I'm not even sure we can call this a true rivarly since UK is so much better than second hand U of L. Below are the facts -
Wins - UK #1 all time with 1988 - U of L only has 1594
Winning PCT - UK #1 all time with .758 - U of L has .656 (over 100 points lower!)
UK has 13 Final Fours - U of L has 8
UK has 7 National Championships - U of L has 2
And btw, who leads the rivarly by a ten win margin? Oh, that too would be UK.
Monday, June 1, 2009
UK to sue DUI drunk, Billy Gillispie~!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4213096
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky countersued fired men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie on Thursday, claiming it doesn't owe him pay because he never signed a contract.
The employment dispute escalated when the university filed a lawsuit in Franklin Circuit Court in Kentucky, one day after Gillispie filed his own claim in Dallas, asking for $6 million in lost salary and undisclosed punitive damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.
Gillispie, who was fired March 27, was working under a seven-year memorandum of understanding but hadn't signed a formal contract during the two years he coached the Wildcats.
A call to Gillispie's attorney, Demetrios Anaipakos, was not immediately returned.
UK's lawyers are asking the court to rule that the two-page memorandum of understanding Gillispie signed after his hiring in 2007 was not the equivalent of a full contract. Gillispie says it is and that he is entitled to $1.5 million a year for four of the five years left on the deal.
"UK contends that the [memorandum of understanding] is not an enforceable long-term contract of employment, and that it owes no damages to Gillispie, having paid him for each basketball season in which he coached," the lawsuit says.
Gillispie's claim accuses the school of fraud and breach of contract, saying it never intended to sign him long term. However, the school claims the coach turned down at least six versions of a full employment contract, quibbling over the language involving what actions would constitute dismissal without pay.
University attorneys also argue that Kentucky, not Texas, is the proper place for any litigation between the two sides. They also claim that Gillispie's lawsuit wrongly targets the UK Athletics Association, which the school says is a "nonprofit supporting foundation that was not his employer."
"The decision to terminate Mr. Gillispie's employment was a university decision," UK's attorney Stephen Barker said in a statement. The athletics association "will vigorously seek the dismissal of the Texas lawsuit. The university is the proper party to any suit."
Gillispie's attorney, however, said on Wednesday there was a contract. "There's a public misconception that Coach Gillispie did not sign a contract with the University of Kentucky athletic association," Anaipakos, said. "He absolutely did. They drafted it. He signed it. They signed it and their board approved it. Whether you're in Kentucky or Texas, a deal is a deal."
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky countersued fired men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie on Thursday, claiming it doesn't owe him pay because he never signed a contract.
The employment dispute escalated when the university filed a lawsuit in Franklin Circuit Court in Kentucky, one day after Gillispie filed his own claim in Dallas, asking for $6 million in lost salary and undisclosed punitive damages, attorneys' fees and court costs.
Gillispie, who was fired March 27, was working under a seven-year memorandum of understanding but hadn't signed a formal contract during the two years he coached the Wildcats.
A call to Gillispie's attorney, Demetrios Anaipakos, was not immediately returned.
UK's lawyers are asking the court to rule that the two-page memorandum of understanding Gillispie signed after his hiring in 2007 was not the equivalent of a full contract. Gillispie says it is and that he is entitled to $1.5 million a year for four of the five years left on the deal.
"UK contends that the [memorandum of understanding] is not an enforceable long-term contract of employment, and that it owes no damages to Gillispie, having paid him for each basketball season in which he coached," the lawsuit says.
Gillispie's claim accuses the school of fraud and breach of contract, saying it never intended to sign him long term. However, the school claims the coach turned down at least six versions of a full employment contract, quibbling over the language involving what actions would constitute dismissal without pay.
University attorneys also argue that Kentucky, not Texas, is the proper place for any litigation between the two sides. They also claim that Gillispie's lawsuit wrongly targets the UK Athletics Association, which the school says is a "nonprofit supporting foundation that was not his employer."
"The decision to terminate Mr. Gillispie's employment was a university decision," UK's attorney Stephen Barker said in a statement. The athletics association "will vigorously seek the dismissal of the Texas lawsuit. The university is the proper party to any suit."
Gillispie's attorney, however, said on Wednesday there was a contract. "There's a public misconception that Coach Gillispie did not sign a contract with the University of Kentucky athletic association," Anaipakos, said. "He absolutely did. They drafted it. He signed it. They signed it and their board approved it. Whether you're in Kentucky or Texas, a deal is a deal."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Crybaby Gillispie "sues" Kentucky
Gillispie, who couldn't win at Kentucky, is upset because he was fired. People daily get fired over not performing at work. Get over it.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i6tKn2Hc8WGbEkNXHqpxJ7NoRSxwD98ETQE00
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Former Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie sued the school Wednesday, seeking at least $6 million he says he is owed on his deal after being fired without cause.
