Kentucky Wildcats History

Wildcats Nickname

The official nickname for the University of Kentucky's athletics teams is "Wildcats." The nickname became synonymous with UK shortly after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road.

Commandant Carbusier, then head of the military department at old State University, told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Kentucky football team had "fought like Wildcats."

Later the name Wildcats became more and more popular among UK followers as well as with members of the media. As a result, the nickname was adopted by the University.

Blue and White

The University of Kentucky adopted blue and white as its official colors in 1892. Originally, however, UK students had decided on blue and light yellow prior to the Kentucky-Centre College football game on December 19, 1891.

The shade of blue, which is close to a royal blue, was chosen when a student asked the question, "What color blue?" At the time, Richard C. Stoll (who lettered in football at UK in 1889-94) pulled off his necktie and held it up. The students then adopted that particular shade of blue.

A year later, UK students officially dropped the light yellow color for white.

Rupp Arena

Adolph Rupp is synonymous with winning. As coach of Kentucky, he was a pioneer in the Wildcats’ fast-break offense while becoming the winningest coach the game had ever seen.

The site that now serves as a tribute to his outstanding coaching accomplishments – Rupp Arena – has become one of the most recognizable gymnasiums in the world while serving as home to college basketball’s most storied program.

The facility continues to undergo renovations. Now in its 28th season as the Kentucky Wildcats’ home court, the lower arena seats have been changed to blue from their previous rainbow colors. In addition, new end-zone seating moves the student section closer to the floor in an intimidating, standing-room only arrangement. While the endowment seats along courtside continue to entice fans to financially support their Wildcats, a large portion of the media have been moved to a “press box” location between the lower and upper seating areas. And finally, nearly 40 seats have been added to each corner, the first additions in seating in nearly two decades.

The improvements follow changes the past three years that included four new video boards, a new playing floor with a striking new design and enhancements to the concourses as well. It’s all part of a $15 million upgrade to what many consider the mecca of college basketball.

Since the fall of 1976, the arena in downtown Lexington has served as home to three national championship teams at Kentucky. Three others have advanced to the Final Four. Eight seasons have witnessed the Cats go unbeaten at home.

It has played host to 392 UK games, countless KHSAA Sweet 16s, a number of NBA exhibitions, 10 NCAA Tournaments, three SEC Tournaments and two Ohio Valley Conference Tournaments. With so many unforgettable moments, the old floor still maintained a value to hoop fans across the Bluegrass and beyond. Therefore, officials made pieces of the relic available for public sale, with proceeds going to the UK Basketball Museum, the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and to help offset the costs of the new playing floor. Thanks to an auction of additional sections, like coaching boxes and lettered end zones, the old floor generated more than $250,000.

The new portable basketball court, adorned with the official interlocking UK logo at midcourt, was designed by both UK officials and the Lexington Center Corporation. Robbins, Inc., in Cincinnati constructed it in 2001 at a cost of $125,000. When assembled, it lies 118 feet below the ceiling and is made of a high-grade northern maple. The floor can be removed and an ice rink can be constructed for ice shows or hockey games thanks to a $2.5 million renovation during the summer of ’96.

But the playing surface is just one aspect of the impressive home of the Cats. Situated in downtown Lexington, Rupp Arena has played host to several premier basketball events. In March of 1985, all roads led to Lexington for the NCAA Final Four as Villanova shocked Georgetown in a memorable finale.

In 1986, Rupp played host to both the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the NCAA Women’s Final Four. On numerous other occasions, the arena has served as one stop en route to the NCAA title game.

An awesome structure in sight and scope, the arena is divided into two seating areas. The lower level features 10,000 cushioned theater seats. The upper level has 13,000 seats on epoxy-coated metal bleachers. The latter can be visually isolated to provide more natural setting for small shows.

Built by the city of Lexington, the arena is the major portion of the $53 million Lexington Center complex, which includes an expanded convention-exhibition hall, a 50-store tri-level enclosed shopping mall and a Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The arena is equipped with a specially designed sound system nicknamed “Big Bertha,” and features high-level lighting for events and television coverage.

The Wildcats command an exclusive locker room 365 days a year, while other amenities include six team-size dressing rooms and eight smaller units.

In January 2001, the arena unveiled four new video boards, each 12’6” by 20’ in size and mounted in each corner. It allowed the Wildcats to utilize a new “lights out” introduction, featuring a video presentation and indoor fireworks.

In 2002, the Athletics Association began selling endowment seats courtside. The 28 front-row seats will endow all 13 men’s basketball scholarships.