RICHMOND, Ky. - Area sports fans will have a chance to "Get Turned on to EKU Athletics" Thursday night just prior to the 7:00 p.m. kickoff of the Eastern Kentucky University 1999 season opener when the Colonels host the Kentucky State University Thorobreds at Roy Kidd Stadium.

The EKU athletics department staff has been making plans for a ceremonial pulling of the power switch at 6:55 p.m. Thursday night as Eastern unveils its new state-of-the-art scoreboard with video replay capability at Hanger Field.

"This state-of-art video scoreboard will be one of the first showcased in Division I-AA. In fact, only 41 of 112 Division I-A schools currently feature this type of video technology in their stadiums. We are extremely excited about bringing this type of entertainment to our students and fans," said EKU Athletics Director Jeff Long.

Roy Kidd, EKU football coach, is also impressed with this innovative scoreboard and what it will mean to his program.

"I hear people around the community talking football more, and I believe, as much as anything, people want to see our new scoreboard put to use," said Kidd who is beginning his 36^th year in charge of the Eastern football program.

The scoreboard and video display system measures 27 feet, 8 inches by 31 feet wide and features a 10 ½ foot X 14 2/3 foot ProStar VideoPlus System matrix. The replays shown on the screen will include not only shots of exciting plays by the Colonels and their opponents, but also provide new exposure to Colonel fans and student groups through a roving camera.

Tickets to Eastern's game with Kentucky State Thursday night and the remaining four EKU home contests for 1999 may be purchased by visiting the EKU Athletics Ticket Office in Room 126 of Alumni Coliseum or by phoning the ticket office at (606) 622-2122 or 1-800-262-7493 (inside Kentucky).

Ticket windows at the stadium open at 4:30 p.m. Thursday night.