33
George Adams
A stalwart running back for the Wildcats from 1981-84 … Led the Wildcats 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 … Helped lead the Wildcats to Hall of Fame Bowl appearances in 1983 and 1984 and was chosen Kentucky’s MVP of the 1983 bowl … Ranks in the top four in school history in eight career categories and six single-season categories … Finished his career with 2,648 rushing yards on 638 attempts … Played in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl … First-round draft pick of the New York Giants and had a seven-year career with the Giants and New England Patriots.
2
Ermal Allen
Lettered three years at quarterback (1939-41) for Coach A.D. Kirwan, helping lead the Wildcats to three consecutive winning seasons … Also played varisty basketball for three seasons under Coach Adolph Rupp and helped pace the Wildcats to a pair of SEC Tournament championships … Following military service, came to UK in 1946 as an assistant coach … Played with the Cleveland Browns in 1947 before returning to UK as an assistant coach from 1948-61 … His assignments included offensive backs coach, head coach of the freshman team and defensive coordinator … Kentucky rolled up 12 winning seasons during Allen’s years as an assistant … He spent 22 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (1962-83) as an assistant coach and director of research and development with the Cowboys, making five trips to the Super Bowl during his tenure with the team.
73
Sam Ball
Lettered 1963-64-65 as offensive tackle … First-team All-American in 1965 by United Press International, Football Writers and Sporting News … First-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1965 … Played in College All-Star Game, North-South Shrine Game, and Senior Bowl … NFL first-round draft choice by Baltimore in 1966.
21
Calvin Bird
Excelled as a running back, pass receiver, defensive back, kickoff returner, and punt returner … Still holds five school records … Has UK marks for highest kickoff return average in a season (30.4, 1959) and career (27.05) … Averaged 8.44 yards every time he touched the ball during his career, another school record (min. 300 plays) … Scored a school-record 25 points in one game, vs. Hawaii in 1958, and tied the school mark for TDs in a game with four … Was a second-team All-SEC selection as a junior and a third-team choice as a senior … Chosen the SEC’s “Sophomore of the Year” in 1958 when he led the league in pass receiving … 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 the Most Valuable Back in the All-American Bowl.
21
Rodger Bird
Lettered 1963-64-65 as halfback … Named first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC … Two-time All-Southeastern Conference first-team (1964-65) by Associated Press and United Press International … Played in the College All-Star Game, North-South Shrine All-Star Game, and the Senior Bowl … First-round draft choice of the Oakland Raiders in 1966 and played professionally with the Raiders from 1966-71 … Currently ranked eighth at Kentucky in career rushing with 1,699 yards and 21 touchdowns … Season-best of 646 yards rushing and 12 TDs in 1965 … Career-high 157 yards rushing vs. Virginia Tech in 1963.
16
George Blanda
Lettered 1945-46-47-48 as quarterback, punter, and kicker … Led Kentucky in total offense (1948) and passing (1947-48) … Threw for over 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns in final two seasons … Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee after 26 seasons … First player in pro football to score 2,000 points (2,002) in a career … Threw for 26,920 yards and 236 touchdowns as a pro … Played on three American Football League championship teams.
Paul “Bear” Bryant
Coached at Kentucky for eight seasons (1946-53) … Compiled a record of 60-23-5 (.710 pct.) with four bowl appearances at UK … His 60 victories are most by a UK head coach … Led Kentucky to first Southeastern Conference title (1950) … Took UK to consecutive appearances in 1950 Orange Bowl, 1951 Sugar Bowl, and 1952 Cotton Bowl … Guided Kentucky to its first bowl game – 1947 Great Lakes Bowl … Coached eight first-team All-Americans during his tenure at UK.
69
Warren Bryant
Lettered 1974-75-76 as offensive tackle … First-team All-American by Walter Camp and American Football Coaches Association in 1976 … Jacobs Award selection in 1976 (outstanding SEC blocker) … Named to the Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger 25-year All-SEC team (1961-85) … Three-time All-SEC selection … NFL first-round draft choice by Atlanta Falcons in 1976.
Jerry Claiborne
Three-year letterman at Kentucky under Coach Paul Bryant as blocking back, end and defensive back … Holds the Wildcats single-season record for interceptions with nine thefts for 130 yards during the 1949 campaign … Spent 10 years as a collegiate assistant coach at Kentucky (1952-53), Texas A&M (1954-56), Missouri (1957), Alabama (1958-60), and Colorado (1971) … As a head coach, Claiborne ended his career ranked 21st among all NCAA coaches with 179 victories … Compiled an overall record of 179-122-8 in 28 seasons as a collegiate head coach including stops at Virginia Tech (61-39-2), Maryland (77-37-3) and Kentucky (41-46-3) … Named Coach of the Year in three different conferences — Southern (1963), Atlantic Coast (1973, 1975, 1976) and Southeastern (1983) … Led the Wildcats to a pair of bowl berths — 1983 and 1984 Hall of Fame Bowls … Guided Kentucky to the College Football Association Academic Achievement Award for highest graduation rate in 1989 … Also in 1989, Kentucky set a Southeastern Conference record by placing 17 Wildcats on the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Received the Neyland Award in 1994 … Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Blanton Collier
Served as head football coach of the University of Kentucky for eight seasons (1954-61) … Led the Wildcats to a 41-36-3 record (.531 pct.) during his tenure … Most Kentucky faithful remember his 5-2-1 record against arch-rival Tennessee … Had the difficult task of following UK’s most successful head coach, Paul Bryant, when he accepted the job in 1954 … 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 … Began his coaching career at his prep alma mater, Paris High School, in 1927 … Coached all sports at Paris High for 16 years (1927-43), including football and basketball … Won two Central Kentucky Conference football titles at Paris 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 … Remained on Cleveland staff until becoming head coach at Kentucky … Led Cleveland to a sparkling 76-34-2 record (.688) which included one NFL title (1964) and four divisional titles from 1963 to 1970.
40
Sonny Collins
Lettered 1972-73-74-75 as halfback … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press and United Press International for three seasons (1973-74-75) … Currently all-time leading rusher at Kentucky with 3,835 yards and 26 touchdowns … Owns career marks in rush attempts (777), yards rushing (3,835), touchdowns rushing (26) and 100-yard rushing games (18) … Best season came as sophomore in 1973 with 1,213 yards and 13 TDs … Averaged 4.9 yards per carry during career … Named Player of the Year in the Southeastern Conference by the Nashville Banner and Birmingham Post-Herald in 1974 … Participated in Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl … Drafted in second round by Atlanta Falcons in 1976.
65
Ray Correll
Lettered 1951-52-53 as guard … Named first-team All-American in 1953 by the Football Writers of America Association and the Chicago Tribune … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1953 … Second-team All-SEC by United Press International in 1953 … UK was 20-10-3 during his three years as a letterman … Named Defensive Most Valuable Player in the 1952 Cotton Bowl as Kentucky defeated TCU, 20-7 … Named to the All-Time Cotton Bowl team … Played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game and the Senior Bowl … Named permanent co-captain as a senior in 1953.
2
Tim Couch
UK quarterback from 1996-98 … Gave up his senior season of eligibility and was the No. 1 pick by Cleveland in the 1999 NFL Draft … First-team All-America in 1998 as a junior and a consensus choice as SEC Player of the Year … Completed 400 of 553 passes for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns … Led the nation in pass completions while ranking second in completion percentage, passing yardage and touchdown passes, and fourth in total offense … Guided the Wildcats to the Outback Bowl, UK’s first New Year’s Day bowl appearance in 47 years … Finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting … Finalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award as a junior and sophomore … Breakout soph campaign featured 363 of 547 passes for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns … Led the nation in pass attempts, completions, yardage, and completion percentage … Earned second-team All-SEC honors and was ninth in the voting for the Heisman … Played in seven games as a true freshman, with two starts … Career stats feature 795 completions in 1,184 attempts for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns … Ended his career with seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 26 school records.
