John Calipari recently made sure fans at Rupp Arena knew he appreciated their attendance and support. (Jeff Houchin/Nolan Media)
During the COVID-19 impacted 2020-21 season it certainly seemed at times like there was a huge disconnect between the University of Kentucky basketball program and many UK fans. Coach John Calipari constantly chastised fans for not showing enough support for what turned out to be a 9-16 team that could only watch March Madness.
However, Calipari seems to be making a concerted effort to re-connect with fans. He had basketball camps across the state again in the summer. He recruited more shooters. He’s embraced the name, image, and likeness opportunities.
So far, so good. Even though Rupp Arena has not had full capacity crowds yet, that’s been due more to the competition Kentucky has played at Rupp. Fans have been enamored with center Oscar Tshiebwe and point guard Sahvir Wheeler, two transfers who have provided needed energy and charisma.
“You will always have people chirping but I believe a lot of that is from people that are not really our fans,” Calipari told fans who stayed courtside for his postgame radio show recently. “All of you stayed here to listen on the radio before you leave. Who does that? Only you people do this.
“A story came out that the No. 1 program in the country is Kentucky based on fans and what advantages we have at Kentucky. You (fans) are crazy, but I love it.”
Calipari also insisted that all “outspoken” UK fans might not be true Kentucky fans.
“I know how many people throw stones at us from other schools and act like they are our fans,” the Kentucky coach said. “Or how many fans criticize and may have never been to a game.
“That is clutter I don’t listen to. I am thankful for all you fans. For me, everywhere I go, people are respectful. I hope you know that I try to be respectful and try to engage with our fans because I get to coach here and have these kinds of fans follow our program. I’m lucky.”
Calipari never fails to stress personal development with his players. He had them do community service on Thanksgiving at the Salvation Army and Hope Center.
“Think about where you came from and think about one mistake and we could be serving you or you could be serving me,” Calipari told the players. “Appreciate that fact. The women (at the Salvation Army) were all crying (when the players came). I want them to understand the impact you have not only because you are a Kentucky player but because you care.”
Calipari’s team has rebounded from an opening loss to Duke by getting more accustomed to playing together and figuring out individual roles. Calipari says he’s holding players accountable but sees the team improving.
“I told the players how thankful I am to get to coach this group,” he said to the fans. “They are good kids and good basketball players, too.
“The opportunity to be a coach here and have you all as fans … I don’t look at Twitter. I don’t look at newspapers and would not know what they write. I just want to help our team get better and your support does help us get better.”
24 Responses
He’s so full himself, Kentucky could do so much better than Calipari
UK’s schedule thus far is the 349th toughest out of 358 teams. UK opponent’s offensive efficiency is 338th toughest and UK opponents’ defensive efficiency is 345th weakest. Yet, somehow the 6-1 W-L record is evidence of something significant.
This season is cupcake city through the first 17 games, and then things will get serious. UK will finish those first 17 games 15-2 or 14-3 (which would be an embarrassment), and then finish the final 13 games with 6 to 8 more losses.
Oh, wait I keep forgetting, Calipari brings his teams along by January so they will be really good by then.
I suppose hope springs eternal, especially since Calipari seems to be pandering the fans that he thinks of as basketball bennies.
UK fans (true fans) won’t criticize or put down ur own team!! Bbn# needs to rise up more then ever idc of its the worst division 3 team or the number 1 division 1 team in America ur job my job as fans is to love this team! U shoot the confidence down and hurt our recruitment for the future!! Look at Oscars excitement to play for the beat program in America really prideful of it then people give negative comments it can affect players such as Oscar. I’m proud of our team and believe last years team cld have easily been 16-9 if they had full arenas and support from all UK fans!! People will be sorry when cal is gone because not a coach in America would have his resume here and the success that he has!! Embrace it or cheer elsewhere!! BBN for life!!!
You must be liberal. You’ll see how bad they are as the season goes on.. they will win maybe 2 games in the tournament if they make it..
Thank you sir amen, no matter who the coach is people gonna complain regardless. Some of our BBN fans needs to looked in historical past history in what we achieved in regards of winning it all. Not a good record to have except the 90’s when Rick Pitino gave us probably the most exciting of watching our cats to play. I been a fan since the late 60′ s and there’s 3 era’ s that I enjoy the Joe Hall teams in the 70′ s , Rick Pitinos 90 ‘ s teams and the current Cal’ early teams. I really believe Cal is trying to bring the magic back and thing is it will take time and I really like what we have as a team. I understand the frustration of the home games of lackluster of ZA stronger upper tiers team I’m all with you on that.If Cal going to survive in my opinion he needs to strengthen the home schedule and produce No.9 quick.
