John Wooden NAIA Hall of Fame

WOODEN TO BE INDUCTED INTO NAIA HALL OF FAME

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today that legendary coach John Wooden will be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held in conjunction with the 72nd Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship Tip Off banquet on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. The celebration will take place at 6:30 p.m. (CT) at the Conference Center Grand Ballroom located in downtown Kansas City. In Wooden’s absence the NAIA will show a special tribute video taken during Jim Carr’s, NAIA President, visit to Wooden’s home this past week in Los Angeles.



“I am very flattered to receive this award. My association with the NAIA was really wonderful. One should get personal satisfaction and joy out of being inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame and that certainly is true about my situation,” said Wooden. “I have many friends that have been inducted and I just appreciate those who thought I was worthy to join them.”



An American icon, legendary coach, respected educator and role model, Coach Wooden will enter the NAIA Hall of Fame in the meritorious service category. Wooden’s impact on collegiate athletics began in Terre Haute, Indiana, when he served as athletics director and head basketball and baseball coach at Indiana State University (1946-1948).



In 1947, Wooden and the Indiana State Sycamores won the conference title and received an invitation to the NAIB, now the NAIA, national tournament at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. Wooden refused the invitation citing the policy that banned African American players from competing. Wooden declined to compete if a member of his squad, Clarence Walker, was not allowed to participate. The following year, the NAIB changed its policy, and Wooden with Walker, guided the Sycamores to the national championship game losing to Louisville, 82-70. Perhaps his actions opened the door for Tennessee State and Coach John McLendon to win the first of three consecutive national championships in years to follow. Wooden’s involvement in breaking the color barrier in college athletics, and his story in doing so, signify his principles as a human being. Although his professional coaching career in the NAIA was limited to two years, his contribution and stance for justice is a cornerstone of the NAIA legacy.

“We are honored to welcome Coach Wooden into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He is a tremendous testament of character-driven intercollegiate athletics and continues to be a mentor to many. His contributions and decisions have shaped the game of basketball and opened the door for numerous young men and women,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “Coach Wooden is a legend on many fronts including player, teacher and coach. I admire his unwavering commitment to use the power of sport to teach lessons for life. It is a pleasure to recognize Coach Wooden in the meritorious service category.”


Following the 1948 season, Wooden left Indiana State to become the most decorated coach in college basketball history at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Over the course of 27 seasons Wooden led the Bruins to seven consecutive national championships, 10 total and an 88-game winning streak that still stands today. During his tenure at UCLA, his teams won 38 straight games in the NCAA tournaments. To this day, Wooden retains the title Head Men’s Basketball Coach Emeritus at UCLA.

Wooden’s awards and accolades are too numerous to count but more important are the lives he’s touched through the great game of basketball. For Wooden’s work on and off the court he is recognized in Hall of Fames throughout the country. The honors list is highlighted with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Wooden is a member of the founding class of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. ESPN has called Wooden the “greatest coach of all-time in any sport.”

Wooden has modeled his life around the principle that athletics is an integral part of the total education process. For his continued work in promoting character-driven intercollegiate athletics the NAIA is proud to induct Coach John Wooden into the NAIA Hall of Fame. Induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame is the highest bestowed by the Association and consists of a division for each sport and recognition for meritorious service.



Coach Wooden joins the following 2008-09 NAIA Hall of Fame class: Mike Cleary (Meritorious Service), Patrick Clemens (Men’s Soccer – Meritorious Service), Paul Swanson (Volleyball Coach), Fernanda Vivancos Nelson (Volleyball Player), Robert F. Shoup (Football Coach), Jerry Tolley (Football – Meritorious Service), Mike Lightfoot (Basketball Coach), Paul Bartlett (Wrestling – Meritorious Service), Ben Foster (Men’s Golf Coach), Dave Bingham (Baseball Coach), James Kenneth Sparks (Football Coach), Steve Ridder (Men’s Basketball Coach), and Sam Riggleman (Men’s Baseball Coach).



About the NAIA

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.



Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves. To learn more visit www.NAIA.org.

