When Coach Joe B. Hall decided he needed to boost enthusiasm for the upcoming 1982-83 season, he remembered a special practice Lefty Dreisell had conducted nearly a decade before. He would invite the fans to a midnight practice on the first day college teams could begin preseason practices. So in October 1982, Kentucky held an event that was billed as “Midnight Special.”

More than 8,500 fans attended that first practice in 12,000-seat Memorial Coliseum. Entry into the gym was somewhat easier then – those still arriving near the stroke of 12 a.m. had no problem getting a seat. But the seed of growth had been planted for what is still an annual, free event.

For many years, until the term was trademarked, the event was called Midnight Madness. Over the past several seasons, Kentucky fans flock each October to “Big Blue Madness.” Last year, the Cats celebrated their 21st anniversary of the event, still one of the most discussed, most talked about events each year on the UK schedule.

1982 – Madness unveiled as “Midnight Special.”

1983 – More than 10,000 supporters arrived to watch a highly rated Kentucky team led by Sam Bowie, Melvin Turpin and Kenny Walker. That team went on to a Final Four finish.

1984 – Introductions were in order as a new troop of fresh-faced Wildcats took the floor after the graduations of Bowie, Turpin, Dickey Beal, Tom Heitz and Jim Master.

1985 – The Coliseum was rocking as first-year coach Eddie Sutton ushered in a new era.

1986 – By the time the band started pounding out the fight song at 11:30 p.m., the fire marshal had already ordered the doors closed at 9:50 p.m., leaving hundreds of fans outside. Inside, more than 12,500 fans caught the first glimpse of super-frosh Rex Chapman and the Wildcats.

1989 – Rick Pitino was introduced for the first time to a capacity crowd of more than 8,700 (the Coliseum capacity dropped from 11,500 because of renovation). Fans were caught trying to sneak in the windows and any opening they could find.

1990 – Lines began forming at 8:30 a.m. as a capacity crowd helped Kentucky celebrate a “Big Blue New Year.”

1991 – Fans lined up 36 hours in advance as the Cats were “Back in the Spotlight,” eligible for postseason play for the first time in the Pitino era. Doors were closed 45 minutes after they opened, the earliest ever. All four recruits who attended Madness that year – Rodrick Rhodes, Jared Prickett, Tony Delk and Walter McCarty – verbally committed to Kentucky the next week.

1992 – “Big Boo Madness – A Monster Bash” fell on Halloween night since the NCAA had moved the start of practice back to Nov. 1. Once again, doors closed only 45 minutes after they opened, as a capacity crowd watched Jamal Mashburn and company usher in the new season.

1993 – The first fans arrived on Wednesday – three days early – and at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 29, the Cats were “Rockin’ after Midnight” as a popular senior foursome – Travis Ford, Rodney Dent, Jeff Brassow and Gimel Martinez – led the 1993-94 team.

1994 – The father and son combination of Robert and Ronald Vallandingham of Smithland, Ky., formerly of New Albany, Ind., arrived on Oct. 10 – a full five days early. Coach Pitino was the headline attraction. Playing to the theme “Born To Be Wild,” Pitino arrived in the gym dressed in leather driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

1995 – Wally Clark of Lexington was determined to be “first in line” and arrived 17 days early. The preseason No. 1 team in the nation was introduced with the premier of “Cat Fan Forever.” Seniors Walter McCarty and Tony Delk swooped down on ropes from high above dressed as “Catman” and Robin. They finished their careers by swooping down on UK’s sixth national title.

1996 – Clark parked himself by the front door on Sept. 10, a full 38 days prior to Big Blue Madness. In the pre-Madness celebration, the “Back to Tradition” theme honored the championship teams, as well as former stars.

1997 – Tickets were passed out five days early – a Monday morning – and were gone within the first 75 minutes for “Late Night with the Cats.” It was the official introduction of Coach Tubby Smith to the Wildcat faithful, as he made his appearance high above the floor in the second deck.

1998 – The Wildcats, playing to the theme, “The Main Event,” were dressed in their favorite professional wrestling outfits and introduced through the UK crowd. Later, they celebrated their NCAA Championship from the previous season by unveiling a new championship banner on the Coliseum’s “Wall of Champions.”

1999 – The tickets were again distributed a week early and vanished in 27 minutes for “America’s Team of the Century.” Making a very special, and surprise, appearance was newly crowned Miss America, Heather Renee French, from Maysville, Ky.

2000 – Tickets were offered on the Internet for the first time and all 700 were distributed in 13 minutes. The remaining 8,000 weregone in 10 minutes to those waiting in line. “Survivor,” a take-off from the popular television show, was the theme for the annual event..

2001 – Kentucky celebrated the 20th anniversary of Big Blue Madness with a look back at the previous events. Fans were entertained by “Shagadoo,” and 80’s band before greeting the new squad at midnight.

2002 – The Wildcats kicked off the 100th season of Kentucky basketball with a historic celebration. Equipment manager Bill Keightley jumped out of a giant birthday cake and many former UK greats were introduced to the crowd prior to the first midnight practice. Click for a Big Blue Madness photo gallery.