College Sports Established
1896
Location
Lexington, Kentucky
College Name
University of Kentucky
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1921 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
1907 - 1921 / Athletic Association of the United States
Conference History
1932 – Present / SEC Conference
1921 – 2032 / Southern Conference
1896 - 1904, 1911 – 1916, 1919 - 1921 / Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Nickname
Wildcats - The Kentucky Wildcats have been a powerhouse in college sports for decades, and their nickname has become an iconic part of the school's identity. But where did this name come from? Here we explore the origins of the Kentucky Wildcats nickname and how it became closely associated with one of the NCAA’s premier programs.
It all began in 1909 when then-head coach Edwin Sweetland wanted to give his team a unique moniker to set them apart from other schools. He chose “Wildcats” to reference their tenacious play on the field, which often resembled wild cats hunting down prey! The name stuck, and soon enough, fans were referring to the University of Kentucky teams as “the Wildcats” or simply “UK."
Over time, the UK adopted several mascots, including Wildcat Bill (a cartoon character) and Scratch (an absolute bobcat). However, none resonated quite like Wildcat Bill, who eventually retired due to copyright issues. In 1976 they officially adopted "Wildcats" as their official mascot after being used by fans for nearly 70 years!
Today, whenever you hear someone talking about UK athletics or cheering on The Cats during March Madness, you know precisely what they're referring to - The Mighty Kentucky Wildcats! It's no surprise that this legendary program is still going strong today thanks in part to its powerful namesake, which has stood tall throughout history.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 8
2012, 1998, 1996, 1978, 1958, 1951, 1949, 1948
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1921
- 1949
- 1950
- 1958
- 2012
- 2020
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Kentucky wins the first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball championship
In 1921 Kentucky wins the first Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball championship -
The Kentucky Wildcats baseball team wins its first SEC championship
In 1949, the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team achieved a significant milestone by winning its first Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship. Here are some details about their accomplishment: The Wildcats had a strong season under the guidance of head coach Harry Lancaster. They displayed excellent team performance and determination throughout the year. The team showcased its talent and skills in SEC competition, ... -
Kentucky Wildcats football team named national champions
In 1950: The Kentucky Wildcats football team finishes the season with a record of 11-1 and is named national champions by the Sagarin Ratings. -
Rupp’s Fourth Championship 1958
Early into the season, it was obvious that the “Fiddlin’ Five” were not like Rupp’s teams earlier in the decade. They played around and made mistakes, which Rupp described as fiddling. In fact, the Fiddlin’ Five still has the most losses out of any Kentucky’s championships, with six, three of those were in four games. Unlike the Fab Five or ... -
The Road to an Eighth Championship 2012
In the 2011–12 season, Calipari led Kentucky to be 16–0 in SEC regular-season play, clinching its 45th SEC regular-season championship. The last team to do so in the SEC was the 2002–03 Kentucky Wildcats, and before that, the 1995–96 Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky’s regular-season record was 30–1, with its only loss being by one point coming from a 3-pointer buzzer-beater by ... -
offensive line coach John Schlarman Tribute
In 2020 Kentucky honors late offensive line coach John Schlarman by starting the game with 10 players against Vanderbilt and defeats NC State in the Gator Bowl
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are one of the most iconic college sports teams in history and have a long and storied tradition that dates back to 1903. The Wildcats have won eight NCAA championships in men's basketball, more than any other team in college basketball history. They also boast an impressive list of alumni who became NBA stars, including Anthony Davis, John Wall, Jamal Mashburn, and many others.
In addition to its success on the court, Kentucky has also had great success off it as well with numerous national titles across multiple sports such as football (1950), baseball (1956), and track & field (1985). They were one of only two schools—the other being UCLA—to win at least three national titles during this period.
Kentucky is known for its passionate fan base, which makes attending games at Rupp Arena an unforgettable experience for both home fans and visiting opponents alike; this support has helped propel them into becoming a perennial powerhouse year after year no matter what sport they’re playing or competing in. This passion extends beyond just athletics; plenty of student-run organizations are dedicated to helping their community through various philanthropic efforts like raising money for local charities or volunteer work throughout Lexington itself, making them champions on the court and off it too!
Overall there’s no denying that when you think about collegiate athletics, you can’t help but think about the University of Kentucky Wildcats: all their successes over time, both athletically and socially speaking, indeed show why they're considered one of America's most outstanding universities!
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