13
Bob Davis
Lettered 1935-36-37 as halfback … Recognized as UK’s career rushing leader in pre-modern era with 2,083 yards rushing (documented) … Was all-time UK leading scorer with 180 points until Joey Worley broke the mark in 1987 with 246 career points … Twice had five-touchdown games during career … Scored a UK all-time high 30 touchdowns in career … High games of 267 yards (vs. Washington & Lee) and 246 yards (vs. Maryville) rushing during his career … Had four rushing touchdowns of over 70 yards during career.
57
Dermontti Dawson
Lettered 1984-87 as an offensive lineman for Coach Jerry Claiborne … Played guard and center … Named All-SEC following his senior season … Blocked for three of the top five rushers in school history, Mark Higgs, George Adams, and Marc Logan … Member of the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl championship team … Chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft … Enjoyed a 13-year career with the Steelers … A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, 1992-98 … Has returned to Lexington and has served as an expert analyst on the UKTV Network telecasts.
59
Joe Federspiel
One of the top linebackers in Kentucky history … Three-year letterman from 1969-71 … First-team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior and named UK’s Most Valuable Senior … Led team in tackles during his junior campaign with 125 stops … Picked second-team All-SEC in 1969 … Won UK’s “Unsung Hero Award” following his sophomore and junior campaigns … Named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Louisville Courier-Journal … Played in both the North-South Shrine Game and the All-American Bowl following his senior year … Named to the SEC All-Decade Team for the 1970s by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution … Went on to a 10-year career in the National Football League, including nine years with the New Orleans Saints (1972-80) and a season with the Baltimore Colts (1981) … Also has been an SEC game official.
70
Bob Gain
Lettered 1947-48-49-50 as tackle/placekicker … Two-time (1949 & 1950) first-team All-American … 1950 Outland Trophy winner, first player from SEC to win the award … Three-time All-SEC selection … UK was 33-10-2 and claimed SEC title under Paul Bryant during Gain’s four seasons … NFL first-round draft choice by Green Bay in 1951.
55
Irvin “Irv” Goode
Earned three varsity letters as center and linebacker at the University of Kentucky … Played at UK under head coach Blanton Collier … Physical stature as a Wildcat was 6-5, 220 pounds … First-team All-American in 1961 by Time … Third-team All-Southeastern Conference by United Press International in 1961 … Permanent team captain of ’61 Wildcats squad … 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 … Played in four postseason all-star games – Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game, College All-Star Game and Senior Christian Bowl … Number one draft choice of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962 … A 13-year veteran of the National Football League – St. Louis Cardinals (1962-71), Buffalo Bills (1972) and Miami Dolphins (1973-74) … Twice named to the Pro Bowl (1964, 1967).
22
Mark Higgs
Standout running back from 1984-87 … Ranks third in UK history with 2,892 rushing yards … Holds school records for highest rushing average in a season (6.6 yards per attempt in 1987) and career (5.43 yards per attempt) … In 1987, rushed for what was then a school-record 1,278 yards (broken in 1995 by Moe Williams)… Selected as the SEC Offensive Player of the Week when he rushed for 192 yards in a 35-6 victory over Mississippi … Named second-team All-SEC and UK’s Most Valuable Senior … Also a member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll … Played in the Blue-Gray Game and Hula Bowl following his senior season … Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and enjoyed an eight-year career in the National Football League with Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, and Arizona.
80
Tom Hutchinson
Earned three varsity letters as a split end for the University of Kentucky … Played at UK under head coaches Blanton Collier and Charlie Bradshaw … All-time leading receiver in Wildcats history until 1997 … Ended his career with a then-school-record 94 pass receptions … Fifth on the UK list for pass receiving yards with 1,483 … Averaged 15.9 yards per reception and scored nine touchdowns … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1960, 1961 and 1962 … First-team All-SEC by United Press International in 1961 and 1962 … Third-team All-SEC by United Press International in 1960 … Caught 30 passes for 455 yards as a sophomore despite not earning a starting assignment in any of the 10 regular season games … Grabbed 32 pass receptions in 1961 and 1962 … 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 … First-round draft choice in 1963 by the Cleveland Browns … Four-year veteran in the National Football League … Played three seasons at Cleveland (1963-65) and one season at Atlanta (1966).
8
Clyde Johnson
Lettered 1940-41-42 as tackle … Owns the honor of being the University of Kentucky’s first All-American in football … Named first-team All-American by Associated Press as tackle following 1942 campaign … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1942 … Played two seasons in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Rams (1946-47).
27
Wallace “Wah-Wah” Jones
Lettered 1945-46-47-48 as end … Two-time All-Southeastern Conference … Named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press in 1946 … Also tabbed third-team All-SEC in 1948 by AP … Led Kentucky in receiving two seasons (1947-48) … Had a season-high 19 receptions for 243 yards and five touchdowns during his senior campaign … Four-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball during his days at UK … Helped lead the Wildcats to their first bowl appearance (1947 Great Lakes Bowl) as a junior … Also a basketball standout and the only UK athlete to have his jersey retired in both sports.
44
John “Shipwreck” Kelly
Lettered 1929-30-31 as halfback … Gained approximately 2,100 yards rushing during career … Is one of only six UK players to gain at least 2,000 yards rushing in career … Season-best 1,074 yards rushing in 1931 … Held UK all-time, single-game record with 280 yards rushing vs. Maryville in 1930.
66
Ralph Kercheval
Lettered 1931-32-33 at many positions, primarily as punter … Known as perhaps the finest punter in the history of the SEC … Still holds SEC season records for most punts (101) and yards punted (4,413) and holds single-game record for punting average (52.0 avg., min. 10) … All-around athlete, played quarterback, defensive back, kicker and punter … Tied for second-longest punt in UK history (78 yards) … Career-wise, punted 234 times for 9,749 yards, averaging 44.8 yards per punt which is two yards better than UK’s modern era leader Paul Calhoun (42.6 avg.).
80
Rick Kestner
A first-team All-Southeastern Conference offensive end in 1964 and 1965 … 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 … Greatest day as a Wildcat occurred in 1964 as a junior as he caught nine passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns as Kentucky upset No. 1-ranked Mississippi, 27-21, in Jackson … The 185 receiving yards was the most ever for a Wildcat receiver in one game … Fine student who earned a place on the Academic All-SEC team in 1964.
50
Jim Kovach
All-time leading tackler in University of Kentucky history … Credited with 521 tackles, including a season-high 164 in 1978 … Four-year letterman who received medical hardship ruling in 1977 because of shoulder injury … Consensus first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1978 … Second-team All-SEC in 1975 and 1976 … Squad’s Most Valuable Player in 1978 … One of only two Wildcats football players to be named to the Academic All-SEC Honor Roll four times … Academic All-American in 1978 … Earned the 1978 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award … Received 1979 NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship … Played in the 1978 Hula Bowl … Fourth-round draft choice by the New Orleans Saints in 1979 … Played professionally with New Orleans (1979-85) and San Francisco (1985).
24
Dicky Lyons
First-team All-SEC as a junior and senior and earned second-team all-league honors as a sophomore … Earned three letters (1966-68) as a halfback, flanker and kick returner at UK … One of the greatest punt and kickoff return aces in Southeastern Conference history … First player in SEC history with 1,000 yards in rushing, 1,000 yards in punt returns and 1,000 yards in kickoff returns … Still holds the SEC record for most return yardage in a game when he rolled up 235 yards in punt and kickoff returns against LSU in 1967 … His career punt return average of 15.4 yards per return still ranks as best in school history and third highest in SEC annals … Ranks among the leaders in Kentucky and SEC history in several other statistical categories … Was named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team as selected by the Lexington Herald-Leader … Played for the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.
