Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
Before we get into the weekend and begin our summer in full, it is worth noting an under-reported story from this morning. UK and the city of Lexington announced that a UK employee will head up the Rupp Arena Project. In an announcement today, Mayor Jim Gray said that Frank Butler, the UK VP for Finance and Administration, would take at least a six month leave of absence from the school in order to head up the project. His salary will still be paid by the University and he will remain a University employee, however his duties will be to oversee the new Rupp Arena District project for the city.
I find the announcement VERY interesting for two reasons. First, a University employee in charge of the project suggests that the University’s needs will be at the forefront of all discussions on Rupp Arena’s future and can only be seen as a good thing. But second, if you will remember out interview with Mitch Barnhart a few weeks ago, the city and UK have not been on the same page as to the future of Rupp and the renovation vs rebuild argument. Does this mean that the two sides have come on the same page on Rupp’s future since that interview? Does this mean that the project as it now stands (with renovation and not a new Rupp Arena as the goal) now has UK’s implicit support? And if the latter is true, is there a difference in opinion between UK administrators (such as President Capilouto) and the UK Athletics Department (ie Mitch and Calipari). With the project now being headed by a UK employee, whatever is done will have UK’s implicit stamp of approval. That is great for Mayor Gray and the city of Lexington…but it will be interesting to see what that stamp of approval will create and whether the Athletic leaders ultimately agree with it.
[powered by WordPress.]
Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
9 queries. 0.452 seconds
June 1st, 2012 at 7:03 pm
This is a smart move for UK; at least we will have representation on the panel, someone to hear directly what is being said & who is saying it, and to make sure we don’t get screwed. Don’t be surprised if UK didn’t demand this happen.
June 1st, 2012 at 7:08 pm
first
June 1st, 2012 at 7:09 pm
Anyone know the score of the Bat Cats game? Last I heard it was Kent St. 4, UK 3 in the 6th inning.
June 1st, 2012 at 7:20 pm
scrolled across tv- tied 5-5 top of 10th
June 1st, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Baseball game is tied 5-5 in 10th inning.
June 1st, 2012 at 7:21 pm
http://www.cstv.com/gametracker/launch/gt_mbasebl.html?event=1117182
June 1st, 2012 at 7:44 pm
Just don’t let this be the start of “Joe Don Blankenship Craft Arena”
June 1st, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Well I’m hoping for the best but Frank Butler is quite the goober.
June 1st, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I’m available to help out if anyone needs me.
I have a reference, Mr. Tom Jurich.
June 1st, 2012 at 9:55 pm
Matt: Great show this morning. I think your skepticism of Capilouto is warranted. I don’t think he really understands or even cares much about the importance of the athletic programs to the university. My gut feeling is that he and the athletic officials (Barnhart & Cal) are not on the same page concerning the basketball arena project. Personally, I resent seeing someone come here from another state to serve as the president our university and making such important decisions concerning the basketball program.
June 1st, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Capilouto looks like a skeleton. What a Tool Bag. Can we please bring find someone else.
June 2nd, 2012 at 6:19 pm
Bring Lee Todd back!