Former University of Kentucky basketball star Jeff Sheppard will be the guest of honor at the Greater Louisville UK Alumni Club?s 2008 Big Blue Night at Slugger Field. The game is set for Thursday, July 24, at 7:05 p.m. It will feature the Louisville Bats vs. the Syracuse Chiefs.
Sheppard, a two-time National Champion and 1998 NCAA Tournament MVP, will throw out the first pitch.
Sheppard also will set up near the Wildcat Section from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. to sign autographs for those who have purchased discounted advance tickets to sit in the Wildcat Section. Other UK fans attending the game can also get his autograph with a $5 donation to the UK Alumni Scholarship Fund.
?On the 10-year anniversary of UK?s 1998 NCAA Championship, we are thrilled to have the Final Four MVP as our guest,? said event coordinator Jim Denny. ?Also, Jeff?s willingness to sign autographs for Wildcat fans will help us raise funds for our UK Alumni Scholarship Fund.?
Fans who purchase their tickets in advance for the Wildcat Section may also pick up a free Blue & White ?K? Card at the game featuring Sheppard?s photo on the back, which they can use to get his autograph. Fans will be encouraged to hold up their ?K? cards whenever the pitcher gets a strikeout and during the tribute to the late Bill Keightley, the former longtime UK basketball equipment manager.
Also, UK?s Wildcat Mascot and UK?s Dance Team will be on hand to entertain fans.
To receive a discounted ticket priced at $6 each, sit in the Wildcat Section and have an opportunity to get a Sheppard autograph, you must wear blue to the game and order your tickets in advance with a credit card. To order, contact Jason Abraham at the Louisville Bats at (502) 614-4535 (). For other questions, contact Jim Denny.
UK Student Send-off before the Bats? game
The UK Alumni Club will host a reception for incoming UK freshmen and their parents from the Louisville area starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame concourse at Slugger Field. Students and their families are invited to attend Big Blue Night at Slugger Field following the reception.
