Topic: MU grad Jerry Tipton writer for Lexington Herald-Leader

[W0lfman]

inducted into Basketball Writers Hall of Fame.

The Lexington Herald-Leader's Jerry Tipton is among three sportswriters selected for induction into the United States Basketball Writers Association's Hall of Fame.

Tipton, 53, is in his 24th year covering University of Kentucky men's basketball for the Herald-Leader.

Before that, the Marshall University graduate spent eight years working for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch.

When he came to the old Lexington Herald in 1981, Tipton covered both UK football and hoops, which he continued to do for the merged Herald-Leader until 1987.

That year, the UK beat was split, and Tipton began concentrating solely on basketball.

During that time, he has followed two UK teams that won NCAA championships and five Final Four entrants.

In Kentucky journalism circles, Tipton is renowned for his relentless work ethic. It is not unusual for him to produce more stories in a year than the calendar has days.

"I think Jerry is the best college basketball writer in the country, period," said Herald-Leader Sports Editor Gene Abell. "It speaks volumes when you see the respect the coaches and Jerry's peers around college basketball have for him."

Joining Tipton in entering the Hall of Fame are Frank Burlison, a 30-year veteran, currently at the Long Beach Press-Telegram; and Malcolm Moran of USA Today.

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/11027829.htm