Sept. 20, 1999
In honor of Jerry Claiborne and his upcoming induction into theNational Football Foundation’s College Hall of Fame, the University ofKentucky has designated the Florida game as the “Jerry Claiborne Hall ofFame Weekend.”
The activities begin on Friday with a luncheon, golf outing, andreception at Lexington’s Campbell House Inn. A few openings remain forthe golf outing, which costs $200 per person. Former UK footballplayers and coaches may participate in the golf outing for $100 perperson. Persons interested in the Friday golf activities should contactCraig Turner at Host Communications at 226-4571 no later than 1 p.m.Wednesday.
An opportunity to see College Football Hall of Fame memorabiliawill be available in the “Traveling Road Show,” a bus specially designedto transport some of the Hall of Fame’s historical artifacts. The”Traveling Road Show” will be on display Friday at the Campbell Houseand on Saturday at the “Launch Pad” in the Commonwealth Stadium parkinglot.
Host Communications, which helps the Hall of Fame in itsmarketing and promotional efforts, has produced 5,000 posters featuringUK’s members of the Hall of Fame – Claiborne, Bob Gain, Babe Parilli,Lou Michaels, and Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Those posters will be givenaway at the Hall of Fame display at the “Launch Pad.”
Claiborne will be recognized at halftime of the game. Makingthe presentation will be Bob Casciola, President of the NationalFootball Foundation and Hall of Fame, and Dale Creech, President of theNFF’s local chapter. The local chapter, quite fittingly, has beenrenamed the Jerry Claiborne Central/Eastern Kentucky Chapter of theNational Football Foundation. Also in attendance will be Joe Owens, theMidwest Regional Coordinator for the National Football Foundation.Claiborne will be honored again in December at the NFF’s annual dinnerin New York City.
Claiborne, a native of Hopkinsville, was a three-year lettermanunder Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant as a blocking back, end, and defensiveback. He still holds the UK single-season record for interceptions withnine pickoffs during the 1949 season.
Claiborne spent 10 years as a collegiate assistant coach,including 1952-53 under Bryant at UK.
Claiborne was head coach at Virginia Tech (1961-70), Maryland(1972-81), and Kentucky (1982-89). He compiled a record of 179-122-8and earned Coach of the Year honors in three conferences – Southern,Atlantic Coast, and Southeastern.
As the Kentucky head coach, he guided Kentucky to at least fivevictories in seven consecutive seasons, including trips to the 1983 and1984 Hall of Fame Bowls. Five-or-more victories in seven consecutiveseasons at UK is a feat matched only by Bryant.
The Wildcats also achieved academic excellence under Claiborne,placing a then-record 17 players on the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1989while winning the College Football Association Academic AchievementAward for the nation’s highest graduation rate.
In retirement, Claiborne and his wife, Faye, have moved toBowling Green, Ky.
Saturday’s halftime ceremony caps the Jerry Claiborne Hall ofFame Weekend, which is sponsored by Fifth/Third Bank.
UK also has invited Gain, Parilli, and Michaels to attend thisweekend’s activities. As this was written, Parilli had committed toattend and Gain’s decision was pending. Michaels can not be inLexington, as he will be attending his 45th high school reunion thisweekend.
Another former Wildcat great who will be visiting this weekendis George Blanda, who is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
