August 21, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. –
Fligg Honored at Kickoff Luncheon: Jack Fligg, UK Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations, was the surprise honoree at the annual UK Kickoff Luncheon held Friday at Lexington’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. Fligg, who will retire following the 1998 season, was recognized for his 33-year career in intercollegiate athletics as a coach and administrator. A video was shown featuring photographs from his years as a player and coach. The video also had testimonials from Air Force Academy assistant coach Richard Bell, former South Carolina and Texas Tech head coach Jim Carlen, and Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden. UK Athletics Director C. M. Newton and Coach Hal Mumme also spoke on Fligg’s contributions to Kentucky football during his nine years with the University.
“Jack has been a very important part of our athletics family,” Newton said. “He is a special and unique professional, with integrity, character, and something that’s hard to define but easy to recognize – class.”
“There are people in this profession whom you look to and take advice from and Jack is one of those people,” Mumme said. “He saved me from making a lot of mistakes during my first year at Kentucky.” Fligg, who was obviously pleased by the surprise honor, said, “I’ve had a great time and a lot of fun during my career. My time at Kentucky, especially, has been a lot of fun. I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed being here. I want to thank everyone here and thank Coach Newton for doing this.”
Fligg joined the Wildcats staff as an administrative assistant in 1990 and was promoted to Assistant AD in 1991. His primary responsibilities include coordinating football operations and major administrative duties for Mumme.
Fligg came to Kentucky from the University of Alabama, where he spent three years as an administrative assistant under Coach Bill Curry. Fligg came with Curry to Kentucky. Prior to his administrative appointments, Fligg spent 22 years as an assistant coach at four schools – Georgia Tech (1964, 1984-86), West Virginia (1966-69), Texas Tech (1970-74), and South Carolina (1975-82). He served under Jim Carlen for 16 of those seasons at West Virginia, Texas Tech, and South Carolina and was the offensive coordinator at Tech and Carolina. Thirteen of Fligg’s teams participated in bowl games. Prior to the collegiate level, Fligg coached high school football for 11 years in the Atlanta area – West Fulton High School and Grady High School. Fligg played two seasons (1950-51) of football at Auburn. He received his undergraduate degree from Oglethorpe in 1955 and his master’s from George Peabody College in 1959. Jack and his wife, Jonell, have three children – Matt, a high school coach in the Atlanta area, Mrs. Joanna Trump, and Mrs. Terri Carter – and four grandchildren. Following his retirement after the ’98 season, Jack and Jonell plan to move to Atlanta in order to be closer to their family.
Last of Three-a-Days: Friday marks the last of Kentucky’s three-a-day practices. The Wildcats worked out for one hour and 45 minutes in the morning and one hour, 30 minutes in the afternoon as Coach Hal Mumme cut the practice short by 15 minutes.
“They’re working hard and their legs are getting tired right now, so we decided to shorten practice,” Mumme said. “The players have given outstanding effort so far.”
The team will have a one-hour practice Friday at 8:30 p.m.
Kentucky Football Calendar (times subject to change):
Sat. Aug. 22 Practice, 2 p.m.Sun. Aug. 23 OffMon. Aug. 24 Practice, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
