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Déjà Blue: A Sportswriter Reflects on 41 Seasons of Kentucky Basketball

What will Kentucky Book Festival visitors find on your table?

I’m not sure how to respond to this one. I was planning to maybe bring a copy of my memoir. Otherwise, I’mopen to suggestions.

Whom do you invite to stop by? Who will benefit from reading your book?

I’m not sure about inviting people. I thought of Mark Pope, Kenny Walker, Rex Chapman, JeffSheppard,John Clay and Mark Story.

And I’d hope that Kentucky basketball fans and aspiring sports reporters could benefit from reading mymemoir.

Could you please tell us something curious about you and/or your book?

I grew up as an introvert who recoiled at the idea of standing out. To be a sportswriter, I had to learn to bemore outgoing. I would have preferred to keep myself out of the book. But since it’s a memoir, I feltobligated to give it a first-person element. But I also spoke to more than 40 people (fans, former UK players,coaches, Frank X. Walker) to give it a historical feel.

Is this your first time participating in the Kentucky Book Festival? If yes – what are you looking forward tothe most? If you’ve participated before – what was your favorite experience at the Festival?

I attended the Kentucky Book Festival the year that included Jon Meacham. My wife and I attended apresentation Meacham made at Lexington Green a few doors down from Joseph Beth. This year will be myfirst time as an author at the Kentucky Book Festival.

About the Author

After a Hall of Fame career that spanned nearly 50 years, veteran sportswriter Jerry Tipton is best known for his no nonsense coverage of University of Kentucky men’s basketball, challenging questions, catchy leads, and legendary exchanges with Coach John Calipari. In Déjà Blue, he shares a behind-the-scenes look at his career in sportswriting, from his early years at the Huntington Herald-Dispatch (W.Va.) through over four decades covering the highs, and lows, of the Wildcats for the Lexington Herald-Leader including three national championships, nine Final Fours, and six head coaches.

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