Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari (pictured) gave the keynote address -- a motivational speech -- at the 2017 SOAR Summit which was held Friday, August 4 in Pikeville, Ky.

SOAR co-chairs U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Matt Bevin welcomed Calipari to the event.

SOAR is a network of 54 counties in the Appalachian Region whose mission is to shape or improve the future in Eastern Kentucky. Its mission is to expand job creation, enhance regional opportunity, innovation, and identity, improve the quality of life, and support all those working to achieve these goals in Appalachian Kentucky.

Afterwards, Calipari tweeted, "(SOAR is a) great program that's doing great things for the people in Eastern Kentucky."

While in Pikeville, UK coach also tweeted that he visited Father Richard at new church, St. Francis of Assisi.

Photos by Tiffany Bullock Scott,

Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College