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BOOKSHELF: Exciting Books for Summer Reading
Compiled by Jamie H. Vaught KySportsStyle.com Magazine Updated May 7, 2026 --The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis by Gerard O'Connell and Elisabetta Pique (Orbis Books, $26) is the story behind the headlines as told by two of the Vatican's most trusted correspondents. The remarkable book covers the death and funeral of Pope Francis, the behind-the-scenes maneuvers with the cardinals arriving in Rome, and the surprising election of Pope Leo XIV. --
KySportsStyle.com
4 days ago5 min read
OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Leaves or Fruit
By Gary Miller July is the month when the fruit of sowing begins to show. Gardens begin to produce their harvest, and trees begin to reveal what has been hiding behind their leaves. For deer hunters, behind those oak leaves should be tiny acorns beginning to take shape. And since acorns are a deer’s favorite food, these signs tell us where to hang a tree stand. It’s not unusual for me this time of year, to just ride around on my side-by-side looking for the t
KySportsStyle.com
5 days ago3 min read
WAYNE KNUCKLES: I Spent 69 Years Hating Soccer & the World Cup Got Me in a Week
Soccer was never going to be my game. I was raised on football you could hear. Pads cracking. A band. Somebody's daddy hollering from the top row. Soccer always looked to me like a bunch of fellas chasing a ball around a yard, and every so often one of them would drop like he'd been hit by a sniper, roll four times, grab his shin, then get up and sprint off like nothing happened. The floppin' game, I called it. Then they brought the whole circus to our doorstep. The World Cup
KySportsStyle.com
5 days ago3 min read
WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: The Cost and Beauty of Discipleship
By Father Yohanes Akoit The Gospel for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 10:37–42), sounds very strong. Jesus says that those who love their family members more than Him are not worthy of Him. He also says that anyone who does not take up their cross is not worthy of Him. Those who try to preserve their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for His sake will find it. Our question is: why is it so difficult to follow Jesus? Why do we need to suffer separatio
KySportsStyle.com
5 days ago3 min read
UK's Otega Oweh Selected No. 41 Overall in NBA Draft
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Another dream was fulfilled on Wednesday night when Kentucky men’s basketball’s senior guard Otega Oweh was selected No. 41 overall by the Miami Heat in the 2026 NBA Draft. His draft rights were then traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Otega Oweh in action during the 2026 SEC Tournament in Nashville. (Photo by Wayne Mason) Oweh is the 147th all-time selection for the Kentucky men’s basketball program, the nation’s all-time leader in total draft selections.
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 252 min read
Blanton, Allen Named To Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame
Two former University of Kentucky football players – defensive tackle Jerry Blanton (1974-77) and quarterback Ermal Allen (1939-41) – have been named to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame, the nation’s lone state-specific pro football hall of fame. The Class of 2026 inductees will be honored Friday, June 26, when they receive their Hall of Fame jackets from Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, followed by the Purple Jacket Awards Dinner at the Hilton Lexington Downtown. The ev
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 253 min read
UK Reveals Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was announced Thursday, with Paul Calhoun (football), Tim Duckworth (men’s track and field), Leah Edmond (volleyball), Patty Jo Hedges-Ward (women’s basketball), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (men’s basketball) and Asia Seidt (women’s swimming and diving) chosen for induction. The new Hall of Famers will be inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend on September 25-26. Paul Calhoun, Football, 1981-84 Named to
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 254 min read
WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Why Jesus Repeats “Do Not Be Afraid”
By Father Yohanes Akoit The phrase “do not be afraid” is repeated four times in the Gospel reading for the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 10:26–33). This repetition reminds us of two important things: first, the importance of the message, and second, the importance of the messenger. Speaking about the message, we can compare it to how parents communicate something important to their children. Parents repeat the main message again and again. First, they approach the
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 242 min read
OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Balance
By Gary Miller If you want deer on your trail cameras this time of year, then make sure you have a salt or trace mineral block out if your game laws allow. Because sodium is often lacking in spring and summer vegetation, the deer will seek these spots to fill that lack. And if you notice, most of the time they are more interested in the ground around the block than the block itself. As the sodium melts into the soil, the soil becomes a bowl of mineral cereal that
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 242 min read
Jayden Quaintance Selected as No. 20 Overall Pick in NBA Draft
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s basketball forward Jayden Quaintance heard his named called in the first round of the NBA draft on Tuesday night as the big man was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the No. 20 overall pick. Jayden Quaintance (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught) Quaintance spent his sophomore year at Kentucky in 2026, although he appeared in just four games for the Wildcats due to a knee injury. He averaged 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while playing an average of 16.
