Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-12-09T09:03:48Z

70.35.237.67: /* 2004 NCAA Source */

{{WikiProject College football|class=B|importance=Top}}

TCU has a claim to the 1935 Championship according to the NCAA website. If three schools are going to be listed, why not a fourth?

==2004 NCAA Source==
:[http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football_records_book/2004/2004_d1_football_records.pdf#page=84 Here] is the 2004 NCAA source for the championship information.
:Also [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html here] in non-pdf format. Which polls are we using? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 03:41, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

::Why does Kentucky's National Championship in 1950 keep being deleted from the article?—The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because only Sagarin chose Kentucky, not Associated Press, United Press, College Football Researchers Association, Helms Athletic Foundation, or National Championship Foundation (the sources used for 1950). If you believe that Sagarin should be used, make an argument here.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

::And why don't we simply use what the actual NCCA itself states? Instead of these BIASED guidelines? Ridiculous. [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA Div 1-A Football Champions] —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because the NCAA does not state which team is national champion, just what each of the sources says. If ou believe there are less biased ways to show the information without conveying too much information, or unqualified information, please present it. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

That's what I'm saying... use the sources approved by the ~NCCA itself~, no more/less. What is an arguement for using sources OTHER than what the NCAA itself deems appropriate??? There simply isn't one (not an unbiased one anyway).
http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

First, please [[WP:SIG|sign your posts]]. Next, you'll notice on the page you link that the NCAA is not claiming that these are reputable sources, that they picked the right team, or that they are anything more than selections (sometimes, a single newspaper writer). The sources used mirror those or expand upon those at [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php the college football data warehouse], which has the best information and reasoning. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 04:09, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

"which has the best information and reasoning" based on what? Your opinion? Of course there is no "perfect" system and the NCAA isn't claiming there is one, but the "best" would be what the ~NCAA itself~ deems so. That's the only real fair option here. I think it is ridiculous to see politics played out on a noble concept like wikipedia. But "whatever", right? That's what you want to hear, just let it drop. Let this bias slide(and just ignore the fact that such petty bias is bringing down wiki more and more all the time).{{unsigned2|20:09, 2006 December 6 |70.35.237.67 }}
:First of all, please [[WP:SIG|sign your posts on Talk pages]]. Secondly, would you use only sources approved by the [[Republican Party]] in an article on said party? Would you use only [[Nazi]] approved sources in articles about Nazi's? Would you use only [[Paris Hilton]] approved sources in an article about her? I hope not. The same holds true for the NCAA. Third-party sources are very valid. If you think we are using an improper source or that a different source would be better, then please try to calm-down, please try to stop insulting people, and please try to make a coherent case for your opinion. Thanks, [[User:Johntex|'''Johntex''']]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 05:05, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

::Furthermore, what bias do the sources used have?[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 06:02, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

"would you use only sources approved by the [[Republican Party]] in an article on said party? Would you use only [[Nazi]] approved sources in articles about Nazi's? Would you use only [[Paris Hilton]] approved sources in an article about her? I hope not. The same holds true for the NCAA." Are you serious? Please think about what you just wrote...

Bias? I would state there is bias in listing teams/not listing teams using 3rd party "sources" while ignoring the athletic organization itself.

ps- MLB states foolishly that the St. Louis Cardinals are the actual 2006 MLB Champions... this is obvioulsy just one opinion and we should change the Cardinals article to reflect this. The Phillies won more games than the Cardinals and I have a 3rd party source that declares Philly the true 2006 champion. It's good enough for wiki.

Again, if you're going to use multiple and disputed sources... why not just use the sources the NCCA itself does instead of going by 3rd parties? It's not a complicated line of reason... but I understand it doesn't fit certain agendas... so that's fine, whatever.

==Jokers==
Some unregistered joker changed "Georgia Tech" (short for "Georgia Institute of Technology") to "Georgia Tech University" for all 4 NC years ('17, '28, '52, and '90). Apparently the same joker changed the Georgia name for its one championship year of '42.

I changed all 5 back to what they should be. (If I made any mistakes in doing so, pls. correct them.) It also appears somebody deleted the International News Service (INS) from the list of polls at the top of the page. (I'll let someone else add that back in.)
All jokers involved should be banned from Wikipedia, IMO, as they are making a mockery of the project.
I'll watch the page and correct the four GT lines back to correct as often as necessary, so if you're doing this, don't waste your time, as few (if any) will ever see your handiwork (graffiti).