Gillispie, who was dismissed last spring, was working under a memorandum of understanding but hadn't signed a formal contract during the two years he coached the Wildcats.
He contends that under that memorandum, he should be paid $1.5 million a year for four of the five years left on the deal. The suit also asks for an undisclosed amount of punitive damages, attorneys' fees, court costs and interest.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in Dallas contends the school's athletics association is in breach of contract and has committed fraud because the university never intended to honor the agreement.
"Rather than honor its written, signed deal with coach Gillispie, defendant prefers instead to pretend as though no deal was ever reached," the lawsuit says. "Unfortunately for defendant, its make-believe world is just that."
University attorneys expressed surprise over the lawsuit.
"The university was continuing to negotiate a separation in good faith and his counsel had asked for more time," they said in a statement.
Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart, reached Wednesday at the Southeastern Conference meetings in Destin, Fla., said he had no comment.
"I just got off the phone with our attorneys and I can't say anything," Barnhart said.
Jimmy Stanton, a spokesman for University of Kentucky President Lee Todd, also declined comment because the matter involves pending litigation.
Much of the 24-page lawsuit highlights the 49-year-old Gillispie's biography, describing him as an up-and-coming coach who resurrected a Texas A&M program before leaving to lead Kentucky, the nation's all-time winningest college basketball program. It also says he was negotiating a new contract with Texas A&M and that Kentucky officials interfered.
"He resigned a promising, successful position as head-coach with a rapidly ascending program at Texas A&M," it says. "He did so because he believed (the university's) false representations to him during his negotiations."
In three seasons with the Aggies, Gillispie was 70-26, making the NCAA tournament twice including the Sweet 16 in 2007. The previous three seasons before Gillispie came on board, A&M was 20-22.
Gillispie went 40-27 in two seasons with the Wildcats, including a 22-14 mark last season that tied for the second-most losses in the program's 106-year history. A stumble down the stretch left the Wildcats out of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991.
He also was criticized for failing to properly represent the school as an ambassador and occasionally being prickly with the media, including two halftime clashes with a female ESPN reporter.
His one-page termination letter concluded Gillispie was not a "good fit" for the school, and it specifically cited his failure to come to an agreement on a full employment contract.
During a news conference the day after he was fired, Gillispie maintained he was due the full $6 million buyout as stipulated in the memorandum of understanding.
"That's what it says in the contract, that's what it looks like to me," he said. "I don't know all the details and all those kind of things. I just know we signed a contract. It was a shorter version than maybe some."
Gillispie's attorney, Demetrios Anaipakos, said Wednesday that Gillispie prefers to let the lawsuit speak for itself for now. He said it was appropriate that it be filed in Texas rather than Kentucky.
"This lawsuit belongs in Dallas because that is where the University of Kentucky contacted coach Gillispie," he said. "That is where they negotiated their deal, and that is where parties reach the understanding he would be a new head coach."
Gillispie still has a home near Lexington. He is not coaching right now.
Former Memphis coach John Calipari agreed to an eight-year, $31.65 million deal in April to succeed Gillispie as Kentucky's head coach. Barnhart stressed at the news conference introducing Calipari that it was a full employment contract and had been signed.
Calipari has already attracted some of the top high school recruits in the country to Lexington, including securing two star players Gillispie had recruited.
Memphis' Rose may have cheated on SAT
http://espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4210798
The Memphis men's basketball program has been charged by the NCAA with major violations during the 2007-08 season under former coach John Calipari.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the story on Wednesday after obtaining a letter detailing the allegations through the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on the 2007-08 team.
The wording of the letter to Memphis indicates that the player in question only competed during the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The player's name was redacted in the letter due to privacy laws.
Sources told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Derrick Rose was the player in question. He played only one season for Memphis before being selected as the first pick in the 2008 draft by the Chicago Bulls.
The letter also alleged that Memphis provided $2,260 in free travel to road games for an associate of a player. The NCAA is charging Memphis with a failure to monitor.
If the NCAA allegations are proven true, Memphis might have to forfeit their NCAA-record 38 victories and Final Four appearance.
Luther Topps, who coached Rose's AAU team, told the Chicago Sun-Times he's known about the NCAA's investigation for several weeks and said he thinks the NCAA believes a former high school teammate of Rose's took the SAT for Rose.
Memphis received the notice of allegations on Jan. 16 and is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 6.
A source within the Memphis program told ESPN.com "the current team will 100 percent not be penalized.'' The source does not expect a reduction in scholarships.
Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky on March 31. The NCAA has requested his presence at the hearing, although he is not named in the report.
"Even though I'm not at risk, I will fully cooperate with the NCAA hearing," Calipari said in a statement. "... [I] will have no further comment."
Calipari is expected to talk to the NCAA before Tuesday when he leaves for China, Kentucky representative DeWayne Peevy said. A year ago, Calipari and a collection of Conference USA all-stars traveled to China to exchange basketball ideas. Calipari would likely speak to the Committee on Infractions in a teleconference since he wouldn't be able to be at the June hearing.
Athletic director R.C. Johnson told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that Memphis has been investigating the test score and women's golf infractions for months.
"We still have to determine if the test score was fraudulent," Johnson said.
After that is determined, Memphis will investigate whether anyone at the school knew about a fraudulent test.
Johnson said the student-athlete who is alleged to have been involved is cooperating. Johnson said if something were to be discovered in terms of violations, "nothing would happen to [current Memphis coach] Josh Pastner."
Peevy told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Calipari was up front with Kentucky prior to his hiring. He said Kentucky was made aware of the allegation.
"It's important to note that there are no allegations against John Calipari in the report," Peevy said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Kentucky said "It is normal procedure for the NCAA to ask a former coach to participate in a hearing. Therefore, Coach Calipari will participate as requested.
"Coach John Calipari has received a letter from the NCAA stating that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in this case.
"This is a University of Memphis issue and the University of Kentucky will not comment any further."
Kentucky assured its boosters when it hired Calipari it had done its due diligence in checking his background.
"Sandy Bell and the compliance folks talked with the NCAA and checked records and facts," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said April 1 when Calipari was introduced at Kentucky. "David Price, other people at the high level with the NCAA, assured us how much they enjoyed working with John in that process.
"We have all had our critics about how we manage and lead our programs. For seven years I've had my share and I've been through it. Our commitment at the University of Kentucky to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change. John's commitment to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change."
Interestingly, Price, the NCAA's vice president of enforcement, issued the NCAA letter sent to Memphis that detailed the infractions.
Calipari has been involved in NCAA violations in the past. After his 1995-96 Final Four season at Massachusetts, it was discovered center Marcus Camby had accepted money and gifts from two sports agents. The NCAA forced UMass to forfeit all 35 victories from that season and vacate its Final Four appearance and banner.
The Memphis men's basketball program has been charged by the NCAA with major violations during the 2007-08 season under former coach John Calipari.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal first reported the story on Wednesday after obtaining a letter detailing the allegations through the Freedom of Information Act.
The allegations include "knowing fraudulence or misconduct" on an SAT exam by a player on the 2007-08 team.
The wording of the letter to Memphis indicates that the player in question only competed during the 2007-08 season and the 2008 NCAA tournament. The player's name was redacted in the letter due to privacy laws.
Sources told ESPN.com Wednesday night that Derrick Rose was the player in question. He played only one season for Memphis before being selected as the first pick in the 2008 draft by the Chicago Bulls.
The letter also alleged that Memphis provided $2,260 in free travel to road games for an associate of a player. The NCAA is charging Memphis with a failure to monitor.
If the NCAA allegations are proven true, Memphis might have to forfeit their NCAA-record 38 victories and Final Four appearance.
Luther Topps, who coached Rose's AAU team, told the Chicago Sun-Times he's known about the NCAA's investigation for several weeks and said he thinks the NCAA believes a former high school teammate of Rose's took the SAT for Rose.
Memphis received the notice of allegations on Jan. 16 and is scheduled to appear before the NCAA Committee on Infractions June 6.
A source within the Memphis program told ESPN.com "the current team will 100 percent not be penalized.'' The source does not expect a reduction in scholarships.
Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky on March 31. The NCAA has requested his presence at the hearing, although he is not named in the report.
"Even though I'm not at risk, I will fully cooperate with the NCAA hearing," Calipari said in a statement. "... [I] will have no further comment."
Calipari is expected to talk to the NCAA before Tuesday when he leaves for China, Kentucky representative DeWayne Peevy said. A year ago, Calipari and a collection of Conference USA all-stars traveled to China to exchange basketball ideas. Calipari would likely speak to the Committee on Infractions in a teleconference since he wouldn't be able to be at the June hearing.
Athletic director R.C. Johnson told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that Memphis has been investigating the test score and women's golf infractions for months.
"We still have to determine if the test score was fraudulent," Johnson said.
After that is determined, Memphis will investigate whether anyone at the school knew about a fraudulent test.
