August 14, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUG. 13, 2007 East Kentucky coach explores various avenues in pursuit of players PIKEVILLE, KY. - East Kentucky Miners Coach Kevin Keathley continues to evaluate players for the 2007-08 season. The Continental Basketball Association (CBA) expansion team recently held its first free agent camp. Keathley had the opportunity to evaluate those in attendance at the free agent camp and continues to plan for the team's inaugural season. "When looking for players to play in the CBA, it's really no different than recruiting on the college level," said Keathley. "You use the contacts you've made - whether it be overseas or in the states." According to Keathley, communication is key. "You talk to college coaches, pro scouts, agents and NBA coaches to see who may be available come November," Keathley commented. "Sometimes, you might have a player that may be holding out for a big money contract overseas and lose out on him at the last second. On the flip side, you get a guy who could be making six figures overseas but would rather play in the CBA and get exposure in front of NBA scouts." The CBA will host its annual draft Sept. 25. Each team will have six picks in the six-round CBA draft. East Kentucky plans to make the most of its six draft picks. "The draft is something that my scout/administrative assistant coach and I are working on everyday," said Keathley. "We want to draft guys that we know will be able to come in to training camp and work to earn a spot on our active roster." The East Kentucky team's recent free agent camp showcased the talents of several promising professional basketball players, some of whom may be invited back for another workout. "I think there is a misconception out in the public that we select our talent from free agent camps only," Keathley commented. "This is not the case at all. The recent free agent camp was specifically designed to give local players an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of myself and other members of the organization. Sometimes we are fortunate and able to find a player or two from an event such as the one we held August 4. But in most cases, the players who perform at events such as these just aren't playing at a level we are looking for. Our first free agent camp was a good one. We had 21 guys show up and work to make a dream come true. I wish all those guys continued success as they follow their hoop dream wherever it may take them." East Kentucky will open its debut season on Friday, Nov. 16 on the road in Pittsburgh versus the Xplosion. The Miners will host Pittsburgh in a home opener on Sunday, Nov. 18 at the East Kentucky Expo Center.
August 17, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUG. 16, 2007 Miners preparing for CBA Draft PIKEVILLE, KY. – East Kentucky Miners Coach Kevin Keathley has spent much of the month of August evaluating talent. Keathley is looking to fill a training camp roster for a Continental Basketball Association (CBA) expansion team that has Eastern Kentucky basketball fans excited about hoops of the professional kind. The Miners will get six picks in the upcoming 2007 CBA College Draft. Each of the 10 CBA teams will get half-a-dozen picks as part of the upcoming draft. This year’s draft is scheduled for Sept. 25 from 7-11 p.m. The CBA Draft will be made up of players who departed the college ranks earlier in the year. The Miners coach is looking for players who’ll play productive roles in his system. “We want guys who can play multiple positions,” said Keathley. “We need to have guys who are capable of playing combo spots.” Throughout his coaching career, Keathley has showcased an uptempo offensive style. Some of his past teams have been league leaders in points per game scoring average. “The players we draft have to be able to fit into our system,” Keathley commented. “We’re looking at guys who are versatile. The type of players we want are those who are athletic and can run and catch the pass and go up with it. Guys who have played in college programs that get up and down the floor will work well in our system. At the same time, there's a possibility we could draft a post player if a quality one is available.” Keathley has confirmed he’ll be inviting some of the participants of the recent East Kentucky Miners free agent camp back for a future second workout. More than one player showed the ability to play professional basketball at a high level during the free agent camp. During the CBA Draft, teams will set up shop at various locations. The official CBA website – www.cbahoopsonline.com – will provide coverage of the draft. More on East Kentucky’s draft picks will appear on the team’s official website (www.ekminers.com) following the highly-anticipated event.
August 17, 200719 yr Will Pikeville have enough fans to support this type of venue? I am not for sure they do.
August 19, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUG. 17, 2007 Paquin joins Miners as Director of Basketball Operations/Administrative Assistant PIKEVILLE, KY - Brandon Paquin has been named Director of Basketball Operations/Administrative Assistant for the East Kentucky Miners of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). Paquin possesses prior professional basketball experience. He was an associate sports agent with Ice Miller Sports Services, one of the biggest law firms in the country. A native of Greencastle, Ind., Paquin was Basketball Operations Advisor for the ABA's Kentucky Colonels. Most recently, Paquin was the Director of Player Personnel for the Indiana Alley Cats. He has established relationships and worked closely with NBA teams such as the Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzles. "I've known Brandon for a few years now, going back to our ABA days with the Kentucky Colonels," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "Brandon is a young guy who has a keen eye for finding talented basketball players. I look forward to working with Brandon in building the East Kentucky Miners basketball franchise." Keathley and Paquin have already evaluated numerous professional basketball players and hopefuls. As part of his new position, Paquin will work closely with Keathley. Paquin welcomed the chance to join the East Kentucky professional basketball franchise. "The CBA is the premier minor league basketball league is the U.S.," commented Paquin. "I would like to thank Coach Kevin Keathley, Jay Fiedler, Demetrius Ford and Rob Blackwell for the opportunity to be the Director of Basketball Operations/Administrative Assistant for the Miners." Paquin, a 2001 graduate of Indiana University with a B.S. in Communications and a minor in Telecommunications, most recently resided in Louisville.
August 19, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUG. 18, 2007 Fiedler, Keathley to make appearances at area bowl games PIKEVILLE, KY. - Former NFL quarterback Jay Fiedler, co-founder of Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group Inc,, owner of the East Kentucky Miners, will be present on both nights of the 23rd Annual Pike County Bowl. This year's Pike County Bowl will feature all six local teams (Pikeville, Belfry, Pike County Central, Shelby Valley, East Ridge and Phelps) as well as Corbin and Louisville Holy Cross. Fiedler completed 1,717 passes for 11,844 yards and 69 touchdowns during his NFL career. In 2001, Fiedler started 16 regular-season games for the Miami Dolphins, passing for 3,290 yards and 20 touchdowns. Pikeville and Belfry will host games as part of the two-day bowl scheduled for Friday, Aug. 24-Saturday, Aug. 25. Community Trust Bank and WYMT-TV are co-sponsors of the Pike County Bowl. The Pike County Bowl is beneficial to all of the local schools. Nearly half a million dollars generated from the Pike County Bowl has been split between Pikeville and the Pike County schools over the last 22 years. Belfry High School will host the Bowl on Friday, Aug. 24 during its first night. In the first game, Phelps is pitted against East Ridge in a Pike County matchup. In Friday's nightcap, former state champions Corbin and Belfry will meet in an early-season showdown between prep football powerhouses. Belfry won back-to-back state titles in 2003 and 2004. Corbin is a preseason top 10 team in Class 2A. Belfry is touted as a preseason Class 3A top 10 team. On Saturday, Aug. 25, Pikeville High School will host a pair of season-openers. In Saturday's first game, Pike County Central and Shelby Valley are paired up in a contest between two longtime rivals. In the final game of the 23rd Annual Pike County Bowl, Pikeville will collide with Louisville Holy Cross. Tradition-rich Pikeville has won three state championships. Pikeville and Holy Cross are each ranked in the top 10 of various preseason Class A polls. East Kentucky Miners Coach Kevin Keathley will also be active during the first week of the Kentucky high school football season. The first Friday night of the gridiron campaign will find Keathley in Prestonsburg, the county seat of his native Floyd County. Keathley will be present at Blackcat Stadium, watching host Prestonsburg take on Floyd County rival Betsy Layne in the Joe P. Tackett Gridiron Classic. In its first year, the Gridiron Classic is named in honor of the late Joe P. Tackett, a longtime Prestonsburg football supporter. Prestonsburg is also ranked as a Class 2A preseason top 10 team. Pro Basketball News (www.probasketballnews.com) named Keathley one of the top 10 young coaches in America last year. In 2005, Keathley earned an ABA coach of the year award. The East Kentucky Miners have made a commitment to stay involved in communities throughout Eastern Kentucky. Members of the Miners organization will remain active year-round in various Eastern Kentucky communities.
August 19, 200719 yr I know Kevin Pittsnogle (played at Pitt) used to play in the CBA before going overseas but are there any "big names" on any rosters??
