COVERING THE CATS
COVERING KENTUCKY
The 1996-97 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, as stated on the following pages. CREDENTIALS - Credentials for UK home games are issued for 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 and iveekly newspapers 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
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 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.
Media Services - The University of Kentucky uses the "Final III" computerized statistics system, which has been used during the last 11 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 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. Photographers - The photo zones are appropriately marked on the Rupp Arena floor. Some photo spots have been assigned. Because of safety concerns, no shooting is allowed on the either sideline. Due to the reduction of space, photo credentials will be limited. 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.
SEC Services - Coach Pitino, 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. Coach Pitino participates on those days at 11:14 a.m. E.T. 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, contact the SEC Media Relations office.
Fax-On-Demand - University of Kentucky releases and statistics are available to members of the media via Fax-on-Demand. This automated service, which instantly sends information to your fax machine, is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For instructions, please contact the UK Media Relations office at (606) 257-3838. This service is available to media members only. Once in the system, the following can be obtained from a fax machine by dialing:
1720 Entire Release
1721 Stats
1722 Notes Only
1723 Roster/Schedule
1724 Player Bios
1725 Previous Box Score Telephones - 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 GTE at (606) 223-9422.
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 - UK basketball practices are closed. Player interviews may be conducted 30 minutes prior to practices the day before games. Coach Pitino meets with members of the media at scheduled times to be announced.
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 after the game ends, Coach Pitino will conduct his postgame press conference. A player will also be taken to the UK Radio Network. Following Coach Pitino's press conference and the cooling-off period, the UK lockerroom will be open to all members of the media for 15 minutes.
Press Conferences - Coach Pitino will conduct several press conferences throughout the season at Memorial Coliseum. Contact the Media Relations office for scheduling details. Radio Call-In Shows - As specified by the Southeastern Conference, no players will be allowed to participate in radio call-in shows. Coach Pitino may not participate in any radio show other than those specified in his contract.
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.
MEDIA      I   N   F  O   R   M A