🌎 Resumen en español · traducción automática
La Universidad de Kentucky se asoció con Hoot App, Inc. para lanzar una plataforma de red social en tiempo real diseñada para transformar la experiencia de los aficionados durante los días de juego, utilizando tecnología de verificación de ubicación que conecta a usuarios presentes físicamente en el mismo lugar. A partir del año académico 2026-27, la plataforma debutará en los estadios de UK Athletics incluyendo Rupp Arena, Kroger Field y el centro de Lexington, ofreciendo características como actualizaciones en vivo, contenido comunitario y ofertas exclusivas de negocios locales. La asociación tiene un significado especial ya que fue cofundada por Sheena Ferguson Gordon, exjugadora de fútbol de UK de Ashland, Kentucky, quien considera que Big Blue Nation es una de las comunidades más apasionadas del deporte.
Traducción y resumen generados por IA a partir del artículo en inglés. Puede contener errores; consulte el texto original.
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky and UK Athletics announced a multiyear partnership with Hoot App, Inc., unveiling what organizers describe as a first-of-its-kind real-time social network designed to transform how Big Blue Nation experiences gameday.
The partnership makes the University of Kentucky Hoot’s flagship collegiate partner and positions UK fans at the center of a new platform built on verified human presence technology, a departure from traditional social media built on followers and algorithm-driven feeds. Unlike existing platforms, Hoot connects users physically present at the same location in real-time using location verification technology, creating what the company calls “Canopies” — live, geofenced social spaces tied to stadiums, tailgates, campuses and downtown districts.
Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, the Big Blue Nation Canopy will debut across UK Athletics venues, spanning Rupp Arena, Kroger Field and downtown Lexington. Within the platform, registered UK fans will gain access to real-time updates, community-driven content and location-specific experiences designed to enhance every part of gameday.
Key features include Landings, which shows fans where the energy is happening on gameday; Echoes, enabling fans to share real-time photos, videos and posts with others in the Canopy; HootMe, allowing fans to message one another and receive section-specific alerts; and HootDeals, providing location-based exclusive offers from local businesses.
For the millions of Big Blue Nation members across the country and around the world, Hoot also offers Birds Eye View Mode, allowing virtual fans to follow activity in real-time, and Pop-Up Canopies that can organize watch parties and activate alumni communities in major cities.
The partnership carries special significance for Hoot co-founders Sheena Ferguson Gordon, a former UK soccer player from Ashland, Kentucky, and Chief of Partnerships Mikailyn Maddox Huffman, a former UK Dance Team member also from Ashland. Ferguson Gordon said the partnership is “incredibly personal.”
“Big Blue Nation is one of the most passionate communities in sports,” Ferguson Gordon said, “and we believe Hoot is going to give fans, students, alumni, and the entire Wildcat community a completely new way to experience connection in real-time.”
Heath Price, UK Associate Vice President for Partnerships, said the new platform provides an approach to online engagement rooted in real-world connection. “A new social network that is built around in-person experiences and real connection provides an intriguing new approach to online platforms,” Price said. “We look forward to learning how Hoot can provide ways for our fans, students, alumni, and community to engage with one another in a positive manner.”
The platform extends beyond athletics. Beginning in Fall 2026, incoming UK students will be introduced to Hoot as a tool for real-time connection, discovery and campus engagement. The partnership was developed through JMI Sports, the University of Kentucky’s multimedia rights partner operating locally as UK Sports & Campus Marketing, which has named Hoot a Proud Partner of the University of Kentucky.
This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from UK Athletics, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/06/30/university-of-kentucky-and-hoot-app-inc-unveil-first-of-its-kind-real-time-social-network-for-big-blue-nation/.
