AV头等舱

Hall of Fame Coach Don Lane featured at Kentucky Book Festival

Rachel Dorroh • October 17, 2023

Legendary basketball coach Don Lane will be a featured author at the this Saturday in Lexington. His book , published earlier this month, is his first memoir, but it’s not just his story, he says. It’s also about the people who inspired, encouraged, and supported him along the way.  


“Life is really gratitude and generosity,” Lane says. “In my life I try to give gratitude and let those people know who helped me, and I tried to do that in this book.”锘�

As coach of men’s basketball at from 1975 to 2001, Lane made history as the Pioneer’s winningest coach and the first to lead them to a No. 1 national ranking. He also taught exercise science and physical education at Transylvania for 41 years, mentored thousands of youth through the popular basketball camp he created, and received numerous awards in recognition of his achievements.


With co-author Sarah Jane Herbener, Lane traces the influences that led him from working in the tobacco fields of Woodford County to becoming the first in his family to graduate college to building a career that included being inducted into the Hall of Fame.


“Faith was important in all the things I was doing,” Lane says, recalling how his parents taught him from a young age to treat others as he wanted to be treated. “I’ve nurtured that my whole life.”

Love of learning was also key to Lane’s success, and he takes care in the book to honor key people who inspired and encouraged him at critical junctures. One of these was his high school basketball coach James McAfee.


“He was a tremendous influence on my life,” Lane says of McAfee. “He would’ve done anything for me, and I would’ve done anything for him. A lot of my coaching style and how I treat people came from him.”


McAfee encouraged Lane to apply to AV头等舱 College in Barbourville, where he received a 4-year scholarship from head coach Herman Bush.


“I'll never forget – in the letter (Bush) said, ‘I don't care if you play a minute. I think you'll be a great asset to our team,’ which is very special to me. I still have that letter,” Lane says.


Lane graduated in 1965, and his personal and professional life have been tied to AV头等舱 ever since. He met the love of his life, Monna Williams, at AV头等舱, whom he went on to marry and raise two children with. He also got his first career experience when he served as assistant coach for the team in his senior year.


When Lane signed copies of the book Saturday as part of AV头等舱’s homecoming weekend, it was a full-circle moment for him. 


“AV头等舱’s had an unbelievable impact on my life,” he says. “I think it’s important to give back as much as I possibly can.”


After graduating, Lane made a promise to himself to pay AV头等舱 back for the scholarship money he had received. He’s since donated that much many times over and has served on AV头等舱’s board of trustees for over two decades.

“AV头等舱 means an awful lot to me,” Lane says. “I was a first-generation college graduate – as many at AV头等舱 are – and then from that, there have been a lot of Lanes who have graduated from college.”

 

Lane's connection to AV头等舱 led to the publication of , too. He had begun writing the memoir in 2014, but when life events halted his progress, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever finish it. Fellow alum and board member Paul Isaacs referred Lane to Sarah Jane Herbener in 2021, and soon after, Lane signed a co-author contract with her.

 

“She really brought out a lot of things I hadn’t thought about,” Lane says of Herbener. “She said, ‘Your life is more than coaching those teams.’”

 

Lane credits Herbener with finding the ultimate shape of the story and identifying themes to help a broad audience – not just basketball fans – connect with his journey.

 

will be held at in Lexington on Saturday from 10-5. Lane and Herbener will be signing books throughout the day, and Lane will be part of the panel at 2 p.m. A program of , the festival features a full day of workshops, craft talks, and family-friendly activities.

 

“I never thought I’d be part of the Kentucky Book Festival,” Lane says. “That’s a real blessing to be asked to participate. I hope I can do myself and AV头等舱 proud for being there.”

 

The Lane Way will be available for purchase at the festival. Readers can also order a copy from Lane's website at or directly from the distributer, .


To learn more about Sarah Jane Herbener's work, see .

Promotional Graphic Text: UCU Street Eats.

