Concerned Fans Press Release #1

CONCERNED FANS FOR

BASKETBALL

RESPONSE TO PRESS RELEASE 2
BY Larry Glover, WVLK, Lexington, KY

1 November 2006

In the future, please include contact information (actualy name, phone number, etc.) Please remove me from from future emails if you are unwilling to do so. I have no patience for people who criticise while hiding behind made up names, moniker's and internet handle's. I'm not saying that your information is incorrect or un-interesting, I just think it's unfair that you have no accountability. Every person you have emailed has accountability and you'll get taken more seriously if you are willing to put your name on the line.

Thanks, Larry

Concerned Fans Response To Mr. Glover:

1 November 2006

Dear Mr. Glover, Thank you for your reply to Concerned Fans Press Release of this date. This is our group's second Press Release, the first one having occurred in early June, which you also received.

You suggest that I may be trying to hide my identity from you or other members of the press. Nothing could be further from the truth. My identity was front and center in the first Press Release that Concerned Fans issued, and I personally participated in many interviews with TV, radio, print, and internet sports press following that earlier Press Release. However, please understand that I am the spokesperson for a significant and growing group of UK fans who are very concerned about the state and direction of the UK Basketball program under Tubby Smith's leadership over the last 9 years, especially as we prepare to enter his 10th season.

I am curious about your statement that I may have no accountability, yet Concerned Fans look at Tubby Smith's record and see absolutely no accountability for 17 of 37 recruits leaving the program prematurely, with remaining eligibility, and NOT for the NBA. We see 8 consecutive years without a final four appearance, the longest such stretch by a single coach in UK basketball history, yet we don't see anyone in the press or within the UKAA willing to hold Mr. Smith accountable for his results, results that have transformed UK from the premier program that it had been for decades into mediocrity, now competing to remain in the upper half of SEC teams on a year to year basis.

Yes, Mr. Glover, I understand accountability. I encourage you to consider Tubby Smith's record in an objective manner, and yes, I am available to discuss Concerned Fans and our activities with you and other respected members of the press at any time.

Richard Cheeks, Spokesperson
Concerned Fans For UK Basketball
859 xxx xxxx [actual number provided to Mr. Glover]

OTHER CONCERNED FANS RESPOND TO LARRY GLOVER'S EMAIL ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY:

Dear Mr. Glover,

As a member of "Concerned Fans 4 UK", and a 1967 alum of the University of Kentucky, with a BS in Chemical Engineering--I feel my fact based opinions are worthy of consideration and review.

Having followed UK basketball since the early 50s, going to games with my father to see the Hagan and Ramsey years, the Fiddling Five and up until I entered UK, I saw what UK was about. Then, Cotton Nash, Rupps Runts and graduation and military service from 68-70, during which time Issel and Pratt carried the UK banner high--and I listened to Cawood call um all, no matter the location, no matter the situation.

Bowie and Turpin followed, King Rex, then the liberating giddy feeling when the "Greatest Game Played" proved my beloved UK was back. And we were, with multiple final fours, 3 title games and 2 NCAA titles. UK was "KING of the Hill"--the ELITE team of college basketball.

Just 8 seasons ago, not a single team could be considered the equal of UK. My, how times have changed; *The longest final four drought in UK history *Huge numbers of players leaving early for all form of "reason" *Players blamed and turmoils and frustration so obvious *Parity with middle rung SEC teams *Tempo and style fostered from the era just prior to shot and clock *Fan division, reduced donations, diminished merchandise sales I feel lost and ignored.

My once GREAT team is a shell of its old self. No special "AURA" exists, just a nother SEC team hoping to make the NCAA field of 65. Early losses in the round of 32(3 of last 7 seasons),more double digit losses than not(4 of last 7), with expectations ever reduced and accalimed as "normal" or typical.

WE are UK---considered the BEST college basketball program of the 20th century, and we are but a memory of that which we were just 9 years ago.

We need your objective review and response to the FACTS we provide. Fair and balanced, honest and respectful.

I have shared so many fond memories of UK basketball with children and grandchildren, and the question now asked so frequently--"What is wrong with the CATS?" As a "Concerned Fan 4 UK", I have searched and reviewed the available UK historical data, and the results are self explanatory--the cause easily identified. Leadership of UK basketball is lacking.

The "record" for these last 8 seasons hurt. Scoring at a pace lower than anytime since the shot and clock were instituted to encourage offense. NCAA record lacking the oomph of ELITE status. No change in sight. Mr Glover, help UK fans--present the data, and let the objective analysis begin, at last.

Robin Barry
1967, BS Chem Engr

Larry, The question is: with this information available to you, the media--will you provide some of this 'accountability' that you mention to Richard in your response to him by asking and talking about this subject?

