Promoted from the Diaries :: Kentucky's Very Underrated And Faithful Football Fans

by ukcatfan191 on May 8, 2007 1:17 PM EDT Comment 23 comments

Yes, I know UK has a great basketball tradition, and that will never change, but I and a very sizable majority of UK fans love our football too and want it to be every bit as successful as our basketball team, if not more so.

I came across an interesting statement on the 'Net one time from one of UK's football fans. He said that he and a sizable number of UK fans would gladly trade 6 of UK's 7 NCAA basketball championships for one NCAA football championship. And I agree 100 percent except I'd say not 6 but 5 of them because you still need 2 titles to be considered a legimitate dynasty.

And I say that least 40 percent if not a silent majority of UK fans feel the same way. I know I do.

I once emailed a friend about how loyal UK football fans have been despite all the heartache and disappointments. During Guy Morriss' first season when we were 2-8 or something like that I caught a glimpse of us playing Tennessee and how our fans were really into the game despite our horrible record with 65000 to 70000 strong. That impressed me that fans at a basketball school would do that.

Still there are the doubters who say that UK fans take football too lightly. I strongly disagree with them on that.

If Kentucky fans don't love our football then why do we consistently average at least in the top 15 percent of attendance capacity even in seasons with 2 or 3 wins?

If Kentucky fans don't love our football then why did we tear down the goal posts after beating Georgia, a team we hadn't beaten in 10 years?

If Kentucky fans don't love our football then why did at least 50000 strong attend the 2006 Music City Bowl last year?

Kentucky's football fans are the sleeping giants of the nation. As far as our football program is concerned there is no reason why we should not at least contend every year despite having to play in the brutal SEC. Everything is currently is place. The fans are here. The funds are here. The facilities are here. What hasn't been here has been the support of the UK administration until now. But thanks to Mitch Barnhardt who has taken way more flack than he deserves, and Coach Brooks whom I wanted gone like 90 percent of my fellow UK fans after LSU loss last year, I know we are currently on the right track. I think we'll have another 8-5 season at least with another bowl win.

I have more thoughts on the subject but time and space don't permit me to say them at the present time.

KENTUCKY IS ON ITS WAY TO BEING A FOOTBALL SCHOOL - IF IT ISN'T ALREADY!

[editor's note, by Truzenzuzex] This is the second diary we have promoted this week about football, and that is due to the fact that football news is somewhat underreported on A Sea of Blue. In our determination to be a better Kentucky blog, we are working hard to rectify that situation. Good diaries are always subject to promotion, but good football diaries are getting special attention right now.

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Love the enthusiasm!

Not all of us are hooked yet -- I tend to pay more attention once the games are being played, as Spring practice and recruiting in football just don't do much for me -- but another strong season would certainly help.

I have long believed that there is no reason Kentucky cannot win at football. There is tradition (albeit distant tradition), there are facilities and there is booster money for incentives.

It just seems like the product, frankly, has stunk for too long.

The current crop is great, and hopefully they can get a few more recruits of the four-star variety.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 7, 2007 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like you guys...

...to make some noise in the East again this year, and take out at least one of the "powers" (hopefully UT, but that's just the Bama fan talking).

by Todd on May 8, 2007 12:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Frankly ...

UT is always my #1 choice to defeat in Football, although we haven't gotten that job done in quite some time.

But Florida is moving up the list ...

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UK Football

I would love for UK Football to become every bit as successful as the basketball program but not at the expense of any title. I dont get the whole trade the title in this sport A for a title in Sport B thing. If the Football program won a national title some day I wouldnt trade it in for a baketball champinoship even though I love basketball more.

