I wanted to let everyone out there who hasn’t had the opportunity to be around Cal know just how awesome of a guy he is off the court. Over Christmas I was visiting family in Fort Myers, Florida. While down there I always try and catch a game or two at the City of Palms Classic. It has the best players year in and year out. Make sure to check out the website at http://cityofpalmsclassic.com/ but back to my story. This year while my brother was working I took my 11 year old niece, Gracie to watch some future stars (Shabazz, Noel, Randle, Jefferson and others). Gracie is a huge UK fan but occassionaly she will send me a picture of her in a discusting University of Florida Gators tshirt just to get a rise out of me. As we were sitting in the stands I of course notice Coach Cal sitting under the basket with Antigua and Payne. Cal being the cool character he had on his usual dark suite and blue button down shirt.

I needed to save our seats because it was the night that Shabazz and Bishop Gorman was playing against 2013 stud Julius Randle from Prestonwood. My brother showed up and walked Gracie over to go get Cal’s autograph with a little encouragement from myself. I had noticed Cal signing autographs all night and he had a sharpie that he kept in his pocket to sign for people. He carried his own sharpie for autographing, are you serious? Gracie walked right up to get her basketball signed and then Cal asked her if she wanted a picture. Of course she wanted a pictue and Cal was very gracious. All night long I watched as he interacted with fans. If there is a better politician in basketball I’d like to know who he is because Cal in a small high school gym far from Lexington was the biggest star there but treated everyone around him like they were important even my little Gracie. Gracie left a very happy girl and I left a very proud uncle.

Not enough is said for how well Cal treats people off the basketball court. We are so lucky to have him in Lexington and should be thankful everyday he’s our coach.