Kentucky soccer team sanctioned by NCAA for playing a pick-up game with Foo Fighters

As reported by Jon Hale of the Courier-Journal on Thursday, both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at the University of Kentucky have been sanctioned for recent violations.

During a pick-up game in early May, members of both teams were invited to join another game with, you guessed it, the Foo Fighters. The Foo Fighters were in town for a concert at Rupp Arena and wanted to play some soccer “as they were getting tired and wanted the energy level to be raised.”

One member of the women’s team as well as three players on the men’s team, in addition to a former male player, participated in the game and have been sanctioned accordingly. Multiple coaches from Kentucky also played in the game.

The University of Kentucky self-reported the violation, and as a result each player involved has to sit out two official team activities. Those activities could be practices or team meetings.

I understand the dangers of mixing celebrities with college athletics, but this situation seemed to be tied, in no way, to the celebrity status of the Foo Fighters.

Kentucky has been cited multiple times for violations, including with Drake, but in those instances, either recruits (Charles Matthews) or players (Tyler Ulis) gained access to the rapper in a situation where meeting the celebrity was the purpose.

However, the UK soccer players were simply asked to come to the other end of the pitch and play with some old guys they knew they could handle. Even though your sanctions are minimal, soccer team, I really hope you didn’t let the Foo Fighters get the “Best of You” on the field that day.