Interview with Robert Hatchett

Interviewer: Lee Hatchett (Student)           

Interviewee: Robert Hatchett (UK Basketball Manager)

Interview Setting: Interview conducted via email on October 26, 2012.

Affiliation with interviewee:  Robert is my brother and is also a student manager for the Kentucky basketball team. So he uses Rupp Arena and knows what it feels like to be on the floor.

(Start of Interview)

Me: What does Rupp Arena mean to you?

Robert: It's the greatest place in the world for college basketball. It combines great players with the greatest fans and tradition in the history of the sport. The tradition around that building is amazing.

Me: What message does Rupp send to the team, recruits, and fans?

Robert: That UK basketball is the best of the best, theirs no program better. I think recruits begin to understand that it's so much more than a game to the fans around the program. The team feeds off of the crazy support offered by the fans where even the first practice of the year is sold out.

Me: What's it like to be on the court in front of 24,000 fans?

Robert: It's honestly surreal; every time I step on the court our fans amaze me. I've been to a lot of other arenas around the country, including Assembly Hall, and our fans are still the most loyal.

Me: Do you see Rupp as the gold standard of college basketball arenas?

Robert: In many ways yes, it was before its time in 1975 and still stands the test of time now. There may be newer arenas out there but Rupp still is the gold standard.

Me: Would you be for renovation of Rupp or building a brand new arena in the future?

Robert: I'm not really in a position to speak to that but in all honestly the foundation of Rupp is unbelievably good so I would say renovation makes a lot of sense. But I'll leave that too the higher ups.

Me: Thank you very much. You have no idea how much this helps me. Do I have your permission to make this interview public?

Robert: You are welcome. Yes you have my permission to make this interview public.