Special to KySportsStyle.com Magazine
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the University of Kentucky’s glorious basketball past, a newly released 408-page paperback, titled Forever Crazy About the Cats, could be something you're looking for.
Originally released as a hardcover in December of 2022, the paperback by author and longtime Kentucky sportswriter Jamie H. Vaught became available in September. The $16.95 paperback is an updated version of the hardcover. Editions are available at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and select retail outlets, including Kentucky Branded, as well as Amazon.com (online).
It is the first time in his long writing career that Vaught had the same book published in two different editions – paperback and hardback. He now has written six books about UK hoops with the first one titled, Crazy About the Cats: From Rupp to Pitino, in 1991.
The volume, 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 (or near deafness). Despite his severe disability, he is also a longtime professor at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) in Middlesboro where he has taught since 1991.
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.
After a successful appearance at the prestigious Kentucky Book Festival (with approximately 150 invited national and regional authors) in Lexington last month, a six-city book signing tour throughout Kentucky has been finalized for Forever Crazy About the Cats. The signing dates are:
Saturday, Nov. 18
--Shelby County Public Library in Shelbyville, 10-11:30 am
--Oldham County Public Library in Goshen, 2-3:30 pm
Saturday, Dec. 9
--Floyd County Public Library in Prestonsburg, 10:30-12 noon
--Read Spotted Newt (bookstore) in Hazard, 2:30-4:00 pm
Saturday, Dec. 16
--Woodford County Public Library in Versailles, 10-11:30 am
--Jefferson County Public Library at St. Matthews Eline branch in Louisville, 2:30-4:00 pm
The book reviews have been very good.
"I have finished the book and really enjoyed it,” said Lexington’s Jim Host, the sports marketing pioneer who is also a member of the National College Basketball Hall of Fame. “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.”
Added Dr. John Huang, the award-winning author of Kentucky Passion, "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."
Also, if you’re not able to attend one of the book signings and you’d like a signed copy, especially for a Christmas gift, contact the author on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter), or via email at ForeverCrazyCatsBook@gmail.com.
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