Alan Cutler was the only reporter to spend time with former UK Football players at the Alumni Game!

In the scoreboard of life, UK's football program has scored more than advertised. The problem is the lack of wins. With more W's, more publicity would be given to many of these former student-athletes who gave what they could to turn UK into a winner.

Before the UK Alumni game, I spent time with '5' players. Finding out that four of them are spending their time developing young people was one of the most rewarding days any reporter can have. Oliver "Ollie" Barnett was captain of the '89 Cats. After a fine NFL career, he wouldn't change anything. "No regrets. I loved playing at UK. If I had a chance I'd play for UK again." UK is still trying to find someone to dominate on the defensive line like Ollie. Currently a counselor at the United Methodist Youth Home in Lexington, Ollie is also working on his masters degree in social work. "For me it's kind of a personal thing. I enjoy working with kids. When I grew up, other than coaches, I didn't have any positive role models. It's a way for me to give back. Makes me feel good." With a big smile, Ollie has some advise for Tim Couch. "Save your money. Save your money !! It's great while you are making it, but as soon as you stop, you get a normal job and a smaller pay check." Ollie watched too many of his teammates in the NFL blow their dough. "I don't know if it was poor planning or if some of these guys thought they old play forever. But, a lot of these guys lived paycheck to paycheck in the NFL."

Mike Meiners, a walk on who earned his way to a scholarship playing with Ollie, also had some advise for Tim. "Enjoy yourself. I know he's got a lot of pressure on him. But it seems like he's got it all together upstairs to be a success. Obviously, he's got great talent. I've never been a Browns fan......but I am now. " Meiners and Ollie were cutting up before the game. Meiners motioned towards Ollie as he was talking. "It's great seeing your old teammates and laughing with them about how fat they are."

Meiners then got serious. "I am proud as a peacock to be a former Cat. I probably shouldn't say this, but a few years back I was almost embarrassed to be an ex-football player." Ollie didn't disagree. "Now they make me feel real proud. I wasn't ashamed of UK, but when I was playing in the NFL, UK wouldn't come up in the locker room. Now I can brag about them again."

Randy Wyatt could flat out fly. UK never took advantage of his talents. It's easy to say that if Wyatt was a wide out for Mumme, his odds of playing in the NFL would have been very good. "Well, I hope so. If it was in God's plan for it to happen it was going to happen. I have no regrets. The main thing was for me to get my college education. Now I'm working on my second education. I'm blessed to have a college degree." The 1994 Captain went home to work with kids at Paducah Tilghman High. "You gotta try and get inside their heads and work with them and get them on the right track." Wyatt was shocked to see so few going out for football. When he played for Paducah Tilghman they were a power, and players would wait for their turn to shine. "Kids have other interests. It's a tough job. It's like recruiting in college. You gotta go out and get players."

Like Wyatt, John Schlarman wants to someday become a head football coach in high school. Today he is teaching and coaching football at Bourbon Co. High. Schlarman, who was a terrific offensive lineman with no knees, was Captain in 1997. "Kids look up to you when they know you made it on the next level."

Sterling Ward is teaching at Leestown Middle school in Lexington. He's also coaching their girls track team, and helping the football team at Lafayette High in Lexington. "It's fun. I love teaching the kids about life, about how important school is and how you can be successful and go farther than I did if you use your talent and ability. The kids listen to me. They know I have been there. They know I care about them." Sterling is like most of the Commonwealth when it comes to Tim Couch. "It's a great feeling. I cheered when he was picked number one in the NFL draft. I love this school, the city.....and you can't ask for anything better than this."