By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky coach John Calipari never ceases to run out of ideas — and he has another one even though this one might not bode well for the UK football team.
Calipari was in West Liberty Friday to help raise money for the town that was devastated by a tornado on March 2 and even said on Kentucky Sports Radio that he and his wife would match up to $25,000 in donations to WestLibertyRecovery.com during a specified period and if more money was raised, he would find others to help match that.
But then the UK coach, who had the NCAA championship trophy with him Friday, also announced there would be an exhibition basketball game featuring current NBA players who are UK alumni. The coach indicated most would likely play in the game that would pit players from the 1996 national championship team against more recent Cats. The game would be in Rupp Arena — and likely draw a huge crowd — and start at 2 p.m. with proceeds going to charity, including some to West Liberty.
So what’s the problem with football? Kentucky is scheduled to play Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. in Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 15 in its second home game. Tell me what will create more buzz — the NBA/alumni basketball game or UK-Western football? Sure, the basketball game will end in plenty of time for fans to attend both, but how many will?
Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips went to West Liberty and did a free football camp and he announced on Kentucky Sports Radio that all those who attended will get free tickets to that Western Kentucky game. Great gesture, great idea.
But surely there could be a way to play the basketball game some other weekend. Don’t forget that is also the Hall of Fame weekend where Derek Abney (football), Leroy Edwards (men’s basketball), J.B. Holmes (men’s golf), Jeff Keener (baseball), Clayton Moss (swimming and diving) and Nancy Scranton (women’s golf) will be formally inducted into the UK Hall of Fame. They’ll be way overshadowed by the basketball exhibition game, too.
To me, it’s bad enough that UK has regular-season basketball games on November Friday night during the high school playoffs and that Big Blue Madness is also a Friday. Those things don’t help high school football — and in the long run UK football — but sometimes scheduling is not an easy issue. I understand that.
However, with the UK football program facing a key year, it just doesn’t seem to me the best thing is to have a basketball exhibition game in Rupp Arena a few hours before a home football game.
Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree. Let me know your feelings.
38 Responses to UK basketball exhibition game Sept. 15 will have to take away from UK football
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What if they offered all Fans with the Rupp Arena exhibition tickets a 50% discount for the Football game that evening and all of those proceeds going to Coach Phillip’s Western Liberty….Tie the two sports events together for a common cause.
Looks the opposite to me. Should help get more people in town to attend both events.
I agree.
Larry, you cannot tell it, sir – but I am giving you a standing ovation for this article. I know it wasn’t easy for you to do and brace yourself for the comments. But I applaud you, sir. UK fans want to know why UK football can’t land big time recruits? This is part of it, but the fact UK Athletics Admin (and A.D.’s office) “okayed” this event tells you tons. No big time coach will ever come to Kentucky unless they’re satisfied riding out their career at the 14th place team in a 14 team conference. UKAA is NOT committed to football. Should not hear from basketball from July 1 until October 15. Thank you, again, Larry, for having the guts to pen this article!
I believe Basketball should be used to help elevate Our Football Program…As I mentioned above, they ( Coach Phillips and Coach Calipari), should have worked in “Concert for a Cause”… UK Football and UK Basketball Present, ” SATURDAY FOR SUPPORT “. Jim, some of us like Kentucky Basketball 12 months a year…We Want UKTV…or BIG BLUE U…BBTV. All Day ,All night and it could be used to promote this great “potential” Dual Charity Event. Also, remember, Coach Phillips could have taken a lead in Haitian relief or The Western Liberty Tornado efforts (and I’m sure Coach Cal would have come on board), but, Coach Cal sees a need and he reacts, he does not hesitate, he moves on it and garnishes support while he’s building the foundation of a resolution. Lets not diminish the Proactive stance and good deeds of Coach Calipari, his Staff, his Team and of course his Family…
I absolutely have no problem with Coach Cal’s Charity work. As the Bible says, “to whom much is given, much is required” and he certainly steps up when there’s a need. My point is, if you enjoy “basketball 12 months a year”, don’t complain when UK’s football recruiting class ranks 14th in the SEC. I do not point that specifically at you, Mr. Clemons, just the part of BBN that likes to gripe about how Joker does a lousy job. The SEC is the nation’s top FOOTBALL conference. If Kentucky likes playing basketball in September, perhaps a move to the Big East or MAC would be more fitting.
