covering kentucky
The 1997-98 edition of the University of Kentucky basketball media guide has been produced to assist you with your coverage of the Wildcats. Additional information, including press releases, photographs/slides, clips and videotape footage is available upon request. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with Kentucky's media policies.
CREDENTIALS  Credentials for UK home games are issued to working media only and should be requested as early as possible. Requests must be made in writing on company letterhead and are honored only from sports editors of daily newspapers and sports directors of radio and television stations.
The University of Kentucky follows the guidelines set forth by the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference in governing the issuance of credentials. Season credentials will be granted only to daily newspapers and television/ radio stations that cover UK basketball on a regular basis. Otherwise, television/radio stations, weekly newspapers and internet services will be granted credentials on a single-game, space-available basis.
Requests for season credentials should arrive by November 1. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than one week in advance of the game. All requests for credentials should be made to:
RENA VICINI
Assistant AD/Media Relations University of Kentucky Athletics Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY 40506-0019
eneral informat
Media Policies/Procedures
MEDIA SERVICES
Interview Policies-General - All interviews with University of Kentucky basketball players or coaches must be arranged through the Media Relations office. The Wildcat Lodge living quarters is a private team area. Media members are not permitted in this area at any time.
Covering Practice - Generally, UK basketball practices are closed. A select number of practices will be open to the media. Details will be announced by UK Media Relations. Player interviews may be conducted 30 minutes prior to practices the day before games. Coach Smith meets with members of the media at scheduled times to be announced.
Press Conferences - Coach Smith will conduct press conferences throughout the season. Contact the Media Relations office for scheduling details.
Telephone Player Interviews - Request telephone interviews at least 24 hours in advance through the Media Relations office. Telephone requests will be returned when players' schedules allow.
Radio Call-in Shows - As specified by the
Southeastern Conference, no players will be allowed to participate in radio call-in shows. Coach Smith may not participate in any radio show other than those specified in his contract.
Postgame Interviews - Following each game, there will be a 25-minute cooling-off period, during which time the players will shower and dress. Approximately 10 minutes aftet the game ends, Coach Smith will conduct his postgame press conference. A player will also be taken to the UK Radio Network. Following Coach Smith's press conference and the cooling-off period, the UK lockerroom will be open to all members of the media for 15 minutes. Fax-On-Demand - University of Kentucky releases and statistics are available to members ot the media via Fax-on-Demand. This automated service, which instantly sends information to your tax machine, is operational 24 hours a day, seven day ,i week. This service is available to media members only. From a tax machine, dial 770-199-3066. The passcode tor the SEC is 712. Once in the system, the following can be obtained by dialing:
17IS       Quick Stats Only I 719       Latest Hoops Release
1720 Entire Release
1721 All Stats
1722 Note-Only
1723 Roster/Schedule
1724 Updated Player Bins
1725 Previous Box Score
1726 Coach Smith Quotes
1727 Player Game-By-Game Stats
1728 Game-By-Game Box Scores
1729 Quick Notes Only
SEC Services - Coach Smith, along with the other 11 conference coaches, will participate in the Southeastern Conference's teleconference call. The calls are conducted on Mondays and Thursdays during the conference portion of the schedule. For a complete conference call schedule and phone number, contact the SEC Media Relations office at (205) 458-3000. The SEC also operates a 24-hour computer bulletin board with updated statistics and notes on all 12 teams. For further information on these services, see page 80 of this book or contact the SEC Media Relations office.
Radio/TV Rights - Broadcasting rights to UK games are assigned exclusively to Sports Communications, Inc., of Lexington. One reciprocal rights fee waiver is guaranteed opponent schools visiting Lexington. Call Mike Dodson, network coordinator, at (606) 226-HOST.
GAME DAY MEDIA SERVICES
Media Parking - Available at Rupp Arena on a limited basis. The city of Lexington assesses a charge for parking privileges. Requests should be made when submitting press and/or photo credential requests. The media parking area can be accessed from Main Street or Cox Street. The lot opens three hours before tipoff.
Media Will Call - Located through the security door of Rupp Arena which is adjacent to Door 5 of the receiving area. The receiving area is adjacent to media parking. Credentials are not available at the public Will Call window on the High Street concourse level.
Media Services - The University of Kentucky uses the "Final 111" computerized statistics system, which has been used during the last 1 2 NCAA Final Fours. Working media will receive the following:
 Game program and notes  Complete play-by-play
 Halftime statistics  Shot charts
 Coach and player quotes  Final statistics
Media Room - The media room is located beneath section 28 and can be accessed through the floor exit beneath section 26. Working facilities, with electrical outlets and a limited number of telephones, are available.
Telephones - As stated, a limited number of telephones are available in the Rupp Arena media room. Newspapers and radio stations desiring their own private lines, to be installed either on press row or in the media room, should contact Gina Bailey in GTE's Branch Sen ices Division at (800) 483-5300. Photographers - The photo zones are appropriately marked on the Rupp Arena floor. Some photo spots have been assigned. Because ol safety concerns, no shooting is allowed on the either sideline. Hue to the reduction of space, photo credentials will be limited.