Kentucky HC Mark Pope claims why Kentucky is 'different' compared to other college sports teams

Kentucky HC Mark Pope said the spirit of equality at the Wildcats set them apart from other teams. He was asked at the New Era Club Blue event how interacting with fans comes easily to him.

"I am a fan," he said. "I'm the same as the person that I just signed their hat. I love this place and I love Kentucky."

Pope added that the connection between teammates and the fans is something unique to the Kentucky program:

"We all need each other. I am telling you that is why Kentucky is different than everyone else in the sport. And there are some places in professional sports that might approximate what Kentucky does, but there is nobody that actually compares at the college level."

Pope took over the reins of the Kentucky Wildcats this off-season from John Calipari. His connections with the team run deep, as he steered it to the 1996 national championship as a captain.

18,000 fans gave him a hero's welcome as he held his maiden press conference at his unveiling. Over 5,000 people were denied entry.

Pope played for the Washington Huskies as a freshman before transferring to the Wildcats. Subsequently, he started his pro career and played with top NBA teams including the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets.

The number nine dream of Mark Pope

In his introductory speech as the coach of the Wildcats, Mark Pope said his goal was to secure the ninth championship for the program.

Pope previously won the national championship and was on his toes to rope in top talents from the transfer portal after he assumed charge. He added seven players from the transfer portal this month and nine overall.

Brandon Garrison, Lamont Butler Jr. and Otega Oweh are some players Pope will be pinning his hopes on for the season ahead.

What do you think about the idea of equality observed by Mark Pope at the Kentucky program? Let us know in the comments section below.