LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky men’s basketball head coach John Calipari will receive the Race Amity Medal of Honor from the National Center for Race Amity at a conference in Atlanta in November.

The award recognizes those who have made significant efforts to engage in race relations to advance access and equity in society.

“I’m incredibly honored to be considered for this award,” Calipari said. “This brings light to a cause that is dear to me. Throughout my career, bringing people together and assisting those in their time of need has been at my forefront.” The Hall of Fame coach added the award was a humbling experience.

Motivated by the drive to draw others to a good cause, Calipari has tried to lead by example and instill servant leadership as one of the pillars of his program. He continually encourages his players to lead with a kind heart and has included them in a number of causes throughout his career. Those experiences have paved the way for the likes of former players Devin Booker, DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall to earn the NBA’s Cares Community Assist Award.

Some of the initiatives his team takes part in annually include feeding families at the Salvation Army each Thanksgiving, sponsoring families in need with food, rent checks and presents at Christmas time, visiting hospitals and working with Samaritan’s Feet.

Calipari, a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, just completed his 14th season at Kentucky. He has guided six teams to the Final Four, led the 2011-12 UK team to a national championship and helped 58 players earn selection in the NBA Draft during his 31-year college coaching career.

The second-winningest coach in program history has a 387-113 record at Kentucky with four Final Four appearances, six Southeastern Conference regular-season championships and six league tournament titles.

Calipari is one of just two coaches to win Naismith Coach of the Year three times and, with an 832-253 on-court record, he ranks among the top 10 in all-time Division I victories. 

Just last November, Calipari also was recognized for his work in putting others first when he received the Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service in Sports by Multiplying Good. The organization, which has honored many of the country’s most significant trailblazers and change makers for over 50 years, focuses on honoring public service.

Established in Boston in 2010, the National Center for Race Amity develops forums, workshops, service projects, films and other initiatives to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural friendship. The mission of the organization is to promote discourse on race, overcome racial prejudice and promote goodwill.