On an off season note I do enjoy reading about recruiting etc. just as much as long as it is UK related. I just hope that The program gets good enough to consistently air the games live on the tv. I am sick of tape delayed football games. Tape delay really hurts the program in this state more than the mediocrity of the team does. If more fans could see them play I think there would be more fan support even if they sucked.

by davw83 on May 8, 2007 1:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am a UK fan...

which is to say, a fan of the University of Kentucky. I will admit, this is because of the basketball program. However, I don't root for any other college football team. If UK football has a good year, then I'm following them. If the baseball team is doing well then I follow them. I always take pride in anything in which UK excels, to include academics. I think that this is most likely because Uk is a focal point for the rest of the US for the state of Kentucky. We don't really have any professional teams, or newsworthy sources to expose KY to the rest of the country. Most likely, I'm not in the minority with this viewpoint.
I have lived many places in many different states, and when I mention that I am from KY most everyone says horses and basketball. Of course, the occasional reference to the rednecks and farm trucks(mostly foreigners) will appear. This is unfortunate, though, because I think that the people are what makes KY such a great place to call home. I just wish I could call it home now, but unfortunately, my wife had other ideas. For now, I must call Seattle home.

Ohhh, how I long for the Bluegrass...

by blueblood on May 8, 2007 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Terrific

I second the nomination of Saul Smith as Best PG in UK history

by tiger85 on May 8, 2007 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RIght on bro...

I think you'd be hard pressed to find 3% of UK BB fans that would trade any championships to FB. I do like to see them succeed, as with any UK program, but BB is KING here. Just like FB is King in Gainesville, no wonder they let BD have the reigns to the program there. Nobody cares if he screws it up!!!!

by blueblood on May 8, 2007 2:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why

In the hell would we trade 5-6 championships in bball for one in football? Can you give one logical reason other than that such and such person likes football more than basketball?? No, you can't, this is the dumbest thing i have heard. Stuff like that makes me come to this site less and less. Trade championships??? Why dont we see what we could get for Rupp Arena while we are at the swap meet

by What on May 8, 2007 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thoughtless criticism like this ...

is unnecessary. The diarist was expressing the sentiment that football is undersupported at Kentucky, and I agree with him. You may not, that is your right. But taking his simile literally for the purpose of blunt-instrument criticism is just rude.

It is intuitively obvious that you can't "trade" one championship for another, no matter how desirable (or not) that may be. Try to stay in the spirit of the conversation. If you want comment combat, there are other sites that are better suited for that.

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way

I love UK football and have had season tickets for most of my young life. That said, I would trade ONE BBall for a Football championship. I probably couldn't even let that one go. 5-6 is pretty ridiculous, our championships are one of the main arguments for being the best.

by GregJ on May 8, 2007 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Cousin Vinny

It reminds me of Fred Gwinn (judge) telling Joe Peshi something to the effect.....that was a well thought out lucid arguement......OVERRULED!! Lets face it. It's not a competition. Kentucky built a BB tradition under Rupp. Kentucky let Bear Bryant slip away and build a football tradition at Alabama. Who knows what might have been? What we have is a BB tradition with 7 national championships. What we want is 8. We have football with no tradition and 0 national championships. We want tadition and 1 and anyone with one eye and half sense will embrace either if it would happen.

I must disagree with the accusation of glue. It must be something stronger. If thats the winner from the diaries I hate to think of the losers.

by modcpa on May 8, 2007 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well ...

you are welcome to compose what you consider to be a winner, if you like. For some reason, I don't notice any diaries written by you from which to choose. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Funny how fast folks are to complain, but I don't see a lot of these folks putting their own thoughts on the line, ecept in minor (and antagonistic) form.

At least this guy had the balls to make his views public.

The Online home of Big Blue Nation ...

by JL Blue on May 8, 2007 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UK football VS UK BASKETBALL

"I came across an interesting statement on the 'Net one time from one of UK's football fans. He said that he and a sizable number of UK fans would gladly trade 6 of UK's 7 NCAA basketball championships for one NCAA football championship. And I agree 100 percent except I'd say not 6 but 5 of them because you still need 2 titles to be considered a legimitate dynasty.

And I say that least 40 percent if not a silent majority of UK fans feel the same way. I know I do"

I DONT KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD TRADE ONE FOR ONE

by UKCATZFAN on May 8, 2007 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That ...

is demonstrably false. The author said he would do so. You therefore know of at least one. And further up, there is another person who was willing. That makes two just in this thread. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make a poll...

