The University of Kentucky. From the moment we step foot on campus for our very first time it's all about the blue. See blue. Be blue. Bleed blue. But it's not until we become full-fledged students that we really start to understand just what all of that means. It's not just a phrase to be thrown around lightly. Bleeding Blue really is a way of life. And once you get an ounce of blue coursing through your veins there is no turning back. It will only increase and intensify with time.

But what exactly does it mean to Bleed Blue? 

Bleeding Blue means being versatile. Take tailgating for instance. It's no secret that we Wildcats LOVE our Caturdays! But Stoop's Troop leaving the Commonwealth for a weekend is no reason to skip a Caturday. Enter Keeneland. Ever heard of Churchill Downs? Well, Keeneland is like Churchill's cooler, fresher, yet sophisticatedly understated younger brother. And it's conveniently located a mere ten minutes from campus. So when the Bowl closes up for the weekend, we grab our finest Lilly prints (Vineyard Vines for all you gentleman), favorite pair of Jack Rodgers (Sperrys for the gents) and if we're feeling extra festive- a hat, trade out the Natty Lites and Raz-Ber-Itas for Mint Juleps and get hella' rowdy at the horse track. When in Kentucky, am I right...?

Bleeding Blue means never being satisfied. After all, I believe we've recently adopted the new moniker "University of Ken-struction." At this point, it's hard to keep up with all the new changes that are happening around campus. New dorms. New dining halls. New classroom buildings. New, new, new. If there is something to be improved on campus, chances are it'll get done in the next five years. I'm not going to lie- the thought of new students not getting to experience the joys of living in Kirwan/Blanding and chowing down at Commons in a few short years is rather upsetting- however, the new accommodations are nothing short of amazing (is it called Woodland Glen or Woodland Inn & Suites, I can't remember?). 

Another area in which we never seem to be satisfied is in the way with which we handle emergencies. I think you all know where I'm going with this one... Because why send one simple text letting students know about a small robbery on campus when you can send 3 emails, 7 texts and 6 phone calls making sure EVERY detail about the situation is documented? Aren't we all so grateful for the countless missed phone calls at 2 a.m. from university officials making sure we are fully aware and taking safe precautions? 

Bleeding Blue means being modest (with one exception of course...). Sure, you're probably not going to find UK on a list of the country's top 10 party schools (maybe not even the top 20), but we don't need some outside source to come and tell us whether we are good at partying or not. We all manage to get down and rowdy on the weekends on our own accord and we don't need to sit here and brag about it (c'mon, that's wasted party time anyways).  

You may also find UK missing from a list of the most beautiful college campuses and/or best college towns in America, but that's okay with me. For you know as well as I do that there is no place quite like Lexington. It's got small-town southern charm and a busy, northern, metropolitan feel; Miles of rolling, white-picket-fenced hills and a suburban atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. And smack dab in the middle of all this is our perfect little campus. Between Willy-T, Grehan and the Main Building it's hard not to fall in love. Even our eye-sores have a lovable charm about them: Chem-Phys, Funkhouser, POT. Just imagine our campus without them (although I presume they won't make it much longer). 

Now, for that one exception... it's kind of hard to exhibit modesty when your school has the best men's college basketball program in the history of, well, ever. 

Bleeding Blue means believing in polygamy. Ok, not really. But kind of. Just think about it- from late October to early April (ok, who am I kidding, all other months in between as well!) every member of the Big Blue Nation enters into an exclusive and committed relationship with the entire men's basketball team (Coach Cal included). And it's serious. There are just too many lovable faces on that team- the Harrison twins, Baby Face Booker, Trey, the KAT, Safari Dakari, the list goes on- to pick just one favorite. They all make us swoon with their good looks, insane skills and Kentucky basketball swagger, while also occasionally making us want to rip our hair out and nearly sending us to the ER (there may soon be a heart attack epidemic among the Big Blue Nation). And don't forget about date nights! The best kind of boy takes his boo on a date to Rupp Arena. 

Bleeding Blue means having a deep, undeniable and to-the-grave hatred for any and all things red: from Alabama Crimson to South Carolina Garnet and everything in between. Heck, even when its not in the SEC, we still don't like it. Indiana Crimson? Absolutely not. Wisconsin Badger Red? Forget about it. But by and large, there is no shade of red more cringe-worthy to a wildcat than that of which hails from Louisville. I'd rather be seen in Tennessee Volunteer Orange than Louisville Cardinal Red. 

And that, my friends, is what it means to bleed blue. 

"Because it's everything Louisville isn't; Better than Florida; A southerner's dream and a northerner's wish; The pride of the Bluegrass; The ultimate college experience; Thoroughbred racing; Georgia's worst nightmare; And a place that can get in your blood and turn it blue."