LEXINGTON, Ky. (WAVE) – If there is anyone who knows the potential of Mark Pope courtside, it is the loyal University of Kentucky fanbase that saw him bring home the National Championship win in 1996. They are ready to see what new leadership can do for their team.

Thousands packed the sidewalk outside Rupp Arena, excited to get a new era for UK Basketball underway Sunday afternoon. Arena staff members told WAVE they were expecting about 6,000 people to show up for Mark Pope’s introductory press conference. Instead, they were struck by a sea of blue and white that filled up the 24,000 seat arena.

“[This is] the greatest tradition in college basketball,” said one UK fan.

For some families, like Steven and Sheri Smith, that tradition is 35 years and counting.

“It’s our 35th anniversary today and we’re here at Rupp Arena to welcome Mark Pope in. So we are blue through and through,” explained Stephen, adding that his wife chose the press conference over a celebratory dinner.

The Smiths were in the crowd with their kids in 1996 when Pope and the UK team brought back the National Championship trophy. They are hopeful they’ll see history repeat under Pope’s leadership.

“He’s been here. He carried the championship trophy into this arena when they won, and now he gets a chance to be apart of this and lead it,” said Stephen. “We’re excited for him, and we’re excited for us, too.”

For some fans, the tradition goes back even further, like for Vivian Salley, who has been a fan for 65 years. She has seen the team through decades of ups and downs, but she is ready for a change.

“I kind of mourn every March when we lose in the first round. I felt like I was in mourning,” said Salley. “So, I don’t want to feel that way anymore.”

All it took was one hour in front of Big Blue Nation for the 1996 national champion, now Coach Pope, to convince Cats fans he is ready to carry that trophy back onto the court once again.

“I’m really jacked right now because I know Coach Pope knows this program, knows the importance of it,” said Jared Detty. “I mean I really believe that he’s going to get this program back on track.”

“I was honestly overwhelmed with how many people were there,” said another UK fan. “We were close to the floor and just looking up, like I’ve never had chills like that. And I’ve been to plenty of games through the Cal-era and just never felt that kind of chills in my body.”

“You know, to have a coach coming back to his alma mater, I think that Mark Pope just gets it,” said one fan. “It seems like he understands what Kentucky basketball is all about. He didn’t shy away or try and manage expectations. Like he said, he’s here to win championships, and that’s what we’re about. That’s what Kentucky’s looking for.”

The real test for Pope starts in the transfer portal and building a team that can win championships again. But for Cats fans to be able to see just how that team comes together, and whether the change in coaching produces success, they will have to wait until next season.

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