By LARRY VAUGHT

Her friends call  her Ms. Wildcat and Louisville’s Linda Sinclair — she refers to her hometown as Lexington West — would like nothing better than to “celebrate the 20th anniversary” of her 42nd birthday in March waiting for coach John Calipari’s Wildcats to win a national championship.

She responded to information that Sarah White shared about the women’s clinic with a great post of her own that I wanted to make sure everyone saw as she shared her own version of a famous Christmas tradition that she wrote back in May.

“I have been a UK fan ever since I can remember. I think the game I remember the most was the 1966 NCAA Tournament, I sat on the floor of my boyfriend’s living room and cried.  I cried not because of whom they lost to (Texas Western), but because they lost.

“Of course, I remember the other wins after  that but that one is probably what made me follow them even more.  Little Louie (Dampier) is my favorite player in the older era. Can you imagine how many points he and Dan Issel would have had if they had the 3- pointer then? My husband  and I use to go to all the Colonels games to watch them play.  Shooting machines!  Jamal Mashburn is my all-time favorite player.

“My husband was a walk-on under Adolph Rupp, so we watched all the games.  After he died in 1982, I couldn’t watch the games for a couple of years, but I did turn the TV on in another room just for old times sake.”

So what inspired her to write this witty piece about Cal’s Cats?

“Other than bleeding blue, after the disappointment of the last two years and the boring four to five years before that, I just got so excited about the enthusiasm and fire that is being brought back to the program. Coach Calipari has the charisma, personality, knowledge and talent to bring the program back with a vengeance. He is one fabulous marketing machine.  He understands the game of basketball, he understands the Big Blue Nation and it was always his dream to coach at UK.

“He has done more for this program in just a few months then any other coach has done in a long time.  He knows what it means to be the coach of the ‘Roman Empire of Basketball’ as that ‘other’ coach (Rick Pitino) noted one time.

“In May, with all the press, the talk of recruits and the new look of the program, I just could not wait for October.  I won’t be at Big Blue Madness Friday — couldn’t get tickets — but my heart will be there and I will tape it for the future.  I make several copies and send them to UK friends in North Carolina, Florida, Baja and a few other places.  They enjoy getting them and fly their flags with pride. I post things to my Facebook page at times, too

“I had seen other ‘T’was the Night Before’ and knew that I could do something for it and Midnight Madness.  I just wanted to be a part of everything that was going on in my own way.  Sometimes I think a 61-year-old woman should not feel this way about basketball. I really think something is wrong with me!

“Don’t get the wrong idea, I am not one of those obnoxious fans, just a True Blue Fan now and forever.  However, during the 1998 NCAA games, a friend and I went to a restaurant to watch the games. I was leading the cheers!  It was fun and there was no alcohol involved!  In 1996 I worked at that ‘other’ school, the one here in Louisville. I wore my UK blue blazer or sweaters and pin every day during the tournament and had the biggest smile on my face for months after we won!”

These are the heart-warming stories that Calipari has embraced and I want to be able to share here often. Who knows? Maybe some has an extra Big Blue Madness ticket we could get to Sinclair. Maybe Calipari will read this and want to help.

So remember the Big Blue passion Sinclair has as you enjoy her own special Wildcat salute:

T’was the night before Madness and all through The Nation
Not a creature was stirring, not even in Bryant Station.
The nets were hung from the rafters with care,
in hopes that Redemption would soon be there.

The fans were all nestled all snug in their tents
While visions of number 8 danced in their heads.
And mama in her parka and I in my sweats
Had just settled down for the first in line quest.

When out on Vine St. there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my tent to see what was the matter.
Away to the street I flew in a flash,
In hopes that my car had not been smashed.
The moon on the street of new lights aglow
Gave the luster of mid-day of objects to behold.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear?
A big blue bus and 13 glorious team players,
With an Italian driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a minute it must be Coach Cal and his picks.

More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name.
Now Cousins, now Wall, now Orton and Patterson,
On Miller, on Hood, on Liggins and Stephenson.

To the top of the polls, we will show those doubters
We will rise from the ashes and be the best shouters.
Now dribble, now drive, now pass, and now score.
Do it from the top of the key, from the corner of the floor.

As I saw the dribble, the drive, the pass and the score
I looked in awe and I knew what would soon be in store.
Our prayers would be answered and we’ll shoot for the moon.
Then opponents will scramble and UK will be top of the polls soon

Don’t doubt our loyalty, don’t deny our tradition
We are back on the road with a new mission.
We will be loyal, we will be true Blue, we will be firm,
UK is back and let those other schools squirm.

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