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Joker Phillips to speak at UK Convention

It will be the first time a Wildcats head coach in any sport has addressed the annual event.

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By Rick McCrabb, Staff Writer 12:40 PM Thursday, July 8, 2010

FRANKLIN — Twenty years ago, a group of eight sports enthusiasts starving for University of Kentucky information gathered around a picnic table in Columbus.

From those humble beginnings, the group has grown to nearly 150, and this year, for the first time, will hear from a head coach at UK during the 21st annual UK Convention.

When asked if he thought the convention would be alive 20 years later, Jim Porter, who calls himself “Ohio’s No. 1 UK Fan,” answered: “No way.”

The morning keynote speaker will be Joe “Joker” Phillips Jr., who was appointed head football coach in January after Rich Brooks’ retirement.

Phillips is only the fifth Kentucky alumnus to become head coach of the Wildcats and the first since Jerry Claiborne, who led the Cats from 1982-89.

Phillips’ appointment also has significance in that he is the Wildcats’ first black head football coach and only the second in the history of the Southeastern Conference. Porter, who introduced UK men’s basketball coach John Calipari at the 2010 Pigskin Roundball Spectacular in Middletown, called Phillips’ appearance “really big.”

The afternoon keynote speaker will be John Robic, assistant men’s basketball coach. He joined the UK staff in the summer of 2005. Robic, whose first association with Calipari came when their paths briefly crossed at Kansas in the mid-1980s, joined the Memphis staff after serving as head coach at Youngstown State.

The convention, Porter said, is “Christmas in July” for UK fans who are “hungry for news.”

Other speakers include Tom Leach, radio voice of the Wildcats; Ryan Lemond, UK radio and TV sports; and Larry Vaught, sports editor of the Danville Advocate-Messenger.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842  or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

21st annual UK Convention

When & where: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 17 at Eastview Baptist Church, Ohio 122, Franklin

Cost: $20

Info: Call Jim Porter at (937) 746-8758

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