The 1983 match-up between Louisville and UK was ranked as one of the top 75 moments of the NCAA tournament by ESPN but for folks of the state of Kentucky it was a defining moment that would ignite a feud that would become one of the greatest rivalries in all of college sports. Today is the 30th anniversary of that moment in 1983 and the rivalry that started that day is as passionate as it ever was.

When you grow up in the state of Kentucky and get old enough to start watching sports it becomes time to make a decision. Are you going to cheer for the Blue or the Red. Sometimes family can influence this decision but in some cases it just becomes a matter of choice. I started watching and becoming interested in basketball when I was 13 years old. By this time Louisville had become one of the dominate teams of the 80’s and had established itself as a national power house. I grew up in the rural town of Owenton, Kentucky and lucky for me the owner of the local drug store was a Louisville Alumni and sold Louisville merchandise. Maybe this access to the merchandise or the fact that Louisville was doing so well influenced my decision. But in 1985 I became a Louisville Cardinal fan.

I can’t say that for the last 27 years I have enjoyed all the constant back and forth between me and my friends that cheer for UK. But rivalries are what define sports. Every competition needs a great rivalry and on this day 30 years ago one was born in the state of Kentucky that will live on for many generations to come.

Happy anniversary to the game that sparked one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. “The Battle of The Bluegrass”