'Good Morning America' Interviews Emotional UK Basketball Fan

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( March 21, 2016) — University of Kentucky mathematical economics major Taylor Hunt probably had no idea when her emotions took over at the end of the UK-Indiana basketball game that her reaction — captured on national TV — would go viral.

But for the London, Kentucky, senior and saxophone player in the UK pep band, her tears over the Wildcat’s close loss in the NCAA tourney prompted ABC network's "Good Morning America" (GMA) to interview her for a story on the national program Monday morning.

Hunt, interviewed Sunday evening at K-Lair in the heart of campus, recounted for GMA that emotions had been building throughout the game for her and her bandmates as the Cats played a close, tension-filled game against the Indiana Hoosiers. Toward the end of the contest, as senior Alex Poythress stood at the line for two free throws, Hunt said her emotions simply overtook her and the tears started flowing.

The honest, emotional reaction was captured on the CBS national broadcast. Hunt said at one point, right before the end of the game, she glanced at her phone and noticed that it was blowing up with messages about her tears of sadness being captured on TV.

In recounting the experience for national television, Hunt said what many Wildcat fans feel: 

“I always cheer for the Wildcats,” she said. “I can’t imagine cheering for anyone else.”

"I’ve been here for four years,” she added.  "It has been a crazy four years. It has been an awesome four years."

Hunt's story is expected to air between 7 and 8 a.m. Monday morning on GMA.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue