Bob Wiggins began his association with Kentucky basketball simply as a fan. But over nearly 66 years, he has come to symbolize what the most storied program in college basketball is all about.Wiggins, now 85 years old, has attended more than 1,650 UK games in his life, building relationships with players and coaches over the years. Ken Howlett has a story on the UK super-fan at CoachCal.com:

When John Calipari was introduced as Kentucky’s new basketball coach in April 2009, Coach Cal sought out Mr. Wiggins, pointed to him and said, “You’re the guy I wanted to talk to.”During one unbelievable stretch, Bob Wiggins attended every Wildcat game for 19 consecutive years. His incredible streak ending because of a mild heart attack he suffered in 1997, only hours prior to the team leaving for a trip to Alaska to participate in the Great Alaska Shootout.Although Mr. Wiggins did not attend road games during the 2012-13 season due to health reasons, he still makes the trek from Falmouth to Rupp Arena for every home game, dutifully taking his seat behind the UK bench in his trademark suit and tie.“You talk about someone who is driven and passionate about Kentucky basketball, this man embodies the real Kentucky fan,” said Winston Bennett, former UK player and assistant coach. “I can remember him in the ’80s being at those games and being at some of the practices and being on the plane when we flew to different games (in the ’90s). Talk about dedication and longevity … this was a religion. People talk about Kentucky basketball being a religion; it was truly a religion with this man.”

Most Kentucky fans haven’t attended nearly as many games as Wiggins or rubbed shoulders with Doron Lamb and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but he is an example of the kind of passion that has made UK basketball what has been for so long.Link: Kentucky basketball a religion for ultimate super-fan Bob Wiggins