Loss to St. Peter’s gives UK fans a chance to show how ‘classy’ they can be

From the movie Titanic after hitting the iceberg:

“The pumps buy you time, but minutes only. As of now, no matter what we do, Titanic will founder.”

“BUT THIS SHIP CAN’T SINK!”

“It’s made of iron. I assure you she can. And she will. It’s a mathematical certainty.”

That’s about what we felt like as the game wore on. “Finally,” we thought towards the end with a lead and shooting free throws, feeling the real Kentucky has shown up, and the inevitable certainty of the Cats putting it in the bag—the only possibility in this opening round NCAA game—was finally happening. Because after all, this is Kentucky Basketball, the storied program, the mightiest fan base, the passion of the Commonwealth, and doers of good public deeds: “This ship can’t sink!”

Alas, we are human, made of flesh and bone. Life assures us we can sink. And we did.

BUT this is an opportunity! Kentucky fandom has always prided itself as part of a “classy” program. It is much easier to be classy when we win. But oh, so hard when we lose, especially in an unfathomable, impossible upset like this. Yet it is during precisely such difficult circumstances that our class must shine forth. This builds character and reaps long-term success.

Now it may make it easier to do this by switching places with Saint Peter’s fans. Imagine how thrilled you would be — how thrilled they are — to have won. What joy! As followers of the Judeo-Christian ethic to love others as we love ourselves and to do for others as we would want for ourselves, we should be happy for them.

This we can do. As well as keeping it all in proper perspective. It’s a game, not the turmoil of tanks or tornadoes. Team sports should be more than a vehicle to drive our egos. We’ve donned emblazoned Wildcat wear out of love for our state and our school, but also—if we are honest to admit it--as a boast of our supposed superiority, as if we ourselves were the ones coaching and playing, at least the games we’ve won.

Pride does indeed goeth before the fall. School pride is good, but humble school pride is better. Humble school pride means honoring the other as we honor ourselves. It means recognizing in the other the same high values we believe we see in ourselves.

These values define UK and the Commonwealth it represents. From President Capilouto to Mitch Barnhart to Coach Cal, and throughout Big Blue Nation, Kentucky stands for class. So, it would not surprise me in the least to hear that UK sent a congratulatory cake or garland of roses to Saint Peter’s.

A game like this provides an opportunity to grow like no other. If we do, Kentucky’s loss to Saint Peters, on St. Patrick’s day no less, may turn out to be as lucky for us as it was for them.

Iron sinks. But humanity rises with the spirit within from the Spirit above.

Richard F. Dawahare is a Lexington attorney.