September 14, 1998

LEXINGTON, Ky.-The University of Kentucky will conduct its annual Midnight Madness- thefirst practice of the new season for the men’s basketball team – on Friday,Oct. 16, 1998 at Memorial Coliseum on the UK campus. The doors open at10:30 p.m. and the program begins at 11 p.m. The 1998-99 Kentucky Wildcats,the defending national champions, will be introduced at 12:01 a.m. October17 is the first day college basketball teams may practice.

“Friday was our only real option for conducting Midnight Madnesssince ourfootball team will be playing at LSU on national television the followingnight,” UK athletics director C.M. Newton said. “But we don’t want toaffect the attendance at high school football games. So we’re going todistribute tickets in advance so that our fans can support their local highschools then come to Madness later with their ticket in hand.”

Ticket distribution for Midnight Madness will be conducted on Saturday,Oct. 10, from noon to 4 p.m. Both the general public and students will beallowed to pick up two free tickets per person to the event. No phoneorders will be accepted. Distribution of the tickets will take place at theticket windows adjacent to the front entrance of Memorial Coliseum.The University of Kentucky Athletics Association also is asking for fans tosubmit their ideas for the Midnight Madness theme to its official websiteat www.ukathletics.com. The winning entry, which must be submitted by Sept.21, will receive four free tickets to sit behind the bench during MidnightMadness festivities.

Blue-White Game Scheduled

The UK men’s basketball team will also conduct a Blue-Whitescrimmage onSaturday, Oct. 31, at 4 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. Ticket information willbe announced at a later date.

Captains Selected

Coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith has picked the three seniors – HeshimuEvans,Scott Padgett and Wayne Turner – to serve as captains of the 1998-99 Wildcats.

Evans, a 6-5 forward, played his first season with the Wildcatslast yearafter transferring from Manhattan College. Padgett, a 6-9 native ofLouisville, has been named to the All-Final Four team in each of the pasttwo seasons. Turner, a 6-2 point guard, is the only Wildcat ever to play inthree Final Fours.

Submit Your Idea for the Midnight Madness Theme

Form must be filled out completely to be eligible for a the tickets.

Your full name (first, last, M.I.)

Street Address

City, State

ZIP

E-mail

Your Theme: