 seasons at the helm.

Carey Spicer (1929-31) Was the first two-time All-American at Kentucky, and was the first All-American for legendary coach Adolph Rupp. He was named All-Southern Conference for three consecutive seasons. Was also a record-breaking quarterback for the UK football team, where he set records for touchdowns and points in a season. Also played on the UK tennis team.

Bill Spivey (1950-51) Was the first player in Kentucky history to stand seven feet tall. Scored 1,213 points in his UK career and was named National Player of the Year by Helms in 1950-51. That season, Spivey led the Cats to the national championship, scoring 22 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in the title game. He was named first-team All-American by every major outlet.

Art Still (1974-77) Art Still lettered four years at the University of Kentucky as a defensive end and was a consensus first-team All-American in 1977 after he broke the UK single-season record with 22 tackles behind the line. He was also named two-time, first-team All-SEC in 1976 and 1977. Still was honored by the Birmingham Touchdown Club and the Columbus (Ga.) Touchdown Club as the SEC Outstanding Senior Player in 1977. The legendary defensive end finished his career with 327 tackles and was named to the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger 25-year All-SEC team (1961-1975). A first-round draft choice by Kansas City in 1978, Still played 12 seasons in the NFL with Kansas City and Buffalo. He was named to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Valerie Still (1979-83) Some programs have a once-in-a-lifetime player who serves as a standard for all future student-athletes. An exceptional personality. An outstanding role model. A great basketball player. For Kentucky, that player is Valerie Still. Although Still played long ago (1979-83), she remains the “Top Cat” in UK women’s basketball annals. She was honored as such on Jan. 12, 2003 with a jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of the Alabama game. She became the first female letterwinner in any UK sport to have her jersey retired. Still is the leader among all Wildcats (men or women) for career scoring (2,763) and rebounding (1,525). She was a three-time consensus All-American. She led the program in scoring four straight seasons with a career average of 23.2 points. At one point during the 1981-82 season, she led the nation in both scoring and rebounding before finishing second in both categories (24.8 ppg and 14.3 rpg). She led the Cats to their highest national ranking (4th) in 1983 and helped UK roll up a 30-game home court win streak from 1980-82. In 1983, Still led the sixth-ranked Cats to an 80-66 upset over powerhouse Old Dominion before a record crowd of 10,622 in UK’s Memorial Coliseum.

Ryan Strieby (2006) Led UK to its first SEC championship in 2006, becoming the first SEC Player of the Year in program annals … Led the team in doubles (22), homers (20), RBI (77), total bases (164), slugging (.704) and on-base percentage (.473) … Ranks among the UK single-season record holders in each category … Named a first team All-America first baseman by Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the College Baseball Hall of Fame and Louisville Slugger … All-SEC first team and All-South Region first team by the ABCA … A fourth-round draft pick of the Tigers in 2006, played 10 seasons of minor-league baseball.

Claude Sullivan (1948-67) served as play-by-play voice for Kentucky football and basketball. He began the Standard Oil Sports Network in 1951, covering UK games until his untimely death in 1967 at the age of 42. He also called Cincinnati Reds baseball from 1964-67, and was named Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year every year from 1959 through 1966.

Jacob Tamme (2004-07) Consensus first-team All-SEC as a junior and senior … Career totals featured 133 catches for 1,417 yards, most ever by a UK tight end, along with 11 TD receptions … Helped UK to Music City Bowl wins in 2006 and ’07 … Outstanding senior season featured 56 catches for 619 yards and six TDs, earning fourth-team All-America honors … Won a National Scholar-Athlete Award from the National Football Foundation … First-team Academic All-America … SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in football … Named to the National Good Works Team for community service … Received Bobby Bowden Award as FCA National Player of the Year … Played nine NFL seasons with Indianapolis, Denver and Atlanta.

Karl-Anthony Towns (2015) Helped guide UK to a 38-1 season, a Final Four appearance and a No. 1 national ranking … Second-leading scorer and leading rebounder and shotblocker on the first team in NCAA history to start a season 38-0 and tied the NCAA Division I record for the most wins … Consensus Second-Team All-American … SEC Freshman of the Year … NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player … All-SEC First Team … Helped UK to the SEC regular season and tournament titles … First overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft … 10-year NBA veteran … Had a nine-year stint with Minnesota and is the leading scorer in franchise history … Has played one season with New York and helped lead the Knicks to the Eastern Conference finals, the team’s best playoff run in 26 years … Named to the All-NBA Team three times … Five-time NBA All-Star … Consensus 2016 Rookie of the Year … Career average of 23.1 points per game and has started every game in which he has played.

