Michael Grant

@MichaelGrant_CJ

Western Kentucky University president Gary Ransdell knows how to make an entrance.

Ransdell will arrive at WKU's football game against Army on Saturday via parachute. The 63-year-old will tandem jump along with the U.S. Army Parachute Team (the Golden Knights) onto the practice field next to the stadium. He'll present the game ball to the officials leading up to the coin toss.

The Golden Knights, in their 50th year of existence, will land inside Houchens-Smith Stadium as part of the pre-game festivities. Ransdell will join them but will land just outside the stadium. (According to WKU, government regulations prevent civilians from parachuting directly into Smith Stadium).

Ransdell made the decision to jump a few weeks ago.

"The opportunity was there to jump with them, and I took advantage of it," he said. "We'll wave at you from 10,000 feet before we take that first step. It will be a tandem jump. I'm, confident that the guy strapped to my back will know what he's doing. I'm just along for the ride."

This will not be Ransdell's first jump. He parachuted at Fort Knox seven years ago.

"The first step, that's the worst part," he said. "Once you take that first step out of the plane, you realize there's about 10,000 feet between you and the ground. That's a little bit unsettling."

On his previous jump, Ransdell recalled free-falling for about 5,000 feet before the parachute opened. He said he never felt scared but described the drop as "a rush of adrenaline."

The WKU president said he's doing this to pay tribute to WKU's ROTC program. There are about 2,000 active duty military, veterans and their family members connected to the school. He's also jumping because it's "going to be a great adventure."

His jump will be part of a big sports day with WKU's football team, basketball and volleyball teams are all in action in Bowling Green. The football team is 4-5 and needs two more victories to be bowl eligible.

"I promised (coach) Jeff Brohm that I wouldn't fumble at about 8,000 feet," Ransdell said.

Fans are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 a.m. EST to ensure being able to watch the Golden Knights' performance. Ransdell is expected to land around 11:45.

"I think it's pretty cool," WKU quarterback Brandon Doughty said. "I'd be scared to jump out of an airplane to be honest."

NOTES: Doughty was named Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The senior was 23 of 34 for 324 yards and three touchdowns in the Hilltoppers' 35-27 home victory over UTEP. Defensive back Wonderful Terry was named the league's Defensive Players of the Week. Terry returned an interception 90 yards for a score. It was his third defensive score of the season. ... Brohm said that tailback and Central High School graduate Anthony 'Ace' Wales (ankle injury) is expected to return after missing the UTEP game.

Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ.