July 29, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - A return to night home games through the first two-plus months of the season and three television appearances highlight the Western Kentucky University football schedule times released Tuesday.
The defending NCAA Division I-AA national champions will kickoff at 7 p.m. (CDT) in each of their first four home games for the first time since the 1999 season.
Western will also have a pair of games air nationally on College Sports Television (CSTV), and also makes a regional television appearance as part of the Gateway Football package.
"Careful consideration has gone into changing Western's primary football kickoff time from what has been late afternoon starts to a 7 p.m. kickoff," said Hilltopper Director of Athletics Dr. Wood Selig. "We feel an early evening kickoff time is fan friendly for our patrons who work during the day, have children who participate in youth sport leagues on Saturdays, and otherwise have a difficult time freeing up a Saturday afternoon to attend a Hilltopper football game.
"It will also reduce the negative implications from early season afternoon heat and sun for our fans while also contributing more to a festive tailgating atmosphere on game days. We also feel our students will enthusiastically welcome the change as well, given their nocturnal schedules."
After opening with night games at L.T. Smith Stadium/Jimmy Feix Field against Union (Ky.) on Thursday, Aug. 28, and West Virginia Tech Sept. 6, the Hilltoppers make their CSTV debut on Sept. 20 against instate rival Eastern Kentucky - it's the first time the two schools have met since October 2000. WKU closes out the month with its first road game of 2003, a 4 p.m. kickoff at I-A Auburn on Sept. 27.
Gateway Conference action begins the next weekend when the Toppers visit Macomb, Ill., Oct. 4 for a 2:30 p.m. start against Western Illinois - the game between the defending league co-champions will be shown live on CSTV. WKU's only home game of the month takes place the next weekend against Southwest Missouri State, then Western returns to the road for games at Illinois State (Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m.) and Indiana State (Oct. 25 at 2 p.m.). The contest with the Redbirds will be shown live on FOX Sports Midwest and the Hilltopper Sports Satellite Network (HSSN).
The Hilltoppers play host to Southern Illinois at 4 p.m. Nov. 1, celebrating Homecoming weekend, and will also take on Northern Iowa Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. to conclude the home schedule. A noon kickoff at Youngstown State Nov. 15 brings a close to the regular season.
"More than anything else, our players want to play in front of a packed house! We think the 7 p.m. start times will give our students something to look forward to and get excited about six times a year on campus," first-year head coach David Elson said. "It is critical that we do everything we can to make Smith Stadium the place to be on Thursday/Saturday nights, and this is definitely a step in the right direction for both our students as well as the families of South Central Kentucky."
The Hilltoppers return 34 letterwinners, including 14 starters, from last year's 12-3 NCAA Division I-AA national champions.
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