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In January 2002, Kent Taylor assumed the role of the 11 o’clock sports anchor at WAVE 3 News, becoming only the fourth person to hold this position in the station’s history. His exceptional talent and dedication to sports journalism have earned him numerous accolades over the years.
The Associated Press recognized him as “Kentucky TV Sportscaster of the Year” in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018, and he also received awards for Best Sports Play-by-Play in 2015 and 2016.
Kent’s impressive career in sports reporting began in 1994, covering events in his hometown. He has been present for every Kentucky Derby since 1994, as well as significant moments like UK’s 1996 National Championship, UofL’s Final Four appearance in 2005, and their Orange Bowl victory in 2006.
Other notable highlights include Western Kentucky’s 2002 NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship, the 2001 Brickyard 400, and UK’s trip to the 1998 Outback Bowl. He was on-site during the historic Final Four clash between the Cats and Cards in March 2012 and witnessed UK’s triumph in its 8th National Championship.
Throughout his career, Kent covered various events, including UofL’s Sugar Bowl victory over Florida and their NCAA Championship triumph. He reported from the White House when Rick Pitino and the Cardinals visited President Barack Obama.
He also had the opportunity to cover the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York, where he witnessed American Pharoah’s Triple Crown win in 2015. Kent played a key role in WAVE’s coverage of the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club, earning recognition for the program “A Victory for Valhalla.”
Beyond broadcasting, Kent served as the play-by-play voice for the Arena 2 Louisville Fire and worked as a sideline reporter on ESPNU for two UofL football spring games. He has been the host of “The Scotty Davenport Show” for Bellarmine basketball head coach Scotty Davenport since 2010.
Additionally, he hosts “Inside the Cards,” a weekly show produced by WAVE 3 News, featuring UofL football coach Bobby Petrino and basketball coach Rick Pitino. Kent has also provided play-by-play commentary for several UofL basketball games.
Actively involved in the community, Kent serves on the selection committees for the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame and the Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame. As a native Louisvillian, he attended St. Margaret Mary and St. Xavier High School before graduating from Miami (Ohio). Kent is married to WAVE 3 Anchor Connie Leonard, and they have a daughter, Emerson. They reside in the east end of Louisville.