Kentucky

New Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope arrives at Bluegrass airport

Published

2 years ago

April 14, 2024

New Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope arrives at Bluegrass airport

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – University of Kentucky’s new men’s basketball coach Mark Pope has arrived back in the commonwealth after landing in Lexington Saturday afternoon.

“This is like true blue at all angles,” said Kathleen Raque, a member of Big Blue Nation and Louisville resident.

The hiring of Mark Pope came as the names of multiple candidates were being floated around for the role.

As the news settles in, some in Big Blue Nation are gearing up for the new era of Kentucky men’s basketball.

“The more I’ve talked to people, the more I’ve sort of even researched it myself, I think that he will bring a lot of good new energy to the program,” said Russell Glass, a sophomore at UK. “Being an alumnus, […] he’ll care about it a lot in a way that I don’t think a lot of other people would.”

Pope played for the Cats in the 90s, serving as a captain for the University of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team.

“I love all of the people who are saying ‘in Pope we hope,’ I think that’s a great saying,” said Raque.

In Pope, some fans hope to see a revitalized program.

“BYU did not have NIL funding or the recruiting name that Kentucky has. Kentucky has all of the resources college basketball could ask for,” said Caleb Lane, a student at Indiana University.

With the news still fresh, there are still questions about how Pope will compare to his predecessor, Coach John Calipari, who left UK for the University of Arkansas heading coaching job.

“I’m curious how much of the players coming in was for the UK nameplate or how much was for him,” said Mario Garza, a sophomore at UK. “I’m curious how Mark Pope is going to go about recruiting and if he’s going to even be able to come close to what Coach Cal was able to do.”

Even with questions still in the air, members of the UK faithful are putting their hope in Pope.

“I don’t think the pressure will bother him because he had the pressure as a player,” said Raque. “I know it’s going to be different, but we are supporting him, I hope he knows that.”

Pope is the just the 8th UK men’s basketball coach of the modern era.

A Mark Pope news conference will be held at Rupp Arena on Sunday, April 14. It is an event that is open the public.

Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. It is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. While a ticket is not needed, it is treated as any event with the clear bag policy.

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Kentucky

Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

Published

11 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Northern Kentucky claims 4 titles at Class 3A indoor track state meet

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association indoor state track meet rolled on on Wednesday, March 4. One day after Beechwood claimed the Class 1A boys team title, three Northern Kentucky big schools combined for four individual state titles in Class 3A.

Cooper’s Paul Van Laningham won the 3,200-meter run in 9:09.49 and took second place in the 1,600-meter run in 4:07.88. It was a reversal of his results at the 2025 indoor state meet and earned him his fifth overall state title. He scored all of Cooper’s points, good for ninth place in the team standings with 18 points.

Van Laningham’s teammate, Ava Dunn, got the day started with a shot put title, throwing the 8.82-pound ball 39 feet, 3.25 inches.

Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard won the long jump with an attempt of 18 feet, 7.25 inches, then claimed the triple jump title with a distance of 37 feet, 4.25 inches. It is her second straight indoor long jump title and third overall as she also claimed the 2024 outdoor title. Taking fifth place in the 55-meter dash, she scored all 24 points for SK, finishing in a tie for eighth place. Cooper was right behind with 22 points.

Finally, Conner’s Avery Vanlandingham win the 800-meter run in 2:17.55, out-leaning North Oldham’s Millie Huang at the line.

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Kentucky

Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

Published

23 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas women’s basketball blown out by Kentucky in season-ending loss at SEC Tournament | Whole Hog Sports

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Kentucky

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Hardley Gilmore returns to Kentucky Football

A wide receiver from Belle Glade, Florida, Gilmore totaled 28 receptions for 313 yards and one touchdown for the Wildcats during the 2025 season. The 6-foot-1 sophomore has had a very interesting offseason as he entered the portal, flipped a commitment, and is now back in Lexington.

After the 2025 season, Gilmore committed to Louisville when he entered the transfer portal, then flipped his commitment to Baylor, and ultimately signed with the Bears. To end Gilmore’s portal saga, he’s now back in a familiar place with the Wildcats.

When the 2026 season begins, Gilmore will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Gilmore had a solid sophomore campaign with the Wildcats, appearing in all 12 games. His best game of the season came in the late-season loss against Vanderbilt. He tallied six catches for 55 yards in the game.

With Kentucky losing most of its wide receiver production from last season, this is a significant pickup, and it won’t be surprising if Gilmore is back in the starting lineup this fall.

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