Behind The Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 20, 2025) – THIS IS AN ENCORE EPISODE. Fans, dressed from head to toe in their team’s colors, swarm the stadium chanting fight songs and waving banners. It’s game day, and the stakes feel monumental.  Sports rivalries are a cornerstone of athletic culture — sparking packed bleachers, passionate debates and unforgettable moments.  But what drives the fervor that fans feel for their team and the disdain for their rivals? Experts suggest the answer lies not just in the scoreboard, but in the human psyche.  According to Matt Moore, associate professor in the College of Social Work(CoSW) and Tarkington Newman, director of CoSW Sport Social Work Research Lab, rivalries are more than competition; they’re a powerful blend of identity, emotion and instinct. The CoSW recently announced the launch of The Sport Social Work Collaborative — a partnership between the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports (ASWIS), the Sport Social Work Journal and the college’s Sport Social Work Research Lab.