UK Coach John Calipari announced a Basketball Fantasy Experience set for Sept 13-15.
The camp, which is open to persons 35 and older, has a fee of $7,495. Proceeds will go to the Cal Foundation.
Although still not set, the charitable efforts that could benefit include Calipari’s stated goal to improve financial literacy in Kentucky, “boys without fathers” and Catholic schools, he said.
“It’s not about religion,” Calipari said. “It’s about education.”
The camp is intended to give participants an idea of what it’s like to be a UK player, Calipari said. The activities include playing games in Rupp Arena and a dinner in Calipari’s home.
A company, Pro Camps Worldwide, has been running such games since 1998. Other camps this year include Kansas Coach Bill Self and Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade. Indiana Coach Tom Crean is scheduled to do a similar camp next year, Pro Camps spokesman Matt Chacksfield said.
Calipari noted how UK might center an alumni weekend around future such camps. Former UK players would be invited to participate in the weekend’s activities.
“I just want everybody to walk away saying, ‘Only at Kentucky could somebody pull this off like this,” he said. “Only at Kentucky could they do it to this level.”
More information on the Fantasy Experience can be gotten at MChacksfield@procamps.com or by calling 513-745-5850
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
