Big Blue Nation
Live - Work - Play
I have to tell you, I was blown away when I first began to explore my "new Kentucky Home." Lexington is such a vibrant and alive city from the downtown area all the way through campus and beyond.
From the moment Ellen and I walked onto campus we felt like we were at home. Beyond all the fabulous buildings, cultural aspects and of course the proud basketball tradition, we were immediately taken aback by how warm and engaging everyone is.
With the world class facilities that dot our campus and the historic venues scattered throughout the city (I still can't get over Rupp Arena), this is truly a univeristy and a community with something to offer for everyone.
Rupp Arena
I distinctly remember my first trip to Rupp Arena. It was for the 1985 Final Four and I sat up in the real nosebleeds with my good friend Bob Hill. I was awestruck. Seven years later, I got a bit of a better seat when we brought our UMass team to Rupp. The atmosphere, the pageantry and the specialness of the building struck me immediately. It was an amazing sideline to walk and bench to be on.
Now I get to walk it all year long? In front of the home bench? Are you kidding me? I am so fortunate to have this opportunity and so humbled to coach in building that bears Adolph Rupp's name.
I want this building to rock like it's never rocked before and I want the country to know that when opponents come into OUR house they will be playing against a building full of passionate and respectful Big Blue Nation members. Our homecourt advantage can be the best of any in the country and that's exactly what Rupp Arena and our program deserve.
Craft Center
The Craft Center is the nerve center of Kentucky basketball and houses our offices, practice court and our state of the art of training facilities. From the commemorative displays in the main foyer to the adjacent Memorial Coliseum, the Craft Center celebrates both the glorious past of UK basketball and our precious present.
I have been in a lot of practice facilities, and the Craft Center is a cut above all of them, even ones in the NBA.
Wildcat Lodge
I wish you could spend just one night in the Wildcat Lodge to see what a very special place it is. Sorry though, the Wildcat Lodge is where our players and a few other students get to live while they are students at the University of Kentucky. Located right next to our practice facility at the Craft Center, Wildcat Lodge is an historic component of UK basketball and one that players take a great deal of pride in.
When you think about some of the guys who have lived in Wildcat Lodge, it blows your mind. I love the tradition of it - and I also love knowing players can't say they got "caught in traffic" when they're late for practice! All they have do to is cross the street!
Our Campus
In my first few months in Lexington, I learned to love my daily jogs on the beautiful University of Kentucky Campus. It is truly the perfect college campus. I see something new every day.
The limestone blocks and buildings are really incredible, and all of the different architecture melds together so well.
The new library resembles what I might imagine the great library at Alexandria in Egypt looked like. The ever-growing Medical Center complex is truly amazing. The Kirwan Tower appears as a monolith. All of the athletic facilities are inspiring to view, from the front of Memorial Coliseum all the way to Commonwealth Stadium. Now that is a JOG!
By the way, there are basketball courts literally everywhere. Is playing basketball on the school application form or what? Best of all are the people who see BLUE every day.
Lexington
Lexington is my new Kentucky home, and it already feels like My Old Kentucky Home. The folks are so friendly and so encouraging I love the energy Lexington has. It seems like there is always something going on in the city (although I have learned that basketball is a 24/7/365 obsession!).
You cannot mention Lexington without thinking of horse racing at one of the nation's top Thoroughbred racing venue, Keeneland Race Course. It is so beautiful that it's worth it just to go there to hang out and get some Kentucky Burgoo even if you don't like to bet on the horses.
Lexington also has a great minor league baseball team, the Lexington Legends. I love minor league baseball, primarily because all of those guys are busting it for their shot at the major leagues, for their chance to play in "The Show". Applebee's ballpark is really neat, and just a great place to take in a game, hang out with friends and family and have a good time.
Downtown Lexington, which is a LeBron James shot from campus, has so much to offer. There is Rupp Arena with the Lexington Center shops and Hyatt Regency attached to it. The downtown offers a full slate of restaurants, retail shops, and outdoor spaces perfect for just hanging out. I found a great place to get donuts, too, but you will have to guess where that is!
Just driving in the countryside is a treat, and you cannot go wrong no matter which "Pike" you travel. But those side roads through horse country with all the fences, limestone walls, barns, trees, pastures, and horses are quintessential Kentucky. It's breathtaking, it really is.
I know it may sound like it, but I don't work for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce - YET! I just know a special place when I see one, and Lexington is all that and more.
