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Kentucky

Mark Stoops discusses passing of mom, family matriarch: 'My mother has been a rock to all of us'

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•10/23/24•

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Mark Stoops reacts as the Wildcats turnover the ball during the Wildcats' 20-13 loss to visiting Vanderbilt - © Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Mark Stoops reacts as the Wildcats turnover the ball during the Wildcats' 20-13 loss to visiting Vanderbilt - © Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Stoops family lost its matriarch with the passing of Evelyn Stoops. A college football coaching family, Evelyn Stoops was the mother of Bob Stoops, Mark Stoops, and Mike Stoops.

Thinking about his mother shortly after her while on the SEC teleconference, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops shared some thoughts on her and what she has meant not just to him but to the entire family throughout her life.

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“My mother was a very special person to me and to so many people,” Mark Stoops said. “Much like my father, she was the type of person who had a great impact on everyone she meets, everybody she had met in her life, and certainly her family.”

“My father died when I was relatively young in college and my mother has been a rock to all of us,” Stoops said. “Very special woman and she passed peacefully this morning. We had been anticipating it probably since last Friday. So, she passed peacefully at home with my other brothers and sisters by her side. If I know my mom, she would be telling me to do what I’m doing. Get my butt back to work and try to make this team better.”

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Mark Stoops is one of six children that Ron and Evelyn Stoops raised in Youngstown, Ohio. There, Stoops’ father was a high school football coach.

Mike Stoops, who has been on the Kentucky staff since 2022 and was at one point the head coach of Arizona, announced their mother’s passing on social media, briefly eulogizing her in the post.

“My family’s hearts are especially heavy today, as my mom, Evelyn ‘Dee Dee’ Stoops has been reunited with her Lord and Savior and my dad, Ron Stoops, Sr,” the post said. “She was a faithful Catholic, a spiritual leader and a joyish Irish lady. She was also, the best cheerleader and motivator. She was the heart of our family and a constant inspiration to all of us. We are blessed with a multitude of wonderful memories and so appreciative to all of you keeping us — my brothers, sisters and their families in your thoughts and prayers. We love you always, mom!”

Along with the post, Mike Stoops posted several photos of his family with their mother. That included several pictures alongside his brothers and sisters and their mother.

Kentucky is scheduled to play its next game on Saturday, October 26th at 7:45 p.m. EST against the Auburn Tigers.