Kentucky Senior Day Games

Kentucky Senior Day

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."

A.B. "Happy" Chandler sings My Old Kentucky Home in Rupp Arena

JPS Note: I'm not sure when Kentucky started recognizing their seniors, nor when they started running through the senior day 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.

Although not a senior day ceremony, this photo is typical of the spotlight used for Kentucky teams and players in the 1960's in Memorial Coliseum

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 |

Dicky Beal with father - 1984

Kenny Walker, Roger Harden and Leroy Byrd -1986

Twany Beckham with family - 2013

Running Through the Senior Day Hoop

Larry Johnson - 1977

Rick Robey - 1978

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

Mike Scott - 1989

Jeff Ginnan - 1989

Derrick Miller - 1990

Reggie Hanson - 1991

Johnathon Davis - 1991

John Pelphrey - 1992

Sean Woods - 1992

Tony Delk - 1996

Walter McCarty - 1996

Mark Pope - 1996

Derek Anderson - 1997

Chuck Hayes - 2005

Brandon Stockton - 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

Framed Jersey

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