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Book No. 7 (available November 2025)!!!
In Unforgettable Journey with the Cats, veteran Kentucky sportswriter and seven-time author Jamie H. Vaught shares many extraordinary and captivating stories about the Kentucky Wildcats, mostly men's basketball. The 320-page book, which has over 60 photos, includes new interviews with major University of Kentucky personalities such as basketball coaches Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks.
Other featured profiles include Paul Andrews, Reed Sheppard, Lee Anne Pope, football star Tim Couch, Georgia Amoore, Trent Noah, and the former Wildcats who played in the now-defunct American Basketball Association, including the popular Louisville-based Kentucky Colonels. Former ABAers John Y. Brown III (owner's son), Dan Issel, Louie Dampier, Jimmy Dan Conner, Wayne Chapman, Larry Conley, Cliff Hagan, to name several, share their fun memories. In addition, there are other memorable stories told by former Wildcats, such as Jeff Sheppard and Cameron Mills, and sports journalists.
This is Vaught's seventh book on UK basketball with the first volume titled Crazy about the Cats: From Rupp to Pitino, published in 1991. Wildcat fans of all ages will relish reading about the Big Blue stories found in this new UK hoops book. This nice-looking and enjoyable book is a must-have addition to your sports library.
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Book No. 6
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the University of Kentucky’s glorious basketball past, this could be the book for you! Veteran sportswriter Jamie H. Vaught has penned another entertaining book primarily about UK basketball. The 408-page book, which also contains UK football stories, features many fascinating and inside accounts about the Kentucky Wildcats. The featured individuals include Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Dan Issel, Mike Pratt, Cawood Ledford, Tubby Smith, John Calipari, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Ray Correll, Blanton Collier, Fran Curci, Jerry Claiborne, Vic Adams, Mark Stoops, Maci Morris, Oscar Tshiebwe (and his high school coach Rick Mancino), among others. The book begins with a chapter on legendary broadcaster Cawood Ledford and ends with a chapter on legendary coach Joe B. Hall.
In addition to numerous UK stories and interviews, the book is also part memoir about Vaught’s long, adventurous career of covering the Wildcats in basketball and football while overcoming personal adversity — a devastating hearing loss since birth. The author discusses his early personal struggles in dealing with his severe hearing impairment.
Also featured is a fascinating chapter about former prep basketball superstar J.R. VanHoose of Paintsville High School who once was recruited by UK. In addition, the book includes an enjoyable chapter about Vaught’s childhood friend Roberto Clemente and the Pittsburgh Pirates.The book also contains 66 photos.
This is Vaught’s sixth book about UK basketball. Vaught, a two-time UK graduate who wrote columns for The Cats’ Pause for 13 years, is also a longtime college professor.
REVIEWS
"I have finished the book and really enjoyed it. I found it really entertaining with the sidebar stories about a number of individuals associated with UK. Jamie is a superstar in how he has overcome adversity in doing such a great job on this book. Congratulations!"
— Jim Host, member of the National College Basketball Hall of Fame and Sports Marketing pioneer
"Despite his lofty accomplishments as the author of six books, Jamie Vaught remains one of the nicest guys on the UK media beat. In Forever Crazy About The Cats, we get a candid glimpse of not only why he's so passionate about Kentucky Basketball but also why he's such an inspiration to so many. It's a book worth reading and a story you don't want to miss."
— Dr. John Huang, award-winning author of Kentucky Passion.
"If you are a University of Kentucky sports fan, then longtime sportswriter Jamie Vaught has another book about UK basketball that I think you will enjoy. He shares stories about Adolph Rupp, Joe Hall, Cawood Ledford, Dan Issel, Fran Curci, Mark Stoops, Maci Morris, Oscar Tshiebwe and others. I loved the book!"
— Larry Vaught, Kentucky sportswriter
"I have truly enjoyed reading Jamie Vaught's articles and books that he has written over the years. When it comes to the University of Kentucky basketball, his insights have been remarkable as well as informative and entertaining. But even more important, however, is the friendship I have enjoyed with Jamie over the many years he covered my career and the interviews I have done with him. As I looked through the table of contents, I can't wait to read every chapter in Jamie's new book."
— Jack Givens, former Kentucky Wildcat star and current TV broadcaster
"Jamie's latest book goes beyond the ordinary and includes personal experiences to go along with his love for the Wildcats. It really puts into perspective Jamie's ability to overcome his hearing loss and achieve his goals without seeking self-pity. It's a must read and will keep you engaged from the first to the last page. Well-done and perhaps one of his best projects to date."
— Keith Taylor, Kentucky Today
''As usual, Jamie Vaught has provided special insight into Kentucky basketball through the eyes of individuals who have had special access to this storied program over the years; and this volume also includes rare snippets about the football program as well. However, the thing that sets ‘Forever Crazy About the Cats’ apart is the behind the scenes view that the author provides about his struggles – since birth – to overcome a hearing disability that left him near deaf. … An inspirational story.''
— Dr. W. Bruce Ayers, retired college president
"If you're a UK sports fan—and nearly everyone in Kentucky is—then you'll want to get your hands on sportswriter Jamie Vaught's newest book. Yes, it's about sports, but it's also about the author's personal journey in overcoming a severe disability to pursue his dream. Somerset Community College is proud to have been a part of making his dream come true. Great read with some unexpected twists. Roberto Clemente? Wow!"
— Stuart Simpson, professor, Somerset Community College
"Who could possibly find and share so many Kentucky Wildcat basketball stories as famed sportswriter Jamie Vaught? This one is his best of many great ones. In this latest work, we finally get to know the miracle man who 'listens' with his heart."
— Bill Cunningham, retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice and author
In Chasing the Cats, veteran sportswriter Jamie H. Vaught shares some of his earliest Wildcat memories and along with many remarkable stories about the UK men's basketball program over the past 70 years.
Written through the eyes of student managers, broadcasters, players, and coaches, featured characters include Chip Rupp (and his grandfather, Adolph), Russell Rice, Cliff Hagan, Jim Duff, Kevin Grevey, Dale Brown, Steve Lochmueller, Jack Givens, Kenny Walker, Dick Vitale, Ralph Hacker, Jeff Sheppard, Chris Briggs, Scott Stricklin, Dan McHale, Darius Miller, Dillon Pulliam, and John Calipari.
Wildcat fans of all ages will relish reading about the Big Blue memories found in Chasing the Cats: A Kentucky Basketball Journey. Go Big Blue!
REVIEWS
"This is an absolutely wonderful book and a must read for any Kentucky fan. Jamie Vaught displays in Chasing the Cats a brilliant insight to UK basketball and a beautiful writing style sure to please basketball fans everywhere. I don't remember a book I have enjoyed more. Just a rich and riveting read."
--Paul Finebaum, SEC Network/ESPN
"Jamie has put together again another terrific composite of UK history. You have to have a special love for Kentucky hoops to assemble these stories. Enjoy!"
--Mike Pratt, ex-Kentucky Wildcat standout and current UK broadcaster
"Jamie Vaught has spent his career covering the Kentucky Wildcats as thoroughly as anyone and he knows the stories behind some of the biggest names in the history of the program. By introducing us to their stories, Jamie takes us along on his Kentucky basketball journey with him and it is a great ride with a tremendous human being."
--Matt Jones, founder of Kentucky Sports Radio
"No one knows Kentucky basketball better than Jamie Vaught. He has communicated his passion for UK basketball to me by email and clippings for years. The Wildcats and John Calipari are lucky to have him tell the story of UK basketball."
--Jim O'Brien, the U.S. Basketball Writers Hall of Fame (2003 Class).
Book No. 1 to 4
