Although Kentucky head coach Mark Pope seems to immediately regret his recent vows were to help fans travel to the Wildcats’ first round in the NCAA Level I men’s basketball game, he still made a good attitude toward that commitment.
Kentucky plans to play Troy in Milwaukee in the first round of the game Friday. In a recent call radio show, Pope volunteered to participate in the fuel costs for Kentucky fans willing to drive from Lexington, Kentucky to Wisconsin.
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March 20, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope introduced in the first round of practice at the NCAA Championship on the Fiserv forum. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn image)
“It’s just a 7-hour drive, so if you’re in trouble with gas money, hit me. Let’s put all the (big blue) BBN there,” the pope said on Monday. “I won’t tell you how to hit me because I’m worried about how many people will hit me. I have a ridiculous concept after a game with a ridiculous idea of buying a guy with the rest of the arena ice cream. It costs more money than I expected, but it’s all in the family, baby, baby. family.
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The Pope later shared news from a Kentucky student named Jack who asked for funding for gasoline and possibly a game ticket. The student said he went to spring break but promised that he would be able to arrive in Milwaukee in time.
March 20, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope spoke at the press conference for the first round of the NCAA Championship at the Fiserv Forum. (Jeff Hanisch-Imagn image)
“It just changed from gasoline money to tickets!” the Pope responded. “Listen, Jack, this is a deal. I’m going to try to hit you, man. I’ve tried my best, okay? I love it. BBN, man, being part of BBN is the biggest blessing in the world.
Screenshots later surfaced on social media, showing email exchanges between the Pope’s executive assistant and students.
The email has some parameters including verification that the travel party does not include any high school students. The message also requests Venmo information.
“Hi Jack! Coach Coach would love to take care of your gas! To achieve this we need to send us tickets to prove you have the game! At this point, we can send you a fixed gas currency,” the email reads. “Please verify that no one in your party is within the age of recruitment (graders 9 to 12).
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope spoke at the NCAA Championship Trial Show in Rupp Arena on Sunday night. March 16, 2025. (Scott Utterback / Courier Journal / USA Today Network via Imagen Images)
Another email provided a gift card for the student.
“We will have a $100 visa gift card in our office for you to pick you up. Let me know your day and time and you will be able to get it.”
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The Pope directed Kentucky to earn a regular season record of 22-11 in his first year at the helm.
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