Calipari nominated for inaugural UN award

Calipari nominated for inaugural UN award

CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 16, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari has been nominated for the inaugural United Nations Nongovernment Organization Positive Peace Awards in the coach category.

The group Celebrate Positive said Wednesday that Calipari was nominated by a charity called Samaritan's Feet that provides shoes to the needy around the world. Calipari helped bring shoes to children in Haiti and Detroit.

Samaritan's Feet marketing director Todd Melloch recalled Calipari appearing in bare feet during the national anthem at a Kentucky basketball game to encourage support of the group.

The award nominees are judged by organizations including Rotary International and Sister Cities International. Winners in the sports categories will be announced this month.

I am not a great fan of the UN, but that is quite an honor, and very well deserved. Thanks for representing our university and state so honorably Coach Cal.