Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

2 – 4 p.m. 
Free 
Alumni Commons | Lexington, KY 
Kick off Homecoming Week in true Wildcat style! Join us in the heart of campus for an exciting block party featuring live music, fun games and homecoming giveaways. Food will be available for purchase from local vendors. This free event is open to everyone – current students, alumni, families and friends are all welcome to celebrate together as we launch our week of Big Blue festivities.

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Recital Hall, UK Singletary Center for the Arts
Topic: “Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Athletics: Untangling Public Policy Issues and Implications"

Please join us for the annual Wendell H. Ford Lecture, hosted by UK’s Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, and co-sponsored by the “College of Communication and Information Science” This free event is open to the public and offers an evening of critical thinking and thoughtful conversation for a timely topic.

The program will focus on untangling the public policy challenges created by NIL.  A panel of experts will discuss the current structure governing NIL programs, the dramatic growth of NIL money, and potential public policy actions.

The panel will be led by moderator Matt Jones, founder and co-host of Kentucky Sports Radio. Panelists include Amy Privette Perko, who has led the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics since 2005, serving as Executive Director until October 2016,  when she was named Chief Executive Officer; Rob Mangas, a former UK football player and U.S. Senate staffer, who now is an attorney with the Washington law firm Greenberg Traurig's Federal Government Law & Policy Group; and Mark Story, long-time sports columnist for the Lexington Herald Leader.

If you have any questions about the event, please email Leah Thomas: leah.m.thomas@uky.edu.

2-4 p.m. 
The Hilton Lexington Downtown | 369 W. Vine Street 
Come check in and grab your welcome bag for the weekend! Whether you’re staying at the Hilton Lexington Downtown or another location, we’ll be in the lobby passing out nametags, welcome bags, itinerary, and any physical tickets you may have purchased. Come say hi!

6-9 p.m. 
Longship Club | Kroger Field | 1540 University Drive 
Join us for a reception, delicious dinner, and recognition ceremony! Members of the Class of 1975 will receive their pins and be inducted into the Golden Wildcat Society.

Free General Admission 
Keeneland Race Course  
4201 Versailles Rd. |Lexington, KY 40510 
Join us for a day of racing and UK pride! Enjoy performances by the UK Alumni Band, cheerleaders and dance team. Look out for appearances by UK legends and special Winner's Circle events. Click here to register/purchase tickets.

9 – 11 a.m. 
Free 
Hilton Lexington Downtown | 369 W. Vine Street 
King Alumni House | 400 Rose Street 
Sit back and relax as you view the transformation of campus. The tour will include visits to W.T. Young Library, Gatton Student Center, Wildcat Alumni Plaza as well as many of the newly renovated colleges and buildings across campus. A bus will pick up and drop off at the Hilton Lexington Downtown and King Alumni House to start and end the tour. 
 

3 hours prior to kickoff 
$30 per person 
Tobacco Research Lawn | 1401 University Drive 
Get ready to cheer at our Tailgate Tent Party as the Wildcats take on the Texas Longhorns! Enjoy tailgate food, along with exciting games, entertainment, giveaways and performances by the UK Cheerleaders and Pep Band. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Hilton Lexington Downtown. 
 

$150 per ticket
Kroger Field 
1540 University Drive | Lexington, KY 40506 
It's Longhorns vs. Wildcats in this SEC matchup against Texas for the 2025 Homecoming game! Don't miss halftime at Kroger Field for the crowning of the 2025 UK Homecoming King and Queen! Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Hilton Lexington Downtown, and golf carts will be available to take you to the stadium from the tailgate. 
 

9 a.m. 
Magnolia Room at the Hilton Lexington Downtown | 369 W. Vine Street 
Say goodbye to your fellow Class of 1975 alumni during a breakfast buffet!