So Louisville fans have their noses out of joint because John Calipari omitted Rick Pitino’s name during last Friday’s KISS concert, er, Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena.
As Dana O’Neil reported for espn.com: “On Friday night, the introductory video included a montage of images, from black and white to color, from old legends to new, while Calipari’s speech invoked beloved late manager Bill Keightley and the great line of coaches — Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall and Tubby Smith, noticeably skipping over Eddie Sutton and Rick Pitino.”
But as the Courier-Journal’s Eric Crawford rightly points out on his blog, Calipari would no doubt have received a negative reaction (i.e. monstrous booing) had he mentioned the former coach. And as Eric also points out, Pitino has played his own game of revisionist history. Rick did it at UK, acting as if the program didn’t truly begin until he set foot on campus. He’s doing it at Louisville. As Eric points out, there are pix of Antoine Walker and Jamal Mashburn on the wall where U of L practices, not Rodney McCray or Pervis Ellison.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
I had the same series of thoughts when watching the speech, and I think you’re exactly right John.
Pitino as victim? Now that is a really tough sell.
The ones upset that he didn’t mention Ricks name would be the same ones upset if he had mentioned it. Some folks just look for something to complain about and are never happy.
“Pitino as victim? Now that is a really tough sell.” - careful Charles, Rick may call a press conference to explain why he is a victim ; )
Hey give the YANKEE a break. Pitino has those pictures up because coaching at UK was the highlight of his life. We all now once you are BLUE you will always be BLUE.
January 2nd should take care of this, either way.
And Coach Cal forgot to include UK great GILLISPIE, also.
But nobody is complaining about that. After all, GILLISPIE
took the UK team to the NIT- first time in 20 years.
(sarcastic reply)
Calipari mentions Pitino or Gillispie and his speech is interrupted by booing, somewhat spoiling the speech. He did the right thing.
I am a life long UK fan. But in all fairness that wall also says, “NBA players Rick Pitino has coached”. Since Pitino didn’t coach McCray or Ellison, I wouldn’t imagine thier pictures being on that wall. Looks like Eric Crawford omitted facts to prove his point. I hate how you media people do that.
Coach Cal made the right decision by not saying Pitino’s name. For one, I would rather not hear his name at our BBM. The crowd would have booed. BBM is not about hating on past coaches, it’s a night of celebration.
Right on the money, John. Louisville fans should appreciate the sensitivity if nothing else.