Tradition rich programs such as Kentucky Basketball find ways to add on to their folklore, sometimes in the most unsuspecting of places. Remember Les Smith of Fox 13 in Memphis? Thousands of Kentucky fans stayed glued to their computer screens as Fox 18 streamed a live feed of a University of Memphis Athletic Department door in the hopes of catching a glimpse of rumored new head basketball coach John Calipari.
During this live feed, a local Memphis sports anchor named Les Smith would come on screen, at which time the live chat room accompanying the video stream would see hundreds of chants for Les, chanting his name in Internet unison.
Recently, on the 'Cats trip to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Kentucky fans met a new personality who now finds himself in Kentucky lore.
Domenic "Dom" Papa was introduced to Kentucky fans during the first exhibition game the Wildcats played in Canada against the Windsor Lancers. Although Dom was wearing a Windsor polo shirt, his genuine charm and big smile caught the attention of Kentucky fans watching on the Big Blue Network (BBN) throughout the United States. Soon, Kentucky message boards were lighting up with requests for the BBN's own Dave Baker and Kyle Macy to cut back to Domenic Papa on the sidelines, something Dom became aware of when fans started approaching him after the game asking for pictures with him.
"I was totally blown away. At first it felt kind of strange, I was like, what do you want my picture for? Then I really fed off the fans," said Papa. Adding, "The whole thing was really humbling and mind boggling. The attention was very appreciated."
Domenic, a Windsor native has been in the broadcast industry for 25 years. Right now Dom spends most of his time reporting on the Windsor Spitfire hockey team, a junior club who happen to be the National Champions. Throughout his career, Dom has also covered Super Bowls and Canadian football which is about to start up within the next couple of weeks.
So how did Dom get on as the sideline reporter for the BBN?
"I was contacted about a week before the games and didn't know what to expect. I didn't have much information and they (the BBN) take a very different approach," recalled Dom. "Dave (Baker) was all business, very intense and I really liked Kyle Macy. I thought it was a great broadcast," Dom added.
As many of us noticed, after the first game, Dom switched to a white Kentucky polo shirt instead of the navy blue Windsor shirt he wore during game one.
"I asked them what they wanted me to wear and they told me they'd get me a shirt, so I showed up in a Lancers shirt. They ended up forgetting my shirt so I just went on the air with what I was wearing. I really didn't want to offend the Kentucky fans, because it was their broadcast," said Papa. Jokingly adding, "They definitely had a Kentucky shirt ready for me before game two."
Aside from just reporting on the sidelines, Dom was also granted access to Kentucky's practices and was able to speak with Coach Calipari.
"The team was very exciting and I absolutely loved being able to watch them. Coach Calipari was very positive about the team. I was really impressed with his teaching, something you have to do with a young team like Kentucky has," Dom said. "Coach Calipari keeps it real, most of our time was spent talking about things other than basketball. I think not being only about business is why he's so successful at a place like Kentucky."
Finally, Dom could not say enough about the Kentucky fans that have shown him so much love since his time with the Wildcats.
"The fans just blew me away. I was totally impressed with how big and how passionate the fans are. The true passion the fans showed is why this is such a great program. No matter who the players are, no matter who the coach is, they all feed of the fans. This program wouldn't be so successful if it wasn't for them," said Dom.
Dom thanked the Big Blue Nation for accepting him and would like to give love back to the Kentucky fans. However, as of right now Dom does not have any plans to visit Kentucky this season due to his intense hockey and football schedule, but he did leave the idea open.
"I've heard about Rupp Arena and if I can string a few days together, I just may get down there for a game."
In his parting words, Dom had a simple and familiar message for Kentucky fans, "Go Blue!"
* I would like to give a special thanks to Domenic Papa for his time. Kentucky fans can follow Dom's future hockey broadcasts at ontariohockeyleague.com, the first broadcast being the second week of September.
