Mark Stoops gives emotional tribute to Coach John Schlarman

[caption id="attachment_246836" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] @UKFootball[/caption] Some of the top members of the UK Athletics staff as well as student athletes gathered Friday night to help raise money for the Lexington Cancer Foundation while at the Bluegrass Wine Auction & Derby Gala. The Kentucky football team is all too familiar with the cause. Linebacker Josh Paschal as well as his offensive line coach, John Schlarman fought the disease last season. Last night, Coach Mark Stoops had the opportunity to commend them both for their hard-fought battles. "You want to talk about an inspiration? John Schlarman has gone through a brutal cancer," Stoops said. "Here's the guy who's gone through treatment every single week." Stoops went on to tell the story of how he found out about the diagnoses, as he says he was talking about Paschal's condition just minutes before he learned of Coach Schlarman's. Here's a look at his short speech, thanks to our good friend Jennifer Palumbo.

An emotional moment at the @lcfi Bluegrass Wine Auction & Derby Gala. @UKCoachStoops recognizes John Schlarman and his courageous battle against cancer, along with @UKCoachCalipari and @UKCoachMitchell. We love you, @CoachSchlarman and @LSchlarman!? #BBN pic.twitter.com/W3w8YnNdlx

— Jennifer Palumbo (@JenNimePalumbo) May 3, 2019

Although the details surrounding Schlarman's specific heath issues have not been fully disclosed, Stoops knows how much his assistant coach has been through over the last year - all while never missing a practice. "It's been amazing," Stoops said. "It's been a work of God, the success he's had with this brutal cancer." A great speech given about two great men, all for a great cause.