By LARRY VAUGHT
Big Blue Nation Cares is closing in on sending its 400th fan to a Kentucky sporting event and Nathan Burns says he has met “dozens of amazing, giving, selfless UK fans along the way” after getting involved with Chris Cruz, who recently found a way to send another vaughtsviews.com reader and her father to an upcoming UK game that you will get a full report about after they attend.
But now Burns wants to do something special for his friend. I wish I could help him more, but here’s hoping just sharing his idea might find its way somehow to a certain Kentucky coach and he’ll be as touched by this idea Burns has for this generous UK fan as I was.
Here is what Burns sent me:
“I can remember Coach Cal auctioned off a set of front row tickets for the 2009 UK vs UL game for $25,000 to go to charity. We at BIG BLUE NATION CARES were able to give the same front row tickets away to a member of Catspause due to Chris Cruz. Yes, he gave a set of tickets away that could have sold for thousands and thousands. He gives these tickets, as well as another set of lower level tickets away, every week for the past two plus years. The only exception is one game his entire family comes up to Rupp Arena and that is normally the North Carolina game one year and the Florida game the following year.
“Chris has been a beacon of light in my life. Seeing Chris do all that he does keeps me positive and in a good frame of my mind. Chris sent a friend of mine and myself to the FINAL FOUR LAST YEAR. He even had arranged for a hotel room as well for us. I have seen many people give and this man without a doubt does it all for the right reasons. To be a good steward and kind person is the reason he gives so much to others. This person, by example, actually made me realize if I wanted to give more in life I needed to earn more so I went back to school and I graduate in May from MTSU. I could go on and on about the things he has done that I have witnessed but I know in my heart you understand all the things he has done for regular people for no other reason than to be kind.
“I want to do something for Chris but have no idea how to go about it. I had to think what he would like that money can’t buy. I want for Chris and his family to have the opportunity to meet Coach Cal when they come to Rupp Arena for the North Carolina game Saturday. If there has ever been a person that has done so much for others and never asked for anything in return this is him. I think Coach Cal is a legend on the hardwood for UK. I think Chris is a legend off the court for UK.
I am asking for your help. I hope you know how to make this happen. I give you my word Chris has changed my life and given hundreds of others amazing nights watching UK basketball.”
Indeed he has. It still amazes me how caring this man is and how much he enjoys making dreams of other UK fans come true and somehow finds tickets for die-hard fans to attend games who otherwise would have no chance to do so.
Will Calipari have time to meet him even if he sees or hears about this? I don’t know.
Will Calipari want to meet him? Absolutely. There’s no doubt in my mind he would and here’s hoping somehow word gets to him and for a change he can put a smile on the face of Cruz like Cruz has done for so many other UK fans.
14 Responses to Maybe Calipari could put smile on face of man who has provided many smiles for true Kentucky fans
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I wish I knew of somehow or someway for Chris to meet Cal. These 2 guys, Nathan and Chris made it possible for me to take my 8 year old son to the Marist game and sit front row!! My son’s birthday was on the 6th of November and that night right as I put him to bed, Nathan contacted me and told me the great news that we were sitting front row! It was Chris’s tickets that we used for the Marist game and I will forever be grateful for these guys for allowing me to use the tickets. They made it possible for me to give my son a once in a lifetime chance of seeing a UK game from front row. It may never happen again and thats ok, because it makes November 11, 2011 that much more special to my Son and me.
I really hope someone out there can make it possible for Coach Cal to meet Chris. He and Nathan are some of the good guys that are still left in this world!
Story like this is exactly why I hope Cal gets a chance to see this request and find a way to meet Chris. Cal does so much for folks, I just know he would want to shake Chris’ hand and say thanks for all he does
Keeping fingers crossed! Go Cats!
Stories like this show what makes being part of the Big Blue Nation so special. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cruz, but I have met so many others like him who are so giving and selfless. It would not only be an honor for him to meet Coach Cal, but an even bigger honor for Coach Cal to meet Mr. Cruz. I am sure Coach Cal would be inspired by his generosity.
Arcphoto, like your thinking about it being an honor for coach Cal to meet Chris. Exactly the way I think Cal would believe if this information gets to him
Larry, I can not thank you enough for at least giving me even the smallest chance to make it happen. Just want to thank you for taking your time out to post this for me. You have given me hope and that is all anybody can ask for with something like this.
Thanks for all you do for Big Blue Nation.
Nathan,
I actually sent emails to DeWayne Peevy and one to Mitch Barnhart. Their emails are:
mbarn@uky.edu
dewayne.peevy@uky.edu
BTW, thanks agian for getting the front row Marist tickets for my son and me. We had a great time and it is something we can always remember! I really hope Coach Cal gets your request.
good idea HDCKY. Maybe more folks can do the same to get the word out
I would contact/email this to Mr Peevey or Brandon Weems. They are always responsive.
Sarah, I have left a VM for Mr. Peevey but could not locate his email. Do yuo know where to find the email for either of this two men? Any help would be great.
the basketball office does know of this request. Let’s hope it happens!
We never heard from the many we emailed and contacted at UK. Just wanted to give you how it turned out.
Larry, thanks for all your help and sometimes I guess the actual gift is not meeting a coach but people trying to work hard to make something happen for you?
Never give up. still have to think if Cal ever finds out, he will want to meet Chris
Nathan, I know for a fact the basketball office knows about this request. They got more then one email. I don’t know if anything will happen, but they do know.