WINTER 2001 / VOL. 19, NO. 2
U of L DNA?
Could there be a U of L gene that makes Cardinal fandom hereditary? Chris Boylan, a U of L sophomore, says no other team has ever claimed his devotion‹or that of his family. His father, Michael Boylan '72B, '78L, mother, Mary Boylan '72E, and brother, John Boylan '99B, are U of L graduates, and the entire household keeps up with the Cards. 
"I've always watched U of L games, and I've been going to them since I was little. My grandparents were fans, too," Boylan says. "It's a family thing."
Boylan isn't just a loyal Cardinal fan. He's also a creative one, finding a way to see the nail-biting finish to the U of L vs.UK game despite not being able to get tickets.
"We got there late, then the thunderstorm came and they cleared everybody out," he says. "We snuck into the stadium and hung around to watch the end of the game. I was glad I got to see all the excitement."
One of the most renowned and knowledgeable U of L fans you'll find at either Papa John's Cardinal Stadium or Freedom Hall, John Michael Hanka is a walking encyclopedia of Cardinal sports history.
The U of L senior, who admits he's painted his face Cardinal red a couple of times-"like a warrior going into battle"-attends every home game and often journeys to opponents' venues to lend vocal support to his favorite team.
His best memories include the football team's 1993 win over Southern Miss, the basketball victories over storied rival Memphis and memorable performances by defensive dynamo Ray Buchanan.
But even a faithful fan like Hanka keeps it all in perspective.
"As much as I am a fan, it's just a game," he reminds us. "As much as I want to say the UK game is a matter of life and death, it really isn't."
Maybe not. But as any Cards fan will tell you, it's OK to feel that way for those few hours after the game.