15 Things No One Told You About Being A Kentucky Wildcats Fan

15 Things No One Told You About Being A Kentucky Wildcats Fan

By Tim Letcher

February 21, 2015

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15 Things No One Told You About Being A Kentucky Wildcats Fan

John Calipari Kentucky Wildcats — The Kentucky Wildcats are one of those teams that people either love or hate. The Wildcats have won more college basketball games than any team, making them easy to love or hate. If you're new to liking Kentucky, here are 15 things no one told you about being a Kentucky Wildcats fan.

The Kentucky Wildcats are one of those teams that people either love or hate. The Wildcats have won more college basketball games than any team, making them easy to love or hate. If you're new to liking Kentucky, here are 15 things no one told you about being a Kentucky Wildcats fan.

15. Basketball Recruiting is Kentucky's Second Most Popular Sport

Kentucky Wildcats Recruits

15. Basketball Recruiting is Kentucky's Second Most Popular Sport

Kentucky Wildcats Recruits — There are two seasons in Kentucky: basketball season and basketball recruiting season. Some Kentucky fans take recruiting as seriously as they take basketball season.

There are two seasons in Kentucky: basketball season and basketball recruiting season. Some Kentucky fans take recruiting as seriously as they take basketball season.

14. You Must Know Who Bill Keightley Was

Kentucky Wildcats Cheerleaders

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14. You Must Know Who Bill Keightley Was

Kentucky Wildcats Cheerleaders — Known as Wildcat Bill and Mr. Wildcat, Keightley was the basketball team's equipment manager for 48 seasons. He has a jersey retired in Rupp Arena and was one of the most beloved figures in Kentucky basketball history.

Known as Wildcat Bill and Mr. Wildcat, Keightley was the basketball team's equipment manager for 48 seasons. He has a jersey retired in Rupp Arena and was one of the most beloved figures in Kentucky basketball history.

13. You Now Must Hate Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino Louisville Cardinals

13. You Now Must Hate Rick Pitino

Rick Pitino Louisville Cardinals — Rick Pitino is the man that saved Kentucky basketball from the depths of probation. However, Kentucky fans now hate him because after he was fired by the Boston Celtics, Pitino returned to the Bluegrass to coach, gulp, Louisville.

Rick Pitino is the man that saved Kentucky basketball from the depths of probation. However, Kentucky fans now hate him because after he was fired by the Boston Celtics, Pitino returned to the Bluegrass to coach, gulp, Louisville.

12. The Student Section is Called the eRUPPtion Zone

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena

12. The Student Section is Called the eRUPPtion Zone

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena — Get it? E-RUPP-tion Zone? It's a cheesy name, but the students do a pretty good job of staying into the game, even during non-conference blowouts.

Get it? E-RUPP-tion Zone? It's a cheesy name, but the students do a pretty good job of staying into the game, even during non-conference blowouts.

11. Big Blue Madness Draws Over 20,000 Fans

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena

11. Big Blue Madness Draws Over 20,000 Fans

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena — Big Blue Madness, formerly Midnight Madness, is now held in Rupp Arena. The university gives away tickets and more than 20,000 fans show up to watch Kentucky's first practice of the season.

Big Blue Madness, formerly Midnight Madness, is now held in Rupp Arena. The university gives away tickets and more than 20,000 fans show up to watch Kentucky's first practice of the season.

10. Final Four Weekend is a Holiday

Andrew Harrison Kentucky Wildcats

10. Final Four Weekend is a Holiday

Andrew Harrison Kentucky Wildcats — Technically, this only applies when Kentucky is in the Final Four, but it's a big weekend. All other events are cancelled to watch the Wildcats play on college basketball's biggest stage.

Technically, this only applies when Kentucky is in the Final Four, but it's a big weekend. All other events are cancelled to watch the Wildcats play on college basketball's biggest stage.

9. The SEC Tournament is Not Played at Rupp Arena

Kentucky Wildcats Fans

9. The SEC Tournament is Not Played at Rupp Arena

Kentucky Wildcats Fans — While watching the event on television, this may be hard to believe, but the SEC Tournament is not in Rupp Arena every year. It just seems that way because every SEC Tournament game seems like a home game for the Wildcats due to their large following that attends the event each year.

