Jon Hood UK Wildcats Basketball Recruiting

Billy Gillispie on the recruiting trail again, as he picks up the 6'7" Madisonville, KY Junior Jon Hood. A great player for the Maroons, Hood came into his own last summer with his AAU Team. Hood is the second player from the Class of 2009 to sign with Coach Gillespie. (The second player being G.J. Viterano a guard from McKinley, Texas.)

Madisonville, is the hometown of UK Wildcat "great" Travis Ford. Ford, had a tremendous career at Kentucky, and is of course a Division 1 coach. We all know what an asset Ford was to the UK team; and we expect great things from Hood.

Hood averaged 23.8 points per game; 8.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists for the Madisonville North Hopkins High School  last season. He broke his wrist attempting a dunk in the district tournament. The injury prevented him from playing in the regional. However, from all reports Hood has made a full recovery.

Hood turns seventeen this weekend. This Friday, instead of playing in a tournament, Jon will be taking his date to prom. Sounds like he has his head on straight;Kentucky sports are not the only thing in life that matters!

Coach Gillispie, one of the best recruiters in the nation, already has seventeen players signed up, during his first year here at Kentucky. Hopefully Billy G will get us back on the path. Go Big Blue!

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Charlie Pinson  is a University of Kentucky alumni. As "The Voice of the Pikeville College Bears," Pinson was in the press box for Billy G's first game in Lexington KY's Rupp Arena. Pinson is a Kentucky insurance agent and Kentucky sportscaster. Click for Kentucky Auto Insurance Quotes

Green Bay gets Murray State's Rod Harper

It's a good day at Murray State. Rod Harper went as a free agent to Green Bay Packers. We hate to see him go. But on the other hand, Pikeville KY media darling Kayla Lowe, is packing her bags bound for Murray State's women's basketball team.

Harper joins Louisville Cards Bohm and Giacomini in Rookie Class

Harper, who mistakenly was listed as a junior on the Murray State Racer Roster slipped by the national recruiters. However, the receiver is Wisconsin bound.

The Kentucky sports connections continue at Green Bay with University of Louisville seniors, Brohm and Giacomini in the rookie class. Louisville alumi, Jason Spitz, is already on the Green Bay team.

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Joyce Pinson, Kentucky Insurance agent, often accompanies her husband Charlie to Kentucky sports events. Charlie and Joyce visited Lambeau Field home of the Green Bay Packers last year during a Humana Health Insurance training meeting. Get Kentucky health insurance quotes

Brian Bohm University of Louisville KY Quarterback heads to Lambeau Field

Louisville Cardinal boys make good with Green Bay Packers

With over 10,000 yards to his credit during his career as a University of Louisville Cardinal, it's no surprise Brian Brohm was a second round draft pick for the mighty Green Bay Packers. What makes the story interesting, is fellow Cardinal Breno Giacomini went to the Packers in the fifth round. The icing on the cake for Kentucky sports fans, is that Brohm and Giacomini are joining Louisville alumni, Jason Spitz at Green Bay. How cool is that?

See Full Story at www.packers.com

Now boys, a word of advice. Folks in Wisconsin are more than "fan-actics"; they are just plain crazy. Charlie and I visited Lambeau Field last spring as part of our Humana Health Insurance training. Upon touring the stadium, we learned the Packer fans voted to keep the hard metal stadium seating rather than replace it with more comfortable accommodations. They would rather freeze their tushies on icy cold metal seats than give up the history and atmosphere that makes Lambeau Field one of football's most sacred sites. Go figure.

I don't know what Vince Lombardi would say about that, but I wish the Louisville alums well. However, if you are thinking "Packers" the best advise I can offer is PACK your long johns. You are going to need them!

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Author Joyce Pinson, Kentucky Health Insurance Agent,  was duly impressed with Lambeau Field. The imposing statue of Vince Lombardi was truly inspirational. However, she thinks Wisconsin cheese heads who wallow in mounds of snow to see a football game "just ain't right." Get Kentucky Health Insurance Quotes

UK Wildcats NFL Football :The Lucky Seven

Who is going Where?
Farewell to Senior Wildcats!

• Eric Scott and Raphael Little going to the Tennesse Titans.


• Linebacker, Wesley Woodyard, signed with Denver Broncos.


• Andre Woodson heading for the Big Apple with the New York Giants.


• Jacob Tamme, kicking up his heels with the Indianapolis Colts.


• Kennan Burton to the St. Louis Rams.


• Stevie Johnson hoofing it to the Buffalo Bills.

What a great class coming out of the 2007 record breaking season for Big Blue football! Kentucky scored the most points in UK history. It was an exciting season for Kentucky sports fans, the University of Kentucky Wildcat team, and UK coaching staff!

So what about the future?

It will be a tough recruiting job for Coach Rich Brooks, having lost seven outstanding players. The NFL players leave gaps at starting quarterback, two wide receivers,and starting tailback.

How it will play out depends as much on the returning players, as the newly recruited ones. See you in Lexington KY for 2008 Kentucky Wildcat Football media day!

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Author Charlie Pinson is "The Voice of Pikeville College Bears" on WPRG-TV 5 Intermountain Cable and Gearheart Communications. He loves sitting in the press box at Commonwealth Stadium filming game highlights. His real job is being a Kentucky independent insurance agent.

Kentucky Derby..Sad End to Eight Belles

I had hoped today would be a day when Charlie and I would exchange banter about my Derby picks. After all, I am the horse racing enthusiast and my pick "Monba" finished last. On the other hand, Charlie picked "Big Brown" going with the crowd favorite. On any normal post derby day, we would be laughing...and he would be giving me a really hard time. But not this year.