20
Charlie McClendon
Versatile performer for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, helping lead the 1949 team to the Orange Bowl and the 1950 squad to the Sugar Bowl … Lettered two seasons at UK (1949-50) as a defensive end, cornerback and tight end … Was an assistant coach at Kentucky (1951), Vanderbilt (1952), and Louisiana State (1953-61) before taking over the reins of the LSU program in 1962 … Compiled a 137-59-7 mark in 18 years as the LSU head coach, guiding the Tigers to 13 bowl games … Named National Coach of the Year in 1970 by the American Football Coaches Association … Was Executive Director of the Tangerine Bowl for two years (1980-81) before completing 12 years (1982-94) as Executive Director of the AFCA … Was given the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award by the AFCA in 1992 for “outstanding service in the advancement of the best interests of football.”
80
Steve Meilinger
Lettered 1951-52-53 as end, halfback, defensive back and linebacker … Career totals include 75 catches for 1,210 yards (16.1 avg.) and 17 TDs … Held UK career record with 17 TD receptions … Had 41 receptions for 576 yards and 8 TDs during the 1951 season … Two-time, first-team All-American (1952 & 1953) … Named first-team All-SEC three times (1951-52-53) … Named to Birmingham QB Club Quarter-Century All-SEC Team (1950-74) … Also rushed for 714 yards during his career … Intercepted six passes during his career … NFL first-round draft choice by Washington.
79
Lou Michaels
Lettered 1955-56-57 at UK as tackle, kicker and punter … Two-time, first-team All-America selection (1956 & 1957) … Outstanding SEC Lineman by Birmingham TD Club in 1956 … Outstanding SEC Lineman by Atlanta TD Club in 1957 … SEC Outstanding Player by Nashville Banner in 1957 … Averaged 39.8 yards per punt (122 punts for 4,852 yards) during career … Connected on 13 of 16 PATs and 2 of 3 FGs at UK during career … Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame in 1992.
51
Doug Moseley
Earned three varsity letters as a center and linebacker at the University of Kentucky … Played under head coach Paul 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 … First-team All-American in 1951 by Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press and United Press International in 1951 … Second-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1950 … Permanent co-captain of 1951 Wildcats squad which posted an 8-4 record and a 20-7 victory over Texas Christian University in the Cotton Bowl … Earned the 1951 Atlanta Constitution Award … Played in the College All-Star Game at Chicago.
11
Rick Norton
Lettered 1963-64-65 as quarterback … Named first-team All-American in 1965 by Time magazine and NBC … Academic All-Southeastern Conference as sophomore in 1963 … Ranks fifth at UK in career total offense (4,139 yards) and fourth in career passing (4,514 yards) … Held UK mark for season passing with 1,823 yards and 11 touchdowns in 1965 … Owned Wildcats single-game mark with 373 yards passing against Houston (1965) … Completed 298 of 598 passes (.498 pct.) and 26 TDs during career … First-round draft pick of Miami Dolphins in 1966 … Played with the Dolphins from 1966 to 1969.
52
Rick Nuzum
Began his career as a defensive end at UK, moved to offensive tackle, offensive guard and spent last two seasons for the Wildcats at center … First-team All-American as center in 1974 … Second-team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior … Participated in the 1974 Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game … Squad’s Most Valuable Player in 1974 … Coached at Kentucky by John Ray and Fran Curci … Drafted in the fifth round by the Los Angeles Rams in 1975 … Played in the National Football League three seasons – Los Angeles Rams (1977) and Green Bay Packers (1978-79).
10
Vito “Babe” Parilli
Lettered 1949-50-51 as quarterback … Two-time (1950 & 51) first-team All-American … Finished fourth and third, respectively, in Heisman Trophy voting his junior and senior seasons … Held UK record for career TD passes (50) … Completed 331 of 592 passes for 4,351 yards and 50 TDs in career … UK posted 28-8 record, claimed SEC title and spots in Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowls under Paul Bryant during Parilli’s three seasons … NFL first-round draft choice by Green Bay in 1952.
