Celebrate Lexington’s sports legacy with these events in September

This month, as part of 250Lex’s celebration of the city’s 250-year history, sports will be the focus.

Football will be a big part of the Lexington experience in September, as the University of Kentucky football begins again. Kentucky squares off against Ole Miss and Eastern Michigan at Kroger Field on Sept. 6 and 13 respectively.

But the 250Lex commission will highlight all different aspects of sports important to Lexington throughout the month. From golf, baseball and basketball to professional wrestling, soccer and pickleball, events will highlight different athletes who have made Lexington home.

“Lexington has been blessed with great people and great moments in sports. Men and women who have competed at the top of sport — and around the world,” the commission said. “Not only is Lexington home to UK sports, but also professional teams, professional athletes and Olympic champions as well.”

Throughout the month, the commission will look at professional sports, like the baseball teams the Lexington Hustlers and the Lexington Legends, as well as amateur athletes who’ve achieved Olympic fame.

UK’s Olympic connections

During the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a record 11 University of Kentucky athletes won 13 medals — nine gold, two silver and two bronze. And a school record of 24 UK student-athletes, alumni and coaches represented nine countries across six sports at the games.

Previously at the 2020 Tokyo games, UK athletes set the then school-record of 12 individual medals: eight gold, three silver and one bronze.

Lexington was also home to Tamara and Steve McKinney, world-champion skiers. Tamara McKinney won four World Cup season titles as an alpine ski racer. Her half-brother Steve, was a world-record speed skier and set seven world records, including breaking his own record twice.

In 1978, McKinney was the first skier to break the 200km/h barriers, and in the 1980s, after becoming an accomplished mountain climber, scaled Mount Everest and became the first person to descend the mountain by hang glider.

And no discussion about Lexington sports would be complete without mentioning the UK cheerleading squad.

Founded in 1905, and consisting originally of male “yell leaders,” the squad is now a powerhouse in college cheerleading with 24 national championships under its belt, including eight straight wins between 1995 and 2002.

From 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, the Lexington Public Library will host “A Conversation with Tom Hammond and Mark Story” as they talk about their book, “Races, Games, and Olympic Dreams: A Sportscaster’s Life,” and their experiences covering sports in Lexington.

Other September events

But there’s more to September than just sports.

On Sept. 9, 250Lex, the Blue Grass Community Foundation 365, Commerce Lexington and the Lexington Urban League Young Professionals will present the 250Lex Forward Bash from 4 to 9 at the Burl.

The event will allow young professionals and others to celebrate the city’s history while giving their input on what comes next for the city. Admittance is free, but registration is required.

September is also a month for music. From Sept. 17 to Sept. 21 at the Kentucky Theater, the city will host the Equinox Jazz Fest. From Jazz legends to up-and-coming musicians, the festival will highlight jazz’s rich heritage as well as its innovative future.

From Sept. 21 to 28, there will be the inaugural presentation of In One A-Chord: Lexington Sacred Music Festival. The festival will present 25 sacred musical experiences open to everyone and scheduled at religious and non-religious venues across the city. Performances are either low-cost or free, and more information is available at the www.250lex.com website.

Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.