As former University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie could soon become Kentucky’s 6 million dollar man, I’ve found a way that all of us beloved Kentucky fans can help absorb this huge potential payout to Gillispie. After all, I think the majority will agree, we are thrilled to have a brand new coach working the sidelines at Rupp. So my advice would be to encourage all of us fans to go out and stock up on brand new officially licensed Kentucky branded shirts, stadium blankets, 
cups bearing our favorite Wildcat and anything else you can find that sports the official Kentucky brand.
But before you buy, look for the Collegiate Licensing Company’s logo on any Kentucky items you buy. That way, you know it’s an official item and will help benefit our athletic department. A few years ago, I met Pat Battle, President and Chief Operating Officer for the Collegiate Licensing Company. Battle started the CLC back in 1983 to create a way for Universities to generate revenue as a result of other organizations and businesses requesting the use of a University’s name and logo. Today CLC represents hundreds of colleges, universities, bowls as well as the NCAA. So when you buy an officially licensed Kentucky item, look for the CLC logo and you’ll know you are supporting the University of Kentucky! 
And while you’re out there shirt shopping, you just might find a shirt that will stay with you for a lifetime. Here is a picture of my all-time favorite Kentucky shirt! This is a shirt that I will never part with! I remember buying this shirt when Rex Chapman played for the Cats (1986-88). And I remember wearing this shirt as a little kid and former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins, said to me “honey, I love your shirt!” That sure was a BIG BIG deal to a little Wildcat fan! When I pulled this shirt out of my closet today, I couldn’t believe how tiny it is! My Nike tennis shoe is bigger than this shirt! Nevertheless, this is one shirt that I will treasure of the rest of my life. 
You think I am the only Kentucky fan who really does treasure UK items? There are many fans out there just like me. We are part of the Kentucky team, no matter how you slice it. When the team is up, we are up. When the team loses and they are down, we are down! We love our team!
So who is the biggest Kentucky Wildcats fan? Is it you or someone you know? I don’t know about you, but I think one Lexington fan has some mega love for Kentucky! Check out this super collection of Kentucky Wildcat memorabilia, which I spotted today as I was out house hunting with my clients. I truly feel like I’ve found a Kentucky’s fans treasure chest of cool stuff. This truly has to set the record for the largest collection of UK items in anyone’s front yard around. Can you top this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=270pwhhPkw4
You can start on breaking that unbelievable record by getting your new Kentucky team gear today. It’s going to be a super basketball year with John Calipari running the show. I remember as a kid, right after Kentucky was selected for the NCAA tourney, my family and I would rush out to Lexington’s Kennedy Bookstore and stock up on the latest and greatest Kentucky gear. We always traveled with the team during the tournament and it was very important for me as a kid to be decked out in the latest Kentucky shirt. I took so much pride back in those days. I never really lost my Kentucky pride during the Gillispie days, as I will always be a Kentucky Wildcat for life, but as I or any Kentucky fan will tell you, it wasn’t easy watching the games.
As I wrap up this blog I just looked down and noticed the Kentucky shirt I’m wearing at the moment. It’s a simple shirt with Kentucky across the front. The simple looking shirts have always been a favorite of mine. I like having just one word on the front of my shirt -KENTUCKY! BIG, BOLD and BLUE! Go out today and pick up a new shirt! You’re going to wear it a lot this year…along with that BIG smile on your game day face!
Reporting live here in Lexington, Kentucky and cheering on the Cats!-www.Kimsoper.com
Kim Soper, a Top Realtor in Lexington KY
When you think of Real Estate, Think KimSoper.com and let’s get started today!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate
www.KimSoper.com
Multi Million Dollar Producer
Relocation Specialist
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Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
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Kim@kimsoper.com
