UK will light up Kroger Field Friday night in honor of high school player ‘gone too soon’

Stadium lights at Kroger Field in Lexington will be turned on for 80 minutes Friday night in honor of a Pulaski County football player who died this week after sustaining a brain injury during a game.

The tribute will start at 7:30 p.m., University of Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach Mark Stoops said.

“The University of Kentucky will be glad to participate in honoring Andrew Dodson and Pulaski County for their loss. Our hearts and prayers are with them, with the family. I did talk to Coach (Johnny) Hines. It’s a terrible tragedy and we’re glad to be a small part of honoring him,” Stoops said Thursday in a post-practice media gathering.

Several high school football coaches across the across the state said this week they would also have their field lights turned on Friday.

Pulaski County Football Coach John Hines posted on social media that in honor of Andrew Dodson, the lights at Pulaski County High School Stadium “will burn on Friday Night, (Gameday) starting at 7:30 pm (Kick off time) and burn for 80 minutes (Andrew’s jersey number). Any team is welcome to join the tribute to a football player gone too soon.”

On March 31, Andrew, 17, sustained a brain injury in a scrimmage game. He never regained consciousness. He died on April 3.

This story was originally published April 7, 2023 at 11:39 AM.