Summer basketball

[gstan]

I live in the Knoxville and they have a summer league called the Rocky Top league. It consists of current and former UT players, UT BB signees, high school players etc. They play in a non air conditioned HS gym and they pack the place. It keeps excitement about the UT program and gives fans a chance to see their recruits, some favorite former players and current players progression as well. While I hate UT and everything about them, I do like the idea of having this summer league. To the best of my knowledge, there is nothing like this in Lexington. I wonder why?

[UKhoov]

What else do former UT players have to do?

Most of our guys are either NBA bound, or become fairly successful some other way. A majority of our players seem to make something of themselves after leaving UK. Here is a list of everyone I can think of.

NBA
Anderson
Mohammed
Prince
Bogans
Rondo
Magloire
Hayes
Azibuike

Overseas Leagues
Fitch
Hawkins
Daniels
Estill
Barbor
Camara
Delk
Evans

TV/Radio
Mashburn
Walker
Padgett

Coaching
Pelfrey
Ford
Smith
McCarty

Business/Misc.
Farmer
Sheppard

[Matt Dillon]

Good post and interesting question gstan. Even though UK does send a substantial number of former players to the pros, and other businesses, I would think, given the broad pool of players you mentioned to choose from, there would be enough players in Lexington to stock such a league. Just because Knoxville has such a league and Lexington doesn't (at least not to my knowledge), is no reason to get all bent out of shape.

[Ukosumu]

What else do former UT players have to do?

Most of our guys are either NBA bound, or become fairly successful some other way. A majority of our players seem to make something of themselves after leaving UK. Here is a list of everyone I can think of.

NBA
Anderson
Mohammed
Prince
Bogans
Rondo
Magloire
Hayes
Azibuike

Overseas Leagues
Fitch
Hawkins
Daniels
Estill
Barbor
Camara
Delk
Evans

TV/Radio
Mashburn
Walker
Padgett

Coaching
Pelfrey
Ford
Smith
McCarty

Business/Misc.
Farmer
Sheppard

Sean Wood is coaching as well. Last year he was a assistant at TCU and is currently being considered for the Missisippi Valley State head coaching job.

[UKhoov]

Good post and interesting question gstan. Even though UK does send a substantial number of former players to the pros, and other businesses, I would think, given the broad pool of players you mentioned to choose from, there would be enough players in Lexington to stock such a league. Just because Knoxville has such a league and Lexington doesn't (at least not to my knowledge), is no reason to get all bent out of shape.
I wasnt getting bent out of shape. I just like to take a jab at the Vols anytime I can.

I think it would be cool if we did have such league. I honestly like to see more of our former players involved with the team somehow.

[Will Lavender]

They used to have leagues at the KBA. This wasn't long ago -- a couple of years, maybe?

I think it's a good idea if somebody could organize it (without breaking any rules). There are a lot of people who would pay good money to watch these guys during the summer. Heck, you've got literally thousands of people waiting on YouTube videos featuring players we've never heard of. I'd say people would be up for watching a little pick-up action between current and former Cats.

Some industrious soul needs to get that together. :thumbup:

[blue cincy]

The Dirt Bowl is what used to happen in Lexington. I remember watching Sam Bowie, Dirk Minnifield, Dinner Bell Mel all on one team playing Kyle Macy's team. I guess the Dirt Bowl does not happen anymore?? I even have a Dirt Bowl Champs shirt (Grey with Black) lettering. I was a team mascot.

[UKhoov]

The Dirt Bowl is what used to happen in Lexington. I remember watching Sam Bowie, Dirk Minnifield, Dinner Bell Mel all on one team playing Kyle Macy's team. I guess the Dirt Bowl does not happen anymore?? I even have a Dirt Bowl Champs shirt (Grey with Black) lettering. I was a team mascot.
I used to love watching those "Dirt Bowl" games the last one I went to was in like 98 or 99...and actually saw Sean Woods play. Havent heard if they still do it or not, but there were alot of teams that had no Uk players, just buddies who got together and wanted to ball.

[WildcatDan]

They used to have leagues at the KBA. This wasn't long ago -- a couple of years, maybe?

I think it's a good idea if somebody could organize it (without breaking any rules). There are a lot of people who would pay good money to watch these guys during the summer. Heck, you've got literally thousands of people waiting on YouTube videos featuring players we've never heard of. I'd say people would be up for watching a little pick-up action between current and former Cats.

Some industrious soul needs to get that together. :thumbup:

Yeah... it was only 2 or 3 years ago... I am not sure why they quit but there were current members of the UK squad on the teams... Some good info came out of those games.

[jdeasy]

Yeah... it was only 2 or 3 years ago... I am not sure why they quit but there were current members of the UK squad on the teams... Some good info came out of those games.



It was run by a crook and con artist there for the last 2 or 3 years. He ended up doing jail time for cheating students onspring break trips.

You would think some honorable business folks would want to take it and run with it. I helped sponsor a team and the weasel stole our money.

[sardiscat]

"Yeah... it was only 2 or 3 years ago... I am not sure why they quit but there were current members of the UK squad on the teams..."

The UK players tended to be unreliable about showing up for their games, though. That's assuming they were on the teams they were reported to be on in the first place. The guy running it may have just been saying certain UK players were on certain teams. Except sometimes the UK players did show up.

[sardiscat]

"The Dirt Bowl is what used to happen in Lexington."

The Dirt Bowl? In Lexington? I remember the original Dirt Bowl in Louisville that started in 1970 or thereabouts and played in Shawnee Park. It had 4 Divisions. In the top division pros (including Artis Gilmore and other Kentucky Colonels), top college players (Ulysses Bridgeman and most other players on UL), and playground legends (Mike Redd from Seneca). Redd would generally score in the 50s no matter who was on the opposing team. After a couple years, the NCAA ruled that players with college eligibility left could not play against pros. So the college guys stopped participating, then the pros lost interest because the competition wasn't as good. I don't know whether it is still played or not.

[UKATFAN]

Were they called Dust Bowls or Dirt Bowls? I'm originally from Owensboro where I thought they were Dust Bowls back whenever.

[jdeasy]

Were they called Dust Bowls or Dirt Bowls? I'm originally from Owensboro where I thought they were Dust Bowls back whenever.


They still have the dust bowl in Owensboro. I've played in that one many times.

[sardiscat]

In Louisville, it was the Dirt Bowl. I still have one of the tee shirts they gave to the players.