“He raced to be with his son”: When John Calipari got reminded by his family’s “American dream” because of a fan

John Calipari made some fond memories at Kentucky before becoming Arkansas' new head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season. One of those memories came before the start of the 2022-23 season, thanks to a Wildcats fan.

On October 24, 2022, Calipari shared a photo of Michael McGuire, a coal miner who rushed straight from work to bring his son, Easton, to the annual Blue-White Scrimmage. He came to the game in his uniform, and his face was covered in soot.

John Calipari's photo of McGuire went viral. He shared how McGuire reminded him of the humble beginnings of his family's "American Dream," which also began in a coal mine in West Virginia. He also gave them a special surprise by inviting them to the Rupp Arena for a VIP experience.

"My family’s American dream started in a Clarksburg, WV coal mine, so this picture hits home," wrote Calipari. "From what I’ve been told, after his shift, he raced to be with his son & watch our team. Don’t know who this is, but I have tickets for him & his family at Rupp to be treated as VIPs!!"

John Calipari praised coal miner for his determination the next day

During a press conference the day after posting the picture, John Calipari revealed how McGuire's determination inspired the then Kentucky coach to make his heartfelt gesture towards him and his family.

Per On3, Calipari said, "You’re bringing light to a good man. A hardworking Kentuckian. A coal miner who does everything he can to make time for his family and his son and his daughter. Come on. That’s what it ends up being. That’s the story."

He further added how restaurants and hotels in Lexington were contacting the McGuire family to make their experience memorable.

"You got hotels calling, ‘we want to put him up.’ You got restaurants calling, ‘we wanna feed him dinner.’ Had a car dealership call to give him a car to drive. Think about this. And isn’t neat for someone like that, who’s a quiet, humble guy to know people appreciate you and appreciate what you stand for. And I appreciate it because it’s how my family got their start in this country."

Per ESPN, the Wildcats sent a bus to take McGuire and his family to Rupp Arena on November 11, 2022, to watch them take on the Duquesne Dukes. They got a chance to meet John Calipari and also sit behind the Wildcats' bench for their impressive 77-52 victory.