How do you describe our fan base to non-UK fans?

[UKUGA]

I would like to read your thoughts on this.

A lot of fans of truly big time programs, try and mock me when I tell them that Kentucky has a large, dedicated fan base.

A friend of mine in Texas, who grew up in Alabama, told me I am the only UK fan he knows.

That did open my eyes to something: while there are tons of Kentuckians spread throughout the nation (and the south), I do think many people who grew up as UK fans are more likely to adopt a new program in their new home, while keeping their basketball loyalties.

I would like to hear your thoughts. While we are not Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State, I think we have a fan base that can easily compete and surpass a school like Virginia Tech - a school that has appeared in a BCS championship game, and is clearly considered “football first”.

 

[ManitouDan]

very passionate and dedicated . Will support thru thick n thin . And getting to be a base with lofty expectations

 

[BlueRaider22]

Microwave.

 

[DCFseattle]

Paranoid schizophrenic

 

[Rush2112 UK]

Based on historic results vs historic support, we have the best fans in the nation. Since the stadium expansion in 1999, there've been many times when UK ranked in the top 25 nationally in attendance. This is for a program that had defined mediocrity since the early 50s.

Why is this? Why would a fanbase be so loyal and passionate without (until recently) any return to speak of? I think there are 3 reasons....

First- and the bizarre "football-only" crowd won't like this- I think it's partially a bleed over from Kentucky Basketball. The unparalleled love affair between Kentuckians and our mighty basketball program is well-documented. I think that passion has always spilled over and embraced the football team: Kentuckians, by and large, just love the Kentucky Wildcats... period.

On a related not, Kentucky is one of a handful of states that has a Power 5 school which has virtually no in-state competition for fan support. There's no pro franchise here, and while a small island of support exists for Louisville in and around the city, half of Jefferson County and the entire rest of the state have ever been solidly Blue and White. The sports focus of the entire Commonwealth has always been squarely on Lexington.

Finally, football has long since replaced baseball as "America's Sport." Americans just love football in general, so you have to account for that.

Combine all three, and I think that explains our love for UK football, which is all out of proportion for what many might perceive it to be.

 

[Freetaxreturn]

I’ve explained it like this from my time living here. When I am asked about the fan base my reply is simple, from what I’ve seen and heard there’s a hell of a lot more Kentucky football fans than you think because everybody there thinks of basketball. I explain how Kentucky fans attend every game and tailgate just like at LSU or anywhere else and are severely pissed when they lose just like there but they are a faithful bunch if you look at tradition and how many come to games and season ticket holders and have made a huge commitment to SEC Football. Kentucky and Stoops want to be the best although it molded in grind it out eat the clock football. Then say when was the last time LSU beat Kentucky 😂 That gets it started and after they eat me up, I say see you guys are just like the Kentucky football fan base. Don’t underestimate them 🍺

 

[JHB4UK]

Long suffering. Far more passionate and caring about the sport than any outsider would assume.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

 

[Emarc]

Like all fanatics—manic/depressive.

 

[Deeeefense]

I feel your pain. It's a perception thing. Suppose Duke starting winning a lot of games and maybe won their division once. What would we say? It's Duke, it's basketball, they'll retrench. Look at our history. 1976/1977 we had an outstanding football team, then we sunk back, we won 9 games in 1984 and then sunk back, same thing. Mumme had one 7 win season, Brooks had an 8 win season. So we have this long history of having one sometimes 2 good seasons and then going back to mediocrity or worse.

So people just think the recent success of Stoops is temporary and in time we will go revert back down the ladder. They have not accepted the fact that there has been a transformation in the football program and the fanbase as well.

I think winning the East could have a big impact on perceptions but we'll have to wait. IN the meantime I have noticed this year there are a lot more media "experts" on the UK ban wagon then in any previous year. Hopefully that will help change the perception among the football public.

 

[sieken]

Loyal.... This year's team in most any other decade would be a 2-10, 9-3 team, with all of the new starters. It's truly a testament to how far this staff has elevated the program.

