Cats’ Pause founder Oscar Combs, UK great Tony Delk to be inducted into Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WKYT) – Oscar Combs, founder of the Cats’ Pause, and UK All-American Tony Delk, are among four people set for induction into the Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, it was announced on Wednesday.

Combs, a Hazard native, began covering the Kentucky Wildcats for the Hazard Herald in 1965, only to start the first independent publication dedicated to a major athletic program, the Cats’ Pause. In 1976, the Cats’ Pause become the forerunner of a nationwide industry in college athletics. Combs was a co-host on the UK radio network for 20 years and was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame in 2000.

Tony Delk led UK to the 1996 national championship and was named the Final Four MVP that year. Hailing from Brownsville, Tenn., Delk helped UK win three SEC championships and play in two Final Fours. He was the 16th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft and spent 10 seasons playing for eight teams. He still leads UK with 283 made 3-pointers.

Also being selected for induction, Teddy Bridgewater, the former Louisville quarterback who played nine seasons in the NFL.

Rounding out the Class of 2024 is longtime Kentucky Wesleyan sports information director Roy Pickerill. Pickerill served Kentucky Wesleyan for 53 years, first as a student assistant, then as SID.

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