Brooks to Kick Off ?Big Blue Crush? at News Conference on Thursday: Coach Rich Brooks will attend the kickoff news conference for the 17th annual ?Big Blue Crush? blood drive on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Central Kentucky Blood Center.
Additional speakers at the news conference will be Susan Berry-Buckley, President of CKBC, and Dan Dickson, Communications Director of CKBC. The Wildcat mascot also will entertain the crowd with his playful antics. Following the news conference, Coach Brooks will give the ceremonial first pint of blood to kick off the event.
The ?Big Blue Crush? is a blood drive competition between Kentucky and Tennessee prior to the two teams squaring off on the football field. Kentucky leads the series, 9-6, and there has been one tie.
This year?s ?Big Blue Crush? will be held Nov. 15-19. 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. 15-19 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fans also may give blood at the CKBC offices in Somerset, Pikeville, and Prestonsburg.
Game Day Honorees and Activities for the Vanderbilt Game:
Fans are encouraged to welcome the team during the ?Cat Walk? outside Gate 1 of the stadium. The team will arrive at approximately 10:45 a.m. The ?Rally in the Alley? is a tailgate area for students, located between Commonwealth Stadium and Nutter Field House at gates 14 and 15. The ?Rally in the Alley? begins two hours before the game (11 a.m. for the Vanderbilt game). Radio station 104.5 The Cat will be providing the music. The ?Wildcat Refuge? children?s play area, located outside Gate 9 of the stadium, opens at 11 a.m. The UK Marching Band will parade around the stadium, beginning at approximately one hour prior to kickoff. The band parade will begin at Gate 4 and end at Gate 9. Senior Day activities, honoring UK?s 20 seniors, will begin at 12:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats in time for the Senior Day events. At the end of the first quarter, UK First Lady Patsy Todd will honor the UK ?Mom and Dad of the Year? as well as the UK ?Parental Figure of the Year.? The awards are sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa honor society.
SAAC/God?s Pantry Canned Food Drive to be Held at Vanderbilt Game; Fans Can Win Men?s Basketball Tickets: The University of Kentucky once again is teaming up with God’s Pantry for the third annual Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)/God’s Pantry Canned Food Drive.
Fans attending the football game vs. Vanderbilt are encouraged to donate canned goods, other non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to benefit God’s Pantry, which is a non-profit organization that helps feed the needy in Central and Eastern Kentucky. For every $1 donated, God’s Pantry can purchase $10 worth of food.
Students from SAAC will be set up to take donations at each gate of the stadium. Fans who donate food or money will receive an envelope with information on God?s Pantry. Some envelopes also will have two free men’s basketball tickets to the Georgia State game on November 26; a total of 200 tickets will be given away.
Those not able to attend the football game may make a monetary donation online that will go towards the purchase of food that God’s Pantry needs. .
