Jan. 9, 2003
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The University of Kentucky gymnastics team will open the 2003 season against George Washington University for the 20th anniversary of Excite Nite on Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. This marks the 13th consecutive year that the two teams have faced each other, with the GymKats coming out ahead in all but one contest.
For the past two decades, the Kentucky gymnastics program has welcomed each new year with “Excite Nite,” the GymKats’ season-opening extravaganza. While the name has remained the same for 20 years, the event went through a complete face-lift last year.
Traditionally billed as the GymKats’ version of a Blue/White scrimmage, Excite Nite grew in 2002 to include a scored meet, and the then-24th-ranked Wildcats vanquished No. 18 Ohio State in front of 5,275 fans at Memorial Coliseum.
Coach Leah Little, now in her 28th year at the helm of the GymKats, was nervous about redesigning an event as popular as Excite Nite, but could not have been happier with the results.
“I was concerned last year that it would not be well-received, but everyone really got into the competitive atmosphere,” Little said. “All the feedback I got was very positive. People enjoyed the event more than ever before.
“This is the 20th anniversary, so hopefully we can make Excite Nite even better. That’s our goal every year, to make it bigger and better, but this year is definitely special.”
Little has invited the Colonials to the Bluegrass to participate in Excite Nite 2003. GW has won five consecutive Atlantic 10 Conference titles and appeared in the NCAA Regional Championships in each of the past three years.
“George Washington has always been a strong team in our region,” Little said. “They are a good team.”
In addition to the meet, fans will be able to enjoy the same level of entertainment that fueled Excite Nite for the first 18 years. This year’s theme is “Hollywood Nights: Flippin’ On The Red Carpet,” and the GymKats plan to bring all of the glamour and glitz of a night at the Oscars to Memorial Coliseum.
Along with the unveiling of the 2003 GymKats, the evening will feature a number of other familiar faces. Dick Gabriel of WKYT-TV returns as the emcee of the event and popular UK football public address announcer Carl Nathe is back this season as the “Voice of the GymKats.”
Appearances are scheduled by the GymKat Dancers, the UK pom squad, the Wildcat mascots and the Kentucky cheerleaders. In addition, Priscilla the Gymnastics Clown will return from retirement to hit the mats with the GymKats and even Spiderman is expected to swing by the Coliseum.
The event will culminate with the gymnastics’ awards presentation, which is to be followed by a concert featuring Motown recording artist Black Coffey and Arista recording artist Rob Jackson.
The entire evening will feature prizes and giveaways from televisions to airline tickets, but the highlight of the night will be the opportunity to see the GymKats begin their 2003 season.
“We’ll have a lot of surprises, as usual,” Little said. “But the main thing is to showcase our team. We are a ranked team with a legitimate shot at the top 10 and this is our kickoff. It is great to teach the fans about the sport and have a night of family fun.”
The excitement begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, at Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are currently on sale and available at the box office in Memorial Coliseum, by calling 859-257-1818 or online at ukathletics.com. Reserved tickets are $5, general admission seats are $4 and tickets are $2 for children.
