Kentucky: Not a One-Sport School

by:Nick Roush05/30/17

@RoushKSR

I know you’ve heard it before.  “They’re just a basketball school, a one-trick pony.”  Kentucky’s opposing fans will acknowledge the Wildcats’ unparalleled success on the basketball court, but dismiss the accolades from Kentucky’s other athletic teams.  The haters cannot deny them much longer.

The University of Kentucky is one of just three Power Five schools to reach the postseason in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and football.  The only other two Power Five schools to accomplish that feat are Florida State and Baylor.

The previous stat is impressive, but does not include the lengthy strides taken in other sports, most notably track and field under Edrick Floreal.  The overall improvement in play from all athletic programs is better reflected by the SEC All-Sports Trophy.  Based off how each athletic team finishes in the SEC regular season standings, Kentucky ranked third overall in the SEC All-Sports competition, behind just Florida and Texas A&M.

In the Learfield Directors’ Cup, the most popular ranking system for a postsecondary school’s overall athletic program, the points also incorporate how teams finish in the postseason.  As of Sunday, Kentucky is ranked No. 9 in the Directors’ Cup standings, the only SEC team in the Top Ten.  If the BatCats advance to the Super Regionals, Kentucky’s spot in the Top Ten should remain secure, which will break a school-record 11th-place finish in 2013-14.

I think it’s safe to say UK is not just a basketball school.

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