Kentucky Pride

Ask a native Kentuckian what he is most proud of about his state, and you will get several different answers, depending on who you ask. Some might even get defensive about it. Others might honestly tell you that, these days, there is very little to be proud of. But there would be a list that, surprisingly, would be quite remarkable. Some would be predictable. Like almost all states, a native Kentuckian would list as among the states assets, it’s natural, scenic beauty. Of course, this is a given for almost every other state as well. Still, this would be toward the top of the list for Kentuckians, if not at the top.

Others would include Kentucky's remarkable history, from being one of the first two states admitted to the union after the original thirteen, to it’s dominant role in the two wars preceding the Civil War in terms of volunteers, on to it’s obviously important role in that last mentioned war.

Others would talk of it’s reputation as the originator, and main producer, of bourbon whiskey, at it’s standing in the world and history of throrouhbred and harness horse racing. Some might even point with pride, still today, over it’s most controversial contribution, that being one of the largest producers of burley tobacco in the world. And naturally, though this too has been the center of controversy, it’s standing as one of the largest coal producing states, and the fact that this might well become of even greater economic importance in the decades ahead, not only to Kentucky, but to the nation.

Still, if you were to make a list of the things Kentuckians are most proud of, I have no doubt what the one thing is that would stand out as the thing that Kentuckians have by far the most pride in, at least by average. The University of Kentucky Wildcats.

I’ve never quite been able to figure out exactly why this is. It’s certainly understandable why this should be the case with UK alumni, students, and Lexington Kentucky area residents. But take my word for it, this extends nearly statewide. It goes beyond a mere love of sports. If you are a native Kentuckian, you have to support “Big Blue”-it is almost a patriotic and religious duty. It is a matter of state pride,and has been from the earliest days, from the days when Coach Adolph Rupp expanded on what was already a winning tradition, on through Coach Joe B. Hall, on through the days of the Traitor Rick Pitino, who went on to a failed career as a pro basketball coach before returning to Kentucky, and further his memory, and that of UK, by becoming head coach of the hated Louisvile Cardinals-UK’s main Kentucky rival. Now, Coach Tubby Smith carries the mantle, and the awesome responsibility, of carrying on the Big Blue tradition.

Basketball is indeed a passion and a religion here in Kentucky. It used to be quite common for rival high school teams to produce fights between their respective student supporters, one thing that all but turned me against the sport. It was similar in spirit, if not quite the intensity, of fights that break out in Europe between fans of rival soccer teams. Only this is high school students we are talking about here.

And the University of Kentucky represents Kentucky basketball in all it’s glory and full blown tradition. Whereas a scholarship to play on the University of Kentucky football team is nearly the kiss of death to a football career, a scholarship, or even the acceptance onto the second squad of the Wildcats, is tantamount to membership in an elite club. On the University of Kentucky campus, you are not just a basketball player. You are the next closest thing to a god. For just a little while anyway. You have to prove you are worthy of this honor, of course, for the adulation to hold up for long. If you accomplish this task, then it’s settled. You definitely ARE a God.

And when Gods play, nothing else matters. On Sundays, pastors are kindly informed that they should not let their services run over the allotted time when the Wildcats are playing. Especially during tournament time. The SEC tournament is a sacred festival. If you can’t be there, you should damn well be watching if at all possible. After the SEC, of course, comes “March Madness”.

This has been a colder than average March, but it is even colder this year. The beloved cats lost their game in the second round of play, the the top rated University of Conecticutt. They almost pulled off an upset, despite the fact the Big Blue, this year, had their worse season in a long, long time. Still, I found myself rooting for the “home team”, quietly excited at the prospect they might pull off an unexpected victory. This year, it didn’t happen. The Cats didn’t even make it into the Sweet Sixteen.

Kentucky’s glory, therefore, is in the dust, for the next year. Their pride shattered. And that is what it is all about. Kentucky pride. Not so much pride in the Wildcats. Just pride in something bigger than ourselves, that is at the same time, a part of our heritage and tradition. The following typical conversation will serve to illustrate the point.

Jim and Bob were at the Rockcastle River, having just pulled up in thei pick-up, and opened a couple of beers.

Jim: Damn those cats. What about that? I could have swore they were gointo beat those damn Uconn punks. Those refs should be investigated, I’m tellin’ ya.

Bob: Naw, it’s that damn Tubby, they should fire his ass.

Jim: Well, hell, we’ll get ‘em next year, just wait.

Bob: Yeah, guess ya can’t win every year. Shoud’ve at least made the Sweet Sixteen though.

Jim: It’s even too cold to fish, dam, I’ll be glad when it warms up.

Bob: Who the hell cares about fishing at a time like this. Guess you’re right though, it would at least be something to look forward to to take our minds off all this. Damn,this has about ruined my whole month.

Jim: Well, lets get this over with.

(Our heroes climb out of the pick-up and head to the back of the truck, staring morosely at their cargo)

Jim: This was a damn good refrigerator in it’s day, huh? If the new one lasts half as long as this one did I’ll be satisfied. It’s chilled a lot of beers for a lot of Big Blue games.

Bob: Yeah, well nuthin’ lasts forever. Here a good place?

Jim: Naw, see those tires over there? Waters way too shallow here. Let’s drive on down a ways to where the waters deeper.