Kentucky is taking another run at one of the biggest complaints around Kroger Field: the noise.
The sound system has long been a sore spot for fans trying to make the stadium feel louder on Saturdays, and the Wildcats are attacking that issue with a broader push to sharpen the gameday experience for Will Stein’s first season. Earlier this week, UK rolled out a slate of “fan experience enhancements,” and the most obvious changes range from cheaper and expanded concessions to cashless transactions, new “Just Walk Out” concession spots, a new gameday host, Ohavia Phillips, and new chairback seating on the north sideline.
The audio piece may end up being the most important of all. In a video previewing the upgraded atmosphere, Phillips introduced the three DJs who will be working Kroger Field this season: Djlexo, DJ Warren Peace, and DJ Forerunner. She also pointed to new on-field speakers aimed at the crowd, a setup meant to make the in-stadium presentation hit harder.
“We heard your feedback, and we have brand new on-field speakers so you already know we’ll be coming in clear.”
That setup was already used at the Spring Game, and those who were there said the difference was noticeable.
Phillips also handled gameday host duties for that spring event, essentially serving as a test run for the role this fall. She’s a Brooklyn native who now lives in Charlotte, NC, and works as an emcee and the in-arena host for the Charlotte Hornets. The gameday host has become a familiar piece of the modern college and pro sports experience, and Kentucky is clearly hoping it helps keep energy up and fans locked in at Kroger Field.
The school hasn’t publicly revealed the full details of its new team intro, but a source told KSR the band and cheerleaders will be heavily involved in getting the crowd engaged, with something along the lines of the SKOL chant or Thunder Clap used by the Minnesota Vikings. A new pregame video will also play a major role in the entrance.
Kentucky’s old setup started with “Never Leave Harlan Alive,” paired with Eastern Kentucky mountain scenery, before shifting into “Grove Street Party,” the program’s unofficial anthem since 2014. Will Stein said this summer on KSR that “Grove Street Party” could be on the way out, though he later said it would remain in some form, even if not as part of the intro.
Fans will have to wait until September 5 to see the new entrance in full, but there are other changes coming to the stadium before then. Kentucky said this week that its concessions will feature a wider mix of food and drink options, including Kentucky-based items such as Taylor Belle’s ice cream, Kentucky Proud popcorn, Kentucky Legend hot dogs, and Marksbury Farm brats.
We’re also hearing there are a few “wow” items on the new menu, with a possible social media preview coming soon. Students will have one more perk as well: those in the student section will be able to use a meal plan swipe on select combo meals at nearby concession stands.
There’s also plenty of anticipation around the season opener itself. Sources tell KSR Kentucky is only 5,000 ticket sales shy of a sellout for the Sept. 5 game against Youngstown State, a 1 p.m.
ET kickoff on SEC Network+. That opener carries the BBN United Game and Home Opener designation, and the stadium activation will be a White Out.
Kentucky’s other announced promotional dates include Oct. 10 against LSU, which has a night designation with a kickoff between 6-8 p.m. and will be a Blue Out for Homecoming, and Oct. 24 against Vanderbilt, also a night designation with a kickoff between 6-8 p.m., with the theme still to be announced and another Blue Out planned.
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