Maker's Mark bottle ups pressure on Kentucky's Stoops

Mark Stoops is appreciative of everything that comes with appearing on a once-a-year collector's item such as the Keeneland Maker's Mark bottle, but the University of Kentucky football coach also knows what it means to fans.

"I feel a little pressure that they're anticipating a great 2014," he said Thursday in Louisville.

No problem for Stoops, who hasn't tempered expectations since arriving at UK in November 2012. Given that, it's appropriate that the photo on the bottle is from the day he was introduced to Wildcats fans by serving as the cheerleaders' "Y" during a basketball game in Rupp Arena.

That's a photo Stoops approved – he called it a day he'll never forget – even if the success of UK's basketball program now hangs over last year's two-win season on the gridiron.

"It's a great dynamic," Stoops said. "It doesn't detract from us at all…Our basketball team gets the attention because they deserve it."

Basketball, bourbon and horses — the Youngstown, Ohio, native is already hitting trifectas.

Black Maker's Mark bottles with blue wax bearing Stoops' likeness go on sale around the state Friday, coinciding with the start of Keeneland's spring meet. The 10,000 bottles typically cost around $52 — prices are set by retailers — and for the third straight year proceeds will benefit the Gill Heart Institute at UK Healthcare.

It's a cause that means much to Stoops, whose father died of a heart attack at 54. Maker's Mark has set a goal of contributing $500,000 to the heart institute.

The coach, along with Maker's Mark chief operating officer Rob Samuels, chairman emeritus Bill Samuels Jr. and Keeneland CEO Bill Thomason, will sign pre-purchased Stoops bottles on April 11 at Keeneland, starting at 6:30 a.m. Keeneland Security will start distributing up to 1,200 tickets to the signing at 10 p.m. April 10.

"I want this bottle to mean a memorable year, and we want to go out and win a bunch of games in 2014," Stoops said.

Again, the pressure is on after a 2-10 debut season for Stoops. He and his staff signed 10 four-star recruits, earning the class a No. 17 national ranking from Rivals.com. Also in the works are $110 million in renovations to Commonwealth Stadium as well as a $45 million practice facility.

Stoops said there were no promises of brick and mortar improvements when he accepted the job, but he expected UK's administration would give him the resources to compete in the Southeastern Conference. Now it's to the point where he considers UK a destination job.

"I feel like it's absolutely a place that you can end your career," he said. "I hope to have a long run here."

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.