12
Derrick Ramsey
Lettered 1975-76-77 as quarterback … First-team All-Southeastern Conference and third-team All-American as quarterback by Associated Press and United Press International in 1977 … Named Outstanding SEC Quarterback following senior campaign by the Birmingham Touchdown Club … Led the Wildcats to consecutive 9-3 and 10-1 records as junior and senior, including 21-0 victory over North Carolina in 1976 Peach Bowl … Currently ranked ninth at UK in career total offense (3,417 yards), sixth in career rushing (1,764 yards) and had 1,653 career passing yards … Ranks third in career rushing TDs with 25 … Played in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game … Played for three different National Football League teams as tight end — Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1978-83), New England (1983-85) and Detroit (1987) … During the summer of 1999, was named the Director of Athletics at Kentucky State University in Frankfort.
45
Jay Rhodemyre
A first-team All-SEC choice as a senior after garnering third-team all-league honors as a junior … Lettered three seasons at UK (1942, 1946-47) at center and linebacker … Played his last two years for Paul “Bear” Bryant and helped lead Kentucky to the school’s first bowl appearance in 1947 … Was named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team in selections made by both the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Louisville Courier-Journal … Earned Most Valuable Player honors in the 1948 College All-Star Game … Also played in the 1947 Blue-Gray Game … Had a four-year career in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers … Worked as an engineer following his football career and was part-owner of Thermal Equipment Sales Company.
74
Dave Roller
Stalwart defensive lineman for the Wildcats from 1968-70 … Played defensive guard as a sophomore, moved to end his junior year, then played tackle as a senior … A first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection as both a junior and senior … Won UK’s “Unsung Hero Award” as a junior … Also a second-team All-SEC choice in 1968 as a sophomore … Named to Kentucky’s All-Time Team by the Lexington Herald-Leader … Was named National Lineman of the Week during the 1970 season after the Wildcats defeated Kansas State … Played in the All-American Bowl, the Hula Bowl, and the North-South Shrine Game following his senior year … Enjoyed a 10-year career in the National Football League with the New York Giants (1971-74), Green Bay Packers (1975-78), and Minnesota Vikings (1979-80).
19
Howard Schnellenberger
Earned four varsity letters as an offensive and defensive end at the University of Kentucky … Played two years each under head coaches Paul Bryant and Blanton Collier … First-team All-American in 1955 by Associated Press … First-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1955 … Third-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1954 … Permanent co-captain as senior in 1955 … Ended career with 44 receptions for 618 yards (14.0 avg.) and 11 touchdowns … Owned outstanding ratio of one touchdown catch for every four pass receptions … Led Wildcats in receiving during both 1954 and 1955 seasons … Most memorable pass reception was a 22-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Bob Hardy to give Kentucky a 14-13 victory over Tennessee in 1954 … During his career the Wildcats compiled a 25-12-4 record … Played in 1955 Blue-Gray All-Star Game … Also played in 1955 Senior Bowl … Began his coaching career as an assistant at Kentucky (1959-60) under Blanton Collier … Assistant coach at Alabama (1961-65) under Paul Bryant … Served as assistant coach in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams (1966-69) under George Allen and with the Miami Dolphins (1970-72; 1975-79) under Don Shula … Head coach of the Baltimore Colts for two seasons (1973-74) … Led the University of Miami (Fla.) to the national championship in 1983 … Also became the head coach at Louisville and Oklahoma.
