catmandoo
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posted 10-26-2021 12:29 PM
Never mind the shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, defending and other routine components of a preseason exhibition game. Basketball history will be made in Kentucky’s exhibition game Friday night. That’s because Joel Utley will begin his 61st season as the radio play-by-play announcer for Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball. That’s believed to be a record, eclipsing the 60 years that Max Falkenstein called Kansas games on the radio. A No. 60 hangs in the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse in his honor.
“I just never thought about that,” Utley said of the record he will set this season. “I know it sounds crazy. But I just love what I do. That’s all. How many years it has been or how many more it may be, I’m just grateful.” That the record will be set in Rupp Arena is not lost on Utley.
“The opportunity to play at Rupp Arena is — gosh — every kid in Kentucky would love to play there,” he said. “And every broadcaster would love the opportunity to broadcast — even if it’s one game — from Rupp Arena.” It will actually be the second time Utley will call a game played in Rupp Arena. During Tubby Smith’s time as coach, UK played Kentucky Wesleyan in an exhibition game. “It’s a storied cathedral of college basketball,” Utley said. “And just me in that building on the same court as the stars and outstanding coaches that UK has had over time, it’s a memorable experience. Hallowed ground, brother.” Kentucky Wesleyan Coach Drew Cooper saluted Utley. “He is Kentucky Wesleyan basketball,” Cooper said. Utley, who turned 82 on Sept. 4, calls the Kentucky Wesleyan games on Owensboro’s WBIO (94.7 FM). He grew up in Madisonville.
Link
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
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