Kentucky and Colgate will meet for the first time when the Raiders travel from Hamilton, New York, to Rupp Arena for Wednesday’s non-conference game. However, the game is years in the making, and it will be played in remembrance of a Colgate professor who passed away last year.

Ephraim Woods of Ashland, Kentucky, was a lifelong Kentucky Basketball fan. Even when his career took him to Colgate University in 2003, Woods followed the Wildcats from afar while adding Colgate to his college basketball fandom. Woods grew close to the Colgate program over the years, whether he was attending practices or leading Colgate’s faculty liaison program with student-athletes. Colgate head coach Matt Langel recalled what it was like having Woods, a chemistry professor, around the team in a story remembering Woods on Colgate’s website.

“He came around enough to make sure he knew the team and the team knew him,” Langel said. “With some individual players, he built a more personal relationship. But everybody knew who he was.”

Knowing Woods’ love for two college basketball teams, Langel made “several efforts” to schedule a game with Kentucky in recent years but couldn’t find a date on UK’s schedule until this season. The story says Woods’ family will travel with the team to Lexington in Ephraim Woods’ memory.

“Any time there’s a chance to reflect on all he accomplished, on the impact he had on my life and others’ lives, I like to do that,” Langel added. “In playing Kentucky, I’m sure taking the trip down there will be for me emotional in a good way, just a chance to reflect and remember all the lessons I learned from him.”

Big Blue Nation, I encourage you to head over to ColgateAthletics.com to read the full story on Woods and the game honoring him. And may the Woods family have a special experience in Lexington.

Go Cats, and in this case, Go Raiders, too.

[Colgate Honors Late Professor with Game at Kentucky]

“Remembering Ephraim Woods”

(via Patriot League on ESPN Productions)