WATCH: Mark Pope goes into stands to greet Kentucky fan in wheelchair after Mississippi State win

MrsTylerKSR

Mark Pope greeting fans after the win at Mississippi State (Left photo: @BleedBlueCasey/Twitter; Right photo: @Adamdtownsend33/Twitter)

There was a small, but loud and proud contingent of Kentucky fans at Humphrey Coliseum tonight to see the No. 6 Cats knock off No. 14 Mississippi State 95-90. All of them will leave with some great memories; some even got some special one-on-one time with Mark Pope.

When Pope insisted on greeting fans after the game, one young man, who attends Mississippi State, FaceTimed his grandmother, who got him into basketball. You can hear parts of the conversation below, including Pope’s message to the grandmother’s Sunday School class.

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Mark Pope took a moment tonight to acknowledge a fan’s grandmother, who originally got him into basketball.

When someone urged the crowd to hurry, Pope responded, “No worries, we have all the time in the world for you guys.”

Meeting Coach Pope in person just hits different. 💙 pic.twitter.com/kzaTkQRc3G
— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) January 12, 2025

It gets even better. When Pope heard there was a UK fan in a wheelchair who couldn’t make it down to the court, he went up into the stands to speak with him. What a moment.

Hey @DrewFranklinKSR @KySportsRadio So after the game tonight @CoachMarkPope comes out to meet some fans. Takes pictures and even FaceTimes someone but the best thing is what happened next. There was a UK fan in a wheelchair that couldn’t come down and he went up there to him pic.twitter.com/sCnHexY5Np
— Adam Townsend (@Adamdtownsend33) January 12, 2025

You made my boy’s night!!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/D1bXLEfQx0
— Kelli Bridwell (@kellibridwell) January 12, 2025

All season, Pope has gone out of his way to embrace Big Blue Nation, sticking around to sign autographs after his postgame radio show at Rupp Arena and even buying fans ice cream on one occasion. Tonight is further proof of that deep bond, and Pope’s remarkable ability to engage with anyone. Good stuff.