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 242 min read
OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Life-Altering Moments
By Gary Miller As adults, we all can look back on our lives and find people or moments that will forever be etched into our memories. Some of them will not only forever be remembered, but they are the ones that changed the trajectory of our lives. It may be the death of a loved one, an illness, or a tragedy, but these periods moved us to places we would have never otherwise gone. Thankfully some of these events were good as well. For instance, I can remember my first time fis
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 173 min read
UK Opens 2026-27 Season at Home; Wildcats Will Face Manhattan
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky men’s basketball program announced seven home nonconference games to its 2026-27 slate earlier this week. UK will begin the 2026-27 season at home with a first-time opponent in Manhattan on Nov. 3. Additional home dates include: 6 vs. James Madison 13 vs. Northern Arizona 16 vs. Grambling State 8 vs. Bryant 22 vs. Sacred Heart 28 vs. Gardner-Webb Television designations and tip times will be announced at a later date. With the seven additional ga
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 172 min read
WORDS FROM FATHER YOHANES: Moved by Mercy, Sent for Mission
By Father Yohanes Akoit As we celebrate the Holy Mass of the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Church gives us the Gospel reading about the call of the Apostles (Matthew 9:36-10:8). It is striking to see that the call of the Apostles arises directly from the condition of the people and the needs of the time. The Gospel tells us clearly that when Jesus saw the crowds, He felt they were like sheep without a shepherd. Aware of their situation, He was moved with pity for them
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 173 min read
Michigan State's J Batt named CEO of Champions Blue, UK Athletics Director
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky today announced that J Batt — a nationally recognized leader in college sports — has been named Chief Executive Officer of Champions Blue LLC and UK Athletics Director. Batt comes to UK from Michigan State University, where he serves as Vice President and Director of Athletics. Previously, he served as Director of Athletics and Vice President at Georgia Tech. He served multiple roles at the University of Alabama for several years, i
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 153 min read
Southeast Kentucky CTC Celebrates Four Local Students During Scholarship Signing Day
MIDDLESBORO, Ky. — Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College (SKCTC) celebrated four outstanding local students during its Scholarship Signing Day on June 11, recognizing recipients of the Middlesboro Alumni & Friends Association Scholarship and the Mike Bowling Memorial Scholarship. The event brought together scholarship donors, family members, community leaders, faculty, staff, and supporters to celebrate students whose academic achievement, leadership, perseverance,
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 123 min read
UK Signee Maddyn Greenway Named MaxPreps Female National Athlete of the Year
By Aaron Williams MaxPreps In an age of sports specialization, Maddyn Greenway of Providence Academy (Plymouth, Minn.) bucked the trend. She starred on the hardwood at point guard, excelled as a forward on the pitch and shined in both track and field disciplines. A Kentucky basketball signee, the 5-foot-10 Greenway squeezed everything she could from her high school sports career. Maddyn Greenway She leaves Providence Academy as a 13-time state champion while owning the state
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 115 min read
ED PEAK: Kentucky-Indiana High School All Star Games Are Fading Fast
I don’t know why I care. Just about no one else does. The annual Kentucky All-Star series versus Indiana All-Stars is on life support. I attended Friday’s boys and girls doubleheader at Lexington Catholic High School. I arrived for the girls’ game with less four minutes to play. In time to watch Kentucky blow a 10-point lead. The bluegrass girls won the game as time expired when Sacred Heart’s Bri Wilkens drove the baseline for the game winning layup, 59-57. I estimated maybe
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 112 min read
WAYNE KNUCKLES: Horse Racing Continues to Drop in Popularity
Something happened this year that has never happened to me before. The Belmont Stakes ran. And I didn't know it. Not until after. I've watched horse racing the way most people watch it — not obsessively, but dependably. I wasn't the guy with the Racing Form and a pencil behind his ear. I was the guy who knew when to turn on the television. Every spring, the Triple Crown was a kind of liturgical calendar. Derby. Preakness. Belmont. You circled the Saturdays. You made a mint ju
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 113 min read
It's Now Official: Florida Standout Me'Arah O'Neal Signs with Kentucky
Me'Arah O'Neal LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program inked a 6-4 forward to its incoming class in Me’Arah O’Neal, it was announced Wednesday. She will join the program as a junior in 2026-27. “We are thrilled to announce the addition of Me’Arah to our team,” UK coach Kenny Brooks said. “Meezy is a talented forward with guard skills and she will fit into our system very nicely. Her SEC experience will also be beneficial for us as we embark on a
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 112 min read
Jemma Amoore Joins Kentucky
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky women’s basketball program inked a 5-4 guard to its incoming class in Jemma Amoore, it was announced Wednesday. She will join the program as a junior in 2026-27. Jemma Amoore “I’m excited to add Jemma to our family,” Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks said. “She is no stranger to BBN and her familiarity to our staff and basketball system will add valuable experience to our talented backcourt. Jemma exemplifies what it means to be a Wildcat
KySportsStyle.com
Jun 112 min read
