Though Kentucky head coach Mark Pope appeared to immediately remorse his latest vow to assist fund fan journey to the Wildcats’ first spherical recreation within the NCAA Division I males’s basketball event, he nonetheless made good on the promise.
Kentucky is scheduled to play Troy in Milwaukee within the first spherical on Friday. Throughout a latest version of his call-in radio present, Pope volunteered to assist cowl gas prices for Kentucky followers who have been prepared to drive from Lexington, Kentucky to Wisconsin.
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Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope seems to be on throughout NCAA Event First Spherical Observe at Fiserv Discussion board. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs)
“It’s only a 7-hour drive, so if you’re having trouble with gas money, hit me up. Let’s get all of (Big Blue Nation) BBN out there,” Pope mentioned on Monday. “I’m not gonna tell you how to hit me up, because I’m nervous about how many people are about to hit me up. I had this ridiculous notion one night after a game to buy everybody that was left in the arena ice cream. It cost me a little bit more than I anticipated, but it’s all in the family, baby. It’s family. Let’s go.”
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Pope later shared a message from a Kentucky scholar named Jack who requested cash for fuel, and probably a ticket to the sport. The scholar mentioned he traveled to Florida for spring break, however promised he would be capable to arrive in Milwaukee in time for tip off.
Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope speaks throughout an NCAA Event First Spherical Observe press convention at Fiserv Discussion board. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Photographs)
“It just went from gas money to a ticket!” Pope responded. “Listen, Jack, here’s the deal. I’m gonna try and hit you back, man. I’m doing my best, okay? I love it. BBN, man, it is the greatest blessing in the world to be able to be a part of BBN. There’s nowhere like it. I love it.”
Screenshots later surfaced on social media, displaying an e-mail change between Pope’s government assistant and the scholar.
The e-mail featured some parameters, together with verification that the touring celebration didn’t embody any excessive school-aged people. The message additionally requested for Venmo info.
“Hi Jack! Coach Pope would love to take care of your gas money! For this to happen, we would need you to send us proof that you have tickets to the game! At that point, we can send you the flat rate gas money,” the e-mail learn. “Please verify that there is no one in your party that is within the recruitable age (9th-12th grade).”
Kentucky’s head coach Mark Pope deal with the group earlier than the NCAA Event Choice Present inside Rupp Area Sunday night time. March 16, 2025. (Scott Utterback/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Photographs)
One other e-mail supplied the scholar a present card.
“We will have a $100 Visa gift card here at our office for you to pick up. Let me know what day and time you will be able to come get it,” the follow-up e-mail learn.
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Pope coached Kentucky to a 22-11 common season report throughout his first yr on the helm.
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