For the 159th time, Eastern and Western Kentucky universities meet Friday on the basketball court. The "Battle of the Bluegrass" doesn’t carry the same intensity as it did decades ago. But it remains a friendly rivalry.
Karl Park, a Richmond native, served as EKU sports information director from 1970 until 2003. He says the whole rivalry concept seems to have faded.
“It doesn’t seem to me that they’re that much alive in today’s athletic world, which is a shame, but it was a game, or at least one in football, two in basketball that all the fans just could not wait and see,” said Park.
Park remembers downtown business windows with painted messages of support for the Colonels. The long time EKU supporter says current men’s basketball coach A.W. Hamilton, along with his players are working to increase interest in basketball. He said season ticket sales increased by more than 600 this season. Tipoff is set for 7:00 in McBrayer Arena.
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