I think Coach reads what is said, or he wouldn’t even comment on such "clutter." Cheaper seats would help with the empty seats at Rupp big time.
Coach Cal is the best in the United States, be proud for BBN !!!!! Coach Cal will bring us another title be patience people can’t win every year! This team is exciting to watch and most years are too….Be thankful we have what we have at UK GO BIG BLUE
1 title 10 seasons ago and no real teams since 2015. All he does is complain about what the fans should be doing. This is UK. Tired of being 2nd tier
I hope he isn’t just pandering to the fans because he realizes they are getting a little put out with him of late. I listened to him on his post game show and I will give him the benefit of the doubt. I was impressed with his sincerity. Now let’s see if he can turn this season into something special.
Stop bitching,go big blue
It’s a sad day when a proclaim BBN fan put down one of the best coach in the nation. I for one support and cheer for every game for our program, kids university and coach to win and make BBN proud. If you can’t or won’t do that, then you might not be a BBN fan 💯. 39-1 to 9-16 I loved every team.
No coach will ever satisfie all of BBN go cats
Haters gonna hate.
Coach had a disastrous season last year. This team will be better but will not win an SEC season or tournament title. We will have a winning record but will have double digit losses too. They may win 2 games in the Dance, but they are not big enough or tough enough to win the big games. Ohio State and Louisville will be evidence of that. Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee may sweep us this year. Kansas will not be kind to us either. I bleed blue, but all of these teams are better than we are. We are no longer the talked about team in the SEC much less the NCAA. Make all of the arguments you want for the guy, but the wins and losses will speak for themselves. How much longer will we have to settle for being an also ran? This is the result of a players first philosophy that values draft picks over wins.
I can’t wait till you’re clicking idiot when we woop up on Louisville and ost!
Calipari does not realize the disrespect he developed from UK fans when he and his team last year bowed down before the National Anthem at the Florida game. I have been a UK fan for the past 40 years but I am still waiting for him to apologize for doing a Colin Kapernick and supporting the socialist BLM movement as he did last year. Perhaps this is one of the reasons you see so many empty seats at Rupp.
What the difference the football team did it too, either get over it and move on.
Ditto Arnold. Some of us old heads have not gotten over that either, and never will. That was the biggest mistake Calipari ever made at UK IMO. Cats79, maybe some on the football team did the kneel on the flag too, I didn’t see it, but no UK football coach did that I know of. Some girls on the VB team did too, but Coach Skinner didn’t….. that I saw anyway. When I see an American athlete or coach take a knee on the American flag, it makes me want to puke. That is the reason I quit on the NFL and the NBA, and I will never return as a spectator either with the doe those guys make in this country. These bunch of pampered athletes today getting a free education, and mega bucks for the opportunity they have been given, and then kneel on the American flag is just plain wrong. For a coach to participate in such behavior is to me so dis-respectful. A whole lot of blood was shed in the past for that flag. I also believe, like Arnold, that this is another reason some seats are now empty at Rupp.
Well said. We may bleed blue but not at the expense of the red, white and blue. My love for this country and the men who served and died to make it free, is much more important than the diversion of sports.
Bama 91 Gonzaga 82
When can we play a real team like Bellermine
Hahaha
Nothin but a NBA pimp
We were not the only program that struggled last year . Our teams under Cal have given us back our pride when we say we are Cat fans. I know our schedule right now is on the easy side but our boys are coming together as a team. Get behind them and show them why Ky. fans are the best hands down. Go Big Blue!!!!!
I quit following after he let them kneel. A s long as no class Calipari is there, i wont watch. 60 years of following.
David, I likewise am one who is waiting for Calipari to apologize for doing a Colin Kapernick when he and his team kneeled before the American flag at the Florida game last year. He wants to blame the empty seats at Rupp on Covid. He does realize the number of fans he lost when they knelt last year. We may bleed blue but our commitment to the red, white and blue over-rides those who can dribble and shoot a basketball!
There was no consensus among Kentucky fans. Those who view Kentucky players as future millionaires see them almost as college basketball mercenaries, who are incapable of independent thought or being affected by the world around them. Otherwise, We are done with all things with the University of Kentucky…and you have joined the NFL, NBA and UK Football team in sports we used to watch.