College football is built on traditions, but few conferences embrace them like the Southeastern Conference.
At Kentucky, the traditions that define home game Saturdays in Lexington stand shoulder to shoulder with those of every other great college football town in the SEC, creating one of the most distinctive atmospheres in the sport.
Those traditions include:
- The Cat Walk, as fans welcome the team to Kroger Field before kickoff.
- The crowd joining together in the rolling C-A-T-S chant that echoes throughout the stadium.
- A young patient from a children’s hospital who has the honor of leading the Wildcats onto the field before the game.
From the first notes of “My Old Kentucky Home” to the sea of blue that fills the stands, Kentucky’s game-day traditions reflect the pride of the Commonwealth, creating an atmosphere that is uniquely UK.
Click here for the full story on each SEC school’s most iconic customs.
Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.