WCN Midnight Madness Camp Reports Coming from Memorial Coliseum

[PsychoCat]

WildcatRick asked I start a thread for reports coming throughout the week from the WCN Midnight Madness camp.

September 29, 2009
The excitement has begun! Several of the WCN crew were hanging around the basketball courts this evening by the Joe Craft Center when a group of players came out of the lodge. WildcatRick had his picture taken with
Miller
Orton
Patterson
Dodson
Harrellson
Stevenson

Pictures will be posted tomorrow :icon_biggrin:

[matt colvin]

I shall be there in the (early) morning to help build our fort :icon_mrgreen: :thumbup::thumbup:

[jrob1009]

How awesome is this? I'm currently sitting in line at the ticket window with wildcatrick. And yes he is once again número UNO in line for the 8th yes you heard me correctly 8 yrs running. I've learned since meeting Rick what it means to be a true wildcat fan. This is awesome.

[lextownboi]

You guys try and stay warm! Ima try my luck online

[Soldier1969]

Great for Rick! Wish I had a picture with them as well!

[jtf8751]

You guys hear about the vouchers this morning? They handed out vouchers with numbers on them so they said camping wasn't needed. The numbers are your place in line. But some people are still camping. They told everyone they would not hand out vouchers again until friday morning so pretty much the fun of camping and getting your place in line is out the window. Pretty much nobody was happy about the decision they made with the vouchers. Since they are handing out 2 tickets its hard for me to bring someone with me to get tickets for my family so what do you do. So if you weren't there this morning to get a number voucher then you can't get anything until friday morning. What a crappy way of ruining the fun of camping out for tickets. They forget the fans and public is what gets this whole midnight madness going and we pay for it.

[PJ]

They've handed out vouchers already, won't be handing out anymore until friday is the word.

[jtf8751]

Yep, as I said, this time they have numbers on them. I don't think last year they had numbers on them. The numbers are your place in line this time. Its a real crappy way of doing things. So if you want more than two tickets, better get there with somebody to get extra tickets and get there early. I said the heck with it, its ridiculous.

[matt colvin]

I made it down by around 6:45 this morning. I ended up getting my voucher, but I must say that I was disappointed with the way they ended up handling things.

Keeping things simple is the best solution here.

[PJ]

WildcatRick is being interviewed by 11 news. Pretty cool.

[PsychoCat]

WildcatRick is being interviewed by 11 news. Pretty cool.

WHAS 11 will have this interview on 6:00 news tonight

Jerry Tipton also came and did an interview which should be in tomorrow's paper.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

Have Fun WildcatRick cant wait to see the pictures... Miss ya in Tampa hopefully get to see u and hang with ya in Nashville

[crs]

so if youre present at the time of vouchers friday morning you can leave and not come back till 6am saturday and still have your spot? that seems sorta dumb...

[KENTUCKY11]

I sure love reading this stuff! I can smell the basketball in the air.

Where are all the pictures? I sure hope i get to come hangout with you all one of these years. :thumbup:

[cdamro00]

I kinda like the vouchers that way for those of us camping we don't need to worry about someone showing up Thursday or Friday and getting a better spot in line

[BigBlue75]

He was first in line (as if that were a surprise.)
Lookin' pretty slick with his hair styled.

Way to go, Rick:thumbup: !

[jtf8751]

From what I understand, you can get your voucher with a NUMBER on it and come back friday evening and you have a place in line. Thats what everybody there was telling me. Why would they put numbers on the vouchers this time? They didn't last year. If they wanted to know how many people bought tickets then count the tickets. So thats your place in line, you can camp all you want, but that voucher is for a place in line.

[crs]

i read where vouchers will be given out again friday at 9am...but the question remains...can you leave line and the voucher will save your spot till sat morning?

[JWORLD]

He's the man:thumbup::thumbup:

[Wally Londo]

Hope it stays dry for ya, Rick!

[iloveuk]

How many people are there? If I was to come down tomorrow should I still be able to get good seats?

[moody85]

Wildcat Rick was just spotted on Channel 18. He was napping.

[PJ]

Qua Huzzie and I are 15-1 at cornhole!

[PsychoCat]

By Matt Jones

Folks you better get to Memorial if you are going. Today campus police told KSR spy Jared Quillen that there were “already 500-600 people there and that they expected over 1,000 by Friday. UK had to issue “control cards” to those in line, so that those there on Wednesday could be at the front of the line come Saturday. #1 will once again be our man WildcatRick above (for the 8th consecutive year) who is one of the moderators at WildcatNation (http://wildcatnation.net/), the best message board site on the internet for reasoned UK discussion. Rick is one of the nicest guys around, has a mean tailgate (with good food) and has supported KSR from its earliest days. Good to see him in the front of the line once again.