I still believe UK Basketball can help Kentucky Football…You’d be surprised, how many non football playing Scholarship Athletes , sign with Univ. Of Alabama, because of their Football success …I’d venture to say, the same could be said of UK Basketball. Thanks Jim, Larry
Is this a UK event or like that NBA tour thing that was during football season last year as well?
I understand. Ur point, but don’t agree. Although I have two solutions. One, provide shuttle service to and fro after bb and from FB. Next offer a ticket package w x percentage going to FB and x to charity.
Larry clemmons exactly my point.
Like the shuttle idea and like the ticket discount idea. Hope I am wrong and thousands flock from Rupp to Commonwealth. But just worry after seeing NBA stars play, many fans might head home, dinner, etc and not to football. But we’ll see. Anxious to see what some season-ticket football fans think
“Your right Larry”, they will be hungry…So get 10 Restaurants involved with the Charity Support…For “all patrons” who bring BOTH TICKET STUBS to these participating Restaurants, 50% of your dinner cost will be donated by these Restaurants for the specified (in advance) Charity…Now it becomes, The City Of Lexington in Concert with UK Athletics and Participating Restaurants brings , ” Hope For Healing “…you get my drift, this could be wonderful for the Campus, The City and The State Of Kentucky…Go Blue or bo hoo to U…
i think it will help football people who usually dont go to football games cause they lives a good distance cause they get to see two games instead of one
Larry,
I’m a season ticket holder and I would love to give my opinion! On most 7pm games that are meaningless games you will see fans arriving in Lexington around 4-5pm. I think this is a great Idea and Football and Basketball should team up to make this a great night for UK (not Basketball or Football only). The basketball game will be over by 4pm and I would love to see those NBA stars stay and show support for the football program. Here is a great idea… Have an autograph line for those NBA players were you can only get an autograph if you show your football ticket. Then Bring those NBA players out to get the crowd pumped up and behind the football team.
I really think this can be done right were it’s a WIN WIN for everyone! Football, Basketball, and of course a great Charity!
Thanks Larry for the great article and I for one will be making it to both games to show my love and support for UK.
Also making a bold prediction that UK upsets UL this year 24-21. I have my seat for that game and I will be cheering on Joker and the football team!
GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!
Jason Mahoney
I think the idea is more attractive than reality.
There are several great ideas that UK, the City of Lexington, and those responsible for planning these activities can adopt to make this a huge success for the cause, and the football program. Let’s hope that those in charge are paying attention.
Who is in charge of planning? Again, reality vs plan.
Good questions Freddie and ones many UK football fans are wondering about
I don’t have a clue who is in charge, or that they are paying attention to any of this. I only hope that they are paying attention, and take these ideas seriously.
Agree Professor. Let’s make best of it and make sure it helps charity and football both
Hell of a lot of good idea’s here, I really like getting the restaurants involved. They can gain a big tax write off with this.
I’m going to bet that this ends up being a total non-issue or ends up benefiting the football team by actually INCREASING the attendance for the game. I don’t believe it will detract from the football game at all.
The football team’s performance against Loserville and Kent State will do more to determine their attendance than this exhibition basketball game will. If they want the fans’ attention, they need to earn it.
This is a horrible idea! With ticket sales down for football, what is a UK fan going to do on that day, choose to purchase a UK football ticket or go to Rupp? How many people will purchase a ticket for both events on that day? That UK basketball would even consider a UK football date, totally stinks in my opinion! UK has seven home dates this year. C’mon Coach Cal, rethink what you are you doing.
I think the whole thing should have been planned as a single event type situation with tickets selling for both events. It would likely bring in more money for charity and more people to the football game which isn’t exactly a marquee game. I love UK football and hope to see them do well. I’m not quite as pessimistic as some seem to be. I’ve seen the Cats be extremely good in both sports in a single year. It can happen again. The football team has made great progress in the last decade IMO with all the bowl games and the victories over national powers not to mention ending that dreadful streak. I don’t see this as the time to get in the way of football making a comeback in Lexington but I do think there could have been a way to make this a double-header type situation. Maybe they couldn’t do that because of the NCAA. They always stick their beak in when it comes to stuff like this. I just think a well planned event could have been beneficial for both the games. And a time for a meal between events would be crucial too. And the idea of getting food service involved in the charity is an excellent one.
This could have been a great all day event. Let’s hope it isn’t a competition but rather the games compliment each other. There could still be time to make that work.
I think the timing of the basketball game may have something to do with Cal’s Fantasy Camp. I know it’s in September, and it may well be that weekend.
Karen you could be right about that also being fantasy camp. had not thought of that
Karen you are right about the date. That is the Fantasy Camp weekend and why the all-star exhibition will be then
It makes sense that it would be the same weekend, especially if a lot of the UK players from the Calipari era are going to attend. A lot of them will be getting ready for the NBA season (I’m not sure when training camp starts for NBA teams), and I would imagine their time to do something like this is limited. It must be difficult to try to coordinate the schedules of these guys to do something like the alumni game.
Season ticket sales for football have hit a several year low. I think Joker and UK like any idea that brings more people to Lexington on game day!
Cal catches enough from the haters without the BBN being critical.
There is always a danger in Kentucky Basketball overshadowing Kentucky Football.
In years past, I believe, UK has held blue/white games and Midnight Madness (when Madness was when the clock struck 12) in direct conflict with home and away football games.
I hope the alumni game early in the day can be viewed like Keenland and this will be an event that encourages people to run over and tailgate for the Western game.
Cal’s desire to incorporate football into a triple header says he want to support football. So too were his comments about the renovations at Rupp concerning a recruiting room that will be available for football.
Larry’s point is true though that basketball could unintentionally overshadow Joker’s squad.
I hope it just makes for a wonderful–if not busy–sports day for fans and media alike.
With regard to Madness on a Friday, it does hurt high school ball but having the event on a Friday allows all colleges to use the pageantry of football as a recruiting tool the next day for visiting players. It also is a great way to encourage fans to stay the night and make it a Big Blue weekend in many years.
I should also say that if Joker can beat UofL to open the season, fans will flock to Commonwealth Stadium. UK fans have lost a little hope but a big win in the Pizza Palace will make it better.
I understand the danger in basketball pushing football aside from the fans’ point of view. I really think that Mitch and all of the coaches at UK including Joker and Cal work to build a strong working relationship among all the coaches.
i think it will help the football team, and especially Joker. Because when nobody shows up to the game (and we lose), Joker can use the basketball game as an excuse. Of course, nobody would show up anyway, but that is beside the point.
I am looking forward to the NBA stars basketball game on Sept. 15. I wasn’t sure I would go to the Western Kentucky game, but now I will make the trip from Knoxville. It is great that both events are on the same day. What a big blue weekend!!
Great CarrollLogan. Different perspective and one that does work for UK football
I’ve been out of town and have just found this thread today. Anyway, reading the piece (and I, a huge Kentucky football gal — and basketball, too) — appreciates your writing it, Larry), I had been thinking of folks’ possibly deciding to make the trip for the two games. So Carroll’s response supports that thought.
Too, I agree with David that any potential overshadowing of football had, I feel sure, not been intentional. I agree that Mitch Barnhart, Coach Calipari, and Coach Phillips work hard at having a strong relationship between all the coaches, coaches’ working together to support one another’s program. I have really noticed that and appreciate that. Now, though, I’m just hoping the event is, in fact, helpful to Kentucky football — that the help to football becomes “reality,” a concern expressed by Freddie. Just that could well end up being the case — and encorporating some of the ideas expressed here just might be beneficial in that regard. GO CATS! BEAT THOSE CARDS!
Okay, Tana if it has your official blessing, then I will say I could be wrong about this and maybe it will help, not hurt football. I don’t mind saying when I am wrong and seems like most of you think it will be a good thing, so I will trust the wisdom of my readers
Oops — should have proofread! Change that “mess” of a first paragraph as follows:
Anyway, as a huge Kentucky football fan (and basketball, too), I really appreciate your having written it, Larry. As I had read it, I, too, had been thinking of the possibility of folks’ choosing to make the trip because of being able to see both games. Caroll’s response supports that thinking.
For the record, Larry, it’s more like my hoping that it will, indeed, be a good thing for football. Again, I really appreciate your piece (for I never want football overshadowed by basketball, even when unintentional), and I wouldn’t call it your being “wrong” if it works out well. Your concern is logical, actually. GO CATS!!!