**Kentucky Coach Mark Pope Offers Support for Fan Travel to NCAA Tournament**
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has made headlines by pledging to assist fans traveling to the Wildcats’ first-round game in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. The Wildcats are set to face Troy in Milwaukee on Friday. During a recent radio show, Pope offered to help cover fuel costs for fans driving from Lexington, Kentucky, to Wisconsin.
### Coach Pope’s Generous Offer
– **Who:** Mark Pope, head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats
– **What:** Pledged to help fund fan travel to the NCAA tournament
– **When:** Announcement made during a radio show on Monday
– **Where:** Game location is Milwaukee, Wisconsin
– **Why:** To support the Big Blue Nation (BBN) and encourage fan attendance
Pope stated, “It’s only a 7-hour drive, so if you’re having trouble with gas money, hit me up. Let’s get all of (Big Blue Nation) BBN out there.” He expressed some apprehension about the potential influx of requests but remained committed to his promise.
### Interaction with Fans
Pope later responded to a request from a Kentucky student named Jack, who sought assistance for gas money and a ticket to the game. Jack mentioned he would be able to make it to Milwaukee in time for the game despite traveling to Florida for spring break. Pope replied, “Listen, Jack, here’s the deal. I’m gonna try and hit you back, man. I’m doing my best, okay?”
– An email exchange revealed that Pope’s team requested verification of game tickets and confirmation that no one in Jack’s party was of high school age.
– The email also mentioned a $100 Visa gift card available for Jack to pick up.
### Conclusion
Mark Pope’s initiative to support fan travel highlights his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats and their loyal supporters. Will this gesture inspire more coaches to engage with their fan bases in similar ways?
### FAQs:
**Q: How is Coach Mark Pope helping fans travel to the NCAA tournament?**
A: Coach Mark Pope is offering to cover fuel costs for fans driving from Lexington to Milwaukee for the Wildcats’ first-round game.
**Alt Text:** Mark Pope offers support for Kentucky fans traveling to NCAA tournament.
**URL Slug:** kentucky-coach-mark-pope-fan-travel-ncaa-tournament
