Just a few blocks from my house, a temporary city formed last week. Fans of the University of Kentucky basketball team pitched 760 tents encircling the campus’ Memorial Coliseum for their chance to secure tickets to the players first official public introduction. Populated by students, families, young, old, and citizens from all over the Commonwealth; the mass camp out is certainly a sight to behold. Kentuckians, without any pro sports teams to speak of, pledge their allegiance to college basketball. And they honor that pledge in wacky, intense, heart-warming ways. Ever fascinated by this diverse set of super fans known as the Big Blue Nation, I made my way down Euclid Ave. to scope how those camping were spending their time (corn-hole, shootin’ the shit in camp chairs and enjoying massive pizza deliveries from players), what the tent real estate market was like and who would be mingling with fans (Marcus Lee, the Harrison twins). I snapped some pics because I love displays of commitment and I thought you might like to see…

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What’s your favorite sports team? Would you ever do something extreme, like camp out for a week, in order to attend one of their events? I’ll hand it to this crowd, the energy in the air was electric! Definitely worth spending an evening exploring.