I officially want to go camp out…I will be there Friday night and hope the scene is as good as I expect it will be. Either way the fun has begun outside Memorial…this is going to be a heck of a season.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/

[Cory Conley]

Qua Huzzie and I are 15-1 at cornhole!

i could soke you wait till friday!!

[bmw20017]

How many people are there? If I was to come down tomorrow should I still be able to get good seats?


I was wandering the same thing, I am planning on being there around noon on Thursday, does anyone know how its going there? Thanks in advance!

[capcat]

Nice :)

[Josh]

Rick, that's just mean. Eight consecutive years @ No. 1! That's Lance Armstrong-esque right there.

[Josh]

Wish I could do this but I have classes until Friday. Is there even a point in making the trip at that time?

[PJ]

About 500 - 600 now, past the doors of Joe Craft.

[iloveuk]

Where is everyone parking?

[The Old School JPS]

Very, very cool.

That photo reminds me of James Bond and his license to kill, 007.

[DenCat]

Wildcat Rick was just spotted on Channel 18. He was napping.
Is that a surprise?

[DenCat]

Here is the link to the video from WHAS 11 here in Louisville


WILDCATRICK (http://www.whas11.com/video/whas11video-index.html?nvid=403440)

[lighthouse]

Was just on Channel 11. They interviewed him in line for BBM tickets. Good interview, but an ugly dude doing it. :icon_mrgreen:

[JawadtheChinchilla]

And their camera survived? Wow...

[misterbluecat]

I'll be dropping by tomorrow for a visit. Didn't want to come today for fear of potentially spreading H1N1 to everyone, even though my fever broke yesterday.

[UedK]

Rick, I don't know of you can read this, but you are lookin like the top cat again my man. Way to represent.

[John Clay Rice Jr.]

Nice one Rick.

[ChattyKat]

Way to go WildcatRick! I saw your picture in the Lexington Herald this morning too.

[Rockober]

Maybe Rick being #1 is a good sign for UK as they go for their 8th Title.


.............if we count like North Carolina does, our 9th.

[PJ]

There's nothing better after a long, cold night on the ground, than breakfast served by the players. Coach Cal and team are awesome!!!!

[SamKat]

Jeanie and I enjoyed seeing our good friend, and good friend to all WCN'ers- WildcatRick. He is a handsome dude with that hair styling, isn't he!

Thanks Dencat!

WCN fans are the luckiest of all Kentucky fans!

[KCKUKFan]

Man, I need to find a job that allows me time off to go sit in a tent outside a ticket office for an entire week... :mad:

[UKHAS7NCAA]

Check out www.kentuckysportsradio.com You will see our very own WildcatRick with his 0001 voucher in hand. Nice picture Rick!!

[jtclarkUK]

Here are a few pics I found from the Camp!

http://www.kentucky.com/966/gallery/959347.html#http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2009/10/01/10/091001UKbkclacb057.slideshow_main.prod_affiliate.7 9.jpg

[KCKUKFan]

Here are a few pics I found from the Camp!

http://www.kentucky.com/966/gallery/959347.html#http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2009/10/01/10/091001UKbkclacb057.slideshow_main.prod_affiliate.7 9.jpg


Awesome pics!

I especially like the one where Pat just walked into that dude's tent to give him some breakfast. Talk about a wake-up call. :icon_lol:

[John Clay Rice Jr.]

I think it's cool that they gave fans McDonalds Breakfast.

[KENTUCKY11]

Awesome pics!

I especially like the one where Pat just walked into that dude's tent to give him some breakfast. Talk about a wake-up call. :icon_lol:


Awesome pics! My favorite is the last one of cousins. He looks like he loves being in Lexington!

[WILD1]

Fabulous pictures...what fun they must have had! (This sort of thing would never have happened last year.)
Also thought the one of "P2" in the tent, giving away a biscuit was pretty funny...the dude he woke looked like he'd maybe woken-up two seconds prior to the picture being snapped, too? :icon_lol:

[Will Lavender]

More pictures (http://www.ukathletics.com/photogallery/gallery_index.html?school=kty&sport=&), these courtesy of UK Athletics.

