[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN CALIPARI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY BARR

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2024

  Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize John Calipari. For fifteen 
years he served as the head coach for the University of Kentucky men's 
basketball team, the ``Greatest Tradition in the History of College 
Basketball.''
  Born of humble beginnings at Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Calipari 
went on to serve in head coaching positions at the University of 
Massachusetts, the New Jersey Nets, and the University of Memphis. 
Calipari was hired in 2009 as head coach of the legendary University of 
Kentucky basketball program. He led Kentucky to four Final Fours; in 
2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015; with Kentucky winning the NCAA Championship 
in 2012. He amassed a record of 410 wins and 123 losses while at UK. Of 
these 410 victories, 22 came in the NCAA tournament--the most of any 
Kentucky head coach in the history of that storied program.
  Calipari ranks ninth on the NCAA Division 1 all-time winningest 
coaches' list with 855 official wins. He was the Naismith Coach of the 
Year in 1996, 2008, and 2015. In 2015, he was named to the Naismith 
Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He received the John R. Wooden Award 
``Legends of Coaching'' honor in 2023. While at Kentucky, 47 of his 
players went on to play in the NBA. It is evident that Coach Cal, as he 
is known to most Kentuckians, cares deeply for his players and wants 
them to achieve their dreams.
  In addition to his on-court accomplishments, Coach Cal has developed 
quite a legacy of charitable work. In 2010, his efforts raised $1.3 
million for Haitian earthquake victims with ``Hoops for Haiti.'' His 
support for ``Blessings in a Backpack'' feeds hungry children all 
across Kentucky. He partnered with Samaritan's Feet to bring shoes to 
needy areas around the world. After devastating tornadoes hit Western 
Kentucky, Calipari and his players were there to help. Soon after, 
floods tore through Eastern Kentucky and again he was a strong presence 
to bring help to needy people who had lost everything. Coach Cal was 
known to help many people in small, unpublicized ways and he encouraged 
his players to give back to the community as well. In 2022, he received 
the Jefferson Award for Public Service in Sports by Multiplying Good in 
recognition of his many charitable contributions.
  It is my honor to recognize my friend, Coach John Calipari, for his 
excellent coaching accomplishments, his contributions to the legacy of 
Kentucky basketball, and his generous spirit.

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