Senior day at Kentucky is a special occassion which is held prior to the final home game of each season. A listing of the games along with the seniors on each team are lised at this link. Some of the activities in recent years include each player entering Rupp Arena by running through a large hoop covered with paper with their likeness. They are joined by their families at center court where they receive framed jerseys and the entire arena joins together by singing Stephen Foster's My Old Kentucky Home. NBC's Dick Enberg, who has witnessed his share of sporting spectacles, has been quoted as describing Kentucky's Senior Day as "truly one of the most touching moments in all of sports."
JPS Note: I'm not sure when Kentucky started recognizing their seniors, [although the practice of running through the hoop likely first started in 1977, as there is photographic evidece (below) of this happening in 1977 while in 1976 there was a not only a senior day recognition for Reggie Warford, but a special event involving former coach Adolph Rupp and his former players celebrating the departure from Memorial Coliseum. The previous year there was a celebration of six seniors. Neither of these celebrations made mention of running through a hoop.] Mike Pratt, who played at Kentucky between 1968 and 1970 mentioned on a radio program that they were honored at senior day by turning down the lights and having a spotlight shown on them as they ran onto the court.
If anyone knows any details, either about the hoop or how and when senior day was first celebrated (either at UK or nationally), I'd appreciate learning more. Also, if anyone has additional photos of past senior days, let me know.
 |
Below are some photographs from various parts of the Senior Day Activities:
| Running through the Senior Day Hoop | Receiving Framed Jersey | Singing My Old Kentucky Home | Seniors Play |
Dicky Beal with father - 1984
Jim Master and parents - 1984
Melvin Turpin with mother - 1984
Sam Bowie with mother - 1984
Kenny Walker, Roger Harden and Leroy Byrd -1986
Paul Andrews - 1987
Josh Carrier - 2005
Twany Beckham with family - 2013
Running Through the Senior Day Hoop
Larry Johnson - 1977
Rick Robey - 1978
Truman Claytor - 1979
Kyle Macy - 1980
Jay Shidler - 1980
Lavon Williams - 1980
Chuck Verderber - 1982
Sam Bowie - 1984
Melvin Turpin - 1984
Troy McKinley - 1985
Bret Bearup - 1985
Leroy Byrd - 1986
Kenny Walker - 1986
Roger Harden - 1986
Paul Andrews - 1987
Richard Madison - 1988
Ed Davender - 1988
Mike Scott - 1989
Jeff Ginnan - 1989
Derrick Miller - 1990
Reggie Hanson - 1991
Johnathon Davis - 1991
John Pelphrey - 1992
Sean Woods - 1992
Todd Svoboda - 1993
Jamal Mashburn - 1993* (not senior but leaving early for NBA)
Tony Delk - 1996
Walter McCarty - 1996
Mark Pope - 1996
Derek Anderson - 1997
Cameron Mills - 1998
Saul Smith - 2001
Jules Camara - 2003
Gerald Fitch - 2004
Josh Carrier - 2005
Chuck Hayes - 2005
Brandon Stockton - 2006
Ravi Moss - 2006
Lukasz Obrzut -2007
Bobby Perry -2007
Sheray Thomas -2007
Joe Crawford - 2008
Ramel Bradley - 2008
Jared Carter - 2009
Ramon Harris - 2010
Perry Stevenson - 2010
Patrick Patterson - 2010* (not senior but graduating that year)
Josh Harrellson - 2011
Darius Miller - 2012
Jarrod Polson - 2014
Jon Hood - 2014
Brian Long - 2015
Sam Malone - 2015
Tod Lanter - 2015
Alex Poythress - 2016
Dominique Hawkins - 2017
Mychal Mulder - 2017
Jonny David - 2019
Reid Travis - 2019** (not senior, grad transfer student)
Nate Sestina - 2020** (not senior, grad transfer student)
Kellan Grady - 2022** (5th year senior, had graduate from Davidson already)
Davion Mintz - 2022** (6th year senior, had graduated from Creighton already. Due to extra year for Covid-19, Mintz actually had two senior nights at UK [2021 & 2022])
Chris Harrison is supported by his teammate, Anthony Epps - 1995
Anthony Epps holds his daugther, Makayla, who later went on to become a star for the UK Women's team - 1997
An especially poignant moment was when John Stewart's parents received an honorable jersey for their son, who never was able to wear it for the Blue and White - 2003
Rajon Rondo presents jersey to his former teammate Joe Crawford - 2008
Mark Krebs - 2010
Eloy Vargas - 2012
Julius Mays - 2013** (not Senior, Grad transfer student)
Derek Willis - 2017 used the occassion to propose to his long-time girlfriend Keely Potts
Kellan Grady - 2022
Davion Mintz - 2022
Albert "Happy" Chandler sings My Old Kentucky Home - 1988
Derrick Miller - 1990
Reggie Hanson - 1991
John Pelphrey - 1992
Senior Day Activities - 1996
Josh Carrier and Chuck Hayes - 2005
Chuck Hayes - 2005
Darius Miller - 2012
Dominique Hawkins - 2017
Senior Day Activities - 2013
Singing My Old Kentucky Home - 2015
Although it doesn't always occur, it's a special occassion when the coach tries to give all the seniors, including walk-ons a chance to play in their final home game.
Adolph Rupp gives instructions to walk-on Greg Smith while Larry Miller and Kirk Chiles prepare to enter game.
Sam Malone, Brian Long and Tod Lanter started the game vs. Florida but later go to the scorer's table for one more appearance.
Return to Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Page or Kentucky Statistics Page.
Please send all additions/corrections to