Arkansas HC John Calipari mourns death of “loyal friend” via latest post on X
A few days after providing a health update on his loyal friend, John Calipari reacted to his death. Former UMass athletic director Bob Marcum died on Tuesday. He was hospitalized after complications due to a stroke.
"Sad news. Bob Marcum passed away this morning," Calipari tweeted. "He and I had a great couple of hours in the hospital. Talked about our time together at UMass, he as AD and me his coach. We laughed cried and prayed.
"He had on the Kentucky 2012 national championship ring. He was a part of everything we accomplished and shared in our joy and our misery! He impacted many and will be missed, especially by Ellen and me. RIP my loyal friend."
Marcum was the man behind UMass' six consecutive NCAA Tournament berths from 1993 to 1998. He was also named the NACDA Northeast Region I-AA Athletic Director of the Year in 1999.
It was the mid-1990s when Calipari coached UMass with Marcum as his mentor. Together, they took UMass to new heights. Their partnership also took UMass to its first and only Final Four appearance in 1996.
"Had to stop at my mentor and UMass AD Bob Marcum's house while in Ashland. He always was there to help me and our program. Ellen and I love you, Bob," John Calipari wrote when he visited Marcum in September.
John Calipari thanks Bob Marcum for teaching him the true value of relationships early in his life
After the announcement of Bob Marcum's death, John Calipari tweeted his thanks to Marcum for teaching him the true value of friendship and the role of athletics in the process.
"As I sit here thinking about Bob Marcum, this came to my mind, Athletics gives all of us an opportunity to create REAL relationships," Calipari tweeted. "The kind of relationships that last and bring back fond memories and smiles. All the wins and successes fade but those relationships never fade.
"They seem to grow stronger!!! I have been blessed to be nudged to lean in even though I had to become vulnerable and apt to be hurt. I CAN TELL ALL, IT'S WORTH A LITTLE PAIN TO FEEL TRUE FRIENDSHIP. Athletics and sports give us all the opportunity to create bonds that are never broken. Thank you Bob for teaching me that early in my career!! RIP."