News
WKU TO FACE UK IN 2011, 2013 AT LP FIELD
2009-07-29
WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY TO SQUARE OFF AGAINST UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY IN 2011 & 2013 AT LP FIELD
MUSIC CITY TO HOST SEASON-OPENERS ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND
NASHVILLE, Tenn., (July 29, 2009) –Nashville Sports Council representatives announced today that is has entered into an agreement with Western Kentucky University (Sun Belt Conference) to host two games of a four-game series between the University of Kentucky (Southeastern Conference) and Western Kentucky for their first game of their respective seasons during Labor Day weekend in 2011 and 2013 at LP Field. The specific dates have yet to be determined.
“We are excited to partner with these two great universities on this unique series,” said Scott Ramsey, president & CEO. “We look forward to the opportunity to host the student-athletes, administrators and fans from WKU and UK as they kickoff their seasons in Music City on Labor Day weekend.”
Nashville Sports Council representatives announced today that is has entered into an agreement with Western Kentucky University (Sun Belt Conference) to host two games of a four-game series between the University of Kentucky (Southeastern Conference) and Western Kentucky for their first game of their respective seasons during Labor Day weekend in 2011 and 2013 at LP Field. The specific dates have yet to be determined.
Western Kentucky University will serve as the home team for the series. “I want to thank Mitch Barnhart, Rich Brooks and the University of Kentucky for agreeing to this historic four-year series,” said WKU Director of Athletics Dr. Camden Wood Selig. “Their leadership team is a class act, and this four-game series is a great way for UK to welcome WKU to the I-A neighborhood. As the newest of the 120 member Football Bowl Subdivision, our team and fans are eagerly anticipating the journey we are beginning and for future meetings with the Wildcats will certainly add to everyone’s level of excitement. Opening the 2011 and 2013 seasons in Nashville is a creative and unique way to grow our program’s visibility, and it will also be great for football fans and youth players throughout the region.”
Western Kentucky will play the University of Kentucky at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington in 2010 and 2012 as part of the series.
“Congratulations to Western Kentucky on becoming the state’s third program in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, said University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart. The game presents an opportunity for people across the Commonwealth to continue watching athletes they saw playing in high school and their progression in the collegiate game. It creates the opportunity to travel to a venue known by many UK fans – the Titan’s stadium at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn. Our fans had a great time with all the hospitality Nashville offered the last two times we visited for the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl and I am very much appreciative of all the efforts of Wood Selig and Scott Ramsey to make this series work. We look forward to an exciting series against the Hilltoppers.”
The 2011 game marks only the second time that these two programs have played each other in their history.
WKU Head Football Coach David Elson
“The University of Kentucky has many scheduling options, and I compliment them for agreeing to this four game series,” said David Elson. “These match-ups will be exciting for our players, staff and fans and will also result in added exposure to our program. We look forward to returning to Lexington and also playing two home games in the great city of Nashville, where many loyal Topper fans reside. Our transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision has had many firsts, and the first four-year series between these two great schools will benefit many. I congratulate all parties involved in getting this done.”
UK Head Football Coach Rich Brooks
“This will be a very good series for both schools and certainly great for our fans in the western part of Kentucky. We really enjoyed our experiences in the back-to-back Music City Bowls in 2006 and 2007 and we look forward to returning to that venue.”
The Nashville Sports Council hosted similar college football games with the 2006 University of Louisville vs. Middle Tennessee State University game and the University of Tennessee vs. University of Wyoming match-up in 2002.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean
“Kentucky sports fans are an enthusiastic bunch and we’re happy to welcome them here to Nashville for this series of games,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I am certain once they come to the games in 2011, they will look forward to 2013 that much more – Nashville is a great place to visit and LP Field is a world-class venue. As always, I appreciate the Sports Council’s leadership for continuing to make Nashville a destination for sports entertainment.”
Ticket information details will be available in the coming months and tickets will go on-sale in 2010. For more information, call the Nashville Sports Council office at 615.743.3120.
About the Nashville Sports Council
The Nashville Sports Council is a private, non-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sporting events. The Nashville Sports Council has hosted more than 120 major sporting events that have produced more than $350 million in direct economic impact for the region. For more information call 615.743.3120 or visit NashvilleSports.com.
WKU Media Contact:
To arrange interviews, please contact Todd Stewart at 270.745.3161 or todd.stewart@wku.edu
UK Media Contact:
To arrange interviews, please contact Susan Lax at 859.257.8420 or slax0@email.uky.edu
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