==1947 and 1950==
there is an * by 1947 Michigan anyone know what that is supposed to mean? Also 1950 Kentucky (Modern Analysts) Who are the mondern analysts ? [[User:Smith03|Smith03]] 15:25, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: the * by the 1947 Michigan team, there was an unofficial post-bowl poll that moved Michigan ahead of Notre Dame. The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 and Michigan #2. This is likely the reason for the * next to Michigan, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be there. [[User:Georgiablue|Georgiablue]] 14:38, 07 April 2006 (UTC)

== What criteria are we using? ==

There are more than just AP/UPI champions listed, but not all. Also, why is 1936 the cut-off year for the bottom tally? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 21:01, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

== Reversions back... ==

We should be able to agree that 1901 is the best year for calculating the most championships. This is the first year a non-Ivy League school won (since they now exclusively play one another), the first year of the Rose Bowl (which decides the national champion once ever four years now), and conveniently the beginning of the 20th century (well that just works out nicely). Starting at 1936 made some sense since that was the beginning of the AP poll, however, the AP poll has not been used exclusively since then and there were many years between 1901 and 1936 where one team was the consensus national champion. Also, BCS is now the deciding factor and is unrelated to the AP poll.

It is also important to note that schools calculate their numbers differently because they only choose to recognize certain polls, even if they contradict. Of course, "who is going to win the championship this year" is more important than "who won 100 years ago."

Also, my prior (now reverted) information is not inaccurate, as one editor noted. As demonstrated on the [[Ivy League]] page, Princeton claims 24 titles, Yale 19, etc.

Above all, this is a highly debatable topic and what is important on wikipedia is clarity and factual information.

:The year should be 1936. Polls before then were not widely used or retroactive. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 22:55, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

There was as much agreement about particular winners before 1936 as after, particularly among the schools. I agree that 1936 could make a good starting point since it marks the beginning of the AP poll, but there were many years before 1936 where there was a clear winner, still recognized as the champion by contemporaries. Retroactive polls are not to be disregarded, considering much research went into calculating each team and many champions were rightfully crowned. Either start at the beginning or 1901. [[User:68.80.237.199|68.80.237.199]] 00:49, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

== Prior Champions ==

I agree that this should start with 1901 with the advent of college football becoming more "national." Please note that the sources mentioned do not create a correspondence between what is "universally" counted and what the schools count. I agree that Helms, consensus champs, Dickenson, AP, UPI, CNN, and the BCS (along with the retroactive champs) are all solid and must be counted. However, I must question use of "Modern Analysts" which is really Sagarin. If used, USC in 2002 would have a claim, as an example. Also, Alabama in 1941 does not fall under the accepted selectors. There are also "sub-major" selectors such as the College Football Writers and the College Football Foundation (see Iowa in 1958). Finally, Notre Dame still does not recognize its 1938 champs despite every other winning school recognizing Dickenson--pretty odd for the school who inspired and requested the Dickenson system in the first place!

== ESPN vs. BCS ==

I propose that for years in split championships, after the BCS was instituted, rather than applying the label "ESPN", we should apply the label "BCS". [[User:Mrbrown|Mr. Brown]] 04:30, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

== NCAA-Recognized National Championships? ==

According to the NCAA, they have their own list of national champions. I know that some polls are more respectable than others, but wouldn't it be better to include all of the national championships from over the years, if the NCAA accepts as national championships?

== No NCAA official National Champions for DI-A football ==

There is no list of NCAA official national champions for DI-A football in their records book and if there were official champions, where are the trophies that would be awarded to the national champion? The NCAA does not make a championship trophy for DI-A football.

Although I like the current set up of this site, I do think that there should be a category for "claimed titles".

== I have implemented standards for list ==

I have updated the list of National Champions using the following sources:

1869-1882 - I have used the National Championship Foundation picks ("NCF"). There are few other sources available for this period, and this is the only one "recognized" by College Football Data Warehouse as reputable.

1883-1923 - I have used Helms Athletic Foundation picks. Although other reputable sources are available, this one, to my understanding, is the most widely recognized list for this period.

1924-1934 - I have included Helms, NCF, College Football Research Associates ("CFRA"), and the Dickinson System. Dickinson was a statistical evaluation conducted beginning in 1926, with retroactive analysis for 1924 and 1925. Helms, NCF and CFRA are all recognized as reputable by College Football Data Warehouse. Helms selections are listed first as the most widely recognized source. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable to omit CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidate as based on "other" sources.

1935 - I add the United Press poll for this year, the end of season press poll.

1936 - I add the Associated Press poll. The United Press poll was discontinued. AP selections are now listed first as the most widely recognized source. I continue Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson, although these are far less relevant beyond 1935. Again, it would be entirely reasonable to omit Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidates as based on "other" sources.

1941 - Dickinson results are no longer produced.

1950 - I add the United Press coaches poll. This becomes the 2nd priority selection. Helms, NCF and CFRA assist in sorting out post-bowl champions.

