I hope that everyone will take this in a hospitable way. Along with my wife we attended the UK-Mizzou game last Saturday, and were blown away by the friendliness of the fans and restaurant workers wherever we were they treated us like guests of honor. When we arrived at game a hour before to see shoot around they chatted with us and when the game got going we stood most of the time as were close to court at side court as they were ready to blow the top off the building if Missouri could ever get the lead and hold it. They started singing some song and I do not hear very well and one of the fans leaned over and said do not take it personally we started this song years ago and it is with Kansas in mind.
When the game ended we listened to Missouri Tigers radio because of course we couldn't get our local stations, I have never heard (besides Pope) a more down to earth, gracious coach than Missouris assistant who was being interviewed, he commended UK and Mark Pope very highly, and told how Coach Dennis Gates walked into locker room at games end and the Tiger players were sitting with their heads down because they had lost the game on Senior day. He said raise your heads up and be proud of who you are, we had 14000 fans or however many they are out there screaming their heads off for you this season. He said do you want to know why they supported you and filled they gym for every home game he said it was because of the heart and fight you show every time you play, it is because you keep your jerseys tucked in your shorts, it is because when you get a call that you disagree with you don't throw a fit or act like you have no self respect he said it is because when you make a good play you don't act like you are the best player whoever lived, it is because the Kentucky Wildcats are one of if not the best college basketball programs in the nation and you never quit fighting.
He said we are going to compete in the SEC tournament and then we are going to get to compete in the NCAA Tournament so hold your heads up and be thankful for what you have accomplished.
I was so impressed by it and debated whether even to post it or not, I am as diehard a UK fan a anyone out there but I am a Dennis Gates fan now too I hope some of you if not all will enjoy these comments as well.
When the game ended we listened to Missouri Tigers radio because of course we couldn't get our local stations, I have never heard (besides Pope) a more down to earth, gracious coach than Missouris assistant who was being interviewed, he commended UK and Mark Pope very highly, and told how Coach Dennis Gates walked into locker room at games end and the Tiger players were sitting with their heads down because they had lost the game on Senior day. He said raise your heads up and be proud of who you are, we had 14000 fans or however many they are out there screaming their heads off for you this season. He said do you want to know why they supported you and filled they gym for every home game he said it was because of the heart and fight you show every time you play, it is because you keep your jerseys tucked in your shorts, it is because when you get a call that you disagree with you don't throw a fit or act like you have no self respect he said it is because when you make a good play you don't act like you are the best player whoever lived, it is because the Kentucky Wildcats are one of if not the best college basketball programs in the nation and you never quit fighting.
He said we are going to compete in the SEC tournament and then we are going to get to compete in the NCAA Tournament so hold your heads up and be thankful for what you have accomplished.
I was so impressed by it and debated whether even to post it or not, I am as diehard a UK fan a anyone out there but I am a Dennis Gates fan now too I hope some of you if not all will enjoy these comments as well.
