Sports

WKU Hires New Assistant Basketball Coach

WKU Athletics — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:39:53 +0000

WKU head men's basketball coach Ray Harper announced Monday the hiring of 16-year collegiate coaching veteran Shawn Forrest as assistant men's basketball coach. Forrest spent the 2012-13 season at Louisiana-Lafayette, and prior to his time in Lafayette, Forrest had been an assistant coach at North Texas, Arkansas State and Troy, as well as Florida A&M.

Forrest helped the Ragin’ Cajuns to the quarterfinals of the 2013 Sun Belt Conference Tournament after coming to Louisiana-Lafayette after spending four seasons from 2008-09 to 2011-12 as an assistant coach at North Texas.

"I am really looking forward to working with Coach Harper and the rest of the staff and student-athletes here at WKU," Forrest said. "The job Coach Harper has done in the last two seasons is very impressive, and I think that WKU is one of the best basketball jobs in the country. It is not every day you get a chance to coach at a school that has been to the Final Four. I have admired this program for a while, and I could not turn down the job when Coach Harper called."

Forrest received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 1998.

Post Positions Set for 139th Running of the Kentucky Derby

Rick Howlett — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:50:31 +0000

The early favorite for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby is Orb at 7 to 2. Trained by Shug McGaughey, Orb drew post position number 16 Wednesday evening at Churchill Downs.

The second favorite is Verrazano at 4 to 1. He’ll run from post position number 14.

Verrazano is one of five Derby starters trained by Todd Pletcher.

The third choice, at 5-1, is Goldencents, trained by Doug O’Neill, who won last year with I’ll Have Another.

O’Neill says and the horse’s owners are pleased that Goldencents will break from the number eight post.

A full field of 20 horses is entered for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

Former Cardinal Bingham Named Assistant Basketball Coach at WKU

WKU Public Radio News — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:49:09 +0000

The newest member of WKU’s women’s basketball coaching staff is no stranger to head coach Michelle Clark-Heard. Candyce Bingham was a member of Louisville’s 2009 national finalist team, and played her junior and senior seasons when Clark-Heard was a U of L assistant coach.

Bingham helped lead the Cardinals to a 34-5 record and a national championship game appearance her senior season at Louisville, and was a graduate assistant at Louisville this past season. In a news release, Clark-Heard said Bingham would bring “great energy and enthusiasm” to the WKU women’s basketball coaching staff.

Nerlens Noel Won't Be Returning to Kentucky

Kentucky News Network — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:57:32 +0000

The University of Kentucky says Nerlens Noel will forego his sophomore season and enter his name in the NBA Draft.

"I have loved my time at Kentucky, but I feel that I’m ready to take the next step to the NBA," Noel said. "I’ve learned so much here at UK and am thankful for Coach Calipari, the staff and my teammates for all of their support. I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I’ve received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I’ll always be a Wildcat."

Noel led the nation in blocks as he averaged 4.4 rejections per game and tallied 106 in 24 games played before a season-ending knee injury. He averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.

The draft is June 27.

Kentucky's Mr. Basketball Chooses UK over WKU

WKU Public Radio News — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:14:47 +0000

Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball will play his college ball at UK. Madison Central point guard Dominique Hawkins announced Wednesday morning that he was committing to the Wildcats.

WKU had hoped to land Hawkins, but the star guard will play his college hoops at Rupp Arena—the same venue where he led Madison Central to this year’s Sweet 16 state championship.