Quickies: C.M. Newton Edition

Kentucky legend C.M. Newton has died at age 88. Newton played pitcher for the Kentucky baseball team and as a reserve on the 1951 basketball National Championship team.

Newton followed up his playing career by becoming the basketball head coach at Transylvania. He was then hired by Bear Bryant to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide. He resigned from Alabama to take a job in the SEC offices, but found his way back to coaching for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Kentucky hired Newton to be the athletics director in 1989. Newton was responsible for the hirings of Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith, who combined to bring Kentucky two National Championships. He also hired Hal Mumme, who brought along the air-raid offense, now a widely-known offense across the college football landscape.

Newton’s name is on Kroger Field, called “C.M. Newton Grounds.”

Tweets of the day

It appears as though former Wildcat Nerlens Noel is trolling Philadelphia 76ers general manager Bryan Colangelo by playing a game where you try to get away with having burner accounts.

Your quickies

C.M. Newton Passes Away - UK
Newton’s tenure was marked by the addition of three sports – men's and women's soccer and softball – expansion of facilities and growth in revenues in response to the increasing financial pressures of college athletics. Facility growth during Newton's term included expansion of the football stadium, expansion of the baseball stadium, acquisition of a golf course, construction of the soccer/softball complex, a new tennis stadium and construction of the Nutter Field House.

C.M. Newton remembered by Lexington newspaper writers | Lexington Herald Leader
Herald-Leader sports writers John Clay, Jerry Tipton and Mark Story all offer their thoughts on the former UK athletic director C. M. Newton.

The UK Football Team Returns to Work | Kentucky Sports Radio
The Kentucky football team is back in the lab.

BTI's Rants and Ramblings: The Mitch Barnhart Tenure | Kentucky Sports Radio
Say what you want about some of the recent missteps of Mitch Barnhart, his 16 years as the athletic director of the University of Kentucky have been a very successful tenure.

Cats' Pause - Kentucky coach John Calipari is thrilled to have PJ Washington back in fold, and knows sophomore is ready to get to work on NBA future
Kentucky coach John Calipari talks the return of PJ Washington and what's ahead for the sophomore.

Five potential NBA draft steals who could break out at the next level - ESPN
Kevin Knox made it onto this list.

CatsIllustrated.com - Coach: Josh Paschal can be a first round pick
When Olney (Md.) Good Counsel defensive lineman Josh Paschal committed to Kentucky almost everyone immediately recognized it was a big get for the Wildcats. Perhaps very few realized how big an addition Paschal would be.

How would Reid Travis fit at UK? Analyst breaks it down | Lexington Herald Leader
Stanford graduate transfer Reid Travis was an all-conference selection this past season and is a former McDonald's All-American. He's planning to visit UK soon and could be a big addition to the Cats' 2018-19 team.

Former 49ers WR Dwight Clark Dies at Age 61 After Battle with ALS | Bleacher Report
Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Dwight Clark, who had ALS, died Monday at the age of 61.

French Open: Serena Williams withdraws before playing Maria Sharapova - USA Today
French TV first reported the news that Serena Williams would pull out of her French Open match against Maria Sharapova. Williams announced she has a pectoral injury.

Klay Thompson injury: Warriors all-star is as tough as nails, and he’s proving it in the playoffs - SBNation.com
A nasty knee injury and a high ankle sprain couldn’t stop Thompson from taking the floor. Nothing can.

Andre Iguodala's Knee Is Pain-Free, Aiming to Return During Finals | Bleacher Report
The Golden State Warriors already have a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now it appears they'll be at full strength before too long.

UFC 225 - Megan Anderson set to make UFC debut and earn title shot against Holly Holm - ESPN
After a year away from MMA, and a missed opportunity at a title shot against Cris "Cyborg" Justino, former Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson makes her UFC debut in Chicago at UFC 225 against Holly Holm with the hope of a future title shot.

Ray Lewis, Vince Young lead 2019 CFB Hall of Fame ballot - NFL.com
The College Football Hall of Fame on Monday announced 76 former FBS players, among others, who will be on the ballot for its 2019 induction class. Chase Goodbread reveals his list of 10 players that should be inducted.