Coal miner Michael McGuire was tonight's 'Y' at Rupp Arena

Kentucky coal miner Michael McGuire and his family were invited to Rupp Arena as game VIPs tonight for the team’s matchup vs. Duquesne. As part of the festivities, McGuire was brought out to the floor in the second half to serve as the game’s honorary ‘Y’ at mid-court.

McGuire and his family were met with loud cheers as they were presented over the loudspeaker after the first TV timeout after halftime.

Kentucky brings out coal miner Michael McGuire and his family to be the ‘Y’ at Rupp Arena tonight pic.twitter.com/XDCSmo8afs

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) November 12, 2022

The moment comes after head coach John Calipari personally invited McGuire and his family to Rupp Arena for a game after a photo of the coal miner went viral following Kentucky’s Blue-White Game in Pikeville. The image showed McGuire sitting courtside at Appalachian Wireless Arena with his son, still in his work uniform and covered in coal dust coming straight to the game from a shift.

After the intrasquad scrimmage, Calipari said he was inspired by McGuire and wanted to bring him to Lexington in an effort to “(bring) light to a good man.”

“I was sent the picture and never even looked at who sent it to me because when I saw the picture, I was like — it hit me right between the eyes when I saw it,” Calipari said at UK Media Day shortly after the Blue-White Game. “We know the power of basketball in our state. We all know it. You saw it when I went out this summer [on our statewide tour] and you see it, but my thought was, that’s what this is all about.

“He wanted to be there so bad that he was willing to leave without showering, without changing. Just get in his car and go because he got out of the mine late. What about that? He wanted to be there with his son. That’s why I did it.”

Michael McGuire, the coal miner that went viral at the Blue-White game, was the ‘Y’ tonight at Rupp Arena.

(For @KySportsRadio) pic.twitter.com/Ewbu4mcnaS

— Aaron Perkins (@Aaron_Perkins21) November 12, 2022

It was a story that reminded Calipari of his grandfather, who worked in a coal mine himself, where his family’s “American dream” began.

“The American dream started in a coal mine in Clarksburg, West Virginia,” Calipari said. “Backbreaking work. I went underground in West Kentucky and I believe I went underground in that mine he was in.

“The mine, there were parts of it that were five, six feet high, seven feet high. And then there were parts of it that were like three feet high. They said it’s a duck walk. So I looked at the guy and said, ‘Do you go up to have lunch or go to the bathroom?’ That’s when the guy, I can’t remember his name but he looked like John Wayne. He said, ‘We go down together and we come up together.’

“And when I got back I put it on my team’s wall and just said, ‘Guys, this is us. You know why they hold each other accountable? Do you have to have the manager down or do they hold each other accountable? It’s life or death. If you’re not pulling your weight, someone’s gonna say something. If you’re not ready to be there, one of the other miners will say something. That’s when a team is empowered.’”

Calipari showed his team the picture of Michael and his son at the game and used it as a teaching tool before working with his staff to get the McGuires to Rupp Arena.

“I talked about hard, backbreaking work that’s honorable work, but he makes time for his son, even when he knew he couldn’t shower. It wouldn’t matter what he looked like, he just wanted to be with his son. Believe me, it hit home as soon as I saw it. Within five minutes, I called TJ [Beisner] in and I said, ‘Let’s go. This one here, I’m taking care of this guy and his family.’”

Take care of them he did. Hotels, restaurants and car dealerships reached out to Calipari and the UK program in hopes of giving the coal miner and his family the experience of a lifetime in Lexington.

“You guys know me. For two years, I couldn’t go anywhere [because of] COVID. Couldn’t be out, couldn’t — just awful for everything. I’ve done some things that have been fulfilling for my wife and I but this, you’d have to say, you’re bringing light to a good man. A hard-working Kentuckian, a coal miner who does everything he can to make time for his family, his son, and his daughter. Come on. That’s what it ends up being. That’s the story.”

John Calipari describes “neat” evening with the McGuires

The evening came together nicely for all parties involved, Calipari said Friday after the game. It’s one that meant a lot to the McGuire family, with the UK head coach adding that they brought a long list of guests to soak in the moment together.

“Wasn’t it neat though? They’re all here,” he said. “They came, parents, siblings, children, some other people from the town. I mean there were a lot of — they all came. Which is great. I mean, you know, I’m not one that likes to go to these kinds of things unless I’m watching one of my players. This is my life. But they come in here and see it, and they want to stay and be in Lexington tomorrow some and enjoy the city.”

For the McGuire family, the positive attention and feedback has been overwhelming, but for a good reason. As Calipari said, it’s to put a spotlight on a good man and his family.

“We’re just a small Eastern Kentucky family. Just to see how it’s impacted everyone has been very touching for us and for Michael to see what it means just because he’s a good dad,” Molly said. “The kindness of everyone else has been very touching for us.”

“It just seems unreal,” Michael added.