xt7zkh0dw14z https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7zkh0dw14z/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1989 Volume 13 -- Number 22 athletic publications English Wildcat News Company Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Cats' Pause UKAW University of Kentucky Men's Basketball (1988-1989) coaches Sutton, Eddie players Manuel, Eric athletic directors Newton, C.M. NCAA investigation (1988) Roselle, David Plummer, L. Niel University of Kentucky Football (1988) Claiborne, Jerry statistics schedules Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause, February 4, 1989 text The Cats' Pause, February 4, 1989 1989 2012 true xt7zkh0dw14z section xt7zkh0dw14z $1.25 PER ISSUE
Margaret t. K*>ns Library *
25 590
VOLUME 13 - NUMBER 22
The Cats' Pause
"SPOTLIGHTING UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE"

0
oco
7r7C c a
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 4. 1989
roc* c tr s
c
p * * o
Bac
the/r 4) am stfh
CM. Newton coming-home, to assume UK A.D. job: effective April 1
page 2
Wildcats tame Auburn Tigers "6P76 in game that had a circus atmosphere
-page 4
Behind Glass, Mississippi was burning in 70-65 victory over 'Cats in Oxford
pages 14-15 represented by THE MAXWELL ASSOCIATES, INC.
908 South Hull Street. Montgomery. AL 36104 (205) 634-8802 / FAX (205) 263-0407
PUBLICATION NO. USPS 707340 Published By WILDCAT NEWS COMPANY P.O.Box 7297 Lexington. Kentucky 40522 Second Class Postage paid at
Lexington. Kentucky 40511 and additional mailing offices
Editor and Publisher
OSCAR L. COMBS Associate Editor NICK NICHOLAS Associate Editor MIKE ESTEP Staff Writer JIM EASTERWOOD National Recruiting Columnist BOB GIBBONS
Columnist LARRY VAUGHT
Columnist RUSSELL RICE State Columnist EARL COX National Basketball Columnist LARRY DONALD
Columnist TODD HALLUM SEC Columnist STAN TORGERSON SEC Columnist ELMORE "SCOOP" HUDGINS Kentucky Basketball Recruiting RICK BOLUS Contributing Columnist JAMIE VAUGHT Columnist DAN BRANDENBURG
Business Manager DONNA COMBS Staff Photographer GARY CROMWELL Staff Photographer DAVID STERLING
Circulation Coordinator WANDA HOOKER
Crossword Puzzle Editor DAN KRUECKEBERG
Published Weekly: Sept. 3-April 8 Monthly: May, June, July, August
Advertising Representative WILDCAT NEWS COMPANY 2627 REGENCY ROAD LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY 40503
Subscription Price $28.50 per year in USA $40 per year in Canada Phone: (606) 278-3474 Postmaster: Send Address Changes to THE CATS' PAUSE, P.O. BOX 7297, LEXINGTON, KY. 40522
Here, University of Kentucky president David Roselle (right) fits new athletics director C. M. Newton with a UK lapel pin, the one he received when he became the school's president. In the middle is UK public relations director Bernie Vonderheide. For more info about Newton. Roselle and interim AD Joe Burch.
please See page 22. photos by Nick Nicholas
CM. Newton returns to UK as new AD; says he's excited to start new adventure
By TCP Associate Editor Nick Nicholas
CM. Newton had no intention of passing by David Roselle's open invitation of returning to Kentucky without a look see. The overall picture, although stained by 18 allegations of impropriety, was enough to lure the former Wildcat who learned X's and O's from Adolph Rupp back to his alma mater. "This is a unique opportunity and a unique challenge that excites me," confessed Newton.
Last Tuesday at the university's Patterson Office Tower, Newton made it official by announcing his acceptance to UK's athletics director's opening.
Newton's first day of work for Kentucky won't take place until April 1. Until then, his duties will be centered around the Vanderbilt basketball team till its final game, whether it's in the NCAAs, NIT or SEC tournament of the '88-89 campaign.
After answering questions for 30 or 40 minutes, Newton went back to Nashville to take care of present businessCommodore basketball. "I've got practice at 4:30," said Newton, with only a couple of hours to spare. "I've got to get back and put on the hat of an old, gray-headed basketball coach, and to try to do all I can to help the Vanderbilt basketball team till April 1."
Earlier last month Newton won his 500th basketball game as a head coach, defeating Texas in Nashville.
