It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day
Like always, the alarm sounded early this morning. I went through my pre-day routine of hitting the snooze button a couple of times and using the extra time to think about the upcoming day’s agenda. My wife is out of town for a few days with her job, so the list is a little longer than usual this week:
- Get the kid’s ready for school and daycare…check!
- Get to work on time…check!
- Conference call at 8:30 a.m….check!
- Prepare for the Calipari press conference….
“Wait a minute. John Calipari will be officially announced as the Kentucky head coach at 9:30 a.m. I have to get going!”
With that thought, I hopped out of bed and was ready to attack the day. I was barely able to contain the excitement as I awaited the press conference that would shake the Big Blue Nation by its foundation.
I searched my list of favorite Kentucky basketball-related sites with a reckless abandon as soon as I sat in front of my computer. I broke down the threads on Bluegrass Preps to see if I could discover any breaking news. I checked out Kentucky Sports Radio to see what Matt Jones and his crew had to say about the day’s events. I hopped over to John Clay’s Blog to see what he was reporting. Oh cool, John gave me props for reporting Calipari to Kentucky on Sunday! I check Maggard’s site to see what he was talking about. I was a Big Blue junkie that needed my morning fix.
Based on my own experiences since the NIT loss to Notre Dame, I would boldly predict that work productivity was down on a statewide basis for the past few days. Employers may not realize why production has been lacking, but they should join the Kentucky fans in rejoicing John Calipari. Work may return to normal after today.
I maximized the Internet Explorer window that would allow me to view the live feed of the Calipari press conference. I noticed “9:27 PM” on my computer’s clock, and for no reason at all; I hit the refresh button three times in succession.
Finally, the video feed came to life and the cameras were focused on an open door. It was 9:30, but all the feed showed was various members of the media shuffling about. I waited nervously until Kentucky’s new coach made his way through the door. He had entered the door that would lead him to the top of the Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart opened the press conference. He detailed the hiring process and outlined the new coach’s contract – 8 years and $31.65 million with incentives. As if to illustrate that this coach was already ahead of the last, Barnhart made sure to add that this contract had already been signed. He listed various accolades that Calipari has accomplished and finished with, “he can flat out coach.”
John Calipari grabbed the audience and opened by stating that he is humbled to coach such a storied program. He immediately recognized Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley and his family. He then mentioned that he personally called former Kentucky coaches including Tubby Smith, Rick Pitino, Eddie Sutton and Joe B. Hall. Next, he made references to Kentucky greats such as Kyle Macy, Rex Chapman, Dan Issel, Nazi Mohammed and Tayshaun Prince. At this point, I was already thinking that this man understands what it takes to be the coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.
He went on to add that he is just a normal guy.
“I'm a regular guy, folks. I do not walk on water."
He exclaimed that the program would be about the players first - that is quite a different philosophy from what we have seen the past couple of seasons. He will implement his infamous dribble-drive offense. He added that he would evaluate all players currently on the team and all players that have committed to the team. If they are able to assist in winning a national championship, he will welcome them with open arms. If they cannot contribute in his program, he will be honest with them and help them find a better future.
After hearing John Calipari speak, I found myself more excited about the Wildcats than I had been in a very long time.
I returned to work and tried to refocus on my task list. As the day progressed, I returned to the Internet to see what was happening. I tuned into a press conference in Memphis that featured the Memphis Athletic Director. I then listened to Calipari’s press conference from the front lawn of his Memphis home. I learned that he would immediately leave Memphis to visit Daniel Orton’s family and try to insure that Orton would be in a Wildcat uniform next season. I was excited that he was working on recruiting during his first day on the job.
Later in the day, I heard that the nation’s top player, Xavier Henry, had de-committed from Memphis and would reopen his recruitment. Could this mean that Henry will follow Calipari to Lexington?
Then, I read that Kentucky commits Konner Tucker, G.J. Vilarino and KC Ross-Miller have chosen to reopen their recruitments. My first thought was that the players have read the writing on the wall and decided that their best options may lie elsewhere.
Tonight, I learned that recruiting guru Bob Gibbons was reporting that point guard stud John Wall would likely commit to the Kentucky Wildcats before Monday. Wall could single-handedly fill one of Kentucky’s biggest voids next season.
Like always, the alarm sounded early this morning. I went through my pre-day routine of hitting the snooze button a couple of times and using the extra time to think about the upcoming day’s agenda. My wife is out of town for a few days with her job, so the list is a little longer than usual this week:
- Get the kid’s ready for school and daycare…check!
- Get to work on time…check!
- Conference call at 8:30 a.m….check!
- Prepare for the Calipari press conference….
“Wait a minute. John Calipari will be officially announced as the Kentucky head coach at 9:30 a.m. I have to get going!”
With that thought, I hopped out of bed and was ready to attack the day. I was barely able to contain the excitement as I awaited the press conference that would shake the Big Blue Nation by its foundation.
I searched my list of favorite Kentucky basketball-related sites with a reckless abandon as soon as I sat in front of my computer. I broke down the threads on Bluegrass Preps to see if I could discover any breaking news. I checked out Kentucky Sports Radio to see what Matt Jones and his crew had to say about the day’s events. I hopped over to John Clay’s Blog to see what he was reporting. Oh cool, John gave me props for reporting Calipari to Kentucky on Sunday! I check Maggard’s site to see what he was talking about. I was a Big Blue junkie that needed my morning fix.
Based on my own experiences since the NIT loss to Notre Dame, I would boldly predict that work productivity was down on a statewide basis for the past few days. Employers may not realize why production has been lacking, but they should join the Kentucky fans in rejoicing John Calipari. Work may return to normal after today.
I maximized the Internet Explorer window that would allow me to view the live feed of the Calipari press conference. I noticed “9:27 PM” on my computer’s clock, and for no reason at all; I hit the refresh button three times in succession.
Finally, the video feed came to life and the cameras were focused on an open door. It was 9:30, but all the feed showed was various members of the media shuffling about. I waited nervously until Kentucky’s new coach made his way through the door. He had entered the door that would lead him to the top of the Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart opened the press conference. He detailed the hiring process and outlined the new coach’s contract – 8 years and $31.65 million with incentives. As if to illustrate that this coach was already ahead of the last, Barnhart made sure to add that this contract had already been signed. He listed various accolades that Calipari has accomplished and finished with, “he can flat out coach.”
John Calipari grabbed the audience and opened by stating that he is humbled to coach such a storied program. He immediately recognized Mr. Wildcat Bill Keightley and his family. He then mentioned that he personally called former Kentucky coaches including Tubby Smith, Rick Pitino, Eddie Sutton and Joe B. Hall. Next, he made references to Kentucky greats such as Kyle Macy, Rex Chapman, Dan Issel, Nazi Mohammed and Tayshaun Prince. At this point, I was already thinking that this man understands what it takes to be the coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.
He went on to add that he is just a normal guy.
“I'm a regular guy, folks. I do not walk on water."
He exclaimed that the program would be about the players first - that is quite a different philosophy from what we have seen the past couple of seasons. He will implement his infamous dribble-drive offense. He added that he would evaluate all players currently on the team and all players that have committed to the team. If they are able to assist in winning a national championship, he will welcome them with open arms. If they cannot contribute in his program, he will be honest with them and help them find a better future.
After hearing John Calipari speak, I found myself more excited about the Wildcats than I had been in a very long time.
I returned to work and tried to refocus on my task list. As the day progressed, I returned to the Internet to see what was happening. I tuned into a press conference in Memphis that featured the Memphis Athletic Director. I then listened to Calipari’s press conference from the front lawn of his Memphis home. I learned that he would immediately leave Memphis to visit Daniel Orton’s family and try to insure that Orton would be in a Wildcat uniform next season. I was excited that he was working on recruiting during his first day on the job.
Later in the day, I heard that the nation’s top player, Xavier Henry, had de-committed from Memphis and would reopen his recruitment. Could this mean that Henry will follow Calipari to Lexington?
Then, I read that Kentucky commits Konner Tucker, G.J. Vilarino and KC Ross-Miller have chosen to reopen their recruitments. My first thought was that the players have read the writing on the wall and decided that their best options may lie elsewhere.
Tonight, I learned that recruiting guru Bob Gibbons was reporting that point guard stud John Wall would likely commit to the Kentucky Wildcats before Monday. Wall could single-handedly fill one of Kentucky’s biggest voids next season.
In a single day, the Kentucky Wildcats have gone from mediocre to a potential top five team next season. The program upgraded from a Billy Gillispie that was probably in over his head to a John Calipari that is a top coach in the country. The Kentucky roster will likely be rebuilt and filled with a level of talent that has been missing for several years.
Tonight, I am wondering how the day could have been any better. As a Kentucky Wildcat fan, for the first time in a long time, it was a beautiful day.
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