32
Larry Seiple
Versatile performer who starred for the Wildcats as a runner, pass receiver, kickoff returner, and punter … Three-year letterman from 1964-66 … Named second-team All-SEC as a junior and won UK’s “Unsung Hero Award” as a senior … Holds the UK career record for average yards per pass reception (19.8) … Caught 72 passes for 1,422 yards in his career…Averaged 39.6 yards per punt during his career… Known as a big-play performer as a collegian … Had four pass receptions of 70 yards or more during his career … On 4th-and-41 yards to go against Mississippi in 1965, ran a fake punt 70 yards for a touchdown … Played 11 years (1967-77) with the Miami Dolphins … Also served as an assistant coach with the Dolphins.
48
Washington “Wash” Serini
Earned four varsity letters as a tackle at the University of Kentucky … His physical stature as a player at Kentucky was 6-1, 215 pounds … Played under three different head coaches (A.D. Kirwan, Bernie Shively, and Paul Bryant) … Named first-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press in 1944 … Twice named second-team All-Southeastern Conference by Associated Press (1945, 1947) … Member of Wildcats’ first bowl team (1947 Great Lakes Bowl) … Participated in three Blue-Gray All-Star games (1944, 1946, 1947) … Played professionally for the Chicago Bears (1948-51) and Green Bay Packers (1952).
Bernie A. Shively
Served as director of athletics at the University of Kentucky for 30 years (1938-67) … Supervised major expansions of UK athletics facilities during his tenure … Responsible for the expansion of Stoll Field/McLean Stadium in 1948, 1949 and 1959 to increase seating capacity to 37,500 … Credited with the construction of Memorial Coliseum (11,500) in 1950 … Also responsible for what is now known as the Shively Sports Complex, which was built in 1959 … The Shively Sports Complex includes the football practice fields and is now home to Kentucky baseball and track … Chairman of the NCAA Basketball Tournament Committee (University Division) and later named to the NCAA Executive Committee … Served as head football coach at UK in 1945 and posted 2-8-0 record.
97
Art Still
Lettered 1974-75-76-77 as defensive end … Consensus first-team All-American in 1977 … Broke UK single season record with 22 tackles behind the line in 1977 … Ended career with 327 tackles … Two-time, first-team All-SEC (1976 & 1977) … Honored by Birmingham TD Club as SEC Outstanding Senior Player in 1977 … Honored by Columbus (Ga.) TD Club as SEC Outstanding Player in 1977 … Named to Lakeland (Fla.) Ledger 25-year All-SEC team (1961-75) … NFL first-round draft choice by Kansas City in 1978…Played 12 seasons in the NFL with Kansas City and Buffalo.
70
Herschel Turner
First-team All-American as an offensive and defensive tackle in 1963 … First-team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior … Logged the most minutes played on UK’s 1962 squad known as the “Thin Thirty” … Participated in the Blue-Gray Game and the Senior Bowl … Drafted in the second round of the 1964 National Football League draft by St. Louis … Played two seasons (1964-65) with the Cardinals as a guard and tackle.
50
Harry Ulinski
Four-year letterman from 1946-49 under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant … A standout center and linebacker … Captain of the 1949 Wildcats squad that posted a 9-3 record and played in the Orange Bowl … Named first-team All-Southeastern Conference in 1949 by the Associated Press .. First-team All-South by Collier’s magazine … Honorable mention All-America … The Wildcats were ranked seventh in the nation at one point during the 1949 season – their highest ranking ever – and finished the campaign ranked 11th in the country … Named SEC Player of the Week after Kentucky’s 25-0 blanking of Georgia … Played in the 1950 College All-Star Game … Played six years in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins.
88
Jeff Van Note
Originally came to Kentucky as a fullback, but ended his career as an outstanding defensive end … Earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a sophomore in 1966 … Squad’s Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1968 … Participated in the Blue-Gray Game … Coached at UK by Charlie Bradshaw … Drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1969 … Played 18 years in the National Football League (1969-86), all with the Falcons, as a center … Named All-Pro in 1982 … Earned All-National Football Conference honors in 1980 … Played in six Pro Bowls (1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982) … Also has served as an expert analyst on radio broadcasts of UK football games.