NEW YORK — Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari is the recipient of the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by Multiplying Good.

What You Need To Know

  • John Calipari honored with the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service

  • The award is presented by Multiplying Good

  • The organization was founded by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sen. Bob Taft Jr. and Sam Beard

  • Bob Hope, John Glenn and Shaquille O'Neal have also received the award

Multiplying Good is an organization founded over 50 years ago by Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sen. Bob Taft Jr. and Sam Beard and is focused on and honors public service.

UK said in a statement, one pillar of Coach Calipari’s program is instilling servant leadership. He has encouraged players to “lead with a kind heart” some initiatives his teams have taken part in include feeding families at the Salvation Army on Thanksgiving, sponsoring families in need with food, rent and gifts during the holidays. The team also visits hospitals and works with Samaritan’s Feet. Calipari’s former players, Devin Booker, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, have all earned the NBA’s Cares Community Assist Award.

When told of the award, Calipari said,  “I am humbled to be recognized in this way. As I look back at my career in basketball and serving the community, things like this will matter to me more than any other award or recognition.” 

Previous winners of the Jefferson Award include Arthur Ashe, Bob Hope, Shaquille O’Neal, John Glenn and Oprah Winfrey. Calipari is the first men’s college basketball coach to receive the honor.

A member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Calipari will embark on his 14th season at Kentucky in 2022. He has taken six teams to the Final Four and won a National Championship in 2012. He is the second-winningest coach in program history, behind Adolph Rupp.

Jefferson Award winners are recognized and honored at a ceremony in New York and Washington, D.C. 

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