Transy video goes behind the scenes
of exhibition game with UK basketball

Transylvania University’s Athletics Department has released a behind-the-scenes video produced by Judd Films that documents last November’s basketball battle between the Pioneers and the soon-to-be national champion Kentucky Wildcats.

Judd Films is operated by Transylvania graduate and former basketball player Blake Judd, who was on the floor when the Beck Center (Transy’s home floor) opened in January 2002. The film runs 8:27 and features interviews with Transylvania president Owen Williams, head coach Brian Lane, former coach Don Lane, and several Pioneer players.

Also featured is UK head coach John Calipari and play-by-play man Tom Leach.

The film provides an insider’s look at how the game happened after the two schools had gone 100 years between meetings. Transy hadn’t played UK since the 1910-11 season.

Entering the exhibition game, played on Nov. 2, 2011 at Rupp Arenea, the teams had split 14 regular season meetings. The Pioneers won the first game between the schools by a 42-2 count on Feb. 20, 1903. Basketball had been invented just 12 years earlier.

“What’s really important,” said Williams during the film, “is that two great institutions are pulling together and representing the community in which they reside.”

“This is an experience that they will never have again,” said Transylvania head coach Brian Lane. :It will be something they remember the rest of their lives. Nothing will compare to a five-block walk into downtown Lexington to get ready for the Cats.”

Transy jumped to an 11-4 lead against the Wildcats, who would go on to post a 33-1 regular-season record before winning the school’s eighth NCAA title. Kentucky won the exhibition contest, 97-53. Transy won the HCAC regular season championship, going 22-3 during the regular. The Pioneers would also qualify for post-season play, hosting first-round action in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

From Transylvania University