In a departure from tradition, University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope has been having his players deliver the opening statement at post-game press conferences. This unconventional approach has been a hallmark of Pope’s coaching style, and it’s not just limited to this season.
According to fifth-year guard Jaxson Robinson, who previously played for Pope at Brigham Young University (BYU), this practice has been a staple of Pope’s coaching philosophy. “He’s always done that,” Robinson said, recalling his time at BYU.
So, why does Pope have his players take the microphone first? While the exact origin of this practice is unclear, it’s evident that Pope values empowering his players to express themselves confidently and authentically.
For players like Collin Chandler and Amari Williams, delivering the opening statement has been an honor and a valuable learning experience. “It’s definitely an honor,” Williams said. “He always forces us to speak, regardless of what it is.”
Chandler echoed this sentiment, noting that Pope’s approach has helped him become more comfortable with public speaking. “We’ve gotten a lot of practice since we have Coach Pope as a coach. He loves putting us in situations where we have to talk,” Chandler said.
So, what’s the secret to delivering a good, impromptu opening statement? According to Chandler and Robinson, it’s all about being honest and speaking from the heart. “There wasn’t really any warning of what to say or anything. So, it was just saying the first things that came to my head,” Chandler said. “Being honest, I guess, about how you feel about the game. Not thinking too much about it,” Robinson added.
As the Wildcats continue to make waves in the NCAA Tournament, it’s clear that Pope’s unorthodox approach to post-game press conferences is just one aspect of his innovative coaching style.
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