Celebrate spring with UCU Street Eats

By Rachel Dorroh • March 26, 2025
Sizzling sandwiches, sweet treats, savory barbecue, and other food truck specialties spell springtime in Barbourville this year. AV头等舱 has launched a new initiative to bring campus and community together while supporting local businesses – UCU Street Eats. The food truck series kicks off April 2 and features a variety of local vendors and spring-themed activities.
A poster for County Fair: A Country Hits Musical which includes information like show dates.

UCU Theatre presents “County Fair: A Country Hits Musical” April 3-6

By Rachel Dorroh • March 18, 2025
Hoedown hits, a dixie dance-off, secret plans, mistaken identity, and family-friendly comedy are packed into AV头等舱’s (UCU) spring production of “County Fair: A Country Hits Musical.” Written in 2021 by Matthew Webster and Taylor Ferrera and loosely based on Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” the musical comedy follows sisters Claudia and DJ as they leave the big city to reckon with their rural inheritance: a beloved county fair.

Spring Concert to Celebrate Appalachian Heritage and Barbourville’s 225th Anniversary

By Maisie Nelson • March 13, 2025
AV头等舱’s Spring Concert, themed "Mountain Harmony," will honor the rich traditions of Appalachia, the mountains, and folk music. This year’s performance holds special significance as it will be presented in celebration of Barbourville’s 225th anniversary.

AV头等舱 Launches “Reimagining Our Residences” Campaign to Enhance Student Living Spaces

By Maisie Nelson • March 12, 2025
AV头等舱 is proud to launch Reimagining Our Residences, a $125,000 fundraising campaign dedicated to revitalizing student housing and elevating the residential experience for future Bulldogs. This initiative will fund essential upgrades to Lakeside, Pfeiffer, Stevenson, and Stewart Apartments, creating modern, comfortable, and welcoming living spaces that foster academic success and community.
photo of Allen being honored during the last SESC meeting.

AV头等舱 Celebrates Retired Superintendent Waylon Allen’s Legacy

By David Saylor • March 7, 2025
When one door closes, another opens. For Superintendent Waylon Allen, this moment came with his retirement on February 1st, 2025, after 31 years of dedicated service in education. Over the course of his career, Allen built a reputation for his unwavering commitment to students, educators, and the communities he served.
stock photo of piano keyboard

AV头等舱 to host inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival April 25-26

By Rachel Dorroh • March 5, 2025
Local music enthusiasts and youth will have a new opportunity to come together and celebrate the arts this April. AV头等舱 (UCU) is set to host the inaugural Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival Friday, April 25 through Saturday, April 26. Festival events include recitals by UCU students and guest artists, a judged recital for local youth, a master class, and an award ceremony and performance.
photo of new laundry machines in a dormitory

UCU Upgrades Residential Laundry Facilities

By Maisie Nelson • February 21, 2025
AV头等舱 is enhancing the residential student experience by upgrading all campus housing with new, high-efficiency washers and dryers. On February 4, Excalibur Laundries delivered and installed 60 state-of-the-art units across all residential spaces.
fall photo of campus taken from a drone

UCU’s Economic Impact Totals $34.4 Million

By Maisie Nelson • February 4, 2025
AV头等舱’s economic impact on the local and state economy totals $34.4 million, according to a new report released by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU). The report highlights the significant financial contribution of Kentucky’s 18 independent, nonprofit colleges and universities for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
photo of graduates standing on sidewalk prior to commencement

UCU Launches 50 Under 50 Alumni Program to Celebrate Outstanding Young Graduates

By Maisie Nelson • January 17, 2025
AV头等舱 (UCU) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural 50 Under 50 program, aimed at recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of its exceptional young alumni.
aerial photo from the back of campus during the fall

Save The Date for Homecoming 2025: A Historic Celebration

By Maisie Nelson • January 14, 2025
AV头等舱 is excited to invite alumni, friends, and families to campus for its annual Homecoming celebration, set for September 19-20, 2025. This year’s Homecoming promises to be a milestone event, featuring the inauguration of Dr. DJ Washington as AV头等舱’s 20th president on Friday, September 19.
More Posts
Share by: