Posted on Tue May 08, 2007 at 01:17:58 PM EDT 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.
[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 . 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.
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.
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.
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.
.. Ignorant statement #1.
"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." Yes, most UK basketball fans love the football team as well but to say that a sizable majority wants football to be more successful than basketball is completely void of reality. Ignorant statement #2.
"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..
. And I say that least 40 percent if not a silent majority of UK fans feel the same way." Uhm, no.
HELL NO. I wish I could put hell no in bold italics and double underline it. At least 40%?
Put the glue down. Maybe, and this is a stretch..
maybe 3% tops. And those 3% are sniffing the same glue. Ignorant Statement #3.
"Kentucky's football fans are the sleeping giants of the nation." UK football fans are not a sleeping giant. Bowl committees know very well how well UK football fans travel.
I was at the Outback Bowl in Tampa when Raymond James Stadium was more than 80% UK fans and the place was rocking. UK is a basketball school and always will be. Yes UK will always support its football team as well.
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. 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. :-) 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. 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. "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 : )
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