Barnhart explains purpose of ‘Blackout Game’
October 27th, 2009 | 
Author: Editor’s Note: This is the letter UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart posted on ukathletics.com to Kentucky fans. It puts an end to UK wearing black jerseys for Saturday’s game.
Dear Wildcat Fan,
With Saturday’s football game against Mississippi State coming on Halloween night, plans were made to make this a “Blackout Game” for our fans.
We are asking everyone to wear black clothing to Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday and cheer on the team. The Wildcats will remain dressed in our traditional blue uniforms, which has been our plan from the beginning of this concept.
The initial response from our fans regarding the “Blackout Game” has been very positive and we encourage you to join in the fun.
You are invited to wear your black and come out early on Saturday, enjoy a day of tailgating and Homecoming activities, greet the team at the “Cat Walk” at 4:45 p.m., then support the Wildcats as they seek their third-straight victory!
Go Cats!
Mitch Barnhart
Director of Athletics
Posted in UK Football
7 Responses to “Barnhart explains purpose of ‘Blackout Game’”
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I get that it’s for the fans but the whole concept is just a bit lacking if the team doesn’t also wear black.
I care either way because I’ll still root on the CATS but if you’re going to a unity type of thing, fans and players should be alike in my opinion.
[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger posts a letter from Mitch Barnhart about the blackout game. [...]
The players are with you Chris, but Rich is not. But it sure would have been fun to see black jerseys on the field
I have a hard time seeing many fans wearing black if the players aren’t also going to be in black. It’s a team/fanbase unification thing to do a blackout, whiteout, redout, etc. Then again, the last time UK promoted different jerseys for a game, we lost to the mighty Bobcats of Ohio so maybe it’s good to keep the blue on.
They did wear the throwback jerseys that night. Great memory. And Brooks remembers, too
A jersey doesn’t lose games. Poor coaching and play does. Maybe Rich should remember those things before poo pooing what the players want. Wearing normal jerseys hasn’t helped either against the SEC East. Maybe the ‘Cats should just play naked or in their jockey straps.
Fair points J. NOthing has helped against the Beasts of the East for the Cats.