There's A New Bear Coach...Pikeville College's Joe Johnson

PIKEVILLE, Ky. - Pikeville College didn't have to search far for its fourth
football coach. On Monday afternoon, defensive coordinator Joe Johnson
accepted the task of leading the program.

Johnson served the 2008 season as assistant head coach and defensive
coordinator while coaching defensive backs and kickers. Despite its 2-9
record, the Bears were first in the Mid-South Conference against the pass.

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In addition to his efforts with the defensive unit, Johnson coached junior
Kyle Chilton through his first-team All-American season.

Johnson is a native of nearby Abingdon, Va., and has a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Emory and Henry College in Emory, Va. His experiences on both
the college and high school levels are vast; included in that is a two-year
stint as head coach at North Greenville College in Tigerville, S.C.

In addition, Johnson was defensive coordinator and secondary coach at
Lenoir-Rhyne College; recruiting coordinator, secondary coach and kicking
coach at Charleston Southern University; director of football operations and
recruiting coordinator at Appalachian State University; and assistant head
coach, defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Lees-McRae
College.

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It was during his stint at Lees-McRae from 1986-1991 that he worked with Mac
Bryan, who brought Johnson to Pikeville College this season. Under their
direction, the Bobcats went 44-10-1, winning three Coastal Conference
Championships and participating in five consecutive bowl games. In their
tenure, Lees-McRae stayed in the nation's top 11 in the junior college poll
for four consecutive seasons.

Johnson has coach 13 position players who were named all-conference, nine
kicking specialists who were so honored, six All-Americans and several
players who went on to careers in the National Football League.

During his stint as head coach at North Greenville, he led the Crusaders to
their first ever bowl game, the KWTO Bowl in Bolivar, Mo. In addition, he
was Director of Athletics Ministries at the school.

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Charlie Pinson  is The Voice of Pikeville College Bears and a Kentucky insurance agent. Catch Charlie on Gearheart Broadcasting WPRG-TV 5.

Kentucky Derby...The Hat's the Thing!

I cannot believe it, but the daffodils are in full bloom at the federal courthouse here in Pikeville. With all the gloom and doom in Washington, and with our own trials and tribulations sometimes we need a glimmer of spring. Today, it came via FedEX. Yep, my 2009 Kentucky Derby chapeau arrived. It's a large cartwheel style hat, a striped number featuring baby blues, twinkles on metallic gold on a field of natural straw. Whoo-hoo! Surely a sign from above that spring is not far from our door!

Baffert Among my Favorites

While the field for the Kentucky Derby is far from being "firmed up" there are some clear favorites in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool Number 1. Mike Battaglia has Pioneer of the Nile at 12-1 odds. Pioneer of the Nile has posted some impressive winnings, but all on synthetic tracks. What can he do on Churchill's turf? Pioneer of the Nile is being trained by bad boy Bob Baffert. Baffert, that silver haired jean wearing fox, is a perrienal favorite with me.

Battaglia also has Old Fashioned at 10-1 and Friesen Fire at 12-1; both of which are being trained by Larry Jones. I like Larry Jones too; and he seems to be very excited about Old Fashioned. After his elation last year at The Oaks, and the huge trama of losing Eight Belles at last year's Derby my heart is with Jones too.

But as I said in the opening, it's all about the hat. The horses and the players may change, but come Derby Day I am ready. I have "The Hat." Now all I need is "The Dress", "The Shoes" and "The Bag."

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Joyce Pinson is a  Kentucky health insurance agent,  with a passion for horse racing. Joyce also enjoys Pikeville College Basketball and Football, and is a huge fan of University of Kentucky athletics. She begrudging follows U of L Cardinal basketball as well, as she always has like Pitino.

UK Basketball Going North? Well at least to Northern Ky..

Hello, from my new throne...the big blue wheelchair. Yep, I was hanging a big screen TV in our new home and fell from a ladder. Leg is fractured; and let me tell you it hurts my pride more than my body!

The Louisville Courier Journal is reporting that Covington Holmes Bulldogs Ricarado Johnson and Elijah Pittman are being courted by Coach Billy G and the UK Basketball Wildcats. Bulldogs Coach David Henley must be excited about that!

