feedback from 1st diary; i hear you guys loud and clear

ukcatfan191 — Mon, 14 May 2007 22:59:30 -0000

Man I didn't know what I was getting into when I wrote my very 1st diary on here. I sure do know now...

Especially about the part about trading 5 of our 7 basketball titles for 1 football title....

And also about the part when I said 40 percent or more of UK fans would actually agree with me on that.

I unintentionally hurt a member of UK's family without even realize I was doing it.

Remember how the Dukes of Hazzard loved the General Lee so much they considered it a member of the family?

U of Kentucky basketball is the same way. Most if not all U of Kentucky fans think of UK basketball and its historic traditions as a bonefide "member of the family." And what I did was do exactly that, attack a member of the family.

To me U of Kentucky football is my family member. Always has and always will be. But I understand 100 percent why it's not and basketball is. The basketball team has succeeded for the most part while the football team has not. Until that changes, and I think we are closer to that more than ever before - basketball in the Bluegrass State will take prescedence over football every single time.

I do have to begrudgingly admit that basketball is the favorite sport of the majority of UK fans right now. Well maybe not. I better not assume things like I have had a tendency to do in the past. That has gotten me in hot water plenty of times before. But I think that I'm probably correct this time. At least I hope so.

Really in the US as a whole I would say that almost every state in the union, except for Kentucky, Indiana, and probably Illinois are football states for the most part and prefer football over basketball. Well I might have to add Kansas and North Carolina to the list as well. Even then I probably left some out.

Really it all boils down to this. UK basketball teams have won 7 national titles. The football team zilch. Heck it's news if we even have a winning season much less win a bowl game like we did last year.

And I know 100 percent that the U of Kentucky football team has stunk up the joint most of the time while UK basketball team has excelled, even though 2006 is arguably an exception to the rule. To me that's the reason U of Kentucky is a basketball school and not a football one quite yet.

But I've always felt that the football team can succeed given the right amount of funds - yes that is probably the biggest reason you know how crucial that is - and support of the administration. By and large that hasn't happened for the most part. But again I still think that we are closer to building a very successful and winning football program than we ever have before.

But it still amazes me that even after beating Georgia and Clemson last year and almost Tennessee in a game we controlled for the most part only to self-destruct that there is that tiny few if not more UK fans still say that the football team still sucks even after those wonderful wins.

That tells me that one winning and successful football season is not enough, and rightfully so. We have to string at least 2 if not 3 together to be considered a genuine football school. As well as we should.

And 2007 would be the perfect time to do just that because of the ton of talent we have coming back.

Until then basketball will reign supreme, as well it should.

And by the way, it just made me plain sick that Jai Lucas chose Florida over us. Yes I am a U of Kentucky basketball fan even though I still like football better.

And we are the most fanatical fans in the country, even about our football. Thus all the fuss about us wanting Brooks gone after LSU debacle. That tells me we are like that about all sports not just basketball.

And that I can joyfully say I am very proud of.

And thanks for all the feedback as well, even though I do admit it was very tough for this sensitive UK fan to stomach.

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

ukcatfan191 — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:17:58 -0000

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.

SB Nation User Blog: ukcatfan191

feedback from 1st diary; i hear you guys loud and clear

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