Dec. 7, 2001

Tickets for the 19th annual Excite Nite, the University of Kentucky’s preseason gymnastics extravaganza, went on sale on Friday, Dec. 7. Admission to the January 5, 2002, event are $5 for reserved seats and $3 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the UK ticket office in Memorial Coliseum or by calling (859) 257-1818 or toll-free (800) 928-CATS.

As in years past, this season’s event, Celebrate America – Flippin’ in the USA, will include all the hoopla and fanfare fans have come to expect from Excite Nite. However, in 2002, the GymKats will use the night as the season’s first meet instead of simply an intrasquad scrimmage. The Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to the Bluegrass for both teams’ season-opening competition and will participate in some of the festivities.

“Each year we try to think of ways to make this event new and exciting,” Coach Leah Little said. “This season we decided to make it an actual competition. Fans can expect to be entertained by all the normal Excite Nite activities as well as by an NCAA gymnastics meet featuring two of the top teams in the nation. We hope to make all our meets throughout the season like this.”

Dick Gabriel of WKYT-TV will emcee the affair and UK’s Carl Nathe will return as thevoice of the GymKats. The defending and 11-time national-champion UK cheerleaders will be on hand to motivate the crowd, and the UK pom squad, along with the Wildcat and Scratch, will entertain as well.

Between rotations, the GymKat Hip-Hop dancers and step team will entertain the crowd, and fans will have opportunities to win prizes.