Betty Downing, a reader of Nation of Blue, went to the screening of the Untouchables this past Friday night at the Hyatt Regency. She took a lot of good pictures and did a write up of the event.
The Untouchables was….unforgettable. An amazing evening with some truly great athletes and what is known as the Best UK Basketball Team of all time (from 1996). My daughter Emily and I treated ourselves to this event for our birthdays, but also for a very good cause. Derek Anderson’s Charity, which helps abused women and children. It began with The Blue Carpet Walk at 7:30 p.m., a delicious dinner, and then the premiere screening of The Untouchables Documentary. The documentary was exciting, funny, and even a few tears. You got to see what great people these guys are and how they literally did everything together. They were together all the time on and off the court and as they say, this is what made them a great team. They used to go bowling together every Friday night and would have to go through the “drama” each time telling their girlfriends why they were going bowling with their teammates instead of spending time with them. They went to the movies together, played cards together, etc. They talked about how they used to love to wrestle each other! They did this before ballgames and remembered a time they did this during the NCAA games in the hotel. Anthony Epps woke up with a stiff neck the next morning and could hardly move his head! The film shows the defense, the dunks…many dunks, their laughter, their unselfishness, but mostly their love for each other their love for the game. An amazing combination which came to be lethal for any other team they played. It was funny to hear Coach Cal in the film (who was then the UMass Coach) saying after they beat us that the KY fans need to calm down. It’s not the end of the world just because they lost. It’s a pretty funny, because he still today talks about how crazy we are (in a loving way). After the screening, everyone gave a standing ovation to those players in attendance. They then opened the floor for Q&A. They told a few stories and told their thoughts on the team today. They believe the Team right now can go all the way if they improve their defense and stay focused. They also noted, Derek Anderson did, that the NCAA win to him was better than any win in the pros. It meant more to him and also he still keeps in touch with those players, unlike those in pros. There is something magical about college and winning the NCAA. They also had a drawing and I was lucky to be one of the people to win! It is a clear glass #1 which lists all the players names, their numbers, and has The Untouchables engraved. Very nice gift to have as a keepsake from this very special evening. The players were all very gracious and took pictures with everyone and signed basketballs and other items. Emily and I were just in awe to be in the room with them and to talk with them. No matter where the players are from, they know what it means to be a Kentucky Wildcat. The Untouchables……unforgettable.
[PAGE]Photos[/PAGE]