Danny Trevathan (2008-11) Two-year All-America linebacker … First All-America linebacker in school history … Chosen National Linebacker of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards after monster senior season in which he totaled 143 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, five caused fumbles and five pass breakups … Led the SEC in tackles as a junior and senior, earning first-team All-SEC honors both years … First-team All-America as a junior with 144 stops … Selected in the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos … Led Denver in tackles two years, with the team advancing to the Super Bowl in both of those seasons, including one Super Bowl championship … Eight-year veteran with Denver and the Chicago Bears.

Lou Tsioropoulos (1951-54) Member of 1951 national championship team. Member of 1953-54 team that went 25-0. Averaged 14.5 points and 9.6 rebounds for the undefeated Cats and was named second-team All-SEC. Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1953, but he spent time in the United States Air Force before joining the Celtics in 1956. He won two NBA titles while playing for Boston.

Herschel Turner (1961-63) In 1963, Herschel Turner was named a first-team All-American as an offensive tackle and defensive tackle. He was also named first-team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior and participated in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl. Turner logged the most minutes played on UK’s 1962 squad known as the “Thin Thirty.” After being drafted in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft by St. Louis, Turner played two seasons (1964-65) with the Cardinals as a guard and tackle.

Wayne Turner (1996-99) Member of 1996 and 1998 national championship teams as well as the 1997 national runner-up team … Finished his career as UK’s and the NCAA’s all-time games played leader with 151 games (now ranks second) … UK’s all-time steals leader with 238 … Member of UK’s 1,000-point club (1,170) … During his career, helped Wildcats to two SEC regular-season championships and three SEC Tournament championships … Named to the 1997 NCAA Tournament All-West Regional Team … Named the 1998 NCAA Tournament All-South Region Most Outstanding Player as well as the 1998 SEC Tournament MVP … Named All-SEC third team in 1999 and was also named to the SEC All-Tournament Team … Played one season in the NBA.

Harry Ulinski (1946-49) A four-year letterman under Paul “Bear” Bryant, Harry Ulinski was a standout center, linebacker and a captain of the 1949 Wildcat squad, which posted a 9-3 record, played in the Orange Bowl, and at one point in the season was ranked seventh, but finished eleventh. He was named to the first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1949 by the Associated Press, first-team All-South by Collier’s Magazine, and honorable mention All-America. Ulinski was named SEC Player of the Week after Kentucky’s 25-0 blanking of Georgia. He also played in the 1950 College All-Star Game and had a six-year career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins.

Jeff Van Note (1966-68) Jeff Van Note originally came to Kentucky as a fullback, but ended his career as an outstanding defensive end. Under head coach Charlie Bradshaw, he earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a sophomore in 1966 and was the squad’s Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1968. Drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1969, Van Note played 18 years in the NFL (1969-1986), all with the Falcons, as a center. Through a great career, he received All-National Football Conference honors in 1980 and was named All-Pro in 1982. He played in six Pro Bowls (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982). The UK great also served as an expert analyst on radio broadcasts of UK football games.

Antoine Walker (1995-96) Key member of the 1996 national championship team, regarded by many as one of the greatest college basketball teams of all-time … Averaged 15.2 points and a team-best 8.4 rebounds on the 1996 national title team… First-team All-SEC by both the AP and league’s coaches in 1996 … Named to the 1996 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team … Two-time All-SEC Tournament Team member … Earned SEC Tournament MVP honors after leading UK to the 1995 league tourney title … Finished career with 806 points and 450 rebounds in just two seasons … Selected by the Boston Celtics sixth overall in the 1996 NBA Draft … Spent 12 years in the NBA …Three-time NBA All-Star … Averaged double-figure scoring in his first 10 seasons in the NBA.