Sincerely,

Michael Vick
Henderson, KY
Concerned Fan for UK

Dear Mr Glover

I'm just a little guy and only a member of our group. I'd like you to know though that I am proud of the stand Richard Cheeks has taken. He's been up front and out in public. He was mentioned by name on air by Dick Vitale, mentioned by name on web sites such as ESPN, CBS, and Fox. He's done the Alan Cutler show as an interveiw. He's certainly not tried to hide his identity, and has paid a price by he and his family having received threats and abuse for his stand. To say he is hiding behind something shows you failed to do research before answering him.

Please research and consider our info as provided by our spokesperson. It's a good truthful message.

Thank you for the chance to respond,

Larry Butler

REPLY BY Larry Glover:

Mr.. Cheeks,

Thanks for the reply. Knowing who sent the email does clear up the issue of accountability. You clearly have put your neck out for a cause you believe in. That I can respect even if we have different opinions. In the future, I would encourage you to always include your personal name (or someone else's) on every email that you send out. While the first one may have had your name and contact information, the one sent out this morning did not and there may be others, like myself, that could have overlooked the initial email sent out in June.

I like covering UK but I don't care much for dealing with venomous short sided rants by "UKman13" or erroneous information passed on by "Jimmy from Webberville" (both fictitious). The internet and talk radio can be wonderful entertainment but they can also be destructive and very counterproductive. Especially when people can launch personal attacks on "real" people without any fear. You may be willing to put your name on the line. However, most lack the courage to do so and I simply don't respect the ones that don't.

As I mentioned in this morning's email, the information that you provided was certainly interesting to read. However, I reject the notion that UK basketball is in a downward spiral into mediocrity. Was last season a poor year? Absolutely, but hardly reflective of the overall body of work for Tubby Smith.

* Over the last four years, Kentucky is third in overall wins and winning percentage.

* In the last four years, Kentucky has been a top seed twice and a second seed once.

* Tubby's 365 wins in fifteen is fifth best all-time.

* Tubby's NCAA winning percentage of .700 is sixth best among active coaches.

Those are not mediocre numbers. Still it's true, he has yet to take another team to a final four and his only title remains with the 98 team. However, Tubby has been to the elite eight three other times and twice he could have easily gone had a break or two fallen UK's way.

Is that the difference between mediocrity and excellence a a couple of plays over 10 years?

Kentucky was blown out by Marquette. A game that featured Dwayne Wade on fire and Kentucky trying to defend him with their best player (all-American Keith Bogans) playing on one leg. It amazes me how even Kentucky fans seem to forget that. It's even more disheartening when some Kentucky fans try to disprove success or downplay achievement

I'm well aware that you and your group consider Kentucky under Tubby as a steady decline. But let me ask you this.... Is Duke in decline? They've lost in the sweet 16 four out of the last five seasons despite being seeded 1 every year and they play in North Carolina EVERY year in the NCAA's. Coach K's has only one title in the last 13 years and now he can't past the third round. Should they make a change?

Would you rather have Roy Williams? He was perpetually the brides maid but who remembers them and finally he wins a championship or is it Matt D's title? He had great success at Kansas but as it turns out he was violating NCAA policy by setting up post graduate slush fund. Is he the guy?

What about Tom Izzo? He has double digit losses practically every year and this year he's not even projected to be an NCAA team by ESPN? is his program in decline? Is he a guy that you would rather have?

What about Jim Calhoun? Expected to finish sixth in the big east and is considered a bubble team. How could such an elite coach let his program slide like that? Yeah, he has won two titles but he is widely considered one of the dirtiest coaches in the business.

What about Louisville? Yeah they went to the final four two years ago but in five years, they've only made the tournament three times and twice were beaten in the first weekend. Last season, Rick Pitino coaching a team made up entirely of his recruited players landed in the NIT. Is that excellence?

I'm not suggesting that the coaches mentioned above are not great coaches...in fact they all are. just pointing out that other programs (and coach's that many clamor for) would come up short to the lofty standards that some of the UK faithful have.

Tubby Smith is not perfect and I'm no suggesting he is. Recruiting must get better and his retention rate could improve...and yes UK needs to get back to the final four because that's the only way to win a national title. I just feel that Uk fans fail to realize that every program has a bad year from time to time. Double digit losses are going to happen a lot more often now that teams are routinely playing 35+ games every year.

Tubby may not be as successful as his supporters claim but his tenure has hardly been mediocre as some others claim. I'm sorry for the long email..it was not my intention to spend this much time. As I mentioned earlier in the email, I respect your passion. I just see things a little differently.

Thanks again for the clarification regarding accountibilty. Also, I'm getting several emails from your organization. Because of time constraints, I won't be able to answer them all. I hope you'll pass along to them that the clarification was made.

Thanks again.

Larry

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