Louisville has embodied Dickens famous quote "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" during this years Derby Festival and Kentucky Derby. In a cruel twist of fate, the Delta Queen won the golden antlers in the Great Steamboat Race but may be unfairly retired if Congress has it's way. Larry Jones saw victory at The Oaks, then must have felt sheer agony when second place Derby Star, Eight Belles had to be put down. Both ladies won their battles, but seem to have lost the war.

To Larry Jones et al, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of a filly who captured our imagination and fancy. To the supporters to keep the Delta Queen afloat, continue to fight for exemptions. Like Yogi Berra opined, "It ain't over, til it's over."

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Joyce Pinson is a Kentucky health insurance agent. She wishes Big Brown well at the Preakness.

Churchill Charlie Pinson Playing the Field Kentucky Derby 2008

Reviewing the Field

It's been a "tough turf" for me this week, trying to pick a winning Derby trifecta. Do I go with my heart, or do I go with analyzing the record? Do I just say "Oh hey, that jockey wears pretty silks" or do I take my old Animal Sciences professor's opinion..."Horse conformation is everything." This year is just tough!"

I like Nick Zito and Anak Nakal. Jockey Rafael Berjarno made his reputation at Cincinnati's River Downs. Anak Nakal, is owned by Four Roses, and "Roses" are always lucky at Derby. Right?

Nick also has Cool Coal Man, and living here in the Kentucky Coalfields I have to take that into account. Breeder Will Farrish, who also has Court Vision in the lineup, is the guy that hosts the Queen of England when she comes in for the races. He ought to know a little something about horses. Right?

Then there's Todd Pletcher and Monba. Lots of good pedigree there, including Breeder Alice Headly Chandler whose daddy founded Keeneland. Monda was the first to cross the finish at Keeneland's Toyota Bluegrass Stakes.

Fellow Northern Kentucky native, Mike Battaglia, has Big Brown at the 3-1 favorite this morning. Charlie, who has never sports casted a Kentucky Horse Race, says he goes with the favorite. Big Brown placed first in the Florida Derby, and Kent Desmormeaux is a good jockey. But alas! Big Brown is in the 20th post position. If my math is right, it's been 79 years since a horse won from that position.

Colonel John and the Winstar Farms team looks pretty good. I've always liked jockey Edgar Prado, who is mounted on Adrrino.

My heart says go with the red and white silks of Eight Belles. Larry Jones from down in Hoptown looks like a good old Kentucky boy who knows his stuff. Eight Belles placed first in the Oaklawn Park Fantasy.

Enough Already! Here's my picks

As a pencil pushing, number crunching Kentucky Insurance agent, I am going with Todd Pletcher and Monba for the win. Second, is Eight Belles and Larry Jones. As much as I like Nick Zito, I am counting him out and putting Big Brown in number three.Win, Place, and Show...there you have it.

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Author Joyce Pinson is in the middle of moving, and is not focused of this year's Kentucky Derby. Her Derby picks are solely for her own amusement, and not to be taken as an expert's opinion. This year, no matter who wins, it will be enough to know the greatest Kentucky Sports tradition is alive and well.

Is Steam Boat Races A Kentucky Sport? God Save the Delta Queen!

Belle of Louisville vs Delta Queen

Is Steamboat Racing a Kentucky Sport? I think so. If you chase a little white ball around a cow pasture with holes in it....it's characterized as the grand game of golf. If you walk across a balance beam, like it was a beam in a tobacco barn, we call it gymnastics. If cars are racing at Kentucky Speedway, well they put signs up saying "Welcome Sports Fans." Okay then, steamboatin' is a sport!

Charlie, as a Kentucky sportscaster, tries very hard to take the high road when it comes to being on the air and being a fan. The exception of course being our local college. You cannot be "The Voice of Pikeville College Bears" and not be a fan.

Well, I'm not a sportscaster and every once in the while I am admittedly biased.Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the grand lady, Delta Queen. To watch her afloat on the Ohio River, is to see a graceful swan sail by with the finesse of a dancer. Her historic architecture and design are breathtaking. And OH! The calliope echoing off the little hills along the river. How uplifting and joyous! I am passionate about the Delta Queen, and have blogged about it on our Kentucky Insurance blog.

Who is the winner?

And so, as the Louisville Belle, the Cincinnati Belle, and the Delta Queen got into position crowds at the wharf, at Louisville Waterworks, and along the race route awaited the historic race. The Belle, having a 22-19 record over the Queen was favored. However, with the life of the Delta Queen in question, surely she was the sentimental favorite.

We in eastern Kentucky, surely appreciate the importance of shipping coal. However, yesterday, a coal barge got in the way and the Louisville Belle made the turn early, presumably for safety reasons. Nevertheless, the Delta Queen prevailed. I know as she sailed back to Cincinnati, with the Golden Antlers proudly displayed...that the folks that cherish her were sadly happy.

This year's race was particularly poignant, as it may be the Delta Queen's last. Congress, in it's infinite wisdom, has failed to give the historic vessel an exemption to continue. The government fears the wooden ship will catch fire and put the passengers and crew in peril. Now I won't tell you what I think about all that, but if you live on a Lexington horse farm...you might have some of it on your shoes!

Check out these stories

• Lexington KY Herald Leader


• Louisville KY Courier Journal


• Editorial Maysville KY Ledger Independent

Kentucky Sports Tradition

Preserve the Kentucky Sports tradition of Steam Boat Racing, a significant event leading up to the Kentucky Derby. I urge you to contact your congressman, representatives and governors get a reprieve for the Delta Queen.

Check out Save the Delta Queen Grassroots Movement

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Joyce Pinson, a Kentucky Insurance agent, makes no apologies for loving the Delta Queen more than the Louisville Belle. But make no mistake, the dueling national historic landmarks are close to her heart. May the two ladies live to race another day!