Former Massachusetts basketball coach John Calipari spent some time on UMass’ campus Friday morning prior to his upcoming induction into the National Basketball Hall of Fame later in the day.
Calipari, the current coach of Kentucky, spoke alongside other inductees of the Hall of Fame’s 11-member 2015 class in Thursday’s pre-induction press conference in Springfield, home of the Hall of Fame. As coach of the Minutemen from 1988-1996, Calipari reflected warmly on his time at UMass and acknowledged the great opportunity the position presented him as a young coach looking for his first head coaching job.
“I took the UMass job — and just so you know, I was their third choice — but I took the job because it was job I could get. It was a Division I job I could get,” he said to reporters at Thursday’s press conference. “When you’re coaching, somebody’s got to give you your first job. I was 29-years-old and it gave me an opportunity to be a head coach and figure things out.
“I was blessed to have a great job and great people and a great staff.”
Calipari revisited his Amherst roots Friday morning in what appeared to be a University-hosted breakfast in honor of his enshrinement.
He chronicled his visit in a series of tweets:
I’m back where it all started. I’m at a breakfast at UMass this morning to visit with all my old friends and family.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
My two daughters went to UMass and @bradcalipari goes to school 10 minutes down the road. Still feels like home. Pictures to come.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Calipari followed up on his promise with a series of photos of him with his former players and colleagues, as well as current UMass administration members.
Here he is with UMass chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy in the Football Performance Center:
With Chancellor @KSubbaswamy at the UMass breakfast. pic.twitter.com/avPRh2hPpv
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Bob Marcum, my old AD at UMass. We took the program to new heights! Love you, Bob. pic.twitter.com/Vb27Id0cQW
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
This school will always have a special place in my heart. pic.twitter.com/UKGlZaBGSR — John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
They told me #BBN and this job were different. They were right. Former UK president Dr. Todd and his wife, Patsy. pic.twitter.com/SFCsWc2k2T
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
My UMass guys. Always family. We build relationships that last forever. #LaFamilia pic.twitter.com/SjfCGnnaoI — John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
#LaFamilia pic.twitter.com/vhAIJUofoy
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Bob Rotella, one of my closest mentors. pic.twitter.com/MV6m74EbPM — John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
With Ron Nathan and Glenn Wong, two of the selection committee members who brought me to UMass. pic.twitter.com/D41FxKfZHB
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
As part of the breakfast, Calipari received a gift that was presented by Subbaswamy:
What a great gift from UMass. Will always remember our time here. pic.twitter.com/tuH0Xeg9Fm — John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Following the gathering, Calipari stopped by UMass’ new Champions Center practice facility and provided a healthy endorsement for UMass:
Gotta show you UMass’ new practice facility. One of the best I’ve seen. If you don’t go to UK you gotta go to UMass. pic.twitter.com/RQ7jjv6qul
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Thank you to @KSubbaswamy and his wife, Mala, for organizing this family event. It took a village and most were here this morning.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) September 11, 2015
Calipari will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame Friday night with the ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. He will also have his jersey retired by UMass during its regular season game against New Orleans on Dec. 16.
Anthony Chiusano can be reached at [email protected] and followed on Twtiter @a_chiusano24.