While watching the event on television, this may be hard to believe, but the SEC Tournament is not in Rupp Arena every year. It just seems that way because every SEC Tournament game seems like a home game for the Wildcats due to their large following that attends the event each year.

8. You Will be Hated by All Other SEC Fans

Florida Gators Fans

8. You Will be Hated by All Other SEC Fans

Florida Gators Fans — It's universal around the league that fans of the other 13 teams hate Kentucky. And why not, the Wildcats have won 45 SEC regular season titles. The rest of the league has won a combined 49.

It's universal around the league that fans of the other 13 teams hate Kentucky. And why not, the Wildcats have won 45 SEC regular season titles. The rest of the league has won a combined 49.

7. Rupp Arena is Not on Campus

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena

7. Rupp Arena is Not on Campus

Kentucky Wildcats Rupp Arena — In fact, Rupp Arena is not owned by the University of Kentucky. It's actually owned by the city of Lexington and UK rents the facility from them. The Arena sits in downtown, about a mile from the edge of campus.

In fact, Rupp Arena is not owned by the University of Kentucky. It's actually owned by the city of Lexington and UK rents the facility from them. The Arena sits in downtown, about a mile from the edge of campus.

6. You Must Hate Duke, North Carolina and Kansas

Roy Williams North Carolina Tar Heels

6. You Must Hate Duke, North Carolina and Kansas

Roy Williams North Carolina Tar Heels — These three teams are seen as the closest rivals that Kentucky has in basketball. Each time Kentucky wins and these teams lose, Kentucky stretches its lead in all-time college basketball wins, which makes the Bluegrass a happy place.

These three teams are seen as the closest rivals that Kentucky has in basketball. Each time Kentucky wins and these teams lose, Kentucky stretches its lead in all-time college basketball wins, which makes the Bluegrass a happy place.

5. You Cannot Root for Louisville. Ever.

Montrezl Harrell Louisville Cardinals

5. You Cannot Root for Louisville. Ever.

Montrezl Harrell Louisville Cardinals — Whether it's basketball, football, baseball or any other sport, a true Kentucky fan cannot root for Louisville. There is quite a bit of pure hatred between these schools, so there's no rooting for the Cardinals if you're a Kentucky fan.

Whether it's basketball, football, baseball or any other sport, a true Kentucky fan cannot root for Louisville. There is quite a bit of pure hatred between these schools, so there's no rooting for the Cardinals if you're a Kentucky fan.

4. Even Former Walk-ons are Still Considered Celebrities

Kentucky Wildcats Mascot

4. Even Former Walk-ons are Still Considered Celebrities

Kentucky Wildcats Mascot — Only in Kentucky could this be true. A prime example is that former walk-on Cameron Mills hosts a radio talk show in Lexington. And on another station, former walk-on Ravi Moss is a basketball analyst.

Only in Kentucky could this be true. A prime example is that former walk-on Cameron Mills hosts a radio talk show in Lexington. And on another station, former walk-on Ravi Moss is a basketball analyst.

3. Lives are Planned Around the Basketball Schedule

Kentucky Wildcats Willie Cauley-Stein

3. Lives are Planned Around the Basketball Schedule

Kentucky Wildcats Willie Cauley-Stein — Having a family gathering in January? Check the basketball schedule. Planning an office Christmas party? Get the schedule out. A winter wedding? Better check the schedule.

Having a family gathering in January? Check the basketball schedule. Planning an office Christmas party? Get the schedule out. A winter wedding? Better check the schedule.

2. There are Certain Names You Do Not Mention

Christian Laettner Duke Blue Devils

2. There are Certain Names You Do Not Mention

Christian Laettner Duke Blue Devils — If you want to get a dirty look from a Kentucky fan, say something like "Hey, I really liked Christian Laettner." Or "Was Billy Gillispie really that bad of a coach?"

If you want to get a dirty look from a Kentucky fan, say something like "Hey, I really liked Christian Laettner." Or "Was Billy Gillispie really that bad of a coach?"

1. Basketball Season Lasts All Year

John Calipari Kentucky Wildcats

1. Basketball Season Lasts All Year

John Calipari Kentucky Wildcats — Literally, all year long. If it's not basketball season, it's basketball recruiting season or general longing for the sport. In Kentucky, that happens 365 days a year.

Literally, all year long. If it's not basketball season, it's basketball recruiting season or general longing for the sport. In Kentucky, that happens 365 days a year.

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