Kenny Walker (1983-86) Two-time SEC Player of the Year, three-time first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American in his senior year at Kentucky. Scored 2,080 points in his storied career, which is second in program history. Holds the program record for free throws made (550) and attempted (733). Ranks seventh in program history with 942 rebounds. Selected fifth overall in the 1986 NBA Draft and played seven seasons in the league. Won the 1989 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

John Wall (2010) First national player of the year in program history as winner of the Adolph Rupp Trophy … Named 2010 USBWA National Freshman of the Year … Consensus first-team All-American … 2010 SEC Player of the Year by Associated Press and SEC Coaches … SEC Freshman of the Year by the AP … First-team All-SEC … Named SEC Tournament MVP … Led UK to a No. 1 national ranking, SEC regular-season championship and the SEC Tournament championship … Set single-season assists record with 241 assists (broken 2016 by Tyler Ulis) … Averaged 16.6 points and 6.5 assists … First No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick in UK history … Four-time NBA All-Star through first seven seasons, averaging double-figure scoring every season … Tabbed third-team All-NBA in 2017 … Washington franchise career leader in assists and steals.

Larry Warford (2009-12) One of the greatest offensive linemen in Kentucky history went on to an outstanding career in the NFL … Helped UK to two bowl games … Did not allow a quarterback sack and graded over 90% during his senior year … Earned all-star recognition all four years at UK … Earned All-America Third Team honors as a senior from Associated Press and Phil Steele’s College Football … All-SEC First Team as a senior by ESPN.com and CBSsports.com … All-SEC Second Team as a junior and sophomore … Named to the Sophomore All-America Team by College Football News … Freshman All-SEC by league coaches … Seven-year NFL career with Detroit and New Orleans … Pro Bowl selection in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Brandon Webb (1998-2000), one of the top pitchers in UK school history, led the major leagues with a career-high 22 wins in 2008. The 2006 National League Cy Young award winner for the Arizona Diamondbacks became the first former UK pitcher to earn MLB All-Star honors and a Cy Young after his league-high 16 wins and 3.16 ERA in 2006. An eighth-round draft pick by Arizona in 2000, Webb has developed one of the most dominating sinkerballs in all of professional baseball. At Kentucky, Webb ranks among the school record holders in career strikeouts (259) and games started (46), also ranking in UK single season records in games started (16), innings pitched (112.2) and strikeouts (123). He is also active in the community, sponsoring the Brandon Webb K Foundation that benefits at-risk children.

Don Weber (1984-2012) Spent 34 years on UK staff, including 28 as head coach of track and field and cross country … National Coach of the Year in 1988 when women’s cross country won the national championship … Athletes he coached earned 10 individual NCAA championships, 225 All-America honors, 92 SEC individual titles … Weber’s athletes also won Academic All-America nine times … A champion track and cross country athlete at UK from 1968-72 … SEC cross country title team member in 1970, which led to All-SEC honors … Also received All-SEC honors in indoor track from 1968-72 … SEC 1,000-yard champion in 1972, establishing a then-SEC record 2:10.20 … Two-time SEC Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year … SEC Women’s Coach of the Year three times.

Bob Whelan (1987-90) Captured the NCAA indoor championship in the mile in 1990 … Won six SEC championships, two individual events and four relays … Was the SEC champion in the indoor mile in 1990 … Crowned the 1990 SEC outdoor champion in the 1500-meter run … Ran on four SEC indoor champion relays – twice each in the distance medley relay and the 4×800-meter relay … Set the outdoor record in the 1500-meter run with a time of 3:40.56, which stood until 2014 … First Wildcat to break the four-minute mark in the mile, his record time of 3:58.77 also stood until 2014 … An All-American from 1989-1991 … Twice named UK Male Athlete of the Year … Represented the USA in the 1991 World University Games … Academic All-American … Currently an anesthesiologist.

