New Kentucky training facility features claimed national title from 1950
This week Kentucky unveiled its state of the art football training facility to much pride. The facility will undoubtedly help the Wildcats in recruiting and adds a new level of excitement heading into the fourth season under head coach Mark Stoops.
If you take a look at the photos of the new facility, it’s hard not to come away impressed. However, upon initial viewing, one thing in particular does stand out in the new digs: The Wildcats’ 1951 National Championship crystal ball trophy – which is claimed from the 1950 regular season.
1951 national championship trophy and mannequins showing uniforms greet you in lobby of new training center pic.twitter.com/sSEesoZOz3
— Jon Hale (@JonHale_CJ) July 22, 2016
Despite the NCAA honoring Oklahoma as AP and UPI national champs from 1950, the Wildcats are claiming the title thanks to Jeff Sagarin’s historic rankings, established in 1990, that list Kentucky as the No. 1 team in the nation.
In most Kentucky football move possible, Wildcats just built themselves a national title trophy for 1950, year they finished 7th in AP poll,
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 26, 2016
For what it’s worth, Kentucky did beat Oklahoma 13-7 in the 1951 Sugar Bowl but finished ranked No. 7 in the AP’s final 1950 poll and finished the season at 11-1.
Over 60 years after that season ended, college football fans are still finding ways to argue who won the national title in 1950.