By Kakie Urch
The University of Kentucky’s Big Blue Nation has one question today: Where can I get me one of those cool black “UK2K” Nike swoosh t-shirts that Coach Calipari’s team donned at the moment of the historic 2000th win in college basketball?
The phrase, the shirt design, the color combo and the position of the logotype well above the beer-gut or right on the rise of the well, you know, chest, that makes most imagistic t-shirts unwearable for women of any, well, chest, is perfect for Christmas gift-giving. Dress your family in Denim, Corduroy and UK2K.
It’s the perfect gift. It’s the unanswered question. On the minds of say, 1 million-plus on @ukcoachcalipari’s twitter and goodness knows how many who are still “TV-only.”
So, we called around.
The Men’s Basketball Office, obviously busy getting ready for the next game against Long Beach State, the Christmas holiday break for players and the Jan. 2 game against Louisville, referred us to the University of Kentucky bookstore.
The bookstore, answering what was clearly not even the first 50 of the calls with this question, told us that that the black “UK2K” Nike shirt had sold out in the first 30 minutes they were open. More are on order, but they cannot provide information on when they might be in.
The bookstore, at about 10:30 a.m. did have in stock some blue commemorative UK2K t-shirts, but those feature a large No. 1 on the front with the same text on the back that viewers saw on the team’s black shirts last night.
At about 11:20 a.m., the following message appeared on Coach John Calipari’s Twitter feed: @UKCoachCalipari: T-shirts commemorating 2K avail at the UK Team Shop. http://bit.ly/68nNR7
The Coach’s feed goes to more than 1.4 million followers, so it is not surprising that the Web site was frozen with traffic until about 12:45 p.m. Once you access the site, you find the deal on the availability of this elusive piece of “black gold.”
The shirt retails for $18.99 and you can pre-order it. But it won’t be in stock until Dec. 30 and there is no way to get it before Christmas.
Also available on the site are other commemorative items, including a DVD and a blue shirt. (Football fans can order a blue Music City Bowl shirt from the same site for $21.99)
Here’s the information from the Web site, if you’re still having trouble accessing it.
“Kentucky UK2K Tee-Black
A game 107 years in the making finally took place as the Wildcats become the first school in NCAA history to win 2,000 games.
Commemorate this day, Monday, December 21, with this tee. Black,short-sleeve tee with UK2K center chest and “The Greatest Tradition in College Basketball” center back in screen print. 100% Cotton. Made by Nike.
Due In Stock Dec. 30.
Please note that regardless of shipping method, we CANNOT guarantee delivery by Christmas.”
You have questions….we have answers.
We’ll post more as we learn it. If you find some black UK2K Nike swoosh shirts for sale in town, send us a comment or a tweet @aceweekly
