UK Competes for $1 Million; Votes can be placed by Texting Big Blue to 23909
LEXINGTON, KY, March 5, 2008 ? The University of Kentucky and New York City-based MSL Sports and Entertainment today announced that country music superstar and Five-time Grammy award winner, Wynonna Judd will join Dierks Bentley when the university hosts Gridiron Bash? The Ultimate Fan Competition? the day before the Blue/White Spring Game. The event — the first of its kind at Commonwealth Stadium — will take place during the afternoon and evening of April 18 and will include live performances by Dierks Bentley, American Country singer-songwriter with five #1 country songs, and Wynonna Judd, an Ashland, Kentucky native.
“It’s great to have Wynonna Judd join the Gridiron Bash,? said Head Football Coach, Rich Brooks. ?She?s a performer who is so familiar to Kentucky fans and a person who has been associated with Kentucky athletics. We look forward to seeing everyone at Commonwealth Stadium as we celebrate a new season and have a great event for Kentucky football.”
World-renowned vocalist and entertainer, Wynonna, has touched the hearts and souls of many throughout her twenty-year music career. Prior to her solo success, her history with the Judds became one of the most celebrated success stories in country music history. Wynonna has accumulated sales totals in excess of 30 million records worldwide, won countless industry awards and is currently scheduled to release her seventh solo studio album in 2008. In addition to the live concerts that will take place at Commonwealth Stadium, Gridiron Bash? will include a giant pep rally introducing Head Football Coach, Rich Brooks, select players, former team legends, and other festive fan activities. Tickets are currently on sale through the University of Kentucky Athletics ticket office, and through .
At the core of Gridiron Bash? is a fan contest –The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series? — that will establish which of the participating schools has the most passionate and supportive fans. The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series? winners will be determined by adding up the total attendance at the Gridiron Bash? event and combining that with the number of fans who text in to vote for their school. MSL projects total attendance at all Gridiron Bash events to be about 1 million. To place a text vote for Kentucky, Text BIG BLUE at 23909.
The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series? winning university will receive a $1 million contribution to their General Scholarship fund, with 2nd and 3rd place schools receiving $500,000 and $250,000 respectively. Presentation of the winning schools will be aired live in conjunction with a soon-to-be-announced national television partner.
?We?re thrilled to bring Gridiron Bash to the University of Kentucky. The event will set a new tradition around spring football and feed the appetite of fans looking to be involved with the program beyond the season,? says Shawn Garrity, president of MSL Sports and Entertainment and a former linebacker at Syracuse. ?Gridiron Bash truly is the ultimate fan competition.?
