By Tom Herman

Wow! Just WOW!! I simply love our team and our chances to get to Cardlanta! If it doesn’t happen, it won’t be for lack of effort or spirit on their part. I’ll still love them.

We throughly enjoyed our whole mini trip. We parked over in the N/NE historical part of downtown near where we planned to later eat. On our walk over to Rupp, we saw some beautiful old buildings I had never previously noticed…including Henry Clay’s office building. About halfway there, we popped in a local bar on Mill Street that was packed with Cards fans. Had a nice brief chat with the bartender. Nice drinks and service…even saw Richard Pitino in the crowd. Someone punched up the UofL Fight Song on the high-tech internet-linked juke box. We responded with a spirited cheer.

I really liked the experience there at Rupp. The vendors, ticket-takers and senior ushers were very polite to us. We made it a point to thank them for their service…just as one might to someone in military service. They seemed genuinely appreciative in response.

Three younger Cat fans (upper Twenties) were next to us and behind us. They came to cheer against Louisville. Before we had arrived, our Cards neighbor on the other side of our seats (a near-senior like us) had taken the high road with these folks and established a friendly banter. We picked up right where they left off.

Though they still cheered for Colorado State for most of the first half, it was not anti-Card smack…and we kept up the friendly chat. Admittedly, had the game been close or UofL trailing, things may have gone differently. After we got our big lead in the first half, they pretty much just talked. Bringing up things we had in common helped, including the obvious, i.e., we are all Kentuckians (and not from Colorado), helped set the tone. After the game they asked who we played next. Though still not able to wish us well, they just said “Watch out for them, they’re good.” (Oregon or St. Louis)

We bailed on the second game, already getting our weekend’s worth of basketball fix. On the recommendation of a UK fan at work, we had made dinner reservations over at Jonathan’s at the beautiful Gratz Park Inn. On our walk back that way, we stopped in for another short snort at the same bar. There weren’t many folks in the bar, so we had a great extended conversation with the bartender about Lexington and all things Blue! Someone did the Fight Song thing again…we did the cheer again. Mr. Bartender, wearing his UK hat and shirt, wished us and the Cards well.

We moved on to the Gratz. We were still able to eat a delicious meal and watch the second game on the TV in the clubie-look bar. As we were leaving the restaurant, two local patrons separately stopped us (I was wearing a Cardinals sweater and, of course, we were both wearing the colors.) They asked if we had been to the game and congratulated us, offering hope that UofL could do it all this year. I then offered to alternate years with them, with UK winning it all again next year, etc. ! They were very gracious folks.

Just doing our part to keeping the act classy! Of course, one could legitimately say our efforts were made easier this year, considering the enormous amount of humble pie having been recently consumed there.

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7 thoughts on “A UofL fan’s experience in Lexington”
  1. I too was fortunate enough the games at Rupp Saturday evening and I too sat nearby several UK fans dressed in their blue cheering against the Cardinals (for a while anyway). It didn’t take long for them to quiet down as the Cards took command of the game. There was one Cat fan that hung a UK banner at half time saying somthing about the twins coming next year. It only stayed up for about 10 minutes before it was removed by the staff but it should have never happened.

    Deanna how can Cardinal fans ever be expected to “keep it classy” when your UK brethern can’t be counted on to do the same? When the day comes that UK fans show some class and respect to UofL then they will have earned my respect. Until then you will be lumped into the class of idiots that are the UK fan base when they act so poorly.

  2. Tom, thank you for your nice comments regarding Lexington. Lexington’s historic area N/NE of downtown is a beautiful area. Cats and Card fans can coexist. Congrats on your win.

  3. I took my son Thursday night and attended the second round on Saturday. The staff both nights were very gracious, and I appreciated the fact that the Civic Center shops broke down, and sold some Cardinal attire before the game.

    We had our share of fans in blue scattered around us, and many would “wait until next year, or banners, banners” which I found to be unnecessary. Most of the banter was in good spirit. After two games at Rupp, and then heading back to the Yum Center, I hope UK looks to improve the comfort of their arena when fans spends hundreds of dollars on tickets to sit on seats with no back support.

    All in all, my son loved the doughnut vendors, the NC A &T bands, dancers, and mascot, made our trip extra memorable, accompanied by two impressive Cardinal Victories.

  4. Please take it as just a little humor along the lines of the banter at the game, Deanna. The internet can’t convey tone of voice or accompanying giggles. Perhaps if I had put a “;-)” after my remark, you would have caught my intent.

    Besides, that “UK fan at work” is my boss. Do you really think I’d risk insulting him?
    Hmmmm….., maybe! 😉

    P.S., Deanna – I hope you caught the tip of the hat to your name for the city UK has owned, i.e., Catlanta!

    Thanks for the honor of elevating my comment to an article, Charlie!

  5. I am sorry that there were UK fans there to cheer against UofL. As a UK fan, it’s not what I like to hear. I glad that you enjoyed Lexington & were treated with respect. With that said, why did you feel the need to get in a jab at the end? No need for it & came across as rude. Stating the obvious and kicking someone when they are down does not show good sportsmanship on your part.

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