Harlan Appalachian Regional Hospital will host a book signing event on Nov. 20 for longtime Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College professor and seven-time author Jamie Vaught’s new book on UK basketball.
The Harlan ARH event, located at 81 Ball Park Rd (near the Harlan campus of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College), will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, after the book signing, SKCTC will celebrate its 65th anniversary celebration with a banquet, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Harlan Center.
Vaught’s latest book, Unforgettable Journey with the Cats, includes new interviews with basketball coaches Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks.
“It could be the best book that I have done, but I will let the readers decide,” said Vaught, who is also a longtime professor at Southeast. “After separate interviews with Mark Pope and his wife, I really enjoyed writing the chapters on coach Pope and Lee Anne Pope. Coach Brooks was good, too. The new book is probably my favorite among the seven volumes that I have written.”
In addition to the Popes and Brooks, the 320-page book, which has over 60 photos, includes featured profiles of Harlan County native Trent Noah, Paul Andrews, Reed Sheppard, football star Tim Couch, Georgia Amoore, and the former Wildcats who played in the now-defunct American Basketball Association, including the popular Louisville-based Kentucky Colonels. Jeff Sheppard, Cameron Mills and sports journalists also share memorable stories.
Said Tom Leach, the Voice of the Wildcats on UK Radio Network, “UK Basketball is the connecting thread for the state and Big Blue Nation members around the world, and Jamie Vaught understands that as well as anyone. That background gives him a keen insight into the Wildcats, and the players and coaches that have given the BBN so many memorable moments, and you’ll enjoy reliving those moments in his newest book. You’ll enjoy every minute you spend reading it.”
In addition to the Harlan event on Nov. 20, several other book signings have been scheduled for Middlesboro, Lexington (Joseph-Beth Booksellers) and Somerset in early December. The London event, which featured former Cats Jeff Sheppard and Paul Andrews, was held on Nov. 13.
A current member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) who once wrote for The Cats’ Pause magazine for 13 years, the author retired from SKCTC full-time in 2024 after 33 years but still teaches two online accounting courses. Vaught is a two-time UK graduate with degrees in accounting and MBA.