John Calipari, head men’s basketball coach for the University of Kentucky, received Alltech’s prestigious 2015 Humanitarian Award on his home court at Rupp Arena on Wednesday. He addressed more than 3,000 attendees from 68 nations on the closing day of the Alltech REBELation, an international conference exploring innovation, inspiration and world-changing ideas.
Known as a “dream maker,” Calipari has guided six college basketball teams to the Final Four, led one to a national championship and helped dozens of players make it to the NBA during his 23-year college coaching career.
“The state’s mission for me is to win titles; my mission is greater,” he said.