Athletics University_of_Kentucky

the kentucky cheerleaders @ rupp arena performing traditional big k cheer during basketball game. seating capacity of rupp arena 23,500.

university of kentucky student-athletes compete wildcats under colors kentucky blue , white.

beginning in 1890s, students @ a&m scheduled football games neighboring colleges. in 1902, women s basketball program began on campus, , men s team added 1 year later. wildcats became associated university shortly after football victory on illinois on october 9, 1909. then-chief of military department, commandant carbuiser, stated team had fought wildcats. slogan later adopted university, , costumed mascot debuted in 1976.

in 1930, then-high school coach adolph rupp hired basketball coach university. had career span 42 years until 1972. during tenure, led men s basketball team 4 ncaa championships in 1948, 1949, 1951 , 1958. wildcats later won fifth championship under joe b. hall in 1978, in 1996 under rick pitino , next under orlando tubby smith in 1998. in 2007, university of kentucky named billy gillispie head coach of men s basketball team , on march 30, 2009, university named john calipari head coach of wildcats. calipari coached team eighth national title in 2012.

on december 21, 2009, men s basketball team reached milestone, becoming first college basketball team reach 2000 all-time wins. 2000th win 88–44 victory on drexel dragons. kentucky first school reach 1000 all-time wins, accomplished in 1969.

the university boasts of numerous national championships, latest coming in 2012 when men s basketball team won eighth national title. uk boasts of cross country national team championship (women s, 1988), 8 individual championships in gymnastics, olympic medalist in track , field, , 21 national championships in cheerleading. after defeating number-one ranked oklahoma 13–7 in sugar bowl under legendary coach bear bryant, kentucky ncaa-recognized co-national champion 1950 season.

pregame of 2005 kentucky vs. auburn game.

the university of kentucky dance team ranked 5th in nation in hip hop , 7th in pom @ universal dance association.

other athletic programs sponsored @ varsity level include baseball, men s , women s basketball, men s , women s cross country running, football, men s , women s golf, women s gymnastics, coeducational sport of rifle, men s , women s soccer, women s softball, men s , women s swimming , diving, men s , women s tennis, men s , women s track , field , women s volleyball. school has popular club-level men s ice hockey team , rugby program competes @ division 1 level.

the university of kentucky football coach mark stoops, named successor joker phillips, first african american football coach in kentucky s history.

notable among number of songs commonly played , sung @ various events such commencement, convocation , athletic games university of kentucky fight song: on, on, u of k. additionally, song kentucky fight played before games.