John Calipari hosts coal miner Michael McGuire & family at Rupp Arena
You guys remember the story of the McGuire family, coal miner Michael joining his son for Kentucky‘s Blue-White Game in Pikeville a year ago still in his work uniform and covered in coal dust coming straight to the game from a shift.
An image of the father and son duo went viral and John Calipari decided to extend a personal invite to the McGuire family to attend a game at Rupp Arena as VIPs vs. Duquesne — Michael brought out as the honorary ‘Y’ at midcourt.
“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 last year. “We know the power of basketball in our state. We all know it. … 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 and his wife Mollie even got to soak in the spotlight as stars at the postgame press conference, answering questions from the media about their experience.
“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,” Mollie said. “The kindness of everyone else has been very touching for us.”
“It just seems unreal,” Michael added.
Fast forward a year and the McGuires were back at Rupp Arena on Friday for Kentucky’s win vs. Illinois State, again as personal guests of Coach Cal.
“The McGuires are here, Molly and Michael and their son. They are in town,” Calipari said following the 96-70 win. “They called for tickets — you know I’m saying yes to that. He was the coal miner who got there so he could be with his son. So the McGuires are here. I’m going to see them in the back.”
Calipari then shared a photo with the McGuire family in front of Kentucky’s 2012 national championship trophy in the locker room.
“Was great having the McGuire family at the game tonight!” Coach Cal wrote. “Michael, Mollie, Easton and Lynlee – you’re always welcome at Rupp!!
Doesn’t get much better than that.
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