CatsPause.com - Football Cats get surprise practice visitor

April 3, 2009

Jeff Drummond
CatsPause.com Publisher

It may not have seemed possible, but newly-anointed Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari made a few more fans on Friday.

Despite a hectic schedule which has taken him back and forth between Lexington and Memphis, as well as stops in places like Chicago and Oklahoma City during the last five days, Calipari took time to pay a visit to the Wildcats' spring football practice at the Nutter Fieldhouse.

The football Cats cheered wildly as their own coach, Rich Brooks, introduced the high-profile basketball boss. He told the team he wanted to offer his support, and that he'd do whatever possible to assist them in their recruiting efforts. He told them they could do the same for his program.

Calipari also joked that the football players shouldn't feel bad if he doesn't know their names yet because "I don't even know my own just yet."

Several players thrust their hands in the air when he asked if any had basketball experience they'd like to volunteer.

"It was very nice for coach Calipari to come over and take the opportunity to introduce himself to the team," Brooks said. "All our players want to go out for the basketball team now.

"It's great to have him in the Wildcat family... It's important for the whole (athletics) department to work together and for nobody to put themselves above anyone else, whether it's football or men's basketball, women's basketball or rifle or swimming. We're all part of the Wildcat family."

Added UK offensive head coach Joker Phillips: "I thought it was great to see him out here. I know he's probably exhausted right now from a whirlwind tour and trying to get to know his own team, but it's great to see him stop by to say hello to the fellas. We look forward to working with him in the future."

Become a TCP premium subscriber and get more inside scoop on today's practice session in The House of Blue.

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