 

[storm1507]

I feel your pain. It's a perception thing. Suppose Duke starting winning a lot of games and maybe won their division once. What would we say? It's Duke, it's basketball, they'll retrench. Look at our history. 1976/1977 we had an outstanding football team, then we sunk back, we won 9 games in 1984 and then sunk back, same thing. Mumme had one 7 win season, Brooks had an 8 win season. So we have this long history of having one sometimes 2 good seasons and then going back to mediocrity or worse.

So people just think the recent success of Stoops is temporary and in time we will go revert back down the ladder. They have not accepted the fact that there has been a transformation in the football program and the fanbase as well.

I think winning the East could have a big impact on perceptions but we'll have to wait. IN the meantime I have noticed this year there are a lot more media "experts" on the UK ban wagon then in any previous year. Hopefully that will help change the perception among the football public.

This is the reason I'm hesitant to say I'm cautiously optimistic. The last 45 years will do that to you. I can see myself turning the corner in a year or two if Stoops sticks around.

 

[CB3UK]

For whatever reason, South Carolina gets more recognition for their unwavering loyalty to mediocre results. We have always consistently been Top 30 nationally in attendance. Some years better than others, but always Top 30. (I don't know how the renovations have since impacted that) Our fanbase is akin to the Cleveland Browns or Chicago Cubs fan base, football wise.

 

[podgejeff_]

I think our fanbase is a sleeping giant that is just starting to wake up. Basketball shows just what our fanbase is capable of. And the diehard support that we had through 40 years of not even trying at football is something I'd question if any other fanbase can sustain.

If we sustain this kind of success longer, and this program is only going to grow. Win the East or more and we fast forward that progress. We have a built in patience from those 40 years that other schools can't match.

 

[WyleECoyote]

I don't.

 

[UKUGA]

I feel your pain. It's a perception thing. Suppose Duke starting winning a lot of games and maybe won their division once. What would we say? It's Duke, it's basketball, they'll retrench. Look at our history. 1976/1977 we had an outstanding football team, then we sunk back, we won 9 games in 1984 and then sunk back, same thing. Mumme had one 7 win season, Brooks had an 8 win season. So we have this long history of having one sometimes 2 good seasons and then going back to mediocrity or worse.

So people just think the recent success of Stoops is temporary and in time we will go revert back down the ladder. They have not accepted the fact that there has been a transformation in the football program and the fanbase as well.

I think winning the East could have a big impact on perceptions but we'll have to wait. IN the meantime I have noticed this year there are a lot more media "experts" on the UK ban wagon then in any previous year. Hopefully that will help change the perception among the football public.

IMO, the fan base has been here, and I don’t really see it as having been “transformed”, other than consistently better attendance at home games the last five seasons.

The people I referenced in the OP: the Kentuckians who moved away, continued to support the basketball program but ditched football, I don’t think we get them back.
However, I think what is happening now can and will lead more people to stick with the program after they leave the state.

I meet 3rd and 4th generation Alabama football fans, and the last 2 generations have never lived in Alabama. Our basketball program has the same types of fans. Our football program doesn’t have nearly as many. My kids, for example, are just as excited about Georgia as they are UK. They wear national championship shirts - so do I.

All that said, I think our fan base is large and very supportive, and I think that is what people of the largest fan bases often fail to see.

 

[The-Hack]

the Kentuckians who moved away, continued to support the basketball program but ditched football, I don’t think we get them back.

I was surrounded by second generation Floridians at the 2021 Citrus Bowl wearing Blue.

One said attending a Kentucky game at Kroger was on his bucket list.

 

[clevenger32]

When it is somebody that is an SEC graduate or SEC Was-Mart Fan (fan of an SEC school who has never walked into a classroom building on campus let alone took a class there) that has never been to Lexington or witnessed a game at Commonwealth Stadium, I try to explain to them that our support for our football program is great and we only support basketball perception that they have in their head is without merit. If they go to game in Lexington they all can't believe it. They think our support for football is like their's for basketball....They only believe what they media tells them.

 

[UKUGA]

I was surrounded by second generation Floridians at the 2021 Citrus Bowl wearing Blue.

One said attending a Kentucky game at Kroger was on his bucket list.

Sure.

My point is that the ones who have ditched the program, likely are not returning.

However, if the program sustains success, you will grow the number of 2nd and 3rd generation “Floridians” who support the program, the way Alabama football and Kentucky basketball fans do.