About his future career, Newton said, "I'm excited and eager to get on with it. I'll be here ready to go on the first of April."
The first question on almost everyone's mind was why now? Why not make the announcement until the end of the season?
"There's been so much speculation," reasoned Newton. "I just felt that to end all the speculations, the distractions and so on
that this was the appropriate time. Plus, I'm not very good of doing things under a hat. I think the way to do this is the way we're doing it."
The hiring of Newton comes more than two months after longtime AD Cliff Hagan resigned admist the problems surrounding the UK basketball program. Once Hagan resigned, Joe Burch was immediately named interim athletics director, and will hold that post until April 1.
Newton brings to UK a reputation of doing things by the book. And with Kentucky's report almost completed, the addition of Newton has to be considered by the NCAA as a positive move on the university's part.
"I want a program that operates within the SEC and NCAA rules," Newton said. "I want a program that does not sacrifice the integrity of the university in any way."
From now until he walks into his office at Memorial Coliseum as UK's athletics director, the 59-year-old Newton (he turned 59 Feb. 2) will not have his hand in the issues surrounding the basketball problems. "That's something I have no control over and have really not been involved in. I can't be involved in that, coming in as an outsider.
"I'm not interested in dealing in rumors, speculation or that stuff. Until April I, really, I'm not going to be involved."
Newton was asked if he would take over as UK's head coach if Eddie Sutton were to be dismissed from his duties. Newton said that under no circumstance did he want to coach basketball at UK.
"I've made that statement very plain and very clear, that the only place I was going to coach basketball was at Vanderbilt. I have no interest in coaching basketball and Kentucky or anywhere else.
"They didn't hire me as a basketball coach, they hired me as an athletic director. Hopefully, I'm going to do a good job at that."
arm
CM. Newton on file
sBorn Feb. 2, 1930 in Rockwood, Tenn. ^Lettered on Kentucky's '51 NCAA championship team. Owns undergraduate. Master's degrees at UK. sAce pitcher for UK hasehall team. Lettered 50, 51. yLeft UK after junior season to enter minor leagues-New York Yankees. Spent four seasons in minors. t^Head coach at Transylvana from !956-'64, '66-'68, recording a 169-137 mark. Missed '65 season due to doctorate work at Alabama.
sHead coach at Alabama 1969-1980, winning three SEC titles while posting a 211-123 mark. ^Named assistant commissioner of the SEC in 1980 fin 1981 named Vanderbilt head coach and associate athletics director, the positions he currently occupies today. His Vandy record after losing to Florida last Wednesday stands al 120-110. His overall slate is 500-370.
f Assistant coach and administrator under Bobby Knight for the 1984 Gold Medal-winning men's USA basketball team
/'f/y
UK tames hapless Tigers 86-76
Sean Sutton, strong board play allow UK to down winless Auburn In game that had Ringllng Brothers atmosphere
By TCP staff writer Jim Easterwood
LEXINGTON Kentucky and Auburn played to a late circus crowd last Wednesday night at Rupp Arena.
However, before the comedy hour had run its course, Auburn's Sonny Smith had seen enough serious acts to offer this sage observation after a 86-76 'Cat win:
"I think Kentucky ought to be making believers of you all," drawled the clown prince of SEC basketball. "Add me to the list of believers."
Sonny a 'Cat convert?
Think about it a while. Hark back to those dark days of December. First Northwestern State took the 'Cats to the cleaners. Then it was Bowling Green.
'Cat fanciers were at a minimum. Few people came to praise them. Many buried them.
But now. Sonny, the master of the one-liner, says, "I believe." And means it.
PREACH ON SONNY, and Eddie Sutton will pat his foot.
"Well. I had watched Kentucky on film and was concerned they might not board with the best in the league," continued Smith. "But tonight they showed me they could. We're leading the league in rebounding and they just wiped us out."
Oh, there's one more thing. Add Sonny to a growing list of Sean Sutton admirers.
"Sean Sutton, if he does to other ballcubs what he did to us tonight...well, Kentucky really has a chance to win it all."
Sean Sutton, booed earlier by an unforgiving Kentucky crowd, stuck in three three-point buckets in four attempts. He added a pair of two-point bucketsone of the freakish varietyfor a total of 13 points. The boo-birds have flown their Rupp coop.