August 24, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Contact: Steve LeMaster, Director of Public Relations Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 Email: [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUG. 24, 2007 Miners, four other teams make up American Conference PIKEVILLE, KY. – When the Continental Basketball Association begins its 62nd season in November, East Kentucky hoops fans will be able to follow their own team throughout the 2007-08 campaign. The East Kentucky Miners will begin play in their debut season on Friday, November 16 on the road versus American Conference rival Pittsburgh. East Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Minot and Albany make up the CBA’s American Conference. “It will be a very exciting year for the CBA as a whole – especially in our conference,” said Miners Coach Kevin Keathley. “Two expansion teams in addition to Pittsburgh, Minot and Albany makes for a solid conference.” The Miners coach sees striking similarities between the East Kentucky and Pittsburgh franchises. “Pittsburgh has history much like East Kentucky with the mining industry and hard working people,” Keathley commented. “There’s somewhat of a natural rivalry that’s already been established between East Kentucky and Pittsburgh given the proximity of the two franchises.” NBA veteran Kenny Anderson leads the Atlanta Krunk, another CBA expansion team. Anderson took over the Atlanta team as head coach earlier this year. After averaging 26 points per game as a sophomore at Georgia Tech, Anderson declared for the NBA draft. Anderson – a native of Queens, N.Y. – was selected as the second overall pick by the New Jersey Nets in the 1991 NBA draft. He spent 14 seasons in the NBA, playing with nine franchises. “Kenny Anderson brings a lot of experience to the Atlanta franchise," said Keathley. "I always admired Kenny Anderson and look forward to facing Atlanta later in the year.” The Chris Daleo-coached Minot Skyrockets will also provide East Kentucky competition within its conference as part of the inaugural season. Daleo coached Minot to a 31-17 record last season. “Minot is a quality franchise,” Keathley exclaimed. “Head coach Chris Daleo has enjoyed much success. Traveling to North Dakota to face Minot will afford us one of our longest road trips.” Tradition-rich Albany is widely considered the early American Conference frontrunner. Vincent Askew is set to enter his first season as head coach of the Albany Patroons. The Patroons finished runner-up to the Yakama Sun Kings in the 2006-07 season. “Albany has been a big part of professional basketball history and I greatly respect that,” Keathley commented. “Tradition-wise, Albany is as good as it gets. Coaches from Phil Jackson to George Karl have guided the Albany Patroons. Albany has a proven track record of producing exceptional professional coaches and players. Now, new head coach Vincent Askew has the opportunity to coach the Albany franchise. There’s no doubt Albany has set the bar high. I'm also excited about the opportunity to face the Patroons.”
September 1, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPT. 1, 2007 Coach Kevin Keathley Show Presented by Appalachian Wireless to air on WYMT PIKEVILLE, KY. – Continuing to prepare for its debut season, the East Kentucky Miners professional basketball organization has announced details for the Coach Kevin Keathley Show Presented by Appalachian Wireless. The show will air Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. on WYMT-TV, a CBS affiliate based out of Hazard, Ky. Beginning Thursday, Nov. 1, WYMT will carry 24 one-half hour shows as part of an inaugural season. “I couldn't be happier to be a part of CBS's Thursday lineup,” said East Kentucky Miners Coach Kevin Keathley. “To be able to get out and have our coaches show broadcast on the most-watched night in TV is big on many fronts." WYMT’s Derek Forrest will host the show. "It is definitely an honor to be a part of one of the first professional franchises to come into Eastern Kentucky,” said Forrest. “The Miners will provide Eastern Kentucky with an exciting brand of basketball. Along with that, WYMT hopes to recreate that same kind of excitement with the Coach Kevin Keathley Show." WYMT is owned by Gray Television and is a sister station to WKYT-TV, Lexington's CBS affiliate. The station is a leader in Eastern Kentucky news and sports coverage. “WYMT has always made a commitment to bringing Eastern Kentucky to the forefront with their programming," Keathley confided. “This is something that has been in the works since I arrived here and to get this official is one more step in making this team the premier franchise both on and off the floor." Each edition of the show will feature new and exciting insightful segments. “We (WYMT) are excited to be the home of the Coach Kevin Keathley Show,” said WYMT’s Brandon Hensley. “We feel that the East Kentucky Miners are an asset to not only the Mountains of Eastern Kentucky and WYMT, but also the state of Kentucky. We are looking forward to including the Miners in our coverage.” The early editions of the show are already starting to take shape. “We have already shot footage for the show and are currently in the process of constructing the set and designing the show’s graphics," Keathley said. “We are going to work extremely hard to make this a program that all age groups can enjoy.” The Miners – a property of Trinity Sports & Entertainment Group, Inc. – continue to have a strong presence in communities throughout Eastern Kentucky. "Trinity Sports has made a strong commitment to this region and this is just one more example of how the company continues to make the Miners an organization all of Eastern Kentucky can be a part of," Keathley said.
