10
Loading video...
By Cameron Kiszla
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Kentucky Wildcats have a huge game on Saturday as they're hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide, and their first-year coach is asking fans to create an especially hostile environment.
The requests started Tuesday during head coach Will Stein's press conference, when he asked fans to make this "the loudest game in the history of Kentucky football."
"That's my goal for our fans, the loudest it has ever been," he said. "And we need them to be at their best. Like, I want people in the stands for pregame. Let's have 65,000 watching us warm up. You know, I know I love to tailgate, too. But get in there, be loud, make it disruptive for them as they get here. And then for sure when the ball is kicked, everybody in their seats. Everybody in their seats cheering as loud as they humanly can. I want people's voices hoarse when they leave here. All right. They got to take off work on Monday because they can't talk. That's how loud I want this place to be."
Read More on NCAA
...
On Thursday, Stein doubled down on that request when speaking with Kentucky Sports Radio.
College football fans know that for many, the tailgating Stein mentioned is a time to enjoy an adult beverage or two in preparation for some avid cheering.
Stein knows that some fans cheer better with a little liquid courage in them — this is the home of bourbon, after all — so he had advice for fans, especially those who may visit interior stadium areas to make another drink.
"Sneak a flask in," Stein said. "Sneak a flask in. Again, do whatever you got to do, right? Get your drinks ready. Sit in your chair, all right, and start cheering. And then once you're done with the drink, go back in as fast as you can, and come right back out."
As most sports fans know, encouraging drinking isn't likely to create a family-friendly environment, but that's not what Stein says he wants.
"I want [fans] in there 45 to 30 minutes before, in their seat, standing up, screaming obscenities at our opponent, making them feel very unwanted in Kroger Field and creating an environment of excellence for Kentucky football," Stein said. "I mean, that's what it's about. You want to see a great product on the field. I want to see insane fans in the stands as well."
We'll see on Saturday if that strategy pays off for Stein and the Wildcats.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines