The University of Kentucky and New York City-based MSL Sports and Entertainment today announced that the university will host Gridiron Bash(tm) The Ultimate Fan Competition(tm) the day before the Blue/White Spring Game.

The event -- the first of its kind at Commonwealth Stadium -- will take place during the afternoon and evening of April 18 and include a live performance by Dierks Bentley, American Country singer-songwriter with five #1 country songs, as well as a giant pep rally introducing Head Football Coach, Rich Brooks, select players, former team legends, and other festive fan activities. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. tomorrow through the University of Kentucky Athletics ticket office, www.ukathletics.com and www.gridironbash.com.

"Similar to the excitement surrounding Basketball's Big Blue Madness, there's also excitement around football in the spring, when schools hold practices and Spring Games to showcase the following year's roster," says Mitch Barnhart, Athletics Director at the University of Kentucky, which is one of about 20 Division I universities nationwide selected by MSL (the event's creator and producer) to serve as a Gridiron Bash host site. "Thousands of spectators come out each spring to watch our football scrimmage, but that's typically where the 'fan experience' ends. Gridiron Bash celebrates UK Football, enables fans to support their team and have a great time doing so."

"We're glad to be one of the schools invited to be in the initial Gridiron Bash," Coach Rich Brooks said. "This is a great thing for college football. We hope our fans will come out and be part of the entire weekend's activities, with the concert on Friday and the Blue/White Game on Saturday as we preview the 2008 edition of Wildcat football."

At the core of Gridiron Bash(tm) is a fan contest --The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series(tm) -- that will establish which of the participating schools has the most passionate and supportive fans. The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series(tm) winners will be determined by adding up the total attendance at the Gridiron Bash(tm) event and combining that with the number of fans who text/call in to vote for their school. MSL projects total attendance among all schools to be about 1 million.

The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series(tm) winning university will receive a $1 million contribution to their General Scholarship fund, with 2nd and 3rd place schools receiving $500,000 and $250,000 respectively. Presentation of the winning schools will be aired live in conjunction with a soon-to-be-announced national television partner.

"We're thrilled to bring Gridiron Bash to the University of Kentucky. The event will set a new tradition around spring football and feed the appetite of fans looking to be involved with the program beyond the season," says Shawn Garrity, president of MSL Sports and Entertainment and a former linebacker at Syracuse. "Gridiron Bash truly is the ultimate fan competition."

[More at www.ukathletics.com]