With 9:33 left the Son of Sutton left the game with a twisted ankle. But he already had five assists and two steals to go with his 13 points.
It was Sean's first three-pointer that got the 'Cats off winging 3-0. His second finished a 10-0 spurt that wiped out a 10-9 Auburn lead and put the 'Cats on top to stay.
And then, with 14:58 left, his third three-pointer put the 'Cats ahead by 20 at 58-38.
HOWEVER, IT WAS his two-point bucket early in the second half that told Sonny and his Tigers this wasn't their night.
Sutton, trying to hit 6-11 center LeRon Ellis with a alley-oop pass for a dunk, instead saw the ball accidently hit the rim and drop through.
"That might make ESPN highlights," chuckled Sean later in the 'Cats' dressing room.
Whatever, it established the 'Cats in firm control at 52-30. Auburn closed fast in a circus atmosphere but came no closer than the final margin.
"We played a good basketball game until late," said coach Sutton. "But if we had a couple of pink elephants and clowns we would have had a circus going out there."
Sean Sutton's twisted ankle seemed to precipitate most of the wild doings.
Kentucky had just taken its biggest lead of the game, 67-43, on a short jumper by Ellis.
Eddie Sutton decided it was time for bench-warmers like Richie Farmer, Johnathon Davis, and John Pelphrey to get some play-
ing time.
Davis, the team's DB (Designated Board-man) had played...well, sparingly before last night's game.
But in eight mintues of action Davis grabbed five reboundsone more than he had totaled all season.
Deron Feldhaus also played well in his reserve status. He chipped in with three rebounds and four points.
And don't forget the Great Scott. Mike. He totaled nine points. Farmer contributed seven.
OH YES, THE STARTERS. Derrick Miller led all scorers with 16 points. Chris Mills had 15 and Ellis 14. When the starters were in, things flowed.
But in the final minutes...well it resembled a three-ring circus. Even walk-ons Jeff Ginnan and Chris Jones got into the frenzied romp through Rupp.
"Things got ragged to say the least," said Pelphrey. "Playing all those different people with different combinations."
Sutton. Eddie that is, said the Raggedy Ann play might not have happened if Sean had not suffered his twist of fate.
"When Sean went out that's a good indication of what happens to our club," said coach Sutton. "He provides the glue that holds the team together. He's not going to let things get that wild."
Things really got out of hand in the end when Ellis, who should have been on the bench, and Tiger pivot Matt Geiger got into a wrestling match on the floor with 1:05 left.
As altercations go, it would rate no better than a "2" on a scale of 1 to 10. Smith said
Ellis was no free-swinger. And did Geiger counter?
"I'm sure none of us would put that daw n as a World Wrestling Federation bout, would we," said Smith. "I didn't see an) fight...just two guys rolling on the floor and no licks thrown."
Both players were ejected along with another Tiger, Robert McKie.
McKic. who was waiting to come into the game, was ejected because he didn't wait to be beckoned on the floor by the official. Instead, he rushed to join the fray.
So, too, did Sean Sutton as he left the bench. But the refs missed his action as assistant Jimmy Dykes hustled him off the court.
Sean's dad. needless to say, was upset by it all.
"I WASN'T VERY PLEASED with the fight and I told the team that in no uncertain terms." said coach Sutton. "There's no place in basketball for fighting."
Coach Sutton, who scolded LeRon for his act of self-defense, was pleased with the other defense.
He had to be. The Cats' hustling man took the Tigers out of their game plan to spread the floor and milk the clock on each possession.
"It was some of the best defense we've played all year," said coach Sutton. "We felt we had to get in their passing lanes and we did. I'd like to play more man defense if we can continue to get a little more depth."
Well, if last Wednesday night is a good indication, the 'Cat bench may put more than a Tiger in its tank.
UK-Auburn play-by-play
i [me Kentucky s, on Auliuni
19 | - 1 Sean Sutton 20 ft. 3-0
18:50 3-2 Geiger field goal
111 1 3-4 Dennison field goal
17:43 Ellis FT, FTA 4-4
16 12 4-6 Carpenter field goal.
15:47 Miller field goal 6-6
1 . ! Miller field goal 8-6
15:05 8-7 McKie FTA, FT
: i III Ellis FT, FTA 9-7
14:36 9-10 Carpenter 20 ft.
