Tubby Takes Up For UK and Its Fans

[Will Lavender]

Saw this on another board and thought I'd share.

This is from an interview on ESPN Radio:

"Well, I'd just tell him that you've got the greatest fans in the world, you really do," Smith said. "You are going to be supported, there will be people willing to do things for you, they're rabid. There's an element that's gotta be, you know, whatever the score is, they are worried about the score, not necessarily wins and losses. That's something you have to overcome; it's a challenge on a regular basis.

"We just built a $35 million practice facility; it's unbelievable. Rupp Arena is sold out and you don't have to sell tickets to games -- they've been sold out for 20 to 30 years, maybe longer than that. Financially, you're going to be set for life. The SEC is the toughest conference, you're going to be on TV. There's no real drawbacks, except you're on the stage all the time."

Link. (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2810986)

[Scratch]

Another class act from a class man.

[colonelcatfan]

Wow. The guy really is a class act, hope hedoes well up there.

[XUKX]

Tubby will always be a Wildcat. I personally can't wait for the day he gets his name in rafters.

[Radiated]

Great article. Gives a lot of insight into how things went down, and how he felt.

[TransientAlum]

Is it possible to set up a virtual Dick Vitale choking on that article???? :ggrin:

[reggis]

XUKX wrote: Tubby will always be a Wildcat. I personally can't wait for the day he gets his name in rafters.




I totally agree.

[bluegrassking]

I have to give Tubby kudos for his dignified handeling of the situation and being honest about our program.

Good luck Tubby, except should we cross paths.

[UKhoov]

bluegrassking wrote: I have to give Tubby kudos for his dignified handeling of the situation and being honest about our program.

Good luck Tubby, except should we cross paths.


He is a class act all the way. Thanks Tubby!:thumbup

It will be nice to see the reception he gets if the Gophers ever come to Rupp. Interesting at least.

[emily8]

I wonder if his statement will be mentioned again, or will the press continue to bash Wildcat fans???

Yes, I agree! Tubby does have class.

[Stucat]

Tubby was and always will be a class act. He is a fine man who tells the truth that the media doesn't want to see. I wish him nothing but the best at Minnesota. I would bet that should he come back to Rupp Arena unlike Pitino he will get a standing ovation. Tubby thank you for being the class act that you are.:thumbup

[BigBlue75]

XUKX wrote: Tubby will always be a Wildcat. I personally can't wait for the day he gets his name in rafters.
Ditto. :thumbup

[Rockober]

Tubby is a class act. Always has and always will.

[Littlemeyer]

Very, very classy. And honest.

[kyrgaines]

Nice to see that the fans didn't run him out of Kentucky like the Biased Media portrayed. For someone to want to come back here and stay says that he and his family felt comfortable. I'm sure this article won't be mentioned by those media types who have an have had an agenda with UK, some for many years.

[UKcat]

Great article; and I believe him. There, I said it!!!

See, we're not as bad as they think we are;)

I wish him and his family well. I never met Tubby personally; I have been close enough to speak to him and shake his hand; I've never met Donna but have heard many wonderful things about her. Sure wish I had known about the phat pie shop; I love homemade pie and ice cream:ggrin:

[poodoo]

XUKX wrote: Tubby will always be a Wildcat. I personally can't wait for the day he gets his name in rafters.


Well-said, XUKX. Too, I feel exactly the same. Like others, I have no doubt that Tubby would indeed receive a loud standing ovation if he were to return to Rupp Arena.

Tubby is pure CLASS, pure and simple.Too, though, as UK fans, let's don't fail to admit that there is a small minority of UK fans who have less class than Tubby himself has in his little finger. Oh, no, I don't mean anyone here. I do mean that from things I have personally heard myself,Tubbywasdisrespected and wrongly treated by that small segment. When Iread Tubby's classy, gracious comments, I simply must share that feeling about what our former coach unjustly endured.

By the way, reading the article, I also noticed thatTubby said the following: "To be honest with you, we love this place. We'll probably come back here to stay."I just wantedWCN members who didn't open the link to be aware of those comments that Tubby almost made.

Thanks for the link, Will.

[Caveman Catfan]

Thank you Tubby.

[bleedbluelady]

poodoo wrote:

By the way, reading the article, I also noticed thatTubby said the following: "To be honest with you, we love this place. We'll probably come back here to stay."

Thanks for the link, Will.


For me, that was the most interesting statement in the article. It's pretty hard to believe he would just come out and say that if he didn't mean it.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Scratch wrote: Another class act from a class man.

I like him even more now than I did when he was here.

...and you can quote me on that one.

[Dwight Schrute]

I think we'll miss Tubby a lot. More than we think, I'd imagine.

[poodoo]

I'm catching up on reading some old posts, and I'm sending this thread back to the top JUST IN CASE any of the WCN members have not seen the gracious, classy comments Tubby Smith made about us fans.

[browneyesblue]

With all things being said and done, Tubby's record speaks for itself. He has been a great coach for UK and will be a great coach for the Gophers. His banner should hang from the rafters.

Thank you, Tubby.

[KYCATONE]

I bet it won't be the same reception Pitino got!!!!:shrug:

[Craig the Blueheart]

KYCATONE wrote: I bet it won't be the same reception Pitino got!!!!:shrug:
Do you mean when his jersey was hung?

[TheBigCat]

I have been really on the fence about a coaching change all season. It really did'nt sink in untilI saw Tubby actually taking the Minnesota job on ESPNNews. I then thought "Did we just let the best man for the job waltz out of here?"I am excited about the prospects of a change but saddened at the loss of such a fine human being.:wildcatface