"The Kentucky High School Athletic Association last held its state football finals in Lexington 40 years ago, and University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Friday the school is interested in seeing the event return to the city.

During UK’s football media day, Barnhart was asked about the prospects of UK hosting the state finals.

“Certainly we would desire to be in that conversation and have an opportunity,” Barnhart said. “When the time is right, we would certainly welcome that conversation.”

In a text to The Courier-Journal, KHSAA commissioner Julian Tackett wrote the organization has known for a while that UK and the University of Louisville are interested in hosting the finals in the future."

 

 

 

 

 

Barnhart: UK interested in hosting state football finals | | USA Today High School Sports

This ought to be interesting.

I would think this next cycle of bidding for the Finals will be much more competitive than recent past. However, UK and UofL still would have to come up with sponsors or just fund it from their Big Fat Conference TV $$$ deals. :lol2:

No mention of EKU.... Interesting.

I would think this next cycle of bidding for the Finals will be much more competitive than recent past. However, UK and UofL still would have to come up with sponsors or just fund it from their Big Fat Conference TV $$$ deals. :lol2:

No mention of EKU.... Interesting.

EKU doesn't have the monru to get in a bidding war with WKU, let alone UK or UofL.

As crazy as this may sound since I live 40 minutes away from Lexington and would easily attend the state finals more often if they were in Lexington......I prefer they stay in BG. It simply has been a great atmosphere there everytime I have gone there. I always remember the atmosphere at Papa John's Stadium and Papa John's and Commonwealth are just too big. WKU is perfect.

If UK wants it, I bet they'll get it. Unless their bid was really noncompetitive.

With the closed in stadium and lowering of one side Commonwealth feels smaller now than it did when the last finals were held there...but I agree with my man PP92, WKU is the perfect venue for the finals.

Travel would harder on the far west part of the state and the BG area itself. But the 'convenience factor' would improve for Louisville and EKY areas.

 

Having some sort of nice coverage of unused seats in upper stadium would be good. Maybe advertising could be sold and make the place feel smaller.

UK will get and the attendance will be best ever I believe. My question is, what does Russell athletic and WKU pay to host? I've tried to find it but can't!

I'd love to see UK get it... Anyone know what the lower level seats?

I'd love to see UK get it... Anyone know what the lower level seats?

Not sure but it seems like they gave up 6500 seats with the renovation to put the recruiting mezzanine in.

 

I love the finals at WKU, but it would be cool at Commonwealth as well.

Having some sort of nice coverage of unused seats in upper stadium would be good. Maybe advertising could be sold and make the place feel smaller.

 

Agree with this...If UK had a way to put covers on the entire upper deck and block it off, like they do for soccer in a lot of pro stadiums, I would say, it'd be a neat change...if not, it'll be like playing in a tomb, just like PJCS was.

I'd love to see it back in Lexington. I'd love to see it back in Louisville. I'd love to see it back in Bowling Green. What's wrong with rotation?

1 hour drive compared to 3 and a half......I'm all for Lexington.

 

However, I agree 1000% with most, that WKU is an awesome place to watch the games.

I would love to see a rotation. UK one year, UofL one year, EKU, WKU, Murray...would be a lot of fun to move around and give a "home" feel for teams that make it in those areas on those years. Give exposure to all the FCS and FBS schools in our state. Just food for thought.