John Calipari explains the importance of Kentucky's Kroger tour for coaches, players

Kentucky Basketball coach John Calipari is thrilled to get out among the fans this offseason. After two years of being cooped up due to pandemic-related problems, he and his team were ready to get back on the road to meet the fans that keep the UK program afloat.

So, as part of his effort to engage the program with its fans, Calipari and several players are touring Krogers across Kentucky. Coach Cal, Oscar Tshiebwe and other members of the team are hitting supermarkets throughout the state to raise money, sign autographs and interact with the Big Blue Nation’s most loyal supporters.

At one of the stops, media members asked Calipari what this type of event means for the program and for the fans. Here was his answer:

“It’s been two years with COVID I haven’t been able to get out. And you guys all know who have covered the program that I’ve done tours since I’ve been here. 2012 tour, different book tours. So it’s been great great to get out. And then just the enthusiasm for basketball. You kind of forget what this state is about.

The Bluegrass State is most certainly a basketball state. Evidenced by just how many fans showed up for this little tour when there was very little advertisement for it in the first place.

“You know, then you come to this — there was not, like, a whole lot of promotion. We weren’t…oh there’s going to be bells and whistles. There was no — you got to go, we’re gonna be there — it was none of that. You just show up and all of a sudden the line’s around [the building]. For me, it’s a ball.”

John Calipari loves meeting the fans. And he also understands the importance of connecting his players with them as well.

“For the players, to get them to understand: our fans are engaged. And to see how much they care — for these kids, it’s important. Then the community work we’re doing for them. You know, getting them to understand having a kind heart. Do things and don’t expect anything in return. That kind of stuff. That’s beginning servant leadership, being a good teammate.”

With the various tumults surrounding the program on the court over the last few years, coupled with the limited access to the team as a whole due to the pandemic, it’s nice to see Calipari and the 2022-23 team establishing a bond with the fans before the season even gets going.