Bowling Green, Ky. (March 10, 2025) – Western Kentucky University (WKU) Athletics and Graves Gilbert Clinic proudly announce a new multi-year, exclusive partnership naming Graves Gilbert Clinic as the Official Health Care Provider for the Hilltoppers’ beloved mascot, Big Red. This first-of-its-kind collaboration, facilitated by Hilltopper Sports Properties, underscores both organizations’ dedication to excellence, accessibility, and community spirit.
For more than 85 years, Graves Gilbert Clinic has been a cornerstone of healthcare in South Central Kentucky, providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With over 200 providers across 30 specialties, the clinic remains committed to delivering consistent, accessible healthcare to the communities it serves. And for the first time ever, Big Red will receive community-leading care from the expert providers at Graves Gilbert Clinic.
“We are excited to have Graves Gilbert Clinic as the first-ever Official Health Care Provider for Big Red, the heart and spirit of WKU Athletics,” said Jennifer Starke, General Manager of Hilltopper Sports Properties. “Big Red has been a beloved mascot for our Hilltopper community since 1979, and we are thrilled to partner with Graves Gilbert Clinic to ensure Big Red stays healthy and ready to entertain fans with his signature moves, like the belly slide and belly shake.”
“Big Red is more than just a mascot—Big Red embodies the energy and pride of WKU Athletics and the community,” says Graves Gilbert Clinic’s CEO, Mike D’Eramo. He continues, “This innovative partnership ensures Big Red receives top-tier care, keeping the spirit of WKU alive and well for fans everywhere. We believe quality healthcare should be accessible to everyone—including our favorite Hilltopper! We look forward to keeping Big Red healthy and ready to energize fans at every game.”
Through this pioneering partnership, Graves Gilbert Clinic will have a visible presence at WKU Athletics events, reinforcing its commitment to the Bowling Green community. Fans can expect to see the clinic’s presence through website visibility, in-arena digital and static signage, radio broadcast features, and more.
“This one-of-a-kind partnership with Graves Gilbert Clinic represents a major collaboration for WKU Athletics,” said Jennifer Starke, General Manager of Hilltopper Sports Properties. “Their expertise and support of Big Red, as well as the Bowling Green community, make them an invaluable partner for us.”
Hilltopper Sports Properties is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Western Kentucky University Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the Hilltoppers.
About Graves Gilbert Clinic
Founded in 1937, Graves Gilbert Clinic proudly stands as South-Central Kentucky’s premier physician-owned medical group. Guided by a dedicated nine-member board, our clinic thrives on the leadership of physician-led committees and a proactive executive management team, all committed to delivering exceptional healthcare.
With a robust team of over 200 providers across 30 medical specialties, we serve over one million patients annually throughout our 13-county service area. Our 28 locations ensure that comprehensive care is accessible and convenient for our community. Graves Gilbert Clinic is also honored to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky for healthcare, reflecting our dedication not only to patient care but also to our valued staff.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
