What’s better than attending a Kentucky basketball game? Getting rewarded for doing so with a semester of free tuition.
Coach Cal awarded scholarships to Kelsey Saylor and Jordan Evers after last year’s Blue-White Game. (photo by Chris Reynolds)
For the fourth year in a row, Kentucky head coach John Calipari will pay the 2017 spring semester in-state tuition for two lucky UK students who attend Friday’s Blue-White Game at Rupp Arena (7 p.m. ET).
Similar to last year, UK students will check into the Blue-White Game via the BBN Rewards app. Students who check in at the Blue-White Game with a fully completed profile, including their student ID number, will be eligible to win. Students are also encouraged to enable notifications on the app to receive news about exclusive experiences, coupons and other important updates.
The winners will be randomly selected and announced at the completion of the game. They must be present to win. Prior points earned through BBN Rewards will not factor into this drawing.The app, which is available for download on Apple and Android devices, allows UK students to earn a variety of rewards for attending various UK Athletics events. Students will accumulate points by checking in when they arrive at UK Athletics events using the “Events” button on the app. As students accumulate points, awards will automatically unlock.
In the event of an out-of-state or graduate/professional student winner, the spring semester in-state undergraduate tuition amount will be applied.
Calipari started the scholarship tradition at UK during the 2013-14 season, but previously did it during his days at UMass. Over the past three seasons, with two students earning in-state tuition for one semester on the line, an average of 14,706 fans have attended the Blue-White Game. For perspective, that attendance average would have ranked 14th nationally last season. Kelsey Saylor and Jordan Evers were last year’s scholarship recipients.
Tickets are still available in the 200-level for $5 for this year’s Blue-White Game. Tickets may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or in person at statewide Ticketmaster outlets.
Proceeds from the John Calipari Coaches’ Clinic will be used to fund the scholarships.
Kentucky is ranked No. 2 in preseason polls from ESPN, CBS Sports and Athlon Sports. The Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook tabbed UK No. 4 in its preseason top 25.
Kentucky will be replacing seven players from last year’s team, but welcome back Isaiah Briscoe, Dominique Hawkins, Isaac Humphries and Derek Willis, among others, and also bring in the top-ranked recruiting class in the country. Freshmen De’Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo were named to the preseason All-SEC First Team on Wednesday. Briscoe and freshman guard Malik Monk were named to the second team.
