Two special visitors from Washington, D.C. stopped by the Joe Craft Center on Monday and were treated to tour of Coach Calipari’s office.

Visiting lexington from the Chinese Embassy in D.C., were Mr. Jiangyi LIU, Second Secretary Education Office and Ms. Xiao LIU, Education Attaché, Chinese Embassy.

Accompanied by Shana Herron, Assistant Director of the UK Asia Center and Dr. Huajing Maske, Director of the UK Confucius Institute, the group was presented with UK gifts by Director of Basketball Operations, Martin Newton.

UK Director of Basketball Operations presents Mr. Jiangyi LIU with gifts from Coach Calipari

According to Dr. Susan Carvalho, Associate Provost for International Programs, Mr. Liu and Ms. Liu were in town to learn more about UK’s plans for a Confucius Institute,” partnership with China’s Ministry of Education, to create a stronger presence for Chinese language and culture on campus and in the community.

The goals of the “CI” blend naturally with Coach Calipari’s mission to share basketball and cultural knowledge with China. Due to a recruiting commitment, Coach Calipari was unable to visit with our special guests, but he made sure everyone received copies of “Bounce Back” as well as as UK hats and shirts.

“I felt awful that I couldn’t be there,” said Coach Calipari. “But I want to thank Dr. Maske for bringing our guests to the Craft Center and sharing our basketball program with Mr. Liu and Ms. Liu.”

Martin Newton, Dr. Maske, Mr. Jiangyi Liu and Ms. Xiao Liu

The group was able to discuss Coach’s past travel to China and work with Chinese coaches, his commitment to a strong Chinese community at UK, his familiarity with the successful Confucius Institute at the University of Memphis and Coach’s plans for future visits to China, perhaps as soon as this summer.

On behalf of the entire University and the community, Coach Calipari expressed his gratitude to Mr. Liu, Ms. Liu and Dr. Maske for including UK as on the nation’s 65 CIs and for thinking of the UK basketball program.

“We hope to continue to grow on the great relationship our school and our program have with the people of China,” said Coach Calipari. “We look forward to working with the UK CI and developing further bonds through dialogue and friendship.”

Photos and translation assistance provided by LaoDu.

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