LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari has learned that fans are passionate about more than just Wildcats basketball.
Calipari incurred the wrath of some fans after word got out that he sent a Kentucky jersey to President Barack Obama. Calipari responded with a statement on his Web site and a comment at Louisville news conference last week.
Calipari, preparing for his first season in Lexington after coaching at Memphis, said politics had nothing to do with the gesture. Instead, the coach said, fans need to "cool out."
Calipari said he's simply trying to help the state and wasn't a statement about his political beliefs.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
