"Wildcat Welcome Guide" for Calipari's new Cats on campus

DrewFranklinKSR

Welcome to the University of Kentucky! As a new student-athlete on campus and a member of our basketball program's top-ranked recruiting class, we are excited to have you in Lexington and in Big Blue Nation. With your arrival this week and enrollment in our second summer session, you are officially a Kentucky Wildcat! Woo-hoo! Take that, Duke! Now that you are all moved in to the Lodge and eager to learn about your new home for the next four years (or one year LOL), take a moment to read this Wildcat Welcome Guide complete with things you need to know as a UK basketball player. If you have any questions, ask your Twitter followers.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, June 6: First team meeting (An Introduction to Position-less Basketball) Wednesday, June 7: “see blue” U Orientation and Registration for new and returning students Thursday, June 8: First day of classes Friday, June 9: Walk aimlessly around Fayette Mall as a group

Places To Know

You will learn much more about our 800-acre campus in your student orientation and in the UK 101 course in which you are already enrolled for the upcoming semester, but go ahead and familiarize yourself with the following places as you will be spending the majority of your time in them as a member of the men’s basketball team: Joe Craft Center - The newly-renovated, state-of-the-art basketball practice facility attached to Memorial Coliseum; also home to basketball support spaces, including the coaches’ offices (key card entry only) CATS: Center for Academic & Tutorial Services - The first center of its kind dedicated solely to providing primary academic support for UK's more than 500 student-athletes; located inside the Joe Craft Center Wildcat Coal Lodge - Residence hall for the men’s basketball program Student Center - Currently in the midst of a $175 million dollar renovation, the UK Student Center will soon include a 600-seat cinema, retail and residential dining, and a Barnes & Noble-run student bookstore; temporary facilities are fully operational along Avenue of Champions Sorority Row - As a member of the UK basketball team, you will be very popular among our sororities and the entire female student population; perks of the job, they say Raising Cane’s - Unofficial, off-campus dining hall for the men’s basketball program; although, John Wall preferred Indi’s Fast Food Restaurant over Cane’s when he craved chicken during his time at UK

5 Fun Facts About UK Men’s Basketball

1. UK is the most successful NCAA Division I basketball program in history in terms of both all-time wins (2,237) and all-time winning percentage (.765). 2. UK leads all schools in NCAA tournament wins (124). 3. The school’s eight NCAA championships ranks second all time. 4. Kentucky is the only program with 5 different NCAA Championship coaches. 5. Anthony Davis took the fourth most shots.

Important Dates To Know

August 23, 2017: First day of fall semester April 2, 2018: NCAA Championship game May 8-13, 2018: NBA Combine May 23, 2018: Deadline for early entrants to return to school June 21, 2018: 2018 NBA Draft

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to walk through the Big Blue Madness campout? Yes and no. You will get attacked by mobs of autograph-seeking fans who have been sleeping on the ground for two days, but they’re pretty harmless, for the most part. It is at the campout that you will truly realize that Kentucky fans, though kind at heart, are crazy and will do anything to get a photo with you. Will Big Blue Nation be upset if we lose to Louisville? Short answer: Don’t lose to Louisville. (And you won’t.) Should I go live on Instagram after midnight? No. When can I meet Drake? You will meet Drake only if Sandy Bell decides the meeting is within NCAA rules. In fact, you will do nothing without Sandy’s approval of your every move. You will not go to sleep until she tells you it is okay to go to sleep and you will not eat until she says your meal is NCAA compliant. Why is someone standing outside my window with three basketballs? Get used to it.

A Message From Your Coach, John Calipari…

“Welcome to Lexington, son! I’m so happy to have you here at the University of Kentucky as a member of our men’s basketball program! As I told you throughout our discussions during your recruitment, this place isn’t for everyone. You are here because it is for YOU and only YOU will decide how far it takes you in your basketball journey! The first step in that journey will be accepting your role within the TEAM and learning servant leadership. You’re going to share more than you have ever shared, you’re going to score less, you’re going to play less minutes, and be more about your teammates than about yourself. YOU will be your brothers’ keeper here at Kentucky, and when you embrace that brotherhood and practice servant leadership, we will all eat together. I hope you’re ready to be a part of the gold standard in college basketball!"

Detach the following form and submit to Mrs. Ellen by Friday.

Confirm your Date of Birth. ______ / ______ / ____________ Peanut allergy? NO YES