John Calipari salutes Kentucky's female student-athletes
Wednesday was National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and to celebrate that and the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the University of Kentucky’s female student-athletes took the floor at Rupp Arena during Wednesday’s game vs. Vanderbilt. John Calipari started his press conference today by paying tribute to all the women accomplishing big things in Kentucky blue and white.
“Before I get started, I just saw the other day it was National Girls and Women in Sports Day, and, you know, the 50th anniversary of Title IX. So, I’m going to do some stuff and I’m going to beg your forgiveness, but we’ve got to talk about this campus and then some other things about women and what has happened for them here.
“Volleyball, our women’s program won the national title, player of the year, Madison Lilley. Think about that. Jensen Castle won the U.S. Amateur, and I’ve got to look at these because there are a number of names here, won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in golf. Mary Tucker, shooter of the year and a silver medal at the Olympics. And our women’s track, you think about this, Sydney McLaughlin won two medals. Jasmine Camacho (Quinn) won a gold medal. Keni Harrison and Javianne Oliver won silver medals.
“And how about softball? Abby Steiner won a national championship and set college records. Kayla Kowalik, best catcher in softball. I’m sorry, Abby Steiner was track. And swimming and diving won their first SEC title. Our women’s basketball team, they come in our practices. The same with me, I’m here to help all of them, but I’ll tell you what, they have to be recognized for what they’re doing.”
“This is about access and opportunity”
Calipari also gave a shoutout to the women who are a part of the McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative, which aims to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences and opportunities.
“We started the McClendon initiative, and we coaches, what we said was, you know, if we want to have more diversity within athletics, we’re going to have to step up and do something ourselves to get it started. The McClendon Foundation, the McClendon Leadership Initiative, that’s what it’s about. It was not only men of color. It was about women running athletic departments, being presidents of universities, running businesses.”
Calipari went through a long list of names of female participants in the program, which has steadily grown since its launch in July 2020.
“This is the beginning and what we hope is these young ladies make a change for all of us,” Cal said. “That they go from what they’re doing within athletic departments, moving up within athletic departments, being in the NBA, which some of them now are, going to the NFL, which some of them now are, and having opportunities. This is about access and opportunity. It is not a handout; it is a hand up. Access and opportunity.
“That’s what this is about, and what’s happening on this campus for women, all they need is the chance, and you see what happens.”
Good on ya, Cal. If you weren’t at Rupp on Wednesday, here’s the celebration of the Wildcat women:
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