Coach Rich Brooks gave the ceremonial first pint of blood at a news conference for the 16th Annual ?Big Blue Crush? blood drive Thursday morning at the Central Kentucky Blood Center.

The news conference began with a rousing start as the UK Pep Band played several tunes and Scratch the Mascot entertained the crowd with his playful antics. Speakers included Marsha Berry, Director of Communications for the CKBC; Susan Berry-Buckley, President of CKBC; Lindsay Ballard, whose life was saved by blood donations; Tom Leach, Voice of the Wildcats who is a regular blood donor; and Coach Brooks, who spoke on the importance of blood donation and played up the competitive aspect of the ?Big Blue Crush.?

?We?re going to do everything we can to defeat Tennessee in Commonwealth Stadium in a couple of weeks,? Brooks said. ?I?d also like to have bragging rights in the blood drive.? Brooks encouraged Wildcat fans to give 3,500 pints, which would break the ?Big Blue Crush? record of 3,400 pints.

The ?Big Blue Crush? is a blood drive competition between Kentucky and Tennessee prior to the two teams squaring off on the football field. This year?s ?Big Blue Crush? will be held Nov. 17-21. Kentucky leads the series, 9-5, and there has been one tie.

In the Lexington area, fans can ?bleed blue? for the Wildcats at the CKBC office at 330 Waller Avenue. The CKBC will be open Nov. 17-21 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fans also may give blood at the CKBC offices in Somerset, Hazard, Pikeville, and Prestonsburg.