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[/FONT][/COLOR][/B][FONT=arial][COLOR=#000000]We at Nation of Blue have been lucky enough for Megan Dills to become part of our team. I wanted to bring Megan along to the South Carolina game to participate in our live chat, but also see what being a part of the media is like while at Rupp Arena.
Megan has written this article on her experience of being at Rupp Arena with Nation of Blue.[/COLOR][/FONT][B][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]
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I am not one who is easily star struck, but at yesterday’s UK vs. USC game, I fell speechless for the first time in my life. I know you are wondering with who, asking yourself was it Coach Cal that took her breath away? He is quite charismatic and charming up close but it was not him, nor was it any of our talented basketball players or our Cheerleaders who are vying for their 20[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]th[/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri] National Championship. It was not who at all, It was what.
I am taken back, left without words and charmed with what is Rupp Arena. Having been to Rupp Arena on several occasions for games and concerts, I too was surprised that this place would take hold of me in the way that it did. Having traveled to see many world renowned landmarks such as, The White house, Notre Dame, El Escorial Castle, I thought I knew the feeling of being overwhelmed by historical beauty. It was not a typical game for me at Rupp which is why my experience was far from ordinary. I have always felt the excitement of the crowd, the love of blue and the common interest shared amongst thousands, the win.
Yesterday I accompanied The Nation of Blue media outlet to the game and had first hand insight of what it is like to have the access the media does.
First things first, after sitting my things down, I walked to the court with Larry Vaught of Vaught’s Views. Larry and I posed for a few pictures and he introduced me to Wildcat great Kyle Macy, who was genuinely kind. I fell in love with what many would refer to as the simple things of Rupp, but I would say they are part of the foundation of the facility.
The ushers wearing their blue UK blazers adorned with the University logo on the left breast pocket, were gentle souls with big smiles that meet you at each point. They are a part of Rupp that I had paid no attention to in the normal hustle and bustle of getting to your seat or the concession stand. These gentlemen were as full of life as the thousands of fans put together. They were kind, informative, and even comical, to me each of them define southern hospitality at its finest. I did fall in love with the blazers they wore. Something simple, I know, but those alone are now a symbol of UK basketball for me.
After having a conversation with each of the ushers at the side of the court pre-game, I walked onto the court past the chairs of our Wildcats and to the other end where they were warming up. I stood just feet away from the goal as I watched our boys get ready to take on the Gamecocks. Each of them as composed as the other and with an unspoken bond that was clear to me. I watched as Terrence Jones was stretched out by a UK staff member and it dawned on me what pressure they must feel. They handle it with such grace and poise, much more than I could do being in the eyes of the millions of fans watching with great expectations.
As I left the court the UK cheerleaders were practicing with their stunt partners in the wing. This is another group of UK athletes that feel the intense pressure to succeed to number one nationally. They are as petite and cute as you may expect. I understand now why the ladies must wear dark colored lipstick on the court; I figured this out once I viewed photos of myself under the extremely unforgiving bright lights. I’m sure this bit of information does not hold an ounce of importance to the men reading this but this is a woman’s experience. I’m laughing as I write this, knowing that one sentence will be ripped apart by others. I’ll move along to sitting on Media row which arguably are the best seats in the house.
I have sat in the second row back behind the players at past games but the view from media row on the upper level is spectacular. I could see Coach Cal in all of his glory and the UK emblem never looked so prominent. The ladies of the Dance team were each in sight as they surround all but the coaches and players side of the floor. I had a view to die for, as they say. All good things must come to an end but they often move onto even better things.
As the game came down to one minute left I moved on to the media room where I sat eagerly awaiting Coach Cal’s post game report. I sat in the second row of the cramped media set up and listened intently to the members of media direct questions to him. The feel was light yet serious. You can see that Cal cares immensely for each young man that he coaches. As one player’s faults were mentioned Cal was not far behind with complimenting that player and taking up for him and setting the media members in their place. I have to say it was hard not to laugh at times and that I’m sure a smile never left my face because frankly he is captivating and comedic in his own right.
The interview with the coach had ended and the few players selected for media that day came out. I was asked to take a photo by a member of the media; Kyle Wiltjer sat down in his media chair. There was not one member of the media that came over to him to ask a single question. I think that’s awful and inconsiderate. I’m not one to hold back my feelings or opinions ever and I will not make an exception for this incident.
Kyle played an amazing game and his five points were as valuable as any of the 79 that were made. He deserved to be spoken to, so I spoke to him. Not as a member of the media but as another human being. It is part of who I am to be sure that everyone I am around feels as important and validated as the next person, whether this is out with friends or with strangers in a subway.
With that said I took a moment to compliment him on his role in the game and ask him what he enjoyed outside of basketball. He smiled and answered graciously. He asked me my name and I went on to joke as I usually do, and I asked him if he had a girlfriend. He chuckled and simply said no. I believe I may have made him blush but I was blushing as well, asking him such a silly question.
Being part of the media had its obvious perk of having all access behind the scenes but I would never trade it for my day job. The media can make you relevant for your accomplishments or ignore your key role, as I witnessed with Wiltjer.
This is the complete opposite of what I do in counseling young ladies from elementary to high school. I work with girls on their confidence and self worth. Not all of my girls have had a hard life and not all have grown up with a silver spoon in their mouth. I lend a listening ear and supportive words to some that have spent time in a youth detention center, grown up in a broken home and even to girls that compete in beauty pageants.
Having studied Animal Science/Pre-Vet Med at UK my heart has always gone out to those who do not have a voice of their own. I went on to study psychology at NKU and have found my calling in that field. It is engrained into my very being to make others feel good about their self and that was my hope in my unconventional questions to Kyle. I can only say that if I have to look ridiculous in order to get another person to smile, I will do so.
All and all I felt very blessed to have had this opportunity and I’m not sure that Rupp will ever be anything less than the Mecca of sports facilities to me. [/FONT][/COLOR][/B]
