Aug. 23, 2002
Kickoff Luncheon Held on Friday: A capacity crowd of more than 500 people was on hand for the annual Kentucky Football Kickoff Luncheon held Friday in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Lexington.
The featured speakers included the new UK Director of Athletics, Mitch Barnhart, along with quarterback Jared Lorenzen, defensive end Otis Grigsby, and Coach Guy Morriss.
“I just want to express how excited I am to work with Guy Morriss,” Barnhart said. “I’ve been on the job for three weeks now and we’re having fun. I’ve really enjoyed going out there and watching (practice) because of the enthusiasm these guys have. We have some good young men and they are representing this program the right way. They’re ready to make the turn and get this program going where you want it to go.”
The highlight of Morriss’ speech came when he read a poem entitled, “A Football Coach’s Prayer.”
“I suppose I should ask for flashy backs, whose hips are in constant swivel,And whose speed and dash would make people say, ‘Boy they run to beat the devil.’
“I ought to include a massive line with chassis like a big Mack truck,Whose brute strength scares all opponents and drops them like a sitting duck.
“I could ask for a team with precision whose effort would all honors takeAnd also plead for a squad with brains who would never make a mistake.
“But, Lord, I’m an understanding coach, the talent can’t all be mineIf you’ll just give me what I ask for I’ll never complain or whine.
“Just give me a bunch of eager boys with the spirit to fight and winWho’ll battle as soon as they take the field and most of all never give in.”
After reading the poem, Morriss stated, “Well, I’m here to tell you, the good Lord has answered my prayer.”
Quote of the Day: The biggest laugh of the luncheon came when 290-pound quarterback Jared Lorenzen went to the podium.
“I do want to thank the person who came up with the seating arrangement because I’m not sitting by Coach Morriss, so he couldn’t see me eat my cake,” Lorenzen quipped.
Practice Closed Next Week: The Kentucky football practices next week (Aug. 26-30) will be closed to fans and media, Coach Guy Morriss has announced.
Team Workout, Giveaways Highlight Fans’ Day on Sat. Aug. 24: A team workout and numerous giveaways including a Grand Prize trip for two to an away football game highlight the annual UK Football Fans’ Day on Sat. Aug. 24 at Commonwealth Stadium. This is the first time that a team workout has been combined with Fans’ Day.
Here is the schedule of events:
Tailgating available during the day in the stadium parking lots
“Inflatable Football Land”, a play area for children, opens at 4 p.m. next to the UK Ticket Booth
Stadium Gate 4 and Stadium Gate 9 open at 5:30 p.m.
The first 2,000 fans entering the stadium will receive a ticket for a free hot dog and drink
Each person entering the stadium will receive a numbered ticket for the prize drawings
Posters, schedule cards, autograph books, and team photos will be distributed on the stadium concourses
Football media guides and souvenirs will be on sale
UK volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer posters and schedule cards also will be given away
On the field, the football team begins workout warm-ups at 5:50 p.m.
At 6:10 p.m., the UK Band, Cheerleaders, and Pom Squad take the field for the pregame show
At 6:30 p.m., the team will re-enter the field and have a 30-minute workout
After the workout, the players will be available for autographs on the field for approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
During the player autograph session, prize drawings will be held. The grand prize is a trip for two to a UK away football game, including air travel, hotel, and game tickets. The list of additional highly attractive prizes includes two football season tickets with parking; a golf package for a foursome at the University Club; a 27-inch television; four autographed footballs; eight game helmets; four game jerseys; and a golf bag.
Dear Diary: Senior linebacker Ronnie Riley and freshman offensive lineman Hayden Lane are publishing training-camp diaries on the football page of the ukathletics.com Web site. The players were chosen in order to give the fans the perspective of a fifth-year senior and a first-year player.
Jefferson-Pilot Preview to be Televised: The annual Jefferson-Pilot Sports 30-minute television show previewing the Southeastern Conference will be shown in the following markets in the Kentucky area:
Bowling Green, Ky. WNKY Sun. Aug. 25, 10:30 p.m CTCincinnati, Ohio WBQC Sat. Aug. 31, 11:30 a.m. ETLouisville, Ky. WAVE Sun. Aug. 25, 12:30 p.m. ETPaducah, Ky. KFVS Sun. Aug. 25, noon CT
Kentucky Football Calendar:
Aug. 24 Fans' Day at Commonwealth Stadium; gates open at 5:30 p.m.Aug. 25 No practiceAug. 26 Luncheon/news conference at Wildcat Den, 11:30 a.m.Aug. 26-30 Practice, 2 p.m. (closed to fans and media)Aug. 28 Fall classes beginSept. 1 Kentucky at Louisville, 6 p.m., televised by espn2
– UK –
