Kentucky and Colgate will meet for the first time when the Raiders travel to Rupp Arena from Hamilton, New York, for non-conference play on Wednesday. However, the game has been years in the making and is played in memory of a Colgate professor who died last year.

Ephraim Woods of Ashland, Kentuckywas a lifelong Kentucky basketball fan. Even as his career took him to Colgate University in 2003, Woods followed the Wildcats from afar and added Colgate to his college basketball fan base. Over the years, Woods grew closer to the Colgate program, whether attending practices or leading the Colgate Faculty Liaison Program with student-athletes. Colgate head coach Matt Langel recalled what it was like having Woods, a chemistry professor, on the team in a story about Woods on the Colgate website.

“He got to the point where he knew the team and the team knew him,” Langel said. “He developed a more personal relationship with some individual players. But everyone knew who he was.”

Knowing Woods’ love for two college basketball teams, Langel made “several efforts” in recent years to schedule a game against Kentucky, but was unable to find a date on UK’s schedule until this season. The story goes that Woods’ family will travel with the team to Lexington in memory of Ephraim Woods.

“Any time I have the opportunity to reflect on everything he accomplished, the impact he had on my life and the lives of others, I like to do so,” Langel added. “When I play against Kentucky, I’m sure the trip there will be a very emotional experience for me, just an opportunity to reflect and remember all the lessons I learned from him.”

Big Blue Nation, I encourage you to go to ColgateAthletics.com to read the full story about Woods and the game in his honor. And may the Woods family have a special experience in Lexington.

Go Cats and in this case Go Raiders.

(Colgate honors late professor with Game at Kentucky)

“Remembering Ephraim Woods”

(via Patriot League on ESPN Productions)