Billy G embraces his public persona

In his first season as Kentucky coach, Billy Gillispie played down his quasi-celebrity status as a public figure. He did not launch a charity foundation, as did his two immediate predecessors, Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith.

Most notably, Gillispie declined an invitation to speak to the Lexington Rotary Club prior to the season. UK coaches had been giving the club a preview of the upcoming season since at least the 1950s (and maybe as far back as the 1930s).

Now as he begins Year II, Gillispie is flexing his public personna. During the Keightley Classic on Monday, he said he would be announcing the launching a charitable foundation. And he’s scheduled to speak to the Lexington Rotary Club next month.

As for last year, Gillispie said he was busy. He felt obligated to work on establishing himself as coach and getting a high-intensity recruiting effort off the ground.

“As you get the team to have the kind of roster you want, you spend time in the community,” he said.

Gillispie embraced a more public role in the future. “You always want to do those things because I love people,” he said.

Gillispie offered thanks for the welcome he received from UK fans last season. With a smile, he noted that UK did not have to be so welcoming, especially after the early-season loss to Gardner-Webb.