September 11, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPT. 10, 2007 CBA schedule changes affect Miners PIKEVILLE, KY. – The Continental Basketball Association – the world’s oldest professional league – announced Thursday it had made a number of schedule changes for the upcoming season. Some of the schedule changes affected the first-year East Kentucky Miners. The changes were due to scheduling conflicts that arose from the new travel partnership the CBA has formed with Global Airline Services. The following East Kentucky games have been changed: Nov. 23, CBA Game No. 18 – East Kentucky at Minot is now Dec. 13; Nov. 24, CBA Game No. 22 – East Kentucky at Minot is now Dec. 14; Dec. 13, CBA Game No. 62 – Minot at East Kentucky is now Dec. 10. Other changes to the CBA schedule: Nov. 27, CBA Game No. 27 – Minot at Atlanta is now Jan. 11; Dec. 1, CBA Game No. 36 – Albany at Pittsburgh is now Dec. 2; Jan. 24, Game No. 138 – Texas at Oklahoma is now Feb. 11. "The scheduling changes are for the growth of the league as a whole and that's a big key," said East Kentucky Coach Kevin Keathley. "The signing of the league-wide travel agreement is a situation that will be beneficial to all teams." The CBA has also announced the following game time changes: Dec. 9, Game No. 56 Rio Grande Valley at Great Falls is a 3:05 p.m. local start; Jan. 27, Game No. 145 – Pittsburgh at Oklahoma is a 4:05 p.m. local start; Feb. 10. Game, No. 176 – Great Falls at Butte is a 3:15 p.m. local start. In addition, Rio Grande Valley has moved all of its starting times from 7:05 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. The Texas team’s Sunday afternoon games are now slated for 5:05 p.m. tip times. “We apologize to our fans and sponsors for having to make these changes at a late date,” CBA Vice President of Basketball Operations Dennis Truax said. “These changes were necessary due our new partnership with Global Airline Services.” East Kentucky will open its inaugural season on Friday, Nov. 16 in Pennsylvania versus the Pittsburgh Xplosion. The season-opener is set for a 7:05 p.m. tip-off. The Miners will host Pittsburgh in their home opener on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in the East Kentucky Expo Center. Season tickets for East Kentucky’s debut season remain on sale. For more information, call the East Kentucky Miners ticket office at 606/437-9715.
September 15, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPT. 14, 2007 Miners announce Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour PIKEVILLE, KY. – The Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour will visit four Eastern Kentucky cities in four separate counties in four days, Sept. 17-20. The event will run from 6-8 p.m. each day. Stops are planned for Pikeville, Hindman, Inez and Prestonsburg. Coach Kevin Keathley is entering his first season at the helm of the East Kentucky Miners, an expansion team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). The Miners will begin play in November. East Kentucky will play its home games at the Expo Center in Pikeville. The Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour will kick off on Monday in Pikeville at Hibbett Sporting Goods. "I'm really excited about having the opportunity to get out in various parts of Eastern Kentucky next week and visit with the basketball fans of the area," said Keathley. “It gives me an opportunity to spread the word about East Kentucky Miners Basketball and what we've been up to as of late." Keathley has spent eight years as a coach in the college and pro basketball ranks. After successful coaching stints at Lees College and St. Catharine College, Keathley guided the Louisville Eagles to the 2003 UPBL championship. In 2004, Keathley was named head coach of the ABA's Kentucky Colonels. The Keathley-coached Colonels finished the 2005 season 21-12, falling to eventual league champion Arkansas in the second round of the playoffs. The Colonels ranked fourth in the Massey Ratings. Keathley was named the ABA Coach of the Year following the 2005 season. At the time, Keathley was the youngest head coach in pro basketball. In 2006, Pro Basketball News (www.probasketballnews.com) ranked Keathley as one of the top 10 young coaches in America. Most recently, Keathley was the top assistant coach of the Rio Grande Valley Silverados. The East Kentucky Miners Coach has authored a book on basketball, entitled Hardwood Constitution – A Blueprint to Coaching Success. Keathley is an Eastern Kentucky native. Various members of the Miners organization