"Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
I'll be watching the Final Four from New Hampshire tomorrow night. This time of year is complicated and emotional for me. My middle daughter was born on Final Four Saturday in 2006. My father died just weeks after being thrilled by Butler's run in 2010. It was the last great joyful experience he had; a last-ditch drug to battle his cancer, a kind of steroid, gave him the energy to watch both games and talk enthusiastically about them for days.
Tomorrow's contest brings back another memory for me, my first ever visit to the state of Kentucky. I figured it would look something like North Carolina or Virginia, Southern states I'd spent considerable time in. But it was starkly different. I arrived at dusk, and the rolling ride over local roads wound past blue fields lined by white picket fences and across wooden bridges over burbling brooks. While there, I saw a nighttime horse race under lights. I saw Rick Pitino coach a game at the University of Kentucky. I saw The Age of Innocence in a Louisville theater and went for ice cream afterward. I visited this historic Shaker village -- what native Staten Islander knows of Shakers? -- in Harrodsburg and went to Dairy Queen for the first and only time in my life. I left with a determination to live forever in the state after graduating college. That was 1993. I've never been back.
I hope to grasp a tiny bit of the wonder again when I watch Louisville-Kentucky tomorrow night. Here's an excerpt from a column by the Newark Star-Ledger's consistently excellent Steve Politi about the contest:
The proximity of the two universities, the passion for the sport, the shared excellence that has produced a combined 24 Final Four appearances, the once-close rival coaches who now hate each other’s guts — you could write a book explaining why this game is so big for basketball fans in Kentucky.
Or you can save time and just read this headline: “Fist fight breaks out at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans.”
Or this Craigslist post looking for tickets: “I am a UK fan wanting to go to the Final Four. I have put up my wife as collateral. She can make you speak five languages you never knew you could speak.”
... It’ll matter to [John] Calipari’s legacy if he loses this game, with a heavily favored team, to Louisville and Pitino, the former Wildcats coach. As satisfying as a victory will be for the winner, a loss would be 10 times as devastating for the loser. That’s just how it is for a rivalry like this.
“Basketball is like a religion here,” [freshman walk-on Brian] Long said. “You really have to be a part of it to understand.”
I wonder something, for those in the know: Is this bigger than Duke/North Carolina? Why or why not? I spent many wonderful years in North Carolina, and I love the state deeply. But I had a whirlwind affair with Kentucky that I've never forgotten, and it seems to burn bright in my heart, still. What say you folks with clearer heads?
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Comments:
Jul '11
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
I am rooting for Louisville here. Not just because they're the underdog but because their first black basketball player is a good friend of mine and he is perhaps the nicest and classiest dude I know. Without a real dog in the fight I'm pulling for my buddy.
Jun '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
We lived in Louisville for 8 years. During that time, Joe B. Hall retired from Kentucky. Eddie Sutton began drinking through his tenure. Denny Crum coached his first team to the national championship. Kentucky fans are manic. Losing to Louisville with Pitino, the ultimate traitor in their eyes, would be life changing.
We live in South Carolina now but one would think during basketball season that the state has been absorbed into North Carolina. The biggest difference between this rivalry and Duke/UNC is the NC schools have great reputations in other areas — research, medicine, general arrogance (oops, sorry that slipped right on in). With UK/UofL, basketball is pretty much it.
Full disclosure, the only folks that approach the rabidness of Bama fans may be KY basketball fans. I am sure that colors my perspective. I am watching and pulling for Louisville.
Edited on March 31, 2012 at 3:01amOct '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Speaking of Final Four weekends, I'm sure we all remember that President Reagan was shot 31 years ago today, and because of that the NCAA hoops championship game (slated for that night) was postponed.
Nov '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
As a lifelong Kentuckian with a degree from UK, I agree with Brian Long that "you really have to be a part of it to understand." This was the final full week of session for the state legislature and, though an agreement was somehow reached on a state budget, no one could talk about anything other than the Final Four. When I walked in to the Capitol on Monday morning, the first person I met said, "Good morning, Jason. Who are you rooting for?" Walking through the halls, you would hear people in heated (but usually friendly) arguments about the merits of the two schools and/or teams. The legislators rushed to finish their work so everyone could catch planes to New Orleans. I can't compare it to Duke/North Carolina, because I don't have the personal experience with that legacy. But, every Kentuckian is taught in Kindergarten that Duke is evil and overrated, so I'm a bit biased. As the saying goes, "Kentuckians love three things: God, Family, and College Basketball. Not necessarily in that order."
Ursula, I love your description of your first visit to the Bluegrass. It is certainly a great place to live.
May '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Wildcat Battalion.
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Thanks so much for your comment, Jason. And I love *your* description of the Capitol atmosphere. Curious, would you say the politicians/workers of the state are split evenly? Or are favored to one side? And could you summarize the "merits" of each school? Outside of basketball. What's the reputation of these universities in Kentucky?
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Love. This. Especially the "Loserville" comment ... Thanks, Cal.
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
As good a reason as any. Perhaps better. I should look up his story. Thanks for the comment, Doc.
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Interesting point. Hadn't thought of that.
Nov '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Ursula Hennessey
Thanks so much for your comment, Jason. And I love *your* description of the Capitol atmosphere. Curious, would you say the politicians/workers of the state are split evenly? Or are favored to one side? And could you summarize the "merits" of each school? Outside of basketball. What's the reputation of these universities in Kentucky? · 10 hours ago
The majority are definitely pulling for UK, but U of L has a very vocal and passionate minority. As for the merits beyond basketball, I think most Kentuckians are very proud of both schools. They are both research institutions with national recognition in at least some areas. U of L has a top-notch engineering program (the Speed School) and medical school, as well as the McConnell Scholars program in public policy. UK has a law school (which I attended) that is one of the oldest in the nation and has a very good (though not exactly elite) national reputation. UK also has a number of nationally ranked graduate programs, including one in international relations. When it comes to undergraduate programs, they are like 90% of public universities in the nation, with all the good and bad that entails.
Nov '10
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
Weep no more, my lady.
May '11
Re: "Fist fight at dialysis clinic between Kentucky, Louisville fans"
First, congrats to the Cats. It was a well fought game, but I don't think anyone has the horses this year that UK has.
As a UL grad, I root for the Cards when they play the Cats, but root for both teams against everyone else.
That attitude is a minority, especially among UK fans. I worked in Lexington for 8 years, (with a corner office overlooking Rupp arena.) All colleges have some crazy fans, but no college has the number of insane fans that UK has. Saying basketball is a religion is understating it by a wide margin.
As for comparisons, I don't thin there is any comparison between UK.UL and Duke/NC. BTW, everyone in KY hates Duke and NC basketball.
Edited on April 1, 2012 at 3:48am