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.

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.

Ashley Judd - college's most beautiful sports fan - blog #1

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."

UK - all time in wins and winning pct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_teams_with_the_most_victories_in_NCAA_Division_I_men's_college_basketball

W L PCT

1 Kentucky 1988 635 .758
2 North Carolina 1984 703 .738
3 Kansas 1970 793 .713
4 Duke 1876 815 .697
5 Syracuse 1753 806 .685
6 Temple 1711 960 .641
7 St. John's 1686 868 .660
8 UCLA 1672 726 .697
9 Pennsylvania 1657 949 .636
10 Notre Dame 1651 908 .645
11 Indiana 1641 909 .644
12 Utah 1637 858 .656
13 Illinois 1609 853 .654
14 Western Kentucky 1602 780 .673
15 Oregon State 1594 1180 .575
16 Louisville 1587 831 .656
17 Texas 1586 945 .627
18 Brigham Young 1578 994 .614
19 Washington 1574 1056 .599
20 Arizona 1568 858 .646
21 Purdue 1565 927 .628
22 Cincinnati 1553 915 .629
23 Princeton 1552 986 .612
24 West Virginia 1550 972 .615
25 Bradley 1537 1006 .604

Kentucky Cheerleaders - 17 National Titles and counting!

http://www.ukathletics.com/genrel/011809aaa.html

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Dominance is the only word that is needed to describe the UK cheerleading team. For the 17th time in school history, the Kentucky Wildcats are home of the Universal Cheerleading Association National Championship trophy.

The back-to-back national champions have now claimed the national championship trophy 13 times since 1995. During that stretch, Kentucky only lost possession of the trophy in 2007 and 2003. Before 1995, Kentucky won the 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1992 national championships.

Kentucky won the competition by a margin of 14.5 points on Sunday night. Kentucky finished with a score of 473.5 out of 500 with the next closest being Alabama with 459 points and UCF with 454 points. Rounding out the top five was Memphis in fourth, and Louisiana and Kansas tied for fifth. Other Southeastern Conference schools in the top 15 were Tennessee, who tied for eight with Cincinnati, and Mississippi State and Mississippi finishing 11th and 12th, respectfully.

"This one was special for us because this year there were several really good teams here," cheerleading Coach Jomo Thompson said. "We had a great routine, but Alabama and UCF drilled their routines as well, so for us to win by 14.5 really is something special."

Thompson said that he was also excited about Alabama finishing in second place because former UK assistant David McDowell is now a coach there. Thompson said they talked about wanting to finish in the top-two spots and was pleased that it happened. McDowell was a UK cheerleader from 2001 to 2003 and took over assistant coaching honors from 2004 to 2006.

Thompson said he is most excited about bringing the trophy back to all the UK fans and great people at Kentucky.

"I am so excited that we are bringing back our 17th national championship trophy to the Bluegrass," Thompson said. "I am happy to bring this trophy back to the fans and so glad that we represent the University and everyone at Rupp Arena."



Senior Randi Bishop and the dance team perform at Rupp Arena wih the Wildcat
Dance Team Finishes Seventh Overall
The University of Kentucky dance team finished in a tie for seventh place this weekend at the 2009 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships. The National Championships were produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and the Universal Dance Association.

The top-10 finish is one of many for the squad at the UDA National Championships. In 2000, the team finished in fourth place at this event. Kentucky shares the seventh-place finish with Louisiana State. Tennessee took home the top honor this weekend followed by Florida State, Minnesota, Cincinnati and Wisconsin-Madison rounding out the top five. Michigan finished in sixth place with Michigan State finishing eighth, Central Florida ninth and Memphis 10th. Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arizona, Rutgers, Alabama and Mississippi finished 11th through 17th, respectfully.

Most of the dance team's success has come in the United Spirit Association College Nationals. In the USA Nationals, the Blue and White have gathered six top-four finishes since 2003. Kentucky has finished third in the last two years and second in 2006. In 2005, the squad won the national championship, finishing first in the jazz category. Before winning the national championship, the team finished in fourth place in 2004 and third place in 2003.

UK dance team head coach Cathy Coyle said the team was hoping for a top-10 finish and is proud they achieved that goal. She said the team's motto heading into the weekend was "one team, one dream, believe."