[Will Lavender]

I urge everybody to check out the 2-minute video at the bottom of this link. Absolutely spectacular.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=29995#comments

THAT is why Kentucky should never, ever be a second-tier basketball program.

[PsychoCat]

Rick just called to say UK media relations came out and told him that Chris Cross and Mike Cammron wanted to do a radio interview with him at 5:45 on WLXG - 1300 AM Lexington, KY

Listen here

http://radiotime.com/station/s_30855/WLXG_1300.aspx

[JWORLD]

There's nothing better after a long, cold night on the ground, than breakfast served by the players. Coach Cal and team are awesome!!!!


Coach Calipari serving breakfast:eek::eek::eek:


He should just go ahead and run for governor now:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[WILD1]

Coach Calipari serving breakfast:eek::eek::eek:


He should just go ahead and run for governor now:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

No. Kidding! ;)

[PsychoCat]

Coach Calipari serving breakfast:eek::eek::eek:


He should just go ahead and run for governor now:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Rick said Coach Cal and the team served their group breakfast this morning and signed things for them.

[JWORLD]

He's earning every dime of his money right now imo. I can't ever remember a coach who has done more PR work as the basketball coach while here at the University of Kentucky.He's pouring a new foundation and building this thing from the ground up with every angle possible.

[POEKLM]

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=B2&Dato=20090930&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=909300803&Ref=PH&Item=9&Maxw=400&Maxh=380
wildcatrick and pj

from courier-journl.com

[UedK]

http://cmsimg.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Avis=B2&Dato=20090930&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=909300803&Ref=PH&Item=9&Maxw=400&Maxh=380
wildcatrick and pj

from courier-journl.com

RICK!! The chair looks like it's working great. Glad you pulled it out of my car last Saturday!!! LOL

[UedK]

I urge everybody to check out the 2-minute video at the bottom of this link. Absolutely spectacular.

http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=29995#comments

THAT is why Kentucky should never, ever be a second-tier basketball program.

That is crazy good. I went to Woodstock in 94. Madness 2009 looks like as much fun!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup::widcat:

[PsychoCat]

WildcatRick may even be famous in China :eek:

Titan Media Sports just came looking for Rick to interview him, saying they had heard of him and also of WCN and wanted to specifically speak with him. They are chinese sports writers. They even took a bunch of WCN business cards.


Titan Sports has been the highest circulation among sports newspaper in China.
Titan Media has the most influential print media in China
Titan Sports has been developed as one of the most influential and credible sports media, and attracts the best and the most powerful sport news editors around China
At the end of 2008, Titan24 has been the top five in Chinese sport channels, and the best one of sport website in China
http://www.titan24.com/about/english.html

[lighthouse]

RICK!! The chair looks like it's working great. Glad you pulled it out of my car last Saturday!!! LOL

Rick and pj look like they need some nourishment. Hang on guys,I'mon my wy to COOK for you. :icon_rolleyes: :icon_lol: :icon_lol:

[TrueblueCATfan]

I caught some of the news while at the hospital...looks like so much fun out there

and WOW to Coach Cal and the players for bringing breakfast

Have fun at there WCN

[Cory Conley]

i cant wait to get down there tomorrow just to hang out...GO BIG BLUE!!!

[poodoo]

Thanks, PsychoCat, and HOW NEAT for WildcatRick!!! I LOVE it. :icon_biggrin: Too, he did so well, as usual. :thumbup: By the way, just think, we know a celebrity!!! ;)

[crs]

just got back from down there...i saw wildcatrick but i think he was sleeping with his head propped up against the ticket window...were gonna head back down at around 5am to get vouchers and such

[matt colvin]

Rick and PJ were interviewed by David Scott from CoachCal.com. I hadn't seen that posted yet, so I thought I would pass it on.

Here is the interview (http://www.coachcal.com/section/cal%27s-blog/512)

[UKSam]

I think it's cool that they gave fans McDonalds Breakfast.


Hope the NCAA doesn't find out. They may strip us of our wins if they find out the fans received food. :icon_lol:

[misterbluecat]

Rick and PJ were interviewed by David Scott from CoachCal.com. I hadn't seen that posted yet, so I thought I would pass it on.

Here is the interview (http://www.coachcal.com/section/cal%27s-blog/512)

Hate to ask, but who the hell was the Rick wannabe they showed first?

[matt colvin]

Wildcat Wally

[misterbluecat]

Yeah, I gathered that from the "Wildcat Wally" text on the video, but what's the deal? Rick have a clone or something and he never told us?

