Mark Kreb’s impact at the University of Kentucky won’t be measured by an impressive stat line or a long list of records in the records book. In his three seasons at UK, he has tallied just 60 minutes of playing time and scored just nine points in his career as a Wildcat. Yet when Mark looks back on his years as a Wildcat, there will be no remorse or no regrets. Simply put, he has lived the dream that every kid growing up in the Bluegrass has longed for. He will be honored on Sunday at Rupp Arena.
Krebs focused in on his goal of being a Wildcat when he started a letter writing campaign to Tubby Smith in January 2006. In his letter, he detailed his desire to walk on for the Wildcats and was encouraged by Smith to try out. He spent the better part of his year bulking up, and getting up at 5:30AM every morning to work out. His persistence paid off and on his 20th birthday in 2006, Krebs got the news he made the team as a walk on. Since he was a transfer, he could not dress for games that year, but worked out with the team.
When Smith left, Krebs had to impress yet another coach and convince Billy Gillispie to keep him on the team. Krebs passed that test even though he broke a bone in his foot during the pre-season. Krebs had to wait another eight weeks to realize the dream of appearing in a game. Finally Krebs did make his appearance in a game and found his way into the scoring column for the Wildcats. Over the course of the Gillispie era, Krebs found his way onto the court 24 times, which is a lot more than the customary “victory cigar” role for a Kentucky walk on.
With the dismissal of Gillispie, Krebs found himself with yet his third coach to impress. And while it appeared that Calipari would not carry any walk ons for the season, it appeared that Kreb’s days were done. Yet, Calipari saw something Krebs and not only kept him on the team, gave him the ultimate honor of awarding him a scholarship for his senior season.
And now here we are: senior day. Much has been made of Mark Kreb’s mother and her battle with cancer over the years. It is a testament to her will to fight that she will be able to watch her son rip through that paper hoop on Sunday. She has been his inspiration for most of his life and this no doubt will be the ultimate moment and way to cap off his Wildcat career – to spend it with his Mom.
And while Mark did not do damage to the UK stat book, he has allowed us the chance to live vicariously through him as he lives the childhood dream all of us had shooting hoops in the driveway across the Commonwealth. And Mark has given other young Wildcats watching living proof that their dreams can be achieved with hard work.
Good luck, Mark.
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