News sports 2008-06-18 Andanh.com

Hudson’s contract extended through 2016 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:48:30 -0500
After Western Kentucky volleyball coach Travis Hudson went 7-26 in his first year, long-term job security wasn’t exactly on his mind. “I just wanted to be here at Christmas that first year,” Hudson joked about his initial season in 1995. Funny what three NCAA Tournament appearances and eight straight 20-win seasons will do. WKU announced today that Hudson has signed a seven-year contract extension which will run through June 2016, pending approval from the school’s board of regents. According to WKU athletic director Wood Selig, Hudson will make approximately $60,000 a year. Hudson’s current salary is $52,356, according to WKU’s general counsel Deborah Wilkins. “Travis has done an excellent job with the program in all facets,” Selig said. “We wanted to show him our appreciation for everything he’s done.” When Hudson first took over in 1995 at the age of 24, he was the youngest head coach in the nation at the time. If Hudson stays at WKU throughout the duration of his contract, he’ll be with the Lady Toppers for 21 seasons. “When you start projecting it out in the 20-year range, that’s pretty incredible,” Hudson said. “I guess I’m kind of a dying breed a little bit to be at one place for that significant amount of time. My heart is here. I believe in this place and I can’t see myself anywhere else.” Hudson’s connection with WKU began long before taking over the volleyball program. He graduated from WKU in 1994 while serving as a student assistant and as the program’s interim head coach twice before the 1995 season. Hudson is also an Edmonson County High School graduate with family and his wife Cindy’s family in close proximity to Bowling Green. “Coaches are always looking for that perfect situation and in a lot of ways I think I have it right here,” Hudson said. “Family and tradition are things you can’t really put a dollar on.” Since Hudson took over in 1995, the program has become an NCAA Tournament-caliber club and a mainstay in the Sun Belt Conference. Hudson has gone 298-144 in 13 seasons. The program went to its first NCAA Tournament in 2002. WKU went 27-9 last season and became the first Sun Belt Conference school to earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. WKU finished 32nd in the final RPI rankings. “I don’t know every volleyball coach in America, but I know we have one of the best in the country,” Selig said. For Hudson, long-term security was important. Because of WKU’s success in a non-BCS league, Hudson said potential recruits had questions whether he’d remain at WKU. While he can’t completely remove those questions, a contract through 2016 helps. “That’s the most important part of this statement that our administration is making,” Hudson said. “It’s really critical for me to make those people understand that this is a place I want to be and that is a place I’m wanted. They can come here feeling comfortable that I’m going to here for the long haul.” Hudson wouldn’t completely dismiss eventually leaving for another program, but somebody else would. “I never tell recruits there’s no way that I would ever leave but my wife would tell them in a heartbeat,” Hudson said, smiling. “She says that I’ll be here and I’ll fall over in this (office) chair someday. Western Kentucky is a special place.”

Area golfers win on Junior Tour Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:48:30 -0500
Bowling Green’s Jared Brown, Blake Atkinson and Kristen Taulbee won their respective divisions Monday at the Pepsi Junior Golf Tour’s stop at the Madisonville Country Club in Madisonville. Atkinson fired a 76 in the boys’ 17-18 division to defeat Madisonville’s Richard Moore by two strokes. Brown won a playoff over Paducah’s John Edwards and Cadiz’s Nick Choate in the boys’ 11-12 division. The trio all shot nine-hole 41s in regulation. Taulbee claimed the girls’ 14-15 division with a 93, four strokes better than the 97 carded by Manitou’s Lauren Lacy.

Jockey Club recommends steroid, shoeing, whip changes Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:20:00 EST
The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee today recommended regulating steroids in race training and racing, banning a style of horseshoe called toe grabs and reforming rules on whips.

After 91 holes, Woods finds relief Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:03:00 EST
Tiger Woods cradled the silver U.S. Open trophy in his right hand and limped toward the edge of the Pacific bluffs, each step as much a burden as the 91 holes he played at Torrey Pines for a major that might have been his most amazing yet.

Tiger felt the heat this time around Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:20:00 EST
Woods was inspiring at the U.S. Open the past five days. This was Woods' 14th major golf championship. Victory comes after 91 holes Bozich Blog -->

For Woods, the winning number was 18 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:03:00 EST
Tiger Woods needed a 19th hole to win the U.S. Open playoff. To get that far, though, he had to beat No. 18 at Torrey Pines -- not once, not twice, but three times. An eagle Saturday to take the lead.

