Where did Kentucky Wildcats get their name?
The University of Kentucky Wildcats are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Kentucky. The name "Wildcats" was officially adopted in 1909, after a 6-2 football victory over Illinois on Oct. 9, 1909, on the road. Commandant Philip W. Corbusier, then head of the military department at old State University, told a group of students in a chapel service following the game that the Kentucky football team had "fought like Wildcats." Later the name Wildcats became more and more popular among UK followers as well as with members of the media. As a result, the nickname was adopted by the university.
The university adopted blue and white as its official colors in 1892. Originally, however, UK students had decided on blue and light yellow prior to the Kentucky-Centre College football game on December 19, 1887.
The Kentucky Wildcats are a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Wildcats have won eight national championships in men's basketball, eight national championships in women's basketball, and one national championship in baseball.
