LEXINGTON, Ky. – Continuing a series on game day at Commonwealth Stadium leading up to next week’s season opener, a preliminary schedule of activities and events at each of Kentucky football’s seven home games has been set.
More activities and events will be announced throughout the season.
Southern Miss – Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.
UK’s season opener will also mark the debut of the new Cat Walk. The Cat Walk will still begin two hours and 15 minutes outside Gate 1, but the team will proceed down Talbott Todd Way between Commonwealth Stadium and Nutter Field House.
After the Cat Walk, the Jordan English Band will play a concert outside Gate 12 in the plaza between Commonwealth Stadium and the new Kentucky Football Training Facility. The concert will begin after the Cat Walk and will last until 30 minutes prior to the game’s 7:30 p.m.kickoff. During the concert, the members of the team will make their way from the Football Training Facility through Gate 12 and into the stadium. Fans are welcome to cheer the Wildcats as they enter Commonwealth.
Inside the stadium, the Commonwealth Choir will perform the National Anthem. The Commonwealth Choir is made up of singers from all 120 Kentucky counties.
Sept. 3 will be Junior Wildcat Club Day. Members of the Junior Wildcat Club and one guest will be able to gain free admission to the game. The Junior Wildcat Club is open to children eighth grade or younger. Learn more about becoming a member here: http://www.ukathletics.com/page/jwc-about.
It will also be Band Day at Commonwealth, with members of high school bands from throughout Kentucky playing at halftime.
New Mexico State – Sept. 17, 4 p.m.
Kentucky football’s annual Heroes Day will take place on Sept. 17. All active, reserve and veteran members of the armed forces along with police, firefighters and first responders will be honored at the event. UK Athletics is pleased to honor heroes by providing free tickets to service members.
South Carolina – Sept. 24, time TBA
Four of the most special Wildcats of all time – Nate Northington, Greg Page, Wilbur Hackett and Houston Hogg – will be honored at the South Carolina game. The quartet was responsible for integrating Southeastern Conference football, inspiring the “Make a Stand” theme of this year’s Kentucky football poster. The South Carolina game will come two days after the statue commemorating the four trailblazers is set to be unveiled at a ceremony on Sept. 22. The state will be located outside the new Kentucky Football Training Facility.
The South Carolina game will also be included as part of UK Athletics’ annual Hall of Fame weekend. Rich Brooks (football), Chuck Hayes (men’s basketball), James Johnson (wrestling), Molly Johnson-Belcher (softball), Bernadette Madigan-Dugan and Wesley Woodyard (football) will be inducted Friday night and honored at the game Saturday.
Vanderbilt – Oct. 8
The Vanderbilt game will be a busy one at Commonwealth Stadium.
For starters, it will be the centerpiece of the University of Kentucky’s Homecoming Week. Hosted by the UK Alumni Association, this year’s Homecoming has a theme of “Going the Extra Mile.” For a complete schedule of events for the week, visit the Alumni Association’s site. The College of Agriculture will also host Ag Roundup.
UK’s Parent and Family Association will host Family Weekend for the Vanderbilt game. Tickets for the family members of UK students will be available at a special rate for the game.
Mississippi State – Oct. 22
The 1976 Kentucky football team that won the Peach Bowl and defeated four ranked teams will celebrate its 40th anniversary at the Mississippi State game. Players and coaches from the team will be honored on the field at halftime.
Austin Peay – Nov. 19
UK will celebrate its 2016 senior class at its final home game of the Season vs. Austin Peay. The class is made up primarily of members of Mark Stoops’ first signing class as Kentucky football head coach.
UK Athletics is continually working to make sure the best fans in America have the best possible experiences when they cheer on their Wildcats. To that end, fans are always encouraged to submit their questions, feedback and suggestions to BBNfirst@uky.edu. Complete information about attending games at Commonwealth Stadium can be found at http://ukathleticsgameday.com/football/.
Season tickets for UK’s seven home games and single-game tickets for both home and away games are available at UKFootballTix.com.