[matt colvin]

That would be a great topic of discussion next time you see Rick :thumbup: :icon_lol:

[WildcatRick]

Coach Cal and the team will be back out in the morning to pass out breakfast again. Cal, Mrs Cal, his daughter and Tony Delk came out tonight with hot chocolate.

I have lot of pictures to share soon. Its been the best time I have ever had camping out for BBM tickets(or tied with the time Dave Kaelin joined me). Have autographs from all the players and Coach Cal, as well as hours of playing cornhole with the football Cats.

Taking a break to shower and wanted to post real quick before heading back. The interview with the sportswriter from China was the best of all. He had outstanding questions and was very eager to learn about UK basketball and our tradition. Chris Cross was a fun interview as well.

Signed my first autograph in 28 years today.:icon_rolleyes::icon_redface:

Had a lot of folks stop by the tent to chat and hope to see many more tomorrow.

Pictures coming soon!!!!

[misterbluecat]

That would be a great topic of discussion next time you see Rick :thumbup: :icon_lol:

LOL. I caught some of the discussion about it when Rick was on the phone tonight, although now that I have seen that, I put 2 and 2 together. Still, I'll ask him about it tomorrow evening. :icon_lol:

[WildcatRick]

The nap they showed me taking on TV was after 36 hours without sleep. Dennis, Dennis, Dennis!!!!

Me and Kevin(TailgateCat) are heading back to the FRONT of the line. What???

[capcat]

It looks and sounds like an incredible atmosphere there. Can't imagine what it must be like for the players in anticipation of this season and seeing the excitement surrounding it. Every time I see Patrick Patterson, I just respect him more and more, if that's possible. There must be a limit, but I haven't reached it. And, I think I'm as impressed with Mrs. Cal as I am her husband. I hope this is a great tenure for both of them at UK.

[freethrow]

Coach Cal and his Wife handed out Hot Chocolate last night. Man I bet that tasted good to the fans. The below from Coach's twitter.

My wife Ellen and I had a great time giving out hot chocolate tonight to the campers. She was blown away by the scene.

[RaleighCat]

...and Tony Delk came out tonight with hot chocolate.


I like this best of all. Seems we're just starting to see some our most recent championship heros make their presence felt in the program. Delk, Padgett, Sheppherd in particular. Most of our 90's champs have wound down their pro careers and have been fully embraced by Calipari & Co. Expect to see more of this.

BCG was such an idiot to actually DISCOURAGE former player involvement (allegedly). Nothing could be more important to the Kentucky program than the continued interraction with former players- both older and newer.

I salute you, Tony Delk, bearer of hot chocolate and wearer of championship rings! Mahalo!

[NC Cat]

The nap they showed me taking on TV was after 36 hours without sleep. Dennis, Dennis, Dennis!!!!
Did you remember to bring your little stuffed ducky to sleep with? :icon_mrgreen:;):icon_mrgreen:

[ukwebfan]

Where is everyone parking?Great question and how do you feed 500 people with about 20 players and staff? Seems like a logistical nightmare but the deep Cal pockets sure help. :thumbup:

[Dwight Schrute]

I walked past the line at lunch (should have said 'hi' to Rick). I saw Demarcus Cousins, Orton, Darius Miller, and Patrick Patterson all out signing autographs in front of Wildcat Lodge. Demarcus Cousins might be the biggest person I've ever seen in my life. Shagari was taller, but Cousins is a mountain of a man.

It's going to be awesome for those kids. I remember as a kid, Tony Delk was my favorite player growing up. I saw him the other day eating lunch and got excited all over again and said to my friend "THAT'S TONY DELK!" Those kids will think the same thing in 10 years when they see those players around. :thumbup:

[PJ]

I acted like a little kid when Demarcus walked past earlier. I'll never get used to seeing these huge dudes walking around like its nothing.

[PsychoCat]

Update from WCN Camp

Channel 36 weather was just there and interviewed Rick and had the whole WCN group stand behind them while they did the weather live. They mentioned this website Wildcatnation a couple of times on the air!

Rick and the gang were in the Joe Craft office area and got to see Coah Cal, Tony Delk and Scott Padgett :thumbup:

[Dawood Khan]

That would be a great topic of discussion next time you see Rick :thumbup: :icon_lol:


I've had that conversation. lol

[matt colvin]

I've had that conversation. lol


I'd say so, lol. We mentioned you last night :thumbup: Hope all is well and that you're ready to help take over Nashville this spring :icon_twisted: :beer:.

