Kentucky Sports Radio

Yesterday we sent two of our KSRCollege.com writers to the UK Football Women’s Clinic to see what the UK footballers were teaching our women folk. We already heard from Ashley Scoby, so here is Hayley Minogue’s report:

Yesterday, I was given an absolutely fantastic privilege by one Matt Jones to attend the University of Kentucky’s Women’s Football Clinic.  When I was first presented with this opportunity, I was quite hesitant and honestly was not sure what to expect.  I know my football (sort of), but had no idea what was in store for me from the hours to 8 AM til’ 3PM at Commonwealth Stadium.  Would they have us run drills?  Who would be there?  How many people would be there?  Are their people who are still faithful in our football team?  I found the answers to all these questions, and was pleasantly surprised in the ways that I found them.

When I first arrived at Commonwealth Stadium, I was greeted by the Media Relations Representative, Tony Neely.  We chatted for a few minutes then he grabbed Joker Phillips and we were all three talking.  At this point, I parked my car 6 minutes ago.  And now I am talking face to face with the Football Head Coach… I’m liking this camp already.

I received a swag bag with a few UK items, including a t-shirt and scarf, as well as a Football Yearbook for this coming season.

After this, I found fellow KSR writer Ashley Scoby, who lead me to her table, that was almost filled.  Suddenly, something somewhat shocking hit me.  Ashley and I were among the youngest ladies at the clinic, and when I say among, I mean we were.

Everywhere I looked I only saw middle to upper aged women.  Right off the bat, this was a comforting sight.  How amazing to see over 100 women between ages 30-70 coming out in the heat of the summer to support our Kentucky Wildcats by learning more about this sport that we love so much.  Groups of women were allowed to tour the suites in the stadium, which I obviously jumped on, and I had no idea that they were going to be as nice as they were.  Not only is there a fantastic view that really allows for a more comfortable game setting, but there is also a bar, because once you’re in a suite, it’s considered a “private party.”  Nice.

Promptly at 9:30, Coach Phillips was introduced, and from about one minute into his opening piece, I realized something that WILL change the next 6 months of my life, and maybe even further into the future; Joker Phillips has not lost one single ounce of faith in this team.  While it is easy for us fans to get discouraged with the performance that the team has put on this past year, Coach Phillips is only looking forward with this team.  The way in which he spoke about his players, how hard they wanted to work for us as fans, and for the BBN as a whole, really got me thinking…  This Women’s Clinic that the Coaches, Staff, and Players are putting on is not just for us ladies who want to impress our boyfriends/husbands/fathers/random guys, but it is for the BBN as a whole.

The different things that I got to witness today, wether it was watching 60 year old women catch punts and kick offs on the field, listening to stories of past football teams from ladies at our table, or listening to the defensive coaches talk about our 4-3 defense and how to read the play based on how many players are playing deep, all lead to one conclusion.  The future of the University of Kentucky Football Team’s 2012 season rests not just on the shoulders of the Coaches and Players, but also on the shoulders fans that support them.  How could we expect a team to win games when we trash talk them all the time?  ”We’re going to get stomped by UL” or “Our team has about as good a chance as the Washington Generals this season” are both comments that I have heard, and as of here on out, I’M DONE WITH THOSE COMMENTS.  

This clinic taught me something that stretches so much further than defensive plays and field goal kicking.  If you do not trust in the BBN, then the BBN will not treat you well.  Consider this my formal pledge to avoid and extinguish all bad mouthing of the Football team for any reason for the rest of my days.  If you don’t will a team to win, they won’t.  Nothing like watching a woman who could be my grandmother hug Joker or Andre Woodson to remind you how blue your blood really runs.

So here’s to a magnificent Football Season. Those hard working, dedicated, and persevering athletes over at Nutter Field House deserve nothing less.  @KSR_allHAYL

P.S.- If you somehow missed my mass amounts of tweets, check out more of these awesome pictures I took at the Clinic!  GO CATS!