Kentucky's Domain of Power, Greed and Corruption

by Betty B. Ellison

Referring to college athletics as amateur sports is as archaic as football's flying wedge that was outlawed almost a century ago. College athletics are all about multi-million-dollar programs,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595159915
• ISBN13: 9780595159918
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.9" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great Book

This book gives a detailed account of the decades of corruption surrounding the university of kentucky's athletics program. Otherwise known as the "Dirtiest Program in the History of College Athletics."

The Shame Remains

Thanks to Ms. Ellison, our friends in Lexington have another opportunity to correct their ways. One of the most penalized schools in NCAA history, the University of Kentucky has not changed much since the basketball team had to cancel two seasons in the 1950s because of player involvement in gambling scandals. Back in the early 90's, a new athletic director was hired, pledging to clean things up. And things did appear to have changed on the surface. However, within less than a decade, the football team has been cited for more than 35 violations of NCAA rules, including some major violations.One of the problems UK inherently faces is the expectations of many fans in the state whose entire lives seem to revolve around the program. Not that this is unique to UK, but Kentucky's fans place UK right up there with the heavenly kingdom. UK can do no wrong, as far as they're concerned. Anything to the contrary is considered a direct attack on their holy grail.Ms. Ellison has done a great job of illustrating the problems surrounding the UK legacy.

Freedom of Speech and Opinion or Expression is Wonderful

It is nice that we have a difference of opinion on the book in question or it wouldn't be worth the paper it is printed on or the years of work researching and writing the book -controversy sells more than complacency-the reviewer is right Ellison knows nothing just something about the topic she chose to write about since she attended the school for both BA and MA degrees,researched in school's libraries,archives,presidential papers as well as the other resources like newspapers and other books on the subjects-no it was not written from inside of the program for it is seldom that a person deeply involved with something of this nature can be honestly critical of the subject even when trying -that is human nature -maybe a little more seasoning in this reviewers life will give him a different perspective not only on UK Sports but Life itself-but at least it appears he did learn to read before he entered college which is a plus many students do not have in today's educational enviroment-they can play ball but cannot read and write -a fact not a fiction because of the sports programs eating up monies needed for academics and children raised more to play games than to work and earn their way in life -but we all enjoy freedom of speech in this nation so far so thanks for sharing yours with us

A bias opinion from Ellison's editor

This is a book that has been waiting to happen for a very long time- an honest attempt to give the real background facts of Ky Sports instead of all the pat us on the back Glory Books which do not include the pains and defeats of the rest of the University programs who must take hind parts because all the big money flows to the fun and games instead of to the disciplines of learning which should be primary goals of any school-the development of minds to make for a better social enviroment for life on this planet- Americans have gotten their value systems twisted because of too much emphasis on Games and it shows -UK is merely one of the many in the nation who sacrifice integrity dignity humanity for pleasure which becomes treasure for a shrewd few at the expense of the gullible many

Kentucky's Domain of Power,Greed and Corruption

I believe Jim Murray is doing a tongue in cheek- he actually gives the book a high rating so I think his comments are teasers to get the readers in Ky to think and read the book no matter if it lowers the opinions of the Big Blue Zealots etc Honesty is never out of style-Truth can always bear being examined-Ky has had glorious times in sports but it has also had its dark ages and pages-the fans cannot just claim the good and disclaim the bad- it is all of one cloth- Ellison merely tells it like it was found in her research and definitely allows the reader to see when she has her own interpretation and leaves the reader to make their own judgements -honoring their own intellect integrity and dignity