http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/articles/2006/05/12/sports/sports01.prt
SEMI-PRO FOOTBALL: Hip-hop group Nappy Roots to appear at Wolverine Classic
By CATHERINE LAROCHE
LOUISVILLE— Hip-hop recording group Nappy Roots could be viewed as the most successful musical act from Kentucky.
In 2002, they were named the No. 1 selling hip-hop group of the year. Their two albums, “Wooden Leather” and “Watermelon, Chicken & Gritz,” have been nominated for several awards, including Grammys. They even have their own day named in their honor. Even with all the national success, they still enjoy representing their roots and the communities of Kentucky.
With help from a live appearance from Nappy Roots, the Hardin County Wolverines hope to open the 2006 season with a bang in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium on May 27. With the addition of Nappy Roots, the team hopes PJCS will have at least 10,000 filled seats.
“It’s going to have a major impact for us,” Wolverines’ lineman Charlie Hopkins said. “Nappy Roots is a nationally known name and they’re very big regionally, because they are from the Louisville and Bowling Green areas.”
Team president Kendrick Johnson said Thursday afternoon that Nappy Roots will debut three never-before-heard songs from their new album.
Landing Nappy Roots wasn’t hard due to the connections of Jerome Davidson, a member of the Wolverines. In February, Davidson had a party in Radcliff, where Scales of Nappy Roots made an appearance and performed. At a later date, Davidson called Scales and asked about the likelihood of him actually wanting to do the event. Scales then told Davidson that he would talk to the other group members.
After discussing the event, the other members of Nappy Roots agreed to make an appearance. Now, the Wolverines have a well-known musical group appearing at their season opener.
“I’ve never seen them perform, but I’ve heard great things about their performances,” Davidson said. “It’s going to bring some energy to Cardinal Stadium.”
Most of the Wolverines are big fans of Nappy Roots.
“I gotta like them,” full back/linebacker Adrian “A.D.” Sparks said. “They are from Kentucky.”
As for the teammates who aren’t fans of the hip hop group, they are slowly turning into fans because of their contribution to the Wolverines.
“I’m a modest fan,” Hopkins said. “Now that they are partnering with us, I’ll be a bigger fan, obviously. I know some of their songs. I’m not as big of a music person as some other people. I’m a football player.”
With all of the excitement over Nappy Roots, rumors are starting to form about Nelly performing at next year’s Wolverine Classic. However, Davidson was quick to confirm that the statement is false.
“It would be nice to have Nelly, but there’s nothing written in stone,” Davidson said. “We haven’t really gotten a chance to talk to Nelly. If this year is a success then there will be other artists to come.”
Davidson hopes to get the community involved in future musical performances at Wolverines’ games.
“Since we are a community-based team, we want acts from the community,” he said. “There’s a lot of artists around Radcliff, E’town and Vine Grove. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help them out and get them the spotlight so the community can see them.”
Catherine LaRoche can be reached at 769-1200, Ext. 243
Wolverine Classic Tickets On Sale
Tickets, which are $10 for all seats (including lower level) for the first annual Wolverine Classic at the University of Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, which features the Hardin County Wolverines men’s semi-pro football team against the Western Kentucky Punishers, are now on sale at all area Kroger locations as well as ticketmaster.com. The game, which is a charity fundraiser for Metro United Way and the Par for the Cure breast cancer research foundation, begins at 4 p.m. A postgame concert will follow. For information, visit www.hardincountywolverines.com, e-mail team president Kendrick Johnson at kjohnson10@insightbb.com or call him at 300-1191.
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