Kentucky
WATCH Mark Pope recreates 1996 championship celebration at first press conference
Mark Pope knows how to make an entrance.
Sunday saw Pope make his return to the Bluegrass as the next head coach of Kentucky Basketball, the program he was a captain for on the 1996 national championship-winning squad.
When Kentucky won it all that year, Rupp Arena was packed to the brim with fans welcoming the champs home as they came in on a bus. Pope even gave a speech during the celebration.
So of course, Pope and Kentucky recreated that memorable day by having the ‘96 team bussed into Rupp Arena to celebrate the event with Pope holding the trophy, as captured below by Tristan Pharis on Twitter.
It was absolutely magical and the perfect way to usher in the Mark Pope era of Kentucky Basketball.
Possibly the most badass entrance ever into Rupp Arena.
The 1996 Kentucky championship team walks out of the bus, with new coach Mark Pope hoisting the trophy.
Welcome home Coach! pic.twitter.com/uKgxDkHqlm
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) April 14, 2024
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