13:47 Hanson field goal 11-10
13:25 Miller field goal 13-10
13:00 Miller field goal 15-10
12:10 Miller FT' 16-10
11:26 Sutton 20 ft. 19-10
11:11 19-11 Geiger FTA, FT
10:39 Hanson FTA, FT 20-11
9:51 20-13 Geiger field goal
9:25 Scon field goal 22-13
9:03 Mills field goal 24-13
8:46 24-14 Geiger FT, FTA
8:33 Feldhaus field goal 26-14
8:10 Carpenter FT, FTA
7:35 2647 Dennison field goal
7:05 Farmer follow layup 28-17
6:23 Farmer 21 ft. 31-17
l, 0 Ellis field goal 33-17
, ii Ellis field goal 35-17
5:03 Hanson field goal 37-17
4:29 137-19 Arnold field goal
4:13 37-21 Arnold field goal
2:47 37-22 Hankton FT, FTA
2:33 Scott field goal 39-22
2:20 39-23 Dennison FTA, FT
1:49 Mills field goal 41-23
1:20 41-26 Carpenter 20 ft
1 09 41-28 Dennison FT. FT
0:49 Scott field goal 43-28
1 0:27 Farmer FT, FT 45-28
MM 1 45-28
19:20 Mills 21 ft. 48-28
19:03 Mills layup 50-28
17:47 Sutton 8 ft. 52-28
17:29 52-30 Geiger layup
17:02 52-32 Geiger 6 ft.
16:42 Sunon 6 ft. 54-32
16:34 54-34 Carpenter 14 ft
15:59 Miller FTA, FT 55-34
15:48 55-36 Geiger 6 ft. follow
15:17 55-38 McKie FT, FT
15:07 Sutton 20 ft. 58-38
14:44 58-41 Carpenter 21 ft.
14:14 Davis FTA, FT 59-41
12:26 Ellis 8 ft. 61-41
11:57 61-43 Geiger 4 ft.
11:30 Mills layup 6343
11:04 Mills dunk 65-43
10:42 Ellis 6 ft. 67-43
9:56 67-45 Carpenter 15 ft.
9:24 67-48 Carpenter 22 ft.
8:53 Feldhaus 6 ft. 69-48
8:31 69-51 Carpenter 21 ft.
7:27 Scott FT, FTA 70-51
6:20 70-54 Dennison 21 ft
6:12 Scott layup 72-54
5:28 Pelphrey FT, FTA 73-54
5:14 73-55 Arnold FT, FTA
4:52 73-57 Carpenter FT, FT
4:04 73-59 Carpenter layup
3:45 Mills FT, FT 75-59
3:30 75-61 McKie 3 ft.
3:01 Miller FT, FT 77-61
2:40 Miller, layup 79-61
2:09 79-63 Geiger FT, FT
1:46 79-64 Arnold FT, FTA
1:45 79-66 Geiger FT, FT
1:44 Ellis FT, FT 81-66
1:27 Ellis reverse dunk 33-66
1:20 33-69 Carpenter 24 ft.
1:05 Flagrant tech: Ellis Flagrant tech: Geiger
1:05 Miller FT, FT 35-69
1:05 85-70 Carpenter FT, FTA
0:56 85-73 Brandt 21 ft.
0:15 lones FT, FTA 86-73
0:03 B6-76 Eaddy 21 ft.
FINA1 H(>-7(>
'lane violation disallowed Miller's first FT
Cats' Pause chart
OFFICIAL NCAA BASKETBALL BOX SCORE VISITORS (Ltt Nm, Ftrt)
A TO BOS s UIN
1 a 0 3 X]
0 0 0 1 A 0
_ I Q 0 ts
| a o 0 8
jB. - _ 1 0 o 3
o o 1 f
.1- o p

FT%:1t Hll---->='
Gm._-----jfvr-
2nd Hall____it&O- m--
D*&dbU
^___ - - - ----- LAuilvJLQ___-*(-
Ind M Ol
JU-I
flMM. t/K TAKES FIGHT OUT OF AU
Top left, clockwise: In UK's 10-point win over Auburn, Chris Mills beats Zane Arnold to the boards for one of his 11 rebounds; Mike Scott cradles possession and sends Robert McKie back on defense: Speaking of rebounds, Johnathon Davis soared for five: the matchup of LeRon Ellis and Matt Geiger resulted in a wrestling match late in the contest. Both players v/ere ejected; John Pelphrey played for the first time since the UKIT; and coach Sonny Smith is still looking for his first SEC win this season.
