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Kentucky funds private plane for recruiting
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LEXINGTON, Ky. - University of Kentucky athletics is joining the jet set of college sports.
The University of Kentucky Athletics Association Board of Directors approved funding a private plane for use in recruiting.
The plane will be available to the sports of football, men's basketball and, to a lesser degree, women's basketball. University of Kentucky Deputy Athletics Director Rob Mullens says the university will look to buy between 100 and 150 hours of flight time in the 2008-09 school year.
In recent years, members Luther Deaton and Bill Gatton lobbied for UK to buy a plane to help football and men's basketball coaches keep pace with competing recruiters.
Deaton and Mullens noted that as many as two-thirds of Kentucky's competing schools in the Southeastern Conference owned their own planes.
While Kentucky will look to lease a plane this coming academic year, UK president Lee Todd adamantly opposed the idea of buying a plane.
"That will not happen," he said in a post-meeting interview. "I don't see it happening under my (tenure)."
Todd saw the leasing of a plane as "budget neutral." The cost, which Mullens estimated at about $4,000 per hour, would be partially offset by what UKAA would have paid for commercial flights, hotel rooms and other travel expenses.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by Silent_Fulmer on May 5, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought UK's basketball program had multiple G5's?
Posted by UTfan4life on May 5, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is a great idea, UT needs it
Posted by KnoxVol_in_TX on May 5, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought UT already had access to a couple planes? My mom used to work at UT athletic dept and she would always say the Phillip Fulmer had two planes at his disposal...is this not right?
Posted by rusty_shackleford on May 5, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The university has at least one small plane, but I don't think it is exlusive to the athletic dept. It isn't one of those fancy millionaire's ride kind of plans.
Posted by pdhuff on May 5, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think we use a 1968 Suburban, the Fritter Express. LOL
Posted by marc_ash on May 5, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To quote the famous blow-hard, bflynn2:
Shut up bflynn2, your are idiot.
Posted by tennisvol on May 5, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These are hard financial times for the American people with the higher cost of higher education, gas and food at the store. But I guess with Kentucky recruiting, the sky is the limit. Just pass the cost on the the ticket holders and the students.
Posted by rusty_shackleford on May 5, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
geez at the misspellings. I'm an idiot.
Posted by General_Fritter on May 5, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cheaters!
But we have Fulmer.
Posted by KingsportVol on May 5, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol pd.Here it is!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yes_we_d...
Posted by bowerst on May 5, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I always thought thoroughbreds were a nice touch
Posted by bedubya on May 5, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UT owns at least one Beech King Air 200. Tail number 111UT. It used to be housed at the UT Aviation hangar at McGhee Tyson and was visible on the tarmac from Alcoa Hwy. (east side of the airport before you reach the terminal). I have to assume the coaches all have access to it--Lamar Alexander, when he was Pres. of UT used to fly it all the time. I recall seeing him deplane. The aircraft they had at that time had a unique tail number--I'll never forget it--410EC
Posted by pearlific on May 5, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
must not be an airport in Hopkinsville, KY!
Posted by DCSOvol on May 5, 2008 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UT uses a C5 Galaxy to haul CPF's overgrown behind everywhere.
Posted by SmokeDog72 on May 5, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We also have a blimp. Parked on the sidelines of Shields-Watkins multiple Saturdays in the Fall.
Posted by Vol13 on May 5, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
President Todd:
You, sir, are an idiot and apparently are not qualified to lead a major university. You could buy a lightly used and plush jet aircraft in the low $3 million dollar range. With what you are willing to fork out annually (at variable costs, might I add) you could pay for this aircraft in less than 6 years. And since you owned it, you could sub-lease the thing for added revenue and when costed out over time - you would essentially get the aircraft for free. Or, you could pay for the aircraft in one lump sum and likely save several thousand dollars off the sales price.
But since you "don't see it (owning a plane) happening on your tenure" and are content to waste university dollars by leasing - you go right ahead! What a dumb@#$#. Sadly, most politicians are as dumb as you do and have similar mathematical skills. Thus, our country is screwed. Good luck with your new leased plane. Just don't fly it through Emery Air Freight.
Posted by bamacheats on May 5, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do the Lady Vols do recruiting trips in Subaru Outbacks?
Posted by utstudent86 on May 5, 2008 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
because womens sports will never make the revenue that mens teams do!!! and with the whole masculine austalian theme, i guess the coaches just love them (you know what i mean!!!!)
Posted by nafslov on May 5, 2008 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UT has several airplanes they use for recruiting ....SO.......who cares ? Go Vols !
Posted by bricker865 on May 5, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Smokedog...that was hilarious. Now how 'bout adding a jumbo jet for our program?
Posted by utfan15govols on May 5, 2008 at 7:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah i thought this was funny, UT has several planes or atleast one they can use. UK never had one of it's own, BUT a basketball booster in my area has always allowed them to use his private jet, but recently he put it up for sale and then UK is now "leasing" one.
Posted by nafslov on May 5, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who cares ? Go Vols !
Posted by invisiblekid on May 5, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, they got a verbal from an 8th grader last week, maybe they need the plane to fly to maternity wards throughout the country to take early commitments to a whole new level. Just make sure they have an ultrasound and a baby on board sticker on the back.
Posted by mparker on May 6, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
vol13:
I am waiting to read what you REALLY think :)
good post.
Posted by pdhuff on May 6, 2008 at 5:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kingsport 4:07 May 5- Tks for the pic. I believe that's when it was detailed for the KNS ride-alongs.
Smokedog72-5:17 - 4 stars- "Ites" won't like it, but big chuckle, nevertheless.
Maybe they have the pilots from "Dr Strangelove".
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