Ellen Calipari, center, will be back as co-host of the Women's Clinic Oct. 24. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Some University of Kentucky fans won’t understand why the return of the John Calipari Women’s Clinic is so important to those women who attend each year.
But trust me, it is.
I already know one woman who canceled plans to be in Nashville that weekend to attend the clinic again and others who are coming in from out of state just like they always do to interact with players and get a feel for what the 2021-22 basketball season is going to be like.
This year the clinic will be Oct. 24 — two days after the Blue-White Game on Oct. 22. And my guess is that a lot of women will attend both events. The women’s clinic is back at Rupp Arena from 3-6 p.m. with three options for registration:
— $150 includes signed panel basketball by Kentucky basketball (250 available).
— $120 includes a signed panel basketball by John Calipari.
— $99 includes clinic participation only.
I think participants will also enjoy having Ellen Calipari, John Calipari’s wife, as co-host. She’s participated before and all the women I’ve talked to have enjoyed her presence a lot.
Participants also are guaranteed a “small group picture with the entire team” along with a photo with John and Ellen Calipari. Participants will be able to download their picture with the team for free for digital or print use after the clinic. Trust me, that’s important to the participants.
No item other than the purchased basketball (which will be pre-signed due to COVID protocols) will be signed by UK players but attendees can bring one additional item to be signed only by the UK coach during registration.
Parking has been an issue at times for the clinic when it was at Memorial Coliseum — one year cars were towed during the clinic. Participants are encouraged to park in the High Street lot and UK reminds attendees to park in a legal parking spot.
Registration will be from 1:30-3 p.m. through the main gates of Rupp Arena and registrants can take a self-guided tour of Rupp and the UK locker room. Once the clinic starts, players will be introduced and strength coach Robert Harris will have an interactive presentation. The annual fashion show is on the program along with the question and answer session with the UK coach.
For any clinic-related questions, call the men’s basketball camp line at 859-257-9457 or 859-257-1916.
