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Big Blue Madness is almost here, and for some this may be irrelevant, but for those lucky Kentucky true blue fans, famous for their die-hard loyalty and support, this momentous occasion represents a time honored tradition filled with excitement, anticipation and of course exceedingly high expectations. It’s the beginning of a new season for both the men and women’s basketball programs at the University of Kentucky. It’s a new day to succeed and achieve beyond everyone’s measures of success.
It’s a point when all the strategic planning, recruiting, and convincing is through, and the coaching staffs hard work hopefully produces two sets of nationally-ranked men’s and women’s basketball programs filled with well-balanced, highly talented and extremely motivated ball handlers who will undoubtedly help UK continue its trajectory upward as one of the top basketball powerhouses in the nation.
With both programs achieving lofty goals last season; the UK Women’s Basketball team being the 2012 Regular Season Champions and the UK Men’s Basketball team being the 2012 NCAA National Champions, this year’s 2012-2013 programs are set to face even greater expectations and thunderous excitement at the very thought of the new opportunities awaiting them. What a great way to start a new athletic season for the players (filled with anticipation) and an amazing moment of fun for the fans to connect with and continue to avidly support both basketball teams.
Kentucky’s Athletics Staffer Nathan Schwake with Oversight of Marketing, Promotions & Licensing for Women’s Basketball and UK Baseball briefly spoke with me briefly about the main essence of Big Blue Madness and all the preparation that goes into the event:
Simon: For every New Year we have a celebration, so why not have a celebration for every new season? What is the purpose of Big Blue Madness?
Schwake: The purpose of Big Blue Madness is to celebrate the new season!
Simon: How fun and exciting has each year’s festivities been for sports fans, students, administrators and basketball fans, in general and With it being so much fun, how is the production process for this grand event?
Schwake: The production for this one night event takes so much time and effort on the Athletic Department and Rupp Arena, that it is very important to create a plan and put it into action. The production process for Big Blue Madness starts with the development of a plan, then we work with Rupp’s technical staff on a way to accomplish the plan and we move forward from there. Like any of our events we'll have ideas and concepts that we'll try to develop. We have some thoughts still sitting around that we haven't had a chance to work into an event. It’s an ongoing process. Find somewhere to start and then fit everything else around it.
Simon: Sometimes production plans may have problems that you and the rest of the staff have to figure out. Some of these difficulties don’t always concern the technical aspects of a show, but may impact the overall cohesiveness of the entire event. How do you solve this dilemma?
Schwake: The hardest part is putting the pieces of the puzzle together to make the show flow; it is an art form that takes practice.
Simon: Well, luckily for the Athletics department; (especially Marketing & Promotions) when the puzzles fit and in the right places, this event Big Blue Madness can generate great excitement and attention to the players and the athletic programs too. The energy and vibe the overall experience produces is magical, almost transcendent! Not only is this a great night for fans but also for UK athletics and the basketball teams too.
Schwake: It’s a chance to introduce the teams, celebrate a new season of basketball, and showcase our programs. With television coverage locally, regionally, nationally and internationally it’s another chance to make a brand impression on viewers.
Simon: Will this year’s Big Blue Madness show be better than last year?
Schwake: It’s all Subjective to individuals who see it and watch it. But certainly, each year we strive to do better!
Well, hopefully Kentucky fans will continue to find each Big Blue Madness extravaganza bigger and better than the next. The madness is only the beginning…
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