Churchill fined over improper starter in Derby Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:35:00 EST
Churchill Downs Inc. was fined $15,000 by the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority yesterday to resolve an inquiry into possible rules violations when an assistant starter requested by Pyro's trainer was assigned to handle him in the Kentucky Derby starting gate last month.

Kentucky horsemen's injunction request denied Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:36:00 EST
A request for an injunction that would require Churchill Downs to consult with Kentucky horsemen before making future significant purse changes -- such as the recent 20 percent reduction at its Louisville track -- was denied yesterday by a federal judge.

Congress plans hearing on horse racing's troubles Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:19:00 EST
As Congress this week takes up the issue of drugs and fatal breakdowns in horse racing, some are suggesting an independent national governing body should be created to oversee racing rules, including medication.

Man arrested after 2 horses are freed from Churchill barn Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:12:00 EST
A man was arrested Sunday morning and is accused of setting two horses free from a Churchill Downs barn, leading to the death of one of the horses. Jose Manuel Garcia, 27, has been charged with first-degree animal cruelty, a felony, and second-degree criminal trespassing. He was arraigned in Jefferson District Court yesterday. His bail was set at $5,000.

Sick son unlikely to sideline Allen Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:09:00 EST
The Boston Celtics expect Ray Allen to play when they try tonight for a second time to win the NBA championship. Kendrick Perkins? Now that's a different story.

WKU will pay more for stadium Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:07:00 EST
The price tag for the renovation and expansion of Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium at Western Kentucky University has increased by nearly a third. The expansion and upgrade of the football stadium was expected to cost $37.5 million but now will be $49 million, athletic director Wood Selig said. But cost overruns, including the increased cost of building materials, are driving up the price, Selig said.

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown upends Central Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:08 -0500
ELIZABETHTOWN What a difference two weeks can make.

PREP BASEBALL: John Hardin sweeps North Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
RADCLIFF It’s been said that hitting is contagious and the John Hardin Bulldogs certainly had a bad case of it spread through the team Thursday night.

PREP SOFTBALL: Krupinski, Central Hardin shut out John Hardin Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:06 -0500
CECILIA Having been shut out in their previous two games, the Central Hardin Lady Bruins were in a little bit of a funk.

PREP SOFTBALL/BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Lady Panthers fall; Mayfield moves to 7-1 Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
The slumping Elizabethtown Lady Panthers lost for the 10th time in 13 games, falling to visiting Warren Central on Thursday, 3-1.

BOYS'/GIRLS' PREP TENNIS RESULTS: Thursday's Matches Thu, 1 May 2008 23:03:07 -0500
Results from Thursday's area high school tennis matches:

Low qualifier fires 69; two locals make field
Patrick Rodgers found Bellefonte Country Club much to his liking.

Abdon right at home at River Bend
Golfers from the Greenup area took control in the Eastern Kentucky Junior Golf Association tournament at River Bend Golf Club on Monday.

Bluegrass celebrates 25th season
The past 24 years, rising young golf stars such as Jim Furyk, Charles Howell III, Vicki Goetze, Heather Bowie and Ben Curtis tuned up for collegiate and pro tour careers by competing in the Bluegrass Junior at Bellefonte Country Club.

Post 76 gets back on track at Shelbyville
Ashland Post 76 wrapped up play in the Shelbyville Post 37 Invitational on Sunday. The Sixers beat Cincinnati Storm Club 8-5 in the third-place game after two losses early in the invitational.

Raceland’s Blevins to play volleyball at KCU
Raceland graduate Kala Blevins recently signed a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Kentucky Christian University.

DAWGS MAKE RUN AT STATE
Lawrence County made it as far as possible, but came just short of a state title Saturday night at Applebee’s Park, falling to Pleasure Ridge Park 4-1.

‘Future is good’ as number of participants continues to grow in Run by the River
The 31st annual Run by the River saw its best turnout in years on Saturday morning in downtown Russell.Two hundred runners partook in the event, which included a 5K and 10K race.

Following footsteps in the ring
Only two boxers from the Ashland area have ever advanced to the National Junior Olympics Championship.And they are father and son.

A learning experience
The North Laurel Lady Jaguar tennis team learned a lot as the season progressed.

Crook inducted in Ky. Prep Softball Hall of Fame
Former North Laurel softball standout Sarah Crook was inducted into the Kentucky Prep Softball Hall of Fame Saturday night.

Stuart named first team all-state
Glasgow’s Patrick Stuart can add another award to his trophy case.

Barren County Little League Tournament
The Red Cross Orioles took first place in the 9-10 year old live-arm Barren County Little League Tournament this weekend.

Chinese Dir