Auburn-UK photos by Gary Cromwell
9e6raarp 4, @x$p
. ///< (&aax-&
Plummer was one of UK's first sports publicists
Paved way for guys like yours truly
The roots of sports publicity directors at the Univerity of Kentucky are dug in somewhere in antiquity, but we do know that L. Niel Plummer, who died recently in Lexington at the age of 83, served in that capacity 60
Russell Rice
Cats' Pause Columnist
years ago.
A native of Beaver Dam who later lived in Louisa, Plummer joined the uk staff in 1929 as a part-time instructor of journalism and sports publicity. A year later, he became a full-time member of the journalism faculty.
Plummer. who received bachelor's and master's degrees from uk in 1928 and 1932. became a full professor and head of the journalism department after he received his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin in 1940. He remained in that position until 1965. when he stepped down as chairman of what by then was the School of Journalism.
By the time he received his bachelor's degree, Plummer was an experienced newsman, having served three years on the staff of the old Lexington Herald. He remained there until 1930, working at various times as
I editor, city editor, assistant news editor and a<^;. tant sports editor.
Upon becoming a full professor in 1932. he gave up his part-time position in athletics and was succeeded, also on a part-time basis, by Gerald Griffin, another UK graduate. Griffin, later to enjoy a long and successful career as a writer for the Louisville Courier-Journal. gave the athletics department its first set of statistics, which are modest in comparison to today's computerized totals.
Griffin was the father of attorney Robin Griffin and Mrs. Harry (Pat) Miller, both of Lexington.
A familiar'name in UK athletics in the mid-1930s was that of Norman "Moon" Garling. who wrote seasonal roundups of Wildcat football, basketball, baseball and track for the school yearbook in 1935. The following year, he was editor of the Kentucky Kernel and a publication entitled Sour Mash. He also was president of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association, sports editor of the Kentuckian. a member of the UK student radio staff and assistant director of athletic publicity (there is no mention of a director).
There is no official listing of sports publicists at UK during the World War II era, although Edwards Templin occupied that position, apparently on a "moonlighting" basis, during the 1944^-5 and 1945-46 school years. As a sportswriter for the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1934, one of Templin's favorite stories was about Leroy "Cowboy" Edwards, strongboy sophomore center who was to earn All-America honors in his only season as a Wildcat.
After UK opened the season with a 61-10 victory over the alumni, Templin wasn't too generous in his assessment of Edwards' performance. As the Wildcats were warming up prior to a game against Oglethorpe three nights later in Alumni Gym. Edwards walked up to Templin, no little man himself, picked him up with one hand from his seat at the press table, and asked, "Now, what was that you wrote about me not playing a good game last Saturday?"
Edwards then proceeded to lead UK to an 81-12 game over the visitors
Templin later became director of promotions for the newspaper and a respected journalist throughout the state and nation. He died of a heart attack several years ago.
The late L. Niel Plummer, shown here during Christmas 1979, was the sports publicity director at UK 60 years ago. He came over from the old Lexington Herald and assumed those duties in 1930. Upon receiving a full professorship in 1932, Plummer turned the reigns over to Gerald Griffin.
The sports publicist in 1945^-6 was Carl "Hoot" Combs, a Hazard native who lettered three years in football ('38. '39, 40) and one year in basketball (40) at UK, where he earned his BS in '41 and LLB in '52. While practicing law in Lexington he was the announcer for UK football and basketball home games in the early 1960s. Combs now resides in Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Athletics publicity at UK after WWII was under the supervision of the department of public relations, which was directed by Raymond W. "Jack" Wild, who had received his B.A. in journalism at UK in 1937.
Wild hired Jim Dance, another UK graduate, as a replacement for Combs in 1946^7. Dance later became a noted columnist for the Miami Herald. He died five years ago.
Roy Steinfort, who earned his BA in education at UK in 1946, was the sports publicist in 1947-48, the year of the Fabulous Five. He went on to become a high-ranking official in Associated Press Radio and recently was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. (Dr. Plummer became a member of that honor group in 1982).
Ken Kuhn came to Lexington in 1946 from Michigan State University, where he had worked as an assistant in the public relations deparment after graduating from that institution in 1942. He spent two years as ne