Press Whelan (1957-61, 1967-73) starred as a national champion and All-American as an athlete before returning as UK’s head coach. As an athlete, Whelan (pronounced “WHAY-lan”) won a national title in the two-man, 10-mile relay. He set a record time while winning the 1957 SEC cross country championship and also captured the SEC track title twice in the two-mile run. His stellar performances led the Blue and White to SEC cross country championships in 1958 and 1959. Following his career, he served as an assistant coach in 1961. He was named the cross country/track and field head coach in 1967 and held the post until 1973. Whelan guided the cross country squad to an SEC title in 1970. His athletes won four individual national titles and 33 conference crowns. Whelan played a role in the integration of the SEC as he coached the league’s first African-American track athlete, Jim Green. Following his collegiate coaching career, he assisted the U.S. State Department by coaching foreign track teams in Turkey and Lebanon. Over the years, he has continued to run and competed in three Senior Olympics and one national senior indoor championship.

Moe Williams (1993-95) is second on the UK career rushing list (3,333 yards), fourth in all-purpose yardage and seventh in scoring. He broke or tied 15 school records during a monster season in 1995, during which he rushed for 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns, leading the SEC in rushing, all-purpose yardage, and scoring. Williams was first-team All-SEC and the SEC Offensive Back of the Year, and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award that year. He still holds 10 Wildcat records and has played 10 years in the NFL.

Jesse Witten (2002-05) capped his career as the most decorated men’s tennis player in program history. Upon the conclusion of his career, Witten was the only four-time men’s singles All-American in NCAA history. He earned five All-America honors during his career, four of which came as an individual and one as a doubles player. Witten was a four-time All-SEC selection and the 2005 SEC Player of the Year after claiming 43 singles victories. He advanced to two Grand Slam finals (2004 ITA National Indoor Singles Final and 2002 NCAA Singles Championship) as a Wildcat, and is still the only UK player in school history to achieve the feat. His career got off to a blazing start as he hauled in SEC Freshman of the Year accolades after helping the Wildcats to a 23-10 mark and eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 2002. As a professional player, he qualified for several Grand Slams including the US and French Opens.

Sarah Witten (2000-03) Ranks as the only player in UK women’s tennis history to earn three consecutive All-America selections (doubles in 2001-03) … Remains one of only two players with four career All-America accolades (singles in 2003 and doubles in 2001-03) … Finished as the NCAA doubles runner-up in 2003 … Led UK to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003 … Ranked among the nation’s top doubles tandems in 2003 with two different players (No. 4 with Amy Trefethen and No. 14 with Nathalie Roels) … Coupled with teammate Carolina Mayorga to rank seventh in 2002 and 23rd in 2001 … Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three years.

Sean Woods (1990-92) Member of the Unforgettables. Played three seasons at UK, accumulating 794 points and 482 assists, which ranks fifth in Kentucky history. Named to the All-NCAA Regional Team in 1992. Scored a career-high 25 points in a win over Kansas in 1990.

Andre’ Woodson (2004-07) Kentucky’s Most Valuable Player in 2006 and ’07, leading the Wildcats to a pair of eight-win seasons and victories in the Music City Bowls … Also MVP of both bowl wins … Led UK to six fourth-quarter/overtime come-from-behind wins as a junior and senior, including victories over No. 9 Louisville and No. 1 LSU … Threw for 9,360 yards and 79 touchdowns in his career … Magnificent senior season, completing 63 percent of his passes for 3,709 yards and 40 TDs … Set NCAA record for most consecutive passes without an interception … Set SEC record for most TD passes in a season (40) and lowest interception ratio in a career … All totaled, set two NCAA records, four SEC records and three UK records.

Wesley Woodyard (2004-07) One of the best defensive players and team leaders in Kentucky history … First-team All-SEC as a junior and senior … Made 395 tackles in his career, seventh in school history … Led team in tackles three straight years, with at least 100 stops each of the three seasons … Led the SEC as a senior with 139 tackles … Unquestioned leader of the defense as the Wildcats posted eight-win seasons and won the 2006 and ’07 Music City Bowls … Led UK in tackles in both bowl triumphs … Second-team Sophomore All-America … Also a key contributor in special teams kick coverage … First-team Freshman All-SEC … SEC Academic Honor Roll … UK Athletics Society of Character … Has played eight years in the NFL with Denver and Tennessee.

Craig Yeast (1995-98) caught more passes than any player in SEC history, with 208 receptions for 2,899 yards and 28 touchdowns. He broke two SEC records and 19 school records for pass receiving, kick returns, scoring, and all-purpose yardage during his career, and helped lead the Wildcats to the 1999 Outback Bowl.