Football in Kentucky

In a manner similar to all other parts of US, football fever (American rules) also rides high in Kentucky.  The University of Kentucky has played a key role in supporting the local Kentucky Football scene. It was instrumental in making Kentucky Thunder cats the success they are today.  Tracing its roots to as back as 1887, the club has royal blue and white as its official colors. It has a legendary tale involving a tie how the colors royal blue and white were adopted as the official colors for the team. And the history does not die down over here, after a historic game against Illinois in October, 1909 Commandant Philip Corbusier; a head of department at Old State University commended the team pronouncing their performance as “fighting like wild cats”.Because of the monumental success, the name wildcats clung with the media and supporters alike and late it was officially adopted as part of the name by Kentucky Football. Kentucky Wildcats fans are referred to as the ‘Big Blue Nation’.  Their first season as a professional team was 1881. Kentucky wildcats are part of Football bowl Subdivision (FBS) under the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Kentucky Wildcats home ground is the Commonwealth Stadium, Kentucky with a seating capacity of 67,606 with the surface being Bermuda grass. Kentucky Football saw its peak under Coach Paul Byrant winning the National Championship in 1950, the only national championship title till date; beating Oklahoma by 13-7 compiling a season record of 10-1, but this is subject to controversy as at that time US football scene had deep divisions and Kentucky Wildcats were one of the four national champions. Paul Byrant also led them to the South eastern Conference Championship title in 1950 making it their shining moment of glory till date. Kentucky Football had more glory in store as in 1976 it claimed its second South eastern Conference Championship title with a season win-loss record on 9-3. Thundercats continued well on course and compiled a season end record of 10-1 claiming the title, but due to illegal recruitments Kentucky Thunder cats were stripped of the title retaining their conference title count at 2. Thundercats also has a couple of hall of famers to its name. George Blanda, Quarterback Placekicker is the only pro hall of famer from Kentucky Thundercats till date. Others include: several collegiate hall of famers including the legendary, Paul Byrant.