Why Are the Kentucky Wildcats Blue & White? It All Comes Down to One Man’s Necktie
The University of Kentucky Wildcats are synonymous with two colors: blue and white. Whether it’s the players on the basketball court, the football field, or the fervent fans packing the stands, blue and white are inescapable symbols of the Kentucky Wildcats. The blue and white color scheme has been a central part of the school’s identity for decades, but the question remains: why exactly are these the colors that represent such a storied program?
The answer, interestingly enough, is tied to a simple yet significant event involving a man’s necktie.
This story, full of historical nuances, chance encounters, and the charm of tradition, traces back to the early 1900s, a time when the University of Kentucky was still in the early stages of cultivating its athletic identity and spirit. The decision for blue and white to become the official colors of Kentucky Athletics had very little to do with deliberate strategy or branding. Instead, it was largely influenced by the choice of one man’s fashion accessory, a tie that would go on to be far more important than anyone could have imagined.
The Early Days of Kentucky Athletics and Team Colors
Before we dive into the specific story of the necktie, it’s essential to understand a bit about the University of Kentucky’s early athletic history. Kentucky’s athletics program was officially founded in the late 1800s, with the university fielding its first football team in 1881 and its first basketball team in 1903. Like most collegiate programs in that era, the teams were largely in their infancy, without the type of clear-cut branding and institutional identity that we see in modern times.
In the early days, college teams did not always have the same emphasis on official colors or logos. In fact, the choice of colors was often an afterthought, something that would be worked out later down the road. Instead, school spirit, team names, and colors were shaped organically by students, faculty, and alumni, often influenced by local customs or the preferences of influential individuals.
For Kentucky, blue was already a prominent color associated with the state’s identity, particularly with the Bluegrass region. However, this was more of a geographic association rather than an official or unified team color. As the university’s athletic teams grew, so too did the need for a clearer and more deliberate visual identity.
Enter the Man and the Necktie: A Fortuitous Connection
In 1909, the University of Kentucky was still solidifying its athletic department and deciding on the official identity for its teams. During this pivotal time, a key figure emerged: Professor Thomas P. “Tom” W. Shelton.
Professor Shelton, a prominent faculty member at Kentucky, had a special connection to the Wildcats’ development—especially when it came to the university’s early visual identity. Shelton was not a coach or athletic administrator; instead, he was an influential professor with a deep passion for Kentucky’s sports culture. He was well known for his strong ties to both the university and the surrounding community.
The event that cemented blue and white as Kentucky’s colors came during a critical meeting. In 1909, the university’s Athletic Board of Control was preparing to formalize the Wildcats’ team colors for the first time in its history. They had to choose from a number of color options for their teams, but the decision wasn’t going to be an easy one. The debate was heated, as various factions within the university had different ideas about what the colors should be.
At this pivotal moment, Professor Shelton made a bold and unexpected gesture. He walked into the meeting wearing a blue and white striped necktie—a seemingly insignificant accessory that would change the course of history for the Wildcats. Shelton’s choice of tie caught the attention of the Athletic Board members, and the connection was made. The blue and white tie represented an aesthetic that could bring unity and identity to the athletic programs.
The Symbolism of the Tie
The necktie that Professor Shelton wore was not just a mere fashion statement—it symbolized a deeper connection to Kentucky’s identity. The colors of the tie, blue and white, represented both the school’s connection to the state of Kentucky, as well as the aspirations for its athletic programs. The colors were simple, elegant, and easy to recognize—making them an ideal choice for branding purposes.
As the meeting progressed, the influence of Shelton’s tie became undeniable. The blue color reflected the University of Kentucky’s connection to the Bluegrass State—a region famous for its rich soil and horse racing heritage. The white was chosen as a complementary color, symbolizing purity, excellence, and a fresh start for the Wildcats as they sought to build a competitive athletic program. Together, the colors were bold and unmistakable.
Shelton’s tie was ultimately the catalyst that pushed the Athletic Board to make the decision. Rather than waste time debating over numerous color options, the blue and white combination stood out as the perfect choice. The tie, which was nothing more than a personal fashion item, became an unofficial but powerful symbol of Kentucky’s commitment to excellence in athletics.
The Athletic Board passed the resolution, and from that point forward, blue and white became the official team colors of the University of Kentucky’s athletic programs. What started as a small, spontaneous moment in a meeting had grown into a lasting symbol of the university’s identity—an identity that would go on to shape the spirit of the Wildcats for generations to come.
The Legacy of Blue and White
After the decision to adopt blue and white as Kentucky’s official colors, the Wildcats quickly embraced them across all of their athletic programs. The new colors helped unify the various teams, providing a sense of coherence and identity that had been missing previously.
In the years that followed, Kentucky’s athletics program grew exponentially in stature, especially under the guidance of head coach Adolph Rupp, who led the basketball program to great heights in the mid-1900s. Rupp, who began coaching in 1930, helped establish Kentucky as a basketball powerhouse, and the Wildcats’ blue and white colors became synonymous with championship success.
As Kentucky’s basketball program flourished, blue and white became a recognizable symbol of excellence not only in college basketball but across all sports. The University of Kentucky became a brand built on athletic achievement, school pride, and unwavering loyalty to those iconic colors.
Even in modern times, the blue and white color scheme remains a central part of the university’s identity, adorning everything from the team jerseys to fan apparel, and even the team’s mascot. The influence of that one simple necktie still resonates with every game the Wildcats play and every fan who cheers them on.
Kentucky’s Blue and White: A Symbol of Tradition and Unity
The story of Kentucky’s blue and white colors is a reminder of how seemingly small, random moments in history can leave a lasting impact on a culture or institution. Professor Shelton’s necktie, which was merely a personal accessory, ultimately became the centerpiece of the university’s entire athletic identity.
Today, when people see the familiar shades of blue and white, they are not just seeing colors on a jersey or flag—they are seeing a legacy of success, pride, and tradition. These colors have become inseparable from the Wildcats’ competitive spirit, representing generations of student-athletes, coaches, and fans who have donned the blue and white with pride.
Moreover, the legacy of blue and white speaks to the strength of community and tradition within the university. Every time a new class of students arrives at the University of Kentucky, they are welcomed into this long-standing tradition of excellence, symbolized by those two powerful colors. And for fans, alumni, and players alike, blue and white serve as a constant reminder of what it means to be part of the Kentucky Wildcats family—a community united by shared values, hard work, and a commitment to victory.