I doubt UK spent a dime on that private jet. Some horse breeder probably lent out his jet just to get him and be able to brag about it. This is something you probably already know but there is a LOT of money in and around Lexington.

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Originally posted by TRhit:
I find it ironic in way that Kentucky can send a private jet for Calipari but the CEO's of the auto manufactuters got banged for flying on private jets---is there a difference here for Kentucky

TR - As Coach just said, this plane was one of a private business man in an adjoining city to Lexington. They also landed at his private air strip much to the disappointment of fans who were waiting at our local airport. The bulk of the money offered to Calipari was donated this week from what I understand. There are boosters (former UK folks, current fans, and former players) who are VERY wealthy and have no problem putting their wallets out there. His salary doesn't touch the UK operating budget, student fees, or anything else related to UK functioning. That's the way basketball is around here.... there will always be a dime.

It is amazing isn't it ???

Poeple are losing their homes and much more but UK and other colleges are riding the coat tails of millionaire/billionaire sponsors, but baseball coaches cannot buy a kid a hamburger---in the meantime great young college baseball coaches are getting paid less than 75 thousand a year and working with budgets that are choking them

And yes I do see see the relationship between this situation and the auto people

And in the meantime the kids that Calipari brought to Memphis are looking to leave the school--they came to Memphis because he was there and now . POOF, he is gone leaving the kids in the lurch--

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And yes I do see see the relationship between this situation and the auto people

I didn't realize the UK people were going to DC to ask for money.

TR - I am very sympathetic to the issues you bring up. My own son's college journey ended up taking an unfortunate path because we made a decision to jump ship when his college coach resigned (at the end of JULY) before he was to begin in August. A coach leaving can be traumatic for players and especially for those newly committed ones. Of course, all of Calipari's players that are new have the option of going elsewhere, including UK if scholarships free up. Just as any of UKs new signees. It is on Calipari's agenda this week to go meet with our top recruit to try and ensure he'll remain at UK.

Money in baseball is pathetic. I would love to see MY sport receive the financial backing from supporters that UK basketball receives. That will never happen.... here anyway. Basketball is THE sport. UK supporters have the money to give to the sport and that's what they chose to do. Those same people (many of them) also give to some very important causes in our community outside of sports.

Most baseball coaches would love to make $75,000 as you mention! I believe the majority of college coaches are living on probably half of that and often includes teaching classes in addition to coaching. It's not a money sport for sure.