Let’s face it. You don’t quit on a winner.

 

[The-Hack]

If they go to game in Lexington they all can't believe it.

Had a bud from Bama, an Auburn fan, attend a game at CW in the 80’s. He was shocked by the support.

 

[Gromcat]

Most people I know in Tennessee are well aware of our fan base. They don’t distinguish between sports. BBN is BBN. Well recognized.

I have one friend who’s a Georgia fan (from Georgia) and he’s the worst. Always saying Kentucky ain’t shit, and nobody cares about basketball. He really takes it pretty far to the point where it just seems like jealousy for some reason. I just say YOU might not care about basketball but millions do and I say the reason you don’t like college basketball is because you’re a Georgia fan. To which he tells me he doesn’t care about basketball but roots for Georgia Tech in CBB. lol.

Not worth arguing.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Not sure why it’s bizarre to be a football only fan. What if you just don’t get into basketball??

 

[EJCatLA]

People who like UK basketball but another college football team truly are horrible and despicable people. I don’t want them anywhere near me. Choke on a piece of ice.

 

[Gromcat]

Not sure why it’s bizarre to be a football only fan. What if you just don’t get into basketball??

Honestly, it’s hard for me to understand someone that isn’t both.

 

[Gromcat]

People who like UK basketball but another college football team truly are horrible and despicable people. I don’t want them anywhere near me. Choke on a piece of ice.

Fake fans. I’m a die hard UK guy since birth. I’ve never even considered rooting for another football team. That’s Kentucky on that field or that court. If you’re really a UK lifer you can’t feel for another team what you feel for the UK uniform. I know it because I live it. If someone can they’re not real BBN. Simple as that.

 

[gamalielkid]

Most people I know in Tennessee are well aware of our fan base. They don’t distinguish between sports. BBN is BBN. Well recognized.

I have one friend who’s a Georgia fan (from Georgia) and he’s the worst. Always saying Kentucky ain’t shit, and nobody cares about basketball. He really takes it pretty far to the point where it just seems like jealousy for some reason. I just say YOU might not care about basketball but millions do and I say the reason you don’t like college basketball is because you’re a Georgia fan. To which he tells me he doesn’t care about basketball but roots for Georgia Tech in CBB. lol.

Not worth arguing.

Heres the best way to show Kentucky fans support of UK. Take the total attendance of UK for the last 40 years, divide that by the number of wins and see how many people show up per win. Do it for any school you want in the SEC - then look were Kentucky stands versus any other school in the conference - that will open your eyes! The number was reduced the significantly Joker's last year when the fans showed Barnhart that they were not going to support a program that UK Athletics was not trying to make competitive by boycotting the last few games that year.

We have many years when attendance was over 300,000 and only 2 wins - an average of 150,000 fans attending for each win! That may seem simple - but it works. Even better number is percentage of capacity attending per win! If you stadium seats 100,000 and 70k show up then that 70%. But if UK has capacity of 60K and 50K show up - than that's an average attendance of 84%. You will find that Kentucky will be in the top 10% plus of all of college football! Nebraska is now number one - as they sell out every game and haven't been winning much for several years.

Go Big Blue!

 

[Fast3ddy]

Three words “an awaken beast”

 

[CatPatrick13]

I would like to read your thoughts on this.

A lot of fans of truly big time programs, try and mock me when I tell them that Kentucky has a large, dedicated fan base.

A friend of mine in Texas, who grew up in Alabama, told me I am the only UK fan he knows.

That did open my eyes to something: while there are tons of Kentuckians spread throughout the nation (and the south), I do think many people who grew up as UK fans are more likely to adopt a new program in their new home, while keeping their basketball loyalties.

I would like to hear your thoughts. While we are not Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State, I think we have a fan base that can easily compete and surpass a school like Virginia Tech - a school that has appeared in a BCS championship game, and is clearly considered “football first”.

I don’t know any UK fans that have adopted other programs. In bball or football. Also when we were going 2-9etc. , we still had a fan base who would show up for games. And travel. I think UK has an awesome fan base.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Most people I know in Tennessee are well aware of our fan base. They don’t distinguish between sports. BBN is BBN. Well recognized.

