Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann donating $50K to Kentucky tornado relief

Kentucky’s foes are reaching out to show their support in the wake of Friday’s deadly tornadoes. Last night, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz encouraged Hawkeyes fans to join him in donating to the Kentucky United for Tornado Relief Telethon organized by UK Athletics and LEX18. This afternoon, Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann did the same. Holtmann, a Nicholasville, Ky. native, tweeted that he will call the telethon tonight to make his donation. During an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show, John Calipari confirmed that Holtmann will donate $50,000. The Wildcats play the Buckeyes in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas on Saturday.

“I get a text from Chris Holtmann last night saying they want to help,” Calipari told Finebaum. “He grew up in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He said, ‘My wife and I want to do something.’ I said, ‘Let’s talk tomorrow.’ This morning, I hit him with a text and said, ‘Look, my wife and I are doing x-amount, if you and your wife want to go five or ten thousand, that’s fine. If you don’t, that’s fine. Whatever you want to do.’

“He hits me back and texts me and said, ‘We’d like to do $50,000. Will you call me?’ Eight seconds later, I had him on the phone. ‘Yeah, I’ll call you if you’re going to give $50,000 to our people and our state, YES.’ He said, ‘We’re together. We’re with your program. We are with your state — until Saturday, when we’re your opponent. Then we’re going after each other. But right now as we speak, we’re together and we’re going to give you $50,000.’ My hat’s off to Chris Holtmann. Talks a lot about the man. I know he’s a terrific coach. I’m watching tape, I told him you’re running great stuff and very physical but forget that. Who cares. This is about life and death. Sometimes we feel our jobs are life and death. They’re not. They’re not. This is life and death.”

On Twitter, Holtmann encouraged Ohio State fans to join him in the fundraising efforts.

“In light of our upcoming game on Saturday, I spoke with Coach Calipari on ways we as Buckeyes could help his state recover from the devastating storms of this past week,” Holtmann wrote. “I know John has been working incredibly hard on this effort and I really appreciate him giving me some ideas on how we can help and contribute. I am calling in tonight and making a donation to the telethon listed below. If you are so inclined I could encourage Buckeye Nation to do the same. Thank you.”

pic.twitter.com/rIZv1f8toa

— Chris Holtmann (@ChrisHoltmann) December 14, 2021

Kentucky United for Tornado Relief telethon starts at 4 p.m.

Today from 4 to 8 p.m., ET, UK Athletics and LEX18 will host the “Kentucky United for Tornado Relief” telethon. It will be broadcast on WLEX from 7 to 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to benefit victims of the tornadoes that hit Western Kentucky.  UK coaches and athletes will be guests throughout the event. Calipari said his players are eager to help.

“Yesterday as we watched video, we were watching tape of us. When we were done, one of the kids raises his hand and says, ‘What time is the telethon tomorrow?’ Didn’t ask what time practice was, didn’t ask where are we going to dinner. What time is the telethon? It is on their mind.”

Donations can be made by calling 833-510-0030 during the telethon (4 – 8 PM only), visiting online through UK Athletics, or mailing a check to the following address:

American Red Cross

Attn: Kentucky Tornadoes

1450 Newtown Pike

Lexington, KY 40511

You can also donate to the victims through the KSR Tornado Relief Fund. Since yesterday morning, we’ve raised over $245,000 to help our fellow Kentuckians rebuild. You guys rock.