UK Wildcats Blog is a project created, designed and edited by long-time UK artist and fan, Jim Ransdell. Jim has been a fan of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball program since he was a child in the 1970's playing on his Nerf basketball hoop in his basement listening to the smooth voice of Cawood Ledford call the game on the radio. UK Wildcats Blog was created to celebrate the rich history of the Kentucky basketball program and to bring back great memories from UK seasons gone by.
In addition to being a fan of the Kentucky Wildcats, Jim has spent a good part of his life working with Kentucky related products and events. In 1984, Jim got his start working closely with the UK basketball program when he was picked to assist a local promoter and UK gift shop owner in setting up an event to celebrate the career of former UK guard Dicky Beal. The event, held in Covington Kentucky, brought the senior class of the 1983-84 UK team together for an exhibition game to honor Beal at his high school alma mater.
Jim took those experiences and in the late 1980's and into the 1990's, Jim opened and operated his family owned Kentucky Wildcats gift shop in the Florence Mall in Northern Kentucky called Touchdown Sportswear (I know, funny name for a place that focused on UK basketball). The store was a well known local hangout for UK fans in Northern Kentucky and provided those fans with a place to go to buy UK related merchandise to show their love of the Wildcats. Touchdown Sportswear became a popular place for fans to gather to talk about UK sports and to share stories about their favorite basketball team.
During that time, Jim put his skills as a graphic designer to good use by creating exclusive UK apparel designs that were sold at the stores and by creating art prints for former UK players. Jim was also directly involved with planning and executing player appearance events in Northern Kentucky. Some of the players that Jim worked with were Travis Ford, Kenny Walker, Rex Chapman, Ed Davender and was even involved in having Rick Pitino visit the Florence Mall to do his radio show each year. Through relationships made during that time, Jim has continued to be involved in designing UK products and working closely with former UK stars.
In 2005, the University of Kentucky held the first official Hall of
Fame induction ceremonies in Lexington. The University of Kentucky Athletics Department officially inducted its
inaugural class of Hall of Famers, which consisted of the 88
players and personalities who had their numbers retired in the past. This ceremony
brought together a once in a lifetime who's-who of Kentucky sports history. Jim had the honor of creating the official commemorative poster for the event. that was given to each attendee at the event.
After this event, Jim also created several individual player prints for the UK Hall of Fame. One of these prints
commemorated the "Unforgettables", John Pelphrey, Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus and Sean Woods. This unique art print
was well received and was selected by the Maker's Mark company to be
featured on the label of their special Keeneland "Unforgettables"
bottle in 2007.
Jim continues to provide design services and product development consulting to top sports teams, athletes, licensed product companies, and companies involved in sports marketing and continues to work with Kentucky related projects at every opportunity. UK Wildcats Blog is a way to share the many experiences Jim has had over the years with the UK program and to give new life to the many great memories every UK fan has about the glorious past and bright future of the UK basketball program.
In addition, Jim has made his return something close to his heart. Jim has returned to the business of selling UK products by opening The Kentucky Shop in Florence Kentucky.
