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Mark Pope wouldn't go home until he signed every autograph

Drew Franklinby:Drew Franklin•12/14/24•

DrewFranklinKSR

pope-crowd-louisville
(Photo via KSR)

After checking another box by beating Louisville, Mark Pope celebrated the victory with Tom Leach and several thousand of their closest friends from the Big Blue Nation. I am, of course, talking about Pope’s postgame radio interview, which, once again, was an event in itself.

Take a look at this crowd nearly an hour after the game ended.

(Photo via Jack Pilgrim)

Pope didn’t buy a round of ice cream for everyone in the audience this time. (How could he?) But he did treat the fans to a surprise meet-and-greet with the team by sending the players back out to Rupp to greet the Big Blue Nation after the rivalry game victory. The whole team.

(Photo via Drew Franklin)
(Photo via Drew Franklin)

Eventually, Pope would join the players on the floor after he fulfilled his media obligations in the press conference behind the scenes. He tossed t-shirts into the stands, a new postgame tradition.

Then, after his radio interview, Pope stayed around until everyone got his signature. Every last person, until the end of the line:

Even the Rupp Arena security guards had their moment with Pope once the fans cleared out.

(Photo via Jack Pilgrim)

This guy really doesn’t run out of energy. There are growing concerns around the building that he may still be taking photos in Rupp Arena on Monday.

Watch the celebration and postgame scene:

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2025-01-15