Feb. 11, 2003

Kentucky Football Staff Visits Veterans Hospital: Coach Rich Brooks and the University of Kentucky football coaching staff visited patients in the Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center on Tues. Feb. 11. The visit was part of the National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week, which is observed Feb. 9-15.

Click on the photo for a gallery from the coaches’ visit to the VA Hospital

“It reminds us that we all have to be mindful about these great Americans and the freedoms they have provided for our country,” Brooks said. “Some of them are suffering a great deal, whether it’s service-related or age-related. We want them to know how much we appreciate them. It’s a pleasure to see them and we hope we can bring some of Kentucky’s bright light into their lives.”

The visit had special meaning for Ron Hudson, UK’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, who served as a United States Marine during the 1960s.

“For me personally, it brings to light the training and preparation I went through to defend this country,” Hudson said. “It makes you realize that these things are going to happen. We hope they know that this country thanks them and that we thank them.”

Eight Football Players Inducted Into Society of Character: Eight Wildcat football players are among the 29 UK athletes who will be inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character during halftime of the men’s basketball game vs. Georgia on Tues. Feb. 11.

The new inductees include Tayo Agboke, Jed Bassett, Aaron Boone, Daniel Burnett, Otis Grigsby, Antonio Hall, Ronnie Riley, and John Robinson. Another current Wildcat, Derek Abney, already is a member of the Society of Character.

The Society of Character is comprised of UK student-athletes who show great commitment in the areas of academics, athletics, personal development, career development and service. Student-athletes are nominated by their coaches or UK staff members.

Pinner, Abney at Birmingham Quarterback Club Banquet: Senior running back Artose Pinner and junior wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney will be honored Tuesday, Feb. 11, by the Birmingham Quarterback Club.

Pinner and Abney will be honored at the annual BQC banquet. Pinner is the Southeastern Conference Back of the Year and Abney is the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

Pinner led the Southeastern Conference in rushing with 1,414 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 37 passes for 264 yards and two TDs. He topped the 100-yard mark a school-record eight times during the season. Pinner was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award for the nation’s best running back and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com and The Associated Press. He was a consensus first-team All-SEC pick.

Abney is enjoying a busy post-season calendar. In December, he was introduced as part of the Walter Camp All-America team at the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla. In January, he returned to Orlando and was honored as part of the Football Writers Association of America All-America Team. Last weekend, Abney traveled to New Haven, Conn., to take part in the Walter Camp All-America Weekend. On March 1, he will be honored by the Atlanta Touchdown Club.

Abney returned six kicks for touchdowns in 2002 and broke or tied five NCAA records, nine Southeastern Conference records and 10 school records for kick returns. He averaged 15.1 yards per punt return, including four touchdowns (at Florida, at Arkansas, two at Mississippi State). He averaged 26.8 yards on kickoff returns with touchdowns at Florida and vs. Vanderbilt. He is the only player who ranked in the nation’s top 11 in punt returns, kickoff returns and all-purpose yardage.

Abney also is a quality wide receiver. He caught 40 passes for 569 yards and four touchdowns this season and ranks third in school history in pass receptions and pass receiving yardage.

Coach Brooks to Tipoff the UK vs. Arkansas Blood Drive: Coach Rich Brooks will tipoff the Ninth Annual “Game for Life” blood drive competition between Kentucky and Arkansas with a blood donation on Thursday.

Media are invited to video and/or take still photographs of Coach Brooks’ donation, which will be at 2 p.m. at the Central Kentucky Blood Center on Waller Avenue.

Brooks’ donation will be the ceremonial “first pint” of the annual competition between the two schools. Fans may get involved by donating blood on Feb. 14, 17, and 18 at all CKBC sites and mobile collection centers. The CKBC has locations in Lexington, Hazard, Somerset, Prestonsburg and Pikeville.

The need for blood donation is especially urgent at this time. The CKBC has agreed to be one of the organizations that will supplement the United States military blood supply if that becomes necessary.