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Special UK Children's Hospital guests to join Cat Walk this season
UK offensive lineman helped design the cart
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — UK officials have announced that several special guests from UK Children's Hospital will help pump up the crowds this year at the UK Cat Walk, thanks in part to an offensive tackle who is studying engineering.
The unique partnership with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), the Kentucky College of Engineering and the Kentucky Children's Hospital will bring special guests to the Cat Walk presented by Chevy this season as the Kentucky football team arrives at Kroger Field.
Specially built push cart vehicles with provide young patients the chance to accompany the Wildcats on the Cat Walk and attend a game at Kroger Field. A new patient will be chosen by the Kentucky Children's Hospital each week to participate.
Luke Fortner, an offensive tackle and College of Engineering junior, teamed up with TMMK engineers to design the cart. The vehicles were created through a project called "Lift Them Up."
The vehicle will make its first appearance at the Cat Walk before the season opener against Toledo this Saturday.
"I'm excited about one our players being involved with this," head coach Mark Stoops said. "I want our players to get as much professional experience as they can prior to leaving here. I want them prepared for the real world. For Luke to have this opportunity to work on this great cause means an awful lot to me and our team."