will join Keathley on the tour. During each of the Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour stops, fans will have the opportunity to win Miners merchandise through various drawings and giveaways. In addition, information on how to purchase season tickets will be available. Fans will also be able to ask the East Kentucky coach questions about his coaching history as well as the Miners and what the upcoming season holds for the CBA expansion team. Members of the Diamond Girls Dance Team – official dance squad for the East Kentucky Miners – will also be a part of the Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour. A schedule for the tour follows. The Meet Coach Kevin Keathley Tour Sept. 17-20 (6-8 p.m. each day) Monday, Sept. 17 at Hibbett Sporting Goods, Pikeville Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Holly Hills Shopping Center, Hindman Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Roy F. Collier Community Center, Inez Thursday, Sept. 20 at Prestonsburg High School/Blackcat Stadium, Prestonsburg
September 20, 200719 yr EAST KENTUCKY MINERS 237 2ND STREET PIKEVILLE, KY. 41501 Phone: (606) 437-9715 Fax: (606) 437-9725 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPT. 20, 2007 Miners to host CBA Draft Party at Applebee's PIKEVILLE, KY. - The East Kentucky Miners will host a CBA Draft Party at Applebee's in Pikeville on Tuesday, Sept. 25, and everyone is invited. East Kentucky, one of four expansion teams in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), holds the third pick in each of the 22nd Annual CBA Draft's six rounds. The draft order is determined by the final quarter point average from the 2006-07 season of the returning CBA teams. Among the 2007-08 expansion squads, draft order was determined by announced entry into the CBA. Oklahoma is first in the CBA Draft order. East Kentucky is sandwiched between Rio Grande Valley (2nd) and Atlanta (4th) in the 10-team draft. This year's CBA Draft is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. (EDT) on Tuesday and run until 11 p.m. Any player who was eligible to be selected in the NBA Draft on June 28 is eligible to be picked in the 2007 CBA Draft. This year's draft, originating from Pittsburgh, will again be staged via teleconference from each CBA city. The Pittsburgh Xplosion will host this year's draft.The webcast will be shown live on TV monitors throughout Applebee's. The Draft Party will also feature the Diamond Girls Dance Team, official dance squad of the East Kentucky Miners. East Kentucky fans who attend the party will also receive a 2007 CBA Draft Scoreboard and be able to chart the selections. "Tuesday night is when much of what we're doing on the basketball operations side of the franchise becomes real to the basketball fans of Eastern Kentucky," said Miners Coach Kevin Keathley. "Myself and Bandon Paquin, our Director of Basketball Operations, have been working really hard to evaluate the outgoing college class. What we found is not only are there several players on the Division 1 level, but there's also some individuals from the NAIA and NCAA Division 2 levels that we feel may be able to help us." Fans who attend Tuesday's CBA Draft Party at Applebee's will see a portion of the East Kentucky professional basketball franchise form before their eyes. "Tuesday night at Applebee's in Pikeville is the place to be to find out who we've drafted," Keathley confided. "This isn't just a normal draft party. While you're there being entertained by our dance team, we will actually be conducting our draft selections live. You will know who we pick the same time the other teams across the country find out. Eastern Kentucky has a chance to be a part of history Tuesday night." During the CBA Draft, each team will receive a maximum of five minutes to make its selection in rounds one and two. However, teams are not allowed to select for three minutes following the previous team's selection. Once time has elapsed, the next team in the selection order will be notified that it has two minutes left. In the third-sixth rounds, each team will receive three minutes to make its selection and must wait two minutes prior to announcing its selection. 2007 CBA DRAFT ORDER No. Team 1. Oklahoma Calvary (expansion) 2. Rio Grande Valley Silverados (expansion) 3. East Kentucky Miners (expansion) 4. Atlanta Krunk (expansion) 5. Pittsburgh Xplosion 6. Butte Daredevils 7. Great Falls Explorers 8. Minot Skyrockets 9. Albany Patroons 10. Yakama Sun Kings
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