Kentucky basketball hosts coal miner, family for home game against Duquesne
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Game day: No. 4 Kentucky 77, Duquesne 52
Click below for more of the Herald-Leader’s and Kentucky.com’s coverage of Friday night’s men’s basketball game between Kentucky and Duquesne in Rupp Arena.
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After an offseason where giving back and helping those in need took center stage, the same sentiments have extended into the start of the 2022-23 Kentucky men’s basketball season.
The Wildcats have done plenty to help those in Eastern Kentucky affected by this summer’s devastating flooding, and it was during UK’s Blue-White Game last month in Pikeville that another opportunity surfaced to use the power of Kentucky basketball for good.
Following the Blue-White Game, a photo went viral of coal miner Michael McGuire and his 3-year-old son, Easton, watching the Cats together at Appalachian Wireless Arena. McGuire and his wife, Mollie, also have a young daughter.
McGuire was pictured with coal dust still on his face after a shift in the mines before he came to the game.
UK head coach John Calipari soon became aware of the photo and got in contact with the McGuire family, leading to a VIP experience for them Friday night for Kentucky’s home game against Duquesne at Rupp Arena.
On Friday, an official UK team bus took the McGuires to Rupp Arena.
Michael McGuire was the ceremonial “Y” during a game timeout in the second half, and the family had seats for the game right behind the UK bench.
According to ESPN, 14 total members of the McGuire family were expected to take in the contest between the Wildcats and Dukes.
The family also received a shoutout from the SEC Network broadcast crew during the first half of the game. McGuire’s appearance as the ceremonial “Y” was also featured on the SEC Network broadcast.
According to the SEC Network broadcast, an ESPN film crew was embedded with the McGuire family for Friday night’s game, and future UK men’s basketball content from ESPN will highlight the family’s story.
That story attracted national attention after Calipari tweeted the photo of McGuire and his son, while the UK head coach explained how the Calipari family began life in America in a coal mine in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
During UK’s team media day on Oct. 25, Calipari elaborated on why he felt it was important to give the family this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It’s just a great lesson, and I showed (UK players) the picture yesterday of Michael and his son, and I talked about hard, backbreaking work that’s honorable work, but that he makes time for his son, even when he knew he couldn’t shower,” Calipari said. “It didn’t matter what he looked like, he just wanted to be with his son.”
On Saturday morning, Calipari posted another social media message highlighting the family.
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 8:32 PM.