Johnson said the student-athlete who is alleged to have been involved is cooperating. Johnson said if something were to be discovered in terms of violations, "nothing would happen to [current Memphis coach] Josh Pastner."
Peevy told ESPN.com on Wednesday that Calipari was up front with Kentucky prior to his hiring. He said Kentucky was made aware of the allegation.
"It's important to note that there are no allegations against John Calipari in the report," Peevy said.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Kentucky said "It is normal procedure for the NCAA to ask a former coach to participate in a hearing. Therefore, Coach Calipari will participate as requested.
"Coach John Calipari has received a letter from the NCAA stating that he is not at risk of being charged with any NCAA violations in this case.
"This is a University of Memphis issue and the University of Kentucky will not comment any further."
Kentucky assured its boosters when it hired Calipari it had done its due diligence in checking his background.
"Sandy Bell and the compliance folks talked with the NCAA and checked records and facts," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said April 1 when Calipari was introduced at Kentucky. "David Price, other people at the high level with the NCAA, assured us how much they enjoyed working with John in that process.
"We have all had our critics about how we manage and lead our programs. For seven years I've had my share and I've been through it. Our commitment at the University of Kentucky to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change. John's commitment to compliance and discipline has always been strong, and that will not change."
Interestingly, Price, the NCAA's vice president of enforcement, issued the NCAA letter sent to Memphis that detailed the infractions.
Calipari has been involved in NCAA violations in the past. After his 1995-96 Final Four season at Massachusetts, it was discovered center Marcus Camby had accepted money and gifts from two sports agents. The NCAA forced UMass to forfeit all 35 victories from that season and vacate its Final Four appearance and banner.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Meet 24,000 of the most friendly people one could ever meet
If you ever stop by Kentucky, come by Rupp Arena. You will meet 24,000 friendly people and an experience you won't forget.
Bad Kentucky Players Leaving - the mess is still far from over
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090526/SPORTS03/905260411/1002/sports/Trio+leaving+UK+basketball+team
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Jared Carter, A.J. Stewart and Donald Williams will not return to the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, UK announced Tuesday.
Carter, a 7-2 senior, will not seek a fifth year, after sitting out the majority of the 2006-07 season due to a shoulder injury. The Georgetown, Ky., native finished his career with the Wildcats averaging 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 42 games.
"I've enjoyed my experience at UK and will remember all the people and players I've met along the way, especially Mr. Keightley," Carter said in a release, referring to Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley. "I'm looking forward to moving on with my life and am excited to see what professional opportunities await me."
Stewart and Donald Williams are both seeking to transfer.
Stewart, a 6-7 sophomore, averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds this season. He shot 82 percent from the free throw line, while averaging 5.7 minutes per game.
"I appreciate Coach Calipari and the staff being truthful with me," Stewart said in a release. "I want to further my career both academically and athletically at a school where more playing time is available. I know that coach will do anything possible to find a great situation for me."
Williams, a 6-3 freshman, did not see any action in 2009.
"My time at Kentucky was a great experience," Williams said in a release. "I developed great friendships with my teammates; the environment was great; the fans showed us a lot of love; my teachers were great. It was just a good experience for me and a wonderful opportunity to improve myself, being around different guys from different areas. Even though I had to sit out this year, I would have liked to have played and helped, but with coach leaving, sometimes it just happens that way."
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Jared Carter, A.J. Stewart and Donald Williams will not return to the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, UK announced Tuesday.
Carter, a 7-2 senior, will not seek a fifth year, after sitting out the majority of the 2006-07 season due to a shoulder injury. The Georgetown, Ky., native finished his career with the Wildcats averaging 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 42 games.
"I've enjoyed my experience at UK and will remember all the people and players I've met along the way, especially Mr. Keightley," Carter said in a release, referring to Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley. "I'm looking forward to moving on with my life and am excited to see what professional opportunities await me."
Stewart and Donald Williams are both seeking to transfer.
Stewart, a 6-7 sophomore, averaged 2.0 points and 1.5 rebounds this season. He shot 82 percent from the free throw line, while averaging 5.7 minutes per game.
"I appreciate Coach Calipari and the staff being truthful with me," Stewart said in a release. "I want to further my career both academically and athletically at a school where more playing time is available. I know that coach will do anything possible to find a great situation for me."
Williams, a 6-3 freshman, did not see any action in 2009.
"My time at Kentucky was a great experience," Williams said in a release. "I developed great friendships with my teammates; the environment was great; the fans showed us a lot of love; my teachers were great. It was just a good experience for me and a wonderful opportunity to improve myself, being around different guys from different areas. Even though I had to sit out this year, I would have liked to have played and helped, but with coach leaving, sometimes it just happens that way."
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