Kentucky will visit the National Underground Railroad Museum as part of Unity Series

Tuesday’s game vs. Southern is about a lot more than just basketball. The game marks the beginning of the Unity Series, a five-year agreement between Kentucky and members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference to raise awareness of the missions of historically black colleges and universities and to raise funds to provide opportunities for students at their institutions.

The days leading up to the game will feature several events aimed at educating students and providing networking opportunities and community engagement. To tip things off, Kentucky and Southern will make a joint trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Museum in Cincinnati. Yesterday, John Calipari said he’s looking forward to visiting the museum, which was established in 2004 to promote social justice for all by sharing stories of the Underground Railroad.

“The one thing, you want your team to know and you want all the kids – both black and white – to know about history and that these are things that you should know about our past. Some of the stuff, I think, will be eye-opening, and others you look at progress and what’s been done and where things have been and you start to realize we’ve made great strides, but we’re not close to where we have to be. But thank goodness we’ve stepped up. I think this series is about that. And also playing the SWAC schools for the same reason: Bring light to those schools and what they do and their unique ability to train the future leaders. So, it’s a good thing.”

Sean Woods returns to Lexington

Southern head coach and UK Athletics Hall of Famer Sean Woods will join Calipari on his radio show Monday night while both teams share a meal at Malone’s. Woods is Kentucky Basketball’s all-time leader in career assists per game (5.3) and was the program leader in career steals per game (1.582) at the conclusion of his career (1989-92). He is entering his fourth year as Southern’s head coach. The Jaguars are 3-4 this season, with wins over Tulane, Ecclesia, and Tennessee State and losses to Louisville, Rice, South Dakota, and Nebraska. They play Akron on Saturday.

“I watched tape today, and he’s coaching them,” Calipari said of Woods. “He’s coaching them with a great demeanor. He’s a good guy. He and I go way back. I’m happy he’s got this opportunity, and he’ll grow from here. I mean, I think he’ll have opportunities from Southern to do other jobs, but right now he’s coaching and doing what he’s got to do to help those kids.”

Should be a great week for both programs on and off the court.