LOOK: BBN takes over Club Blue's NEW ERA event with Mark Pope, Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Pope once said Club Blue was “the focal point of our whole NIL life right now” and “the most important thing” for Kentucky as he looked to build his first roster and the ones to come. Cody Fueger said it was “everything for us and for this program.”

After breaking the seven-figure mark in annual subscriber funds, Big Blue Nation was rewarded for its early efforts to help get Pope’s time in Lexington off to a hot start with Club Blue’s NEW ERA event on Saturday.

Subscribed fans poured into Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park for the meet-and-greet opportunity with Pope, his coaching staff and the 2024-25 roster — 12 players were in attendance, including walk-ons Grant Darbyshire and Walker Horn while Kerr Kriisa and Amari Williams were held out due to NIL restrictions as international student-athletes. Other participants included Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Collin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah, Otega Oweh, Travis Perry and Jaxson Robinson.

Coaches and players signed autographs and took pictures with the fans, who also got to play games with free food and drinks from local vendors. With the team arriving on campus in recent days, Club Blue members got first dibs on meeting the new Wildcats while also participating in a Q&A session with Pope.

Miss the NEW ERA event? For starters, make sure you’re a Club Blue subscriber here so you don’t miss out on exclusive opportunities in the future — Pope hinted that the next event would be an open practice, just in case you were curious. Until then, though, check out some of the sights and sounds from Saturday with KSR.

Mark Pope introduces his first Kentucky roster

“This roster is one of the special rosters in the entire country,” Pope told the crowd after bringing in the team. “… These guys are not here without you.”

Mark Pope introduces his first Kentucky roster to the fans who helped put it together with NIL

“This roster is one of the special rosters in the entire country. … These guys are not here without you.” pic.twitter.com/Hbb4Q2AN4J

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 16, 2024

The most important game on the schedule? “They’re all big”

One fan asked Pope what he felt was the most important game on the schedule during his first season in Lexington — other than Coach Cal’s return to Rupp Arena vs. Arkansas, of course.

Pope’s response? “They’re all big here, man,” though he does like the idea of spending Christmas in New York City. That happens to be when Kentucky takes on Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic on December 21 at Madison Square Garden.

“Manhattan is not a bad place to be around Christmas, especially after a win,” he said.

Mark Pope is asked what he believes is the most important game on the schedule for Kentucky — other than Arkansas at home

“They’re all big here, man.”

He did confirm UK vs. OSU at MSG on Dec. 21

“Manhattan is not a bad place to be around Christmas, especially after a win.” pic.twitter.com/bnEoRpxpEo

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 16, 2024

Travis Perry is a popular guy

All of the players had long lines, but Kentucky high school basketball’s all-time leading scorer may have been the ultimate fan favorite. Big Blue Nation was wrapped around the building waiting for pictures with the former Lyon County star.

Travis Perry had a line wrapped around the building for him at @ClubBlueNIL’s NEW ERA event pic.twitter.com/pBKW0enysr

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 16, 2024

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