I have one friend who’s a Georgia fan (from Georgia) and he’s the worst. Always saying Kentucky ain’t shit, and nobody cares about basketball. He really takes it pretty far to the point where it just seems like jealousy for some reason. I just say YOU might not care about basketball but millions do and I say the reason you don’t like college basketball is because you’re a Georgia fan. To which he tells me he doesn’t care about basketball but roots for Georgia Tech in CBB. lol.

Not worth arguing.

A while back I always compared bball and football revenues in the conf. If I remember correctly we always finished 2 or 3 for about all the 10-12 years I checked it.

 

[UKUGA]

Not sure why it’s bizarre to be a football only fan. What if you just don’t get into basketball??

It is not bizarre at all.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Don't really talk about our fanbase but I'd say passionate and loyal.

 

[UKUGA]

I don’t know any UK fans that have adopted other programs. In bball or football. Also when we were going 2-9etc. , we still had a fan base who would show up for games. And travel. I think UK has an awesome fan base.

Curious, where do you live?

I have lived all over the south. I have a very close friend in Texas whose family season tickets go back to the Alumni Gym days. He remains a huge basketball fan.

He has almost no idea what Kentucky is doing in football. He cheers for Texas A&M because his oldest son attended there and they live in Texas.

His son has zero interest in Kentucky football. (Yet, he will get excited about Kentucky basketball). That is what can happen when a Kentuckian raises a kid in Texas and that kid attends a football school.

Almost no way that kid chooses Kentucky over A&M in football.

My friend from Alabama who tells me I am the only Kentucky football fan he knows, knows plenty of Kentuckians. For some reason, I am the only one he knows who claims to be a Kentucky football fan.

 

[Backer cutter]

It is not bizarre at all.

Yep. It’s probably commonplace these day.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Curious, where do you live?

I have lived all over the south. I have a very close friend in Texas whose family season tickets go back to the Alumni Gym days. He remains a huge basketball fan.

He has almost no idea what Kentucky is doing in football. He cheers for Texas A&M because his oldest son attended there and they live in Texas.

His son has zero interest in Kentucky football. (Yet, he will get excited about Kentucky basketball). That is what can happen when a Kentuckian raises a kid in Texas and that kid attends a football school.

Almost no way that kid chooses Kentucky over A&M in football.

My friend from Alabama who tells me I am the only Kentucky football fan he knows, knows plenty of Kentuckians. For some reason, I am the only one he knows who claims to be a Kentucky football fan.

That’s hard to believe today.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Curious, where do you live?

I have lived all over the south. I have a very close friend in Texas whose family season tickets go back to the Alumni Gym days. He remains a huge basketball fan.

He has almost no idea what Kentucky is doing in football. He cheers for Texas A&M because his oldest son attended there and they live in Texas.

His son has zero interest in Kentucky football. (Yet, he will get excited about Kentucky basketball). That is what can happen when a Kentuckian raises a kid in Texas and that kid attends a football school.

Almost no way that kid chooses Kentucky over A&M in football.

My friend from Alabama who tells me I am the only Kentucky football fan he knows, knows plenty of Kentuckians. For some reason, I am the only one he knows who claims to be a Kentucky football fan.

Atlanta here.

 

[UKUGA]

That’s hard to believe today.

No. Not really.

 

[UKUGA]

Atlanta here.

The last game I attended was UGA-UK in 2018. Wound up sitting in the GA section, behind a group of middle-aged ladies.

I was talking to one who told me that she was a Kentuckian, and still lived in Kentucky, but rooted for UGA, “because (her) daughter went to school there.”

People love a winner.

 

[The-Hack]

I

People love a winner.

And as you’ve alluded to, keep winning and they will come!!

 

[BARRYBLUE1]

I predicted that Kentucky was a sleeping giant. Unfortunately, that was when the Alabama coach left to come to Kentucky and took 30 years to get there.

 

[sieken]

Sure.

My point is that the ones who have ditched the program, likely are not returning.

However, if the program sustains success, you will grow the number of 2nd and 3rd generation “Floridians” who support the program, the way Alabama football and Kentucky basketball fans do.

Let’s face it. You don’t quit on a winner.

Front runners…. If the basketball team sucked they would not tell anyone they are a fan of UK at all.