The dynamic duo recently attended the Big Blue match-up against Vandy. If you don't know, Covington Holmes is the alma mater of UK Wildcat Dickie Beale. If Johnson and Pittman show the heart in playing that Beale did, well I hope Billy G will suit them up!

Pikeville College on a Roll...Go Bears!

Ask anyone and they'll be sure to tell you I am a Pikeville College Football nut. But they don't always mention, I am also a Pikeville College Basketball nut. After missing a few games due to my injury, it was a real treat to be back on the hardwoods at Pikeville's Gym. Congrats to both the men's and women's teams on their hard-fought victories this weekend.

Thanks also to SID Rick Bentley for the warm welcome back....and to Nathan Varney and The Pikeville Bears band for the accolades. You guys are the best!

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Charlie Pinson Insurance KY

Charlie Pinson is a Kentucky independent insurance agent and "The Voice of Pikeville College Bears." Get  Kentucky Auto Insurance Quotes from Charlie and his staff.

Kentucky Derby Updates

Saratoga Sinner is Out

Saratoga Sinner is out of contention for the Kentucky Derby. The Holy Bull winner has a chip in his leg, after finishing the aforementioned race. Saratoga Sinner is under the direction of Louisville trainer, Eddie Kenneally. The son of Harlan's Holiday is expected to recover; after surgery here in the Bluegrass.

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Speaking of Harlan's Holiday, another son Danger to Society, is now training under Rick Dutrow. As you may remember, Dutrow was Big Brown's trainer. Frankly, I am not a fan of Dutrow...and I think Big Brown could have done better under a different trainer. But what do I know? It's been awhile since I mucked any stalls.

Dutrow has several other horses under his tutelage, including Patena. Patena is slated for the Louisiana Derby in March. The horse may make a showing at Keeneland for the Bluegrass Stakes.

In other racing news, Churchill Downs has renamed one of the Derby Day stake races the Eight Belles, in honor of the fallen racing lady. As part of our family Derby celebrations this year, we too plan to honor Eight Belles. We will be ringing my Grandma's old dinner bell eight times just before the Derby. The last time that bell was rung in memory of someone was when JFK was laid to rest.

As a Kentucky health insurance agent  I would be remiss if I did not mention that  Humana Health Insurance  will be sponsoring the Humana Distaff race on Derby Day.

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Joyce Pinson is a Kentucky horse racing enthusiast, and a Kentucky Health Insurance Agent. Joyce is the Marketing Director for  Charlie Pinson Insurance KY.  She is currently caring for Charlie Pinson who broke his leg. The veterinarian says Charlie will be find and there is no need to put him down.

East Kentucky Miners end season early

Citing the sagging economy and weak ticket sales, the CBA league will be ending the season early. Pikeville's East Kentucky Miners is of course part of that league.

The future of the league seems uncertain, but the Miners may return next season. We sure hope so! Charlie and I love the games, and we had season's tickets this year. With our recent home move, and now with Charlie's leg broken we haven't gotten out like we should, but we did support the Miners with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce packaged tickets.

Joyce Pinson, is a Kentucky health insurance agent, and wife of Charlie Pinson.

Pikeville College Football Coach Resigns

Say it Ain't So...

A few minutes ago, we recieved word that Pikeville College Coach Mac Bryan has resigned as Head Coach of our beloved Football Bears. Citing his father's health issues, Mac will be moving to be nearer his parents.

Charlie, Mark, and I were saddened by the news. Mac and his wife, Vickie, are not only part of "the football crowd" they are dear friends. Mac and Charlie have spent many hours together, on and off the turfed gridiron. Charlie hosts "The Bear Facts" TV Show for Mac, and of course we see the Bryan's socially.

It is not easy when a parent or loved one is ill, and we surely understand that Mac needs to be with his family. We wish him and Vicky only the best. It is our sincere hope the Pikeville College Head Coach position will be filled quickly and we can continue a football tradition at Pikeville College.

Farewell Mac and Vicky!

Charlie Pinson broke his leg nine days ago, and regrets his abscence from this blog. He is recouperating very well under the strict rules of his wife, Warden Joyce Pinson. Get Kentucky Insurance Quotes and Information online at Charlie Pinson Insurance KY www.pinsoninsurance.com.