By Kindsey Bernhard
NKyTribune intern
A record crowd of more than 1,000 filled the stands at Rupp Arena Sunday afternoon for the eighth-annual John Calipari Women’s Clinic.
The clinic was moved from Memorial Coliseum to Rupp Arena this year to accommodate the growing number of attendees, a surprise to Calipari.
John Calipari interacts with a fan during his annual Women’s Clinic Sunday at Rupp Arena (Kindsey Bernhard Photo)
“There’s never been a bigger women’s clinic in the world,” Calipari told the crowd. “We only thought 500-600 (would attend). No, I should’ve known you’re crazy.”
The event was “designed for women with all levels of basketball knowledge and experience and offers an exclusive inside look at the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program.”
Registration began at 11 a.m., but lines started forming three hours early.
Calipari and former Kentucky standout Alex Poythress signed autographs and posed for pictures during registration, while assistant coaches roamed through the crowd interacting with those in attendance.
Attendees enjoyed an abbreviated practice from the men’s basketball team, which included shooting, rebounding and passing drills.
After the players left the court, the attendees were given an opportunity to showcase their own basketball skills. Assistant coaches Tony Barbee and Kenny Payne led fans through passing and shooting drills, including full-court layups and the three-man weave drill. Strength and conditioning coach Robert Harris also offered conditioning exercises, including hand-and-eye coordination drills.
Although there wasn’t a shortage of volunteers, some first-time attendees were hesitant to participate in the on-court activities.
“I may come back again,” said Jackie Stout Biddle of Huntington, West Virginia. “(I will have to) practice my basketball skills before I go out on the floor.”
“I wouldn’t have the nerve,” attendee Susan Wallace added.
Clinic participants were given a sneak peak into the recruiting process and watched a video shown to recruits during in-home visits. Attendees weren’t allowed to take photos or shoot video during the presentation.
“That was my favorite part,” Wallace said.
Calipari concluded the clinic by giving away his custom Nike pink shoes and polo shirt to two lucky attendees. Calipari slipped off the shoes at mid-court, but it took a little longer to take give away the shirt.
“You’re going to have to wait and pick that (shirt) up with your basketball,” Calipari said.
