Thanksgiving is more than talking turkey. It’s more than the Black Friday. It even goes beyond football.
Just like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day is a big part of our American heritage, passed down from generations who took time out to give thanks for the blessings that come from above. It’s also a time to reflect on the things that we enjoy in life.
As we prepare for the traditional Thanksgiving feast, the following is my list of things to be thankful for when it comes to sports.
Kentucky basketball: Two back-to-back Final Four appearances, concluding with the school’s eighth national championship last spring. Kentucky’s record with John Calipari at the helm currently stands at 104-15. Playing at Rupp Arena also is special. Kentucky basketball is a year-round conversation piece, whether it’s in one end of the state or the other.
High school sports: George Rogers Clark High School competes in the highest classification of high school sports in Kentucky and consistently participates in state events, whether it’s basketball or track and field. The coaches and administrators in all sports are top-notch and great to work with on a regular basis. The Sweet Sixteen is one of the top high school sporting events in the nation. In addition, the county middle schools, along with the youth and recreational leagues, do a fantastic job of teaching the future prep stars the basic fundamentals of their respective sports.
College basketball: March Madness is second to none and one of the greatest events in sports. Upsets such as Butler’s stunner over North Carolina Tuesday night make college basketball an exciting sport to cover and follow.
Kentucky football: I know what you’re thinking, but isn’t the tailgating fun, too? Prior to the past two seasons, Kentucky football had been a regular participant in the postseason with a school record five consecutive bowl appearances.
SEC¿football: Kentucky isn’t a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference, but the league it competes in is one of the best in the nation. Consider Alabama, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina and now Texas A&M.
College football: Just take a look at the shift that occurred last weekend when then top-ranked Oregon and No. 2 Kansas State lost, sending Notre Dame to the top of the college rankings.
Louisville athletics: The Cardinals don’t have a following like Big Blue Nation, but for those who like the Cardinals when they aren’t playing the Blue and White, Louisville makes this state proud when its successful and doing well.
National Football League: They only play once a week and anticipation builds from week to week. The Super Bowl is one the best events in professional sports and one that provides a temporary cure for the winter blues and cabin fever.
National Basketball Association: Personally, I’m not a big fan of professional basketball, but the number of recent former Kentucky players who are now part of the league has generated a little more buzz when it comes to the NBA.
Kentucky Derby: This list wouldn’t be complete if we failed to mention the Kentucky Derby. It’s the one event that puts the state in the national spotlight each year on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Speedway: We’ve had the track in Sparta for more than a decade and now we have a Sprint Cup Race — the Quaker State 400 — on the event schedule each year. Last year was a smooth ride compared to the one before with all the traffic issues. It’s only going to get better with age.
Most of all, I’m thankful for my wife, family and friends. Now, bring on the turkey, dressing and the trimmings.
Just like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day is a big part of our American heritage, passed down from generations who took time out to give thanks for the blessings that come from above. It’s also a time to reflect on the things that we enjoy in life.
As we prepare for the traditional Thanksgiving feast, the following is my list of things to be thankful for when it comes to sports.
Kentucky basketball: Two back-to-back Final Four appearances, concluding with the school’s eighth national championship last spring. Kentucky’s record with John Calipari at the helm currently stands at 104-15. Playing at Rupp Arena also is special. Kentucky basketball is a year-round conversation piece, whether it’s in one end of the state or the other.
High school sports: George Rogers Clark High School competes in the highest classification of high school sports in Kentucky and consistently participates in state events, whether it’s basketball or track and field. The coaches and administrators in all sports are top-notch and great to work with on a regular basis. The Sweet Sixteen is one of the top high school sporting events in the nation. In addition, the county middle schools, along with the youth and recreational leagues, do a fantastic job of teaching the future prep stars the basic fundamentals of their respective sports.
College basketball: March Madness is second to none and one of the greatest events in sports. Upsets such as Butler’s stunner over North Carolina Tuesday night make college basketball an exciting sport to cover and follow.
Kentucky football: I know what you’re thinking, but isn’t the tailgating fun, too? Prior to the past two seasons, Kentucky football had been a regular participant in the postseason with a school record five consecutive bowl appearances.
SEC¿football: Kentucky isn’t a powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference, but the league it competes in is one of the best in the nation. Consider Alabama, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina and now Texas A&M.
College football: Just take a look at the shift that occurred last weekend when then top-ranked Oregon and No. 2 Kansas State lost, sending Notre Dame to the top of the college rankings.
Louisville athletics: The Cardinals don’t have a following like Big Blue Nation, but for those who like the Cardinals when they aren’t playing the Blue and White, Louisville makes this state proud when its successful and doing well.
National Football League: They only play once a week and anticipation builds from week to week. The Super Bowl is one the best events in professional sports and one that provides a temporary cure for the winter blues and cabin fever.
National Basketball Association: Personally, I’m not a big fan of professional basketball, but the number of recent former Kentucky players who are now part of the league has generated a little more buzz when it comes to the NBA.
Kentucky Derby: This list wouldn’t be complete if we failed to mention the Kentucky Derby. It’s the one event that puts the state in the national spotlight each year on the first Saturday in May.
Kentucky Speedway: We’ve had the track in Sparta for more than a decade and now we have a Sprint Cup Race — the Quaker State 400 — on the event schedule each year. Last year was a smooth ride compared to the one before with all the traffic issues. It’s only going to get better with age.
Most of all, I’m thankful for my wife, family and friends. Now, bring on the turkey, dressing and the trimmings.
