As the Kentucky Wildcats try to march to another Final Four, they will have a tangible reminder beneath their feet of their latest run. John Calipari, with the help of Northwestern Mutual, announced Wednesday that parts of the 2012 Final Four floor – on which UK won its eighth national championship – will be used in UK’s renovated locker room at Rupp Arena. The new locker room is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season. More than 3,000 square feet of the floor will be installed in the new locker room, including the entry area, the circular locker room and other areas. Calipari called the floor a central piece of the locker room area. “We owe a big thanks to Northwestern Mutual for making this contribution happen,” Calipari said in a news release. “Adding the championship floor to Rupp Arena will further contribute to the magic surrounding this building and this program. It will not only enhance what will be the gold standard for locker rooms across the country, it will serve as a fitting tribute to a special team.”
