Delk, Hansen to Have Jerseys Retired
Dec. 11, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball great Tony Delk and gymnastics star Jenny Hansen will have their jerseys retired by UK Athletics at events held in February.
Jersey retirement is considered the highest honor of UK Athletics. Delk becomes the 43rd retired jersey associated with men’s basketball and Hansen is the first honoree in gymnastics. Previously, Delk and Hansen had been elected to the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008 and 2006, respectively. They were elected for jersey retirement this year by a Hall of Fame subcommittee comprised of media, Hall of Fame representatives and athletics staff.
Hansen will be honored on Friday, Feb. 20 at the UK gymnastics meet vs. Arkansas, and Delk will be recognized on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the men’s basketball game vs. Auburn.
Listed below are biographies of the two retired jersey honorees:
Tony Delk, Men’s Basketball, 1993-96
The Most Outstanding Player of the 1996 NCAA Final Four and the Midwest Regional in leading UK to the national championship … Earned first-team All-America and SEC Player of the Year honors as a senior … First-team All-SEC his last two seasons, also third-team All-America as a junior and second-team All-SEC as a sophomore … Led the Wildcats in scoring three straight years … UK’s career leader in three-pointers (283), while ranking second in career steals (201) and fifth in scoring (1,890 points) … In his four years, Kentucky posted a 119-18 record and went to the NCAA Final Four twice, winning one national championship, two SEC championships, three SEC Eastern Division championships and three SEC Tournament titles … Played 10 seasons in the NBA.
Jenny Hansen, Gymnastics, 1993-96
One of the most distinguished gymnastics athletes in NCAA history … Broke three NCAA records, including: eight individual national titles; four titles in one year (1995: all-around, floor exercise, balance beam, vault); and three all-around championships (1993-95) … Earned All-America honors in 13 events during her career … 1994 Honda Cup recipient as the top women’s amateur athlete (any sport) in the nation … 1995 SEC Female Athlete of the Year … Won nine individual titles at the SEC Championships, setting the league record for most individual championships … Set and continues to hold every individual record in school history.
The UK Athletics Hall of Fame was started in 2005 to recognize and honor persons whose participation and contributions enriched and strengthened the university’s athletic program. The charter class included 88 individuals who had previously had their jersey retired by UK.
There is a five-year waiting period – after leaving UK – to be eligible for inclusion into the Hall of Fame. Hall of Famers are eligible for jersey retirement five years after they have been elected to the Hall of Fame.