[ukwebfan]

Fabulous pictures...what fun they must have had! (This sort of thing would never have happened last year.)
Well the thing is, it happens EVERY year and though the excitement has never been greater, the anticipation of every season gives me goosebumps. That's exactly why the program will always dominate the cbb landscape.

[ukwebfan]

How 'bout a smile big guy???

[crs]

just got back from memorial...im number 225...im happy. im gonna shower and get some real food and head back down in a little bit.

[misterbluecat]

I just got back from visiting with everyone. Had a lot of fun, especially watching Matt's lady friend put away the beers. :icon_lol: On my way out some band members stormed Stoll Field around 10:45 and started playing songs.

[PJ]

Whew, a great 4 days with the WCN crew. A little cold at night, but nothing too extreme.

I got most of the players autograph, except Demarcus, Deandre and Ramon. I sort of gave up towards the end of the night Friday, didn't want to bother the players.

Hood seemed to really, really embrace it and was one of my favorite players out of the whole bunch. Demarcus is the funny man, along with Harrelson. Bledsoe was the receiving end on some picture comments that were rather funny.

Wall and Patterson were the most sought after autographs. Seemed like they couldn't move without a crowd.

Got a chance to get Tony Delks and Kenny "Sky" Walker autograph, along with my "25-5" autograph by Qua Huzzie.

Friday night was where it went down. Rick and I walked to the basketball courts and the boys were putting on a show. Wall had a pass to Bledsoe that absolutely blew me out of the water.

Couldn't gauge how good they'll be by any means, but if the way they interact and all have fun, it's going to be a good, GOOD year.

[WILD1]

Well the thing is, it happens EVERY year and though the excitement has never been greater, the anticipation of every season gives me goosebumps. That's exactly why the program will always dominate the cbb landscape.

I KNOW that it's done yearly but, having Coach, his family and the players participate to this degree is kinda new/unique...how much you wanna bet, in the not too distant future, some "offical" tries put a halt to all the tents? :mad:
Anyway, viewing these festivities has already made me WAY too excited for the season!! Go Cats!!

[abroo588]

I KNOW that it's done yearly but, having Coach, his family and the players participate to this degree is kinda new/unique...how much you wanna bet, in the not too distant future, some "offical" tries put a halt to all the tents? :mad:
Anyway, viewing these festivities has already made me WAY too excited for the season!! Go Cats!!

Well, last year there was an uproar over Billy finding a way to have BBM early for a recruiting advantage. If we ever gain an advantage, even via legitimate means, our competitors will find a problem with it.

[WildcatRick]

I KNOW that it's done yearly but, having Coach, his family and the players participate to this degree is kinda new/unique...how much you wanna bet, in the not too distant future, some "offical" tries put a halt to all the tents? :mad:
Anyway, viewing these festivities has already made me WAY too excited for the season!! Go Cats!!

That is already being discussed. They would love nothing more than to stop the camping line.

[scfcats]

That is already being discussed. They would love nothing more than to stop the camping line.

What?! Who, the NCAA? How could they think up a violation for this? The players don't even really get anything tangible from this. That is if passing out breakfast to the fans constitutes as a violation. :icon_rolleyes:

Makes me wonder if they would make Duke fans pack up their tents as well?

[WILD1]

That is already being discussed. They would love nothing more than to stop the camping line.

Are you kidding me?! And I thought I was just being facetious...are we not allowed to have any fun? As another mentioned, some school was probably unhappy that our program generates more excitement than any other...envy is an ugly thing, isn't it? :mad:

[abroo588]

That is already being discussed. They would love nothing more than to stop the camping line.

Who is wanting to stop the camping line? The school? The city of Lexington? Opposing schools whose fans don't care as much as ours do about their programs? The NCAA?

I mean, someone might think they have a legitimate reason to make the camping line stop. But depending on who it is makes a big difference on how I feel about their argument. Not saying I want the camping to stop, but rather, do I think it is stupidity or a vicious agenda bent on trying to minimize the excitement that our program generates?

[matt colvin]

I'm not Rick, but the school would like to end it. It causes them a lot of headaches and worry due to people who can't follow guidelines.

[tommyshawakaleon]

So I heard that it was a race across the street to establish your place in line wednesday morning. Surely rick didn't beat anyone in a footrace so how in the world did he talk his way into being first in line this year!? Just curious!

[tommyshawakaleon]

ha ha ha! Just messin around with ya Rick- it's Sean! You the man- can't wait to see yall down there Oct. 16. Sorry bout your Cowboys this year