The University of Kentucky is unveiling a new Maker’s Mark bottle to help raise money.
The Bottle
A commemorative Maker’s Mark bottle featuring coaching legend Adolph Rupp was unveiled April 1, 2015, the first in a series of bottles that will help raise funds to expand the Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS) at the University of Kentucky.
The bottle goes on sale at Kentucky retail outlets on Friday, April 3, 2015.
The Cause
CATS is a first-of-its-kind program in the nation supporting student athletes. The fundraising effort hopes to raise a total of $2 million over the next five years through contributions from Maker’s Mark and Keeneland, along with proceeds from sales of commemorative bottles. The money will be used to build a new tutoring center at UK, which will be located within the new football training complex adjacent to Commonwealth Stadium.
Another element to the fundraising effort is a challenge for other companies to raise a matching $2 million. Keeneland has pledged to be the first take up the cause, contributing $20,000 per year for the next five years.
Any companies or groups wanting to participate in the challenge should contact the UK Athletics office.
The Signing
An autograph session will be held at Keeneland Friday morning, April 10, beginning at 8:00 a.m. featuring four of Coach Rupp’s All American players who are also in the Naismith Hall of Fame. They are Cliff Hagan, Dan Issel, Frank Ramsey, and Adrian “Odie” Smith. In addition, Bill Samuels, Jr. and Rob Samuels from Maker’s Mark will be on hand, along with Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.
The only thing they’ll sign is the Rupp commemorative bottle, which must be purchased in advance at a local retail store beginning this Friday, April 3, as long as the supplies last.
