2013 Kentucky Wildcat Hall of Fame Announced

Feb 5, 2013; Lexington, KY, USA; The Kentucky Wildcats mascot during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 77-55. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Today the University of Kentucky announced the 2013 entrants into the Wildcat Hall of Fame.

Here’s your list:

Oliver Wesley Barnett (Football)- Born April 9, 1966 in Louisville, Kentucky, Barnett owns the Kentucky record for the most sacks in a Wildcat career (26). After life as a Wildcat, Barnett went played defensive lineman for 5 years (1990-1995) in the National Football League as an  Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, and San Francisco 49ers where he recorded 177 tackles, 5 sacks, and one Touchdown.

Rex Everett Chapman (Basketball) Born October 5, 1967, in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Chapman scored 1,073 during his two seasons as a Wildcat (1986-1988) where he recorded the 19th highest points in a season his sophomore year. After electing to go to the NBA after his sophomore season, Chapman was drafted #8 overall in the 1988 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Chapman averaged 14.6 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.7 assist during his 12 year career.

Leslie Nichols (Women’s Basketball) – A product of Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Nichols ranks second on UK’s all-time scoring list with 1,798 points, seventh on the all-time assists list with 323 assists, second all-time rebounding list with 877 boards, and second all-time steals with 278. Nichols is currently serving her 6th season as an assistant on the Kentucky women’s team serving under Matthew Mitchell.

Orlando “Tubby” Smith(Men’s Basketball) – Born June 30, 1951 Smith joined the Wildcats under then Rick Pitino during the rebuilding of the program. Tubby Smith was introduced as the Wildcats’ 20th head coach in May of 1997, replacing Pitino. Having won a national title in 1996 and played in the national title game in 1997, Smith inherited seven players from the Arizona loss, and five from the 1996 championship team for his first season in which the Wildcats won their seventh NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship.

Press Whelan (Track) – At Kentucky, Whelan was a four-time SEC Track Champion during his time at UK (1957-61), set the SEC Cross Country Record 4.4 miles, earned 6th Place in the NCAA Steeple Chase; was a 1959 all American; and National Champion 2-man 10 mile Relay. Graduating from UK in 1961 and he continued his education and received his Masters Degree in 1965. Whelan came back to coach track at UK where he saw 7 All-Americans times with 7 National Champions, four Olympic Performers, and 33 Titles in SEC Competition.

Jesse Witten (Tennis) – The most decorated men’s tennis player in program history, Witten is the only four-time men’s singles All-American in NCAA history (2002-05) and earned five All-American honors during his career (four individual and one as a doubles). Witten was the 2005 SEC Player of the Year after claiming 43 singles victories and advanced to two Grand Slam finals (2004 ITA National Indoor Singles Final and 2002 NCAA Singles Championship) as a Wildcat, and is still the only UK player in school history to achieve the feat.