When you think of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, you think of their men's basketball team and their all-time record of 2052-647. But there is another yet overlooked dynasty--the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad.

The roots began when Greenup County High School entered the UCA National High School Cheerleading back in the 1979-1980 season. At that time, cheerleaders were selected for their looks than their talent. Tumbling was minimal and stunts and pyramids were very impressive not to mention the outfits were old school.

Greenup's success prompted college squads to jump on the competition bandwagon. UCA held its first annual College Cheerleading Championship back in the 1983-1984 season and Kentucky was one of those schools that competed. The Wildcats won their first of 18 Division IA Championships the following year and never looked back. The Wildcats reload year after year as they became one of the top cheerleading squads in the country.

Today, schools such as Alabama (the 2011 champions), Central Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana State, Ohio State, and Memphis have seriously challenged UK for cheerleading supremacy, but the Kentucky Wildcats will always be the squad that started it all.