John Calipari and his players will even have a Cat Walk before the Blue-White Game in Pikeville. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Way to go John Calipari and Kentucky men’s basketball.
The Kentucky coach promised he would take the Blue-White Game, UK’s annual intrasquad game, to eastern Kentucky to help with flood relief funding and he’s doing that Oct. 22 when the game will be played in Pikeville at Appalachian Wireless Arena.
As Calipari promised, all ticket revenue will go to help flood victims through Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief. Tickets will be available at the box office at Appalachian Wireless Arena and Ticketmaster.com — and not through the UK ticket office.
But here is what I really like — there will be a presale of tickets on Monday for residents with billing zip codes in the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Whitley and Wolfe.
Fans living in those counties may enter their zip code to gain access to the presale. Tickets will be limited to four per household.
Will some find a way to take advantage of this and get tickets even if they don’t live there? Probably. But the idea is good and should guarantee folks living in eastern Kentucky have the best chance to see the game.
Current UK Students will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of tickets for this event through a UK Student presale that also starts Oct. 10.
If all the tickets are not sold early, they will go on sale to the general public Oct. 12. Tickets range from $20 to $50 with a $3 facility fee per ticket.
Again, UK officials have a novel idea. If you would like to sponsor those impacted by the flooding and I’ve someone a chance to attend the game in person you can use the “Sponsor Flood Victim to attend UK Blue-White Game” feature on the ticketing website to assist.
Wait. There’s more.
Kentucky will have a Fan Fest outside the arena beginning at 3 p.m. — doors open at 5, the game starts at 6. The UK Sports Network with Tom Leach and Jack Givens will hold a pregame radio event.
However, there’s going to be a Cat Walk for the team. I assume it will be similar to one for football.
Food and drink vendors will be available.
Calipari promised to make this a special night for eastern Kentucky after the devastating floods in July and it sure looks to me like he is delivering on his promise.