Tru and JL! I dont know how many people are on here, but it would give us a close idea on how many BB titles the BBN would trade for 1 FB title.

by tiger85 on May 8, 2007 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nah ...

I think we all know how that would turn out. :-)

Let's not take a simile too literally -- it's an author's privilege to embellish a little for effect.

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now, guys and gals ...

Please keep in mind that the author is entitled to his opinion. You may not agree, and that is more than fine.

I personally would not trade basketball championships for football ones, because I am a basketball fan. Cognitive dissonance applies.

But others, in my mind rightly, think that football is perhaps underrepresented in the Bluegrass, and I welcome those opinions. Disagreement with the particular method of expression doesn't preclude agreement with the general sentiment, and that's why I promoted this well-written diary.

Please be kind to your fellow posters and diarists. We try to keep the debate to a higher standard of excellence here, much as the UK athletic programs do, and I'm sure most of our guests appreciate that.

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's fair enough ...

many and most is probably wishful thinking, to be sure.

There are reasons why UK is considered a basketball school -- probably about 5 million or so. :-)

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I await your diary ...

with bated breath.

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

UK has a football team? Just kidding

I think this absolutely was a successful diary post since it has inspired all kinds of feedback, but I can't say I really agree with any of it at all. And reading these comments makes me wonder...am I the only one who just doesn't LIKE football? I know after last season's happy ending, it's all trendy to profess love for the football team, but I have to admit I'm not really feeling it. It's not personal, but like many good Kentuckians with their sporting priorities in order, I just don't care for the sport--I don't watch the NFL or GOOD college football teams either. I'll root for the UK team to win just because they're wearing "Kentucky" on their jerseys, just like I would for any of the school's teams, but it really doesn't go any further than that for me. I've gotten some flak from some fans for my less than enthusiastic feelings for the football team, but to me that's disingenuous--it's not like these people are swim team superfans or hardcore rifle squad enthusists. We're all picking and choosing to some degree. I am all for passionate support for your team so I enjoyed reading the diary, but trading away our championships--FIVE of them?? Kentucky being a football school?!? That's just unnatural and wrong on so many levels. I know the flavor of the month are these multitasking megaprograms like Florida (boo, hiss) and Ohio State, but I for one am proud of our more-or-less singleminded focus on the roundball.

by blue kentucky girl on May 8, 2007 7:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A very honest comment ...

and one I can very much identify with. I agree this was a successful diary, because it was somewhat controversial and drew a lot of attention.

I miss Wildcat football games all the time, but I would crawl over broken glass to watch Big Blue Madness. I am a basketball fan, that's my big thing.

But believe it or not, there are many Kentuckians who like football better than basketball, and it would be nice if UK were actually good at football -- and last year they were!

These people are a crucial part of the Big Blue Nation, and as this blog's mission is to cover UK sports, not just basketball, we also discuss football and even (shock!) baseball -- UK actually has a pretty decent baseball team (not as good as last years, but I digress ...) that deserves some attention as well.

In the final analysis, UK is a basketball school in much the same way that Florida is a football school. Many times have I sneeringly referred to Florida's lack of love for the hardwood, but we must present no less an enigma to them.

So when we poke fun at Florida or Alabama for their passion for football, let us never forget that we look just as weird to them in our tastes.

by Truzenzuzex on May 8, 2007 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

"But believe it or not, there are many Kentuckians who like football better than basketball"

Like Bigfoot, I've always assumed this species existed only in myth ; )

Thanks for the response, and while I personally can't get my mind around the idea of a Kentuckian liking football more than basketball or placing the importance of UK football even close to that of UK basketball (I mean, god forbid!!), I can certainly appreciate the diary writer proudly bucking the status quo. As proud Southerner who is also an outspoken and unapologetic left-winger, I too get a kick out of the "road less travelled" thing : )

by blue kentucky girl on May 9, 2007 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs