Tuesday at Rupp Arena was supposed to be all about Kentucky basketball after a 10 day layoff. The Cats dominated Brown with a blowout win, but a moment in the stands stole the show—and the internet’s attention.

Darren Moscoe, better known as the “Boogie Man,” is a Rupp Arena legend. Known for his energetic dancing, he’s a fan favorite during UK games when Mony Mony comes on.

A Dance Dare Gone Wrong

Nearly 8 years ago though, Dancing Guy went viral for a whole different reason. For 10-year-old Aubrey Derrickson, it was a Tuesday night she wont forget. The game against Georgia marked her first-ever trip to Rupp Arena.

At halftime, Aubrey’s section buzzed with excitement as the Boogie Man entered the spotlight. Encouraged by friends and family, Aubrey couldn’t resist the dare to join him in a dance-off.

“They said, ‘I dare you to get up there and go dance with him,’” Aubrey recalled. “So that’s what I did.”

The two danced together, with Moscoe eventually picking Aubrey up for what he likely envisioned as a triumphant moment. Instead, it became a viral one. Losing his balance, Moscoe fell with Aubrey in his arms, both tumbling onto the concrete steps.

A Scary but Happy Ending

The fall, captured on multiple phones, was shared widely, with ESPN’s “SportsCenter” even featuring the clip. But what could have been a disaster turned into a story of resilience. Neither Moscoe nor Aubrey was injured, though Moscoe admitted the mishap left him winded.

“I think it hurt him more than it hurt me,” Aubrey said with a smile. “When he came down, he was breathing really hard.”

The Boogie Man’s Apology

In the aftermath, Moscoe posted a heartfelt apology video that tugged at Aubrey’s heartstrings.

“I saw the video, and it was so sad, it really almost made me cry,” she said. Despite the incident, Aubrey has nothing but admiration for the dancing superfan. “I want him to keep dancing. I don’t want him to stop.” Kentucky and Rupp Arena officials had a different opinion.

UK’s Response: Safety First

The incident prompted a response from UK Athletics. In a statement, the university emphasized the importance of fan safety, asking everyone to keep stairways and exits clear during games. While the Boogie Man is free to keep dancing, the university kindly requested that he stays in designated areas to prevent any future spills.

Back in Action

Now almost a decade later, Moscoe was back at it, shimmying in the upper deck during Kentucky’s win over Brown. True to form, he gave it all he had even though he was standing just in front of his seat.

For fans at Rupp Arena, Moscoe’s antics are as much a part of the experience as the game itself. As for Aubrey, her first trip to watch the Cats play will undoubtedly be a story she tells for years to come—a moment of Kentucky basketball history that combined hoops, heart, and a bit of hilarity.