Memphis cancels plans to honor Kentucky coach John Calipari
Memphis has scrapped plans to celebrate vaunted Kentucky coach John Calipari's installation into the College Basketball Hall of Fame after the gesture caused an uproar among Tigers faithful.
Dr. M. David Rudd released a statement on Thursday apologizing for plans to honor the former Tigers' coach, saying the move had caused "unnecessary upset, embarrassment and genuine distress."
Here is my response to our University and Community. pic.twitter.com/A8yx1ZlVDd
— Dr. M. David Rudd (@UofMemphisPres) September 10, 2015
Memphis and UMass, both previous stops in Calipari's coaching career, had planned to honor him this season for the success he enjoyed at each respective program, timed to coincide with his elevation to the Hall of Fame.
Calipari coached Memphis to the national title game in 2008, over a decade after leading UMass to the Final Four in 1996.
Both runs, though, were vacated because of NCAA violations, prompting some at Memphis to vocally protest to any gestures honoring Calipari.
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