By Whitney Spencer

When students make their decisions about where to attend school, most of them know the basic principles of the school’s sports teams. They know the school colors, know their school’s biggest rival and most own a school shirt. But what happens when a student attends one school but supports another?
“My family joked about me being a traitor for going here,” said Nate Cole, a sophomore biology major and UK fan. 
Jasmin Kiggins, a sophomore political science major at UK and avid U of L fan, claims she was also teased by her family for going to the opposite school.
“They are the biggest UL fans I know, but when my dad finally realized that UK was paying my way to school he backed off. As for my aunt, however, she is still a little bitter.”
In a basketball state as divided as Kentucky, you know where your allegiances stand. Yet there are many University of Kentucky fans who wear their team pride all over the University of Louisville campus. On the other side, University of Louisville fans brave the Lexington campus to stay true to their red and black.
The competition between Kentucky and Louisville is one of the fiercest and most anticipated rivalries in college sports. Adding to this struggle is the fact that it is between two schools within an hour drive of one another. The universities epitomize contrast; the rivalry is astonishing in its many differences. For example, Kentucky projects itself as the most successful program in college basketball, but it was Louisville who was perhaps the most successful program in the 1980’s. Louisville often considers its program to have a fast-paced, modern and entertaining style of play, but Kentucky used this style to dominate the 1990’s and played an important role in the development of the fast-break decade. No matter how different the two universities may be, students know exactly who they support.
“It is weird when UL and UK play,” said Tonya Branch, a sophomore education major. “All of my life I have been a UL fan and now I go to UK. I feel bad for not having more school spirit.”
Some wonder why one would support a school with such fervor, but not attend it. For most students, it comes down to the amount of scholarship money they will receive from the schools. Overall, it seems these students are happy with their decisions, but there is always room to boast your team.
Sophomore computer information systems major at U of L, Brandon Collins, thinks that the UK athletic department cares more about the student fans than the U of L athletic department does.
“They [UK] sell students single tickets to any game, including the U of L game, and make sure every student that wants one gets one,” Collins said.  “On top of that, all of UK student tickets are only five dollars. U of L just doesn’t care who gets tickets as long as they can make bank.”
There has always been a certain degree of bad blood between the two programs. Most recently, there were feelings of betrayal among Kentucky fans when their former coach, Rick Pitino, signed on to lead the Cardinals in 2001. Despite the memorable confrontations and passionate emotions, most of the on-court battles have shown good sportsmanship. It is often the activity off the court that defines this rivalry. Fans seem always to take the game to another level.
“I love the rivalry,” said Collins. “I like it more when UK is winning. The fans here get absolutely brutal when they are losing.”
The future for these two programs is something that fans everywhere like to discuss. However, you will receive differing interpretations of the future from each fan you meet. While U of L fans are still buzzing about a successful season of basketball, UK fans can only hope for a better day.
“I think UL’s basketball team is on their way to a championship title in the next couple of years,” said Kiggins. “Pitino is a great coach and is doing very well with the team. As for the football team, they will get it together eventually. Every team has to start over after winning a bowl championship and coming off a great season. UL football is slowly but surely making a comeback.”
“As for the future of UK sports, football will continue to be mediocre, unable to compete with as high of a level as the rest of the SEC,” said Cole.”Basketball should be interesting.  It will definitely be back on the national stage a little more in the next couple years.”
The national attention that this local rivalry receives is proof of the outstanding coaches and players both schools have seen pass through their hallowed halls. The high level of success and accomplishment is a great source of pride within the entire state. When all is said and done, there will always be a rivalry here between the red and blue.
“I wear U of L stuff because it doesn’t matter to me what other people think of me,” said Branch. “I am and always will be proud of UL.”
“The future of UK is always bright,” said Collins “The way I see it is by the old saying ‘the night is always darkest just before the dawn’. UK is about to unleash a force to be reckoned with.”