1952 - I add International News Service, another press poll.

1954 - I add the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which offers the Grantland Rice Trophy to the national champion. I drop Helms, NCF and CFRA since four contemporaneous sources are now available. In 1955, the FWAA begins deciding its championship after the bowls, the first to do so, likely in response to the 1950, '51 and '53 losses by the regular season champs.

1958 - UP and INS merge and continue the UP coaches poll as the UPI.

1991 - UPI coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/CNN.

1997 - USA-Today/CNN coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/ESPN.

1998 - Coaches poll agrees to be bound by winner of [[BCS National Championship Game]], so champion is now referred to as "BCS". Since the major conferences have agreed to be part of the BCS and its championship game system, the BCS replaces the AP as the first listed national championship.

In several cases I have included champions selected by "other" sources. I believe that there are strong cases for each of these. A similar case could be made for several schools during the 1876-1923 period that I have not included here. There are many references included below, however, that can be followed to learn more about these.

One championship that I did not include is the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's MacArthur trophy. It is now linked to the BCS like the coaches poll. It would add only a couple of champions from 1959-1990, none of which, I believe, were widely recognized.

I have changed Ohio State's redirects to redirect to Ohio State Buckeyes instead of the Ohio State University, since that seems to be the standard for most of the list.--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 18:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that my changes have been deleted without any explanation, does anyone disagree that the schools; link should go to their respective athletic's website?
--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 03:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
:Sam left a message as to why he reverted your changes. I believe that Texas is the only school linked to the athletics website. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 13:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
::…and poof; just like that, they're all gone -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 18:55, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

== 2003 USC ==

Someone deleted USC's 2003 AP national championship. While I agree that the BCS national champ should be listed first since the major conferences have agreed to the BCS system, the AP championship is widely recognized as legitimate even in the BCS era. My revision of the list is intended to reflect most widely recognized champions, including co-champions. USC's claim is better than many included for earlier years and I have restored it to the list.

== Proposed "Thinned Out" List ==

Would like comments on whether following list is preferred to that currently posted:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1930 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
|[[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1934 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-
| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-
| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|[[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|[[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (NCF) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[UCLA]] || (UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-
|[[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] | [[Mack Brown]] [Utah (USA Today)]
|}
 above unsigned suggestion by Drewinmaine

* Personally, I prefer the current version of the table, which features more information. I think more info is usually better so long as it is relevant and remains readable, which I think the current version does nicely. I did restore USC in 2003, as was suggested above. Also, if anyone does decide to change the table, please note that I changed [[University of Texas]] to [[Texas Longhorn Athletics]] as the second article is more directly relevant. [[User:Johntex|Johntex]]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 18:14, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Keep the Inclusive Table

I like the more inclusive table as well. However, if the thinned-out version is used, I would keep the Dickenson System champions as they have become more accepted and represent the first attempt to use statistics to determine a champion. It was also the pre-eminent selector of its time.
:It has? I give it no more value than I give any of those other random NC selectors. I propose, as mentioned below, we use the same criteria as the College Football Data Warehouse.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 18:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Please also note that any controversy regarding the split of 2003 should really be non-existent as the BCS itself recognizes the split on its website under the discussion of the 2003 season.

I think the thinned out version should be used. The Dickenson system is ridiculous to use when every other measure gives the championship to another team. It's crazy to use a system that awards a "statistical" championship to a team with a loss, especially if that loss was in their bowl game. [[User:67.64.114.187|67.64.114.187]] 20:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

==Counting retroactively awarded titles in the team totals==
As a a retroactive title wasn't recognized in the year that the team played, I think it is disingenuous to use retroactive rankings, such as National Championship Foundation, College Football Researchers Association, and Helms (pre 1941) as a an "official source" for National Championships in the total numbers awarded. If no-one comes up with a good argument why Wikipedia should use retroactively generated lists, then I will adjust the Team-by-team totals in a few days. -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 13:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I believe those were originally used because they are used on the [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php College Football Data Warehouse] website. It is difficult to determine which polls to use in the Pre-AP era.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 13:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:Honestly, I think we should just use the same criteria that website uses.
<pre>
1869-1882 National Championship Foundation
1883-1935 Helms Athletic Foundation
1919-1935 College Football Researches Association
1936-Current Associated Press Poll
1950-Current Coaches Poll
</pre>
I have a tough time justifying the use of the Dickinson System mainly because it award ND the title in 1938 and it was the only poll to do so.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I agree with Nmajdan. However, we should note that there are no ''''official'''' national champions until the BCS.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 17:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
::Dickinson used math much in the same way the present BCS computers do. I must once again note that it was the pre-eminent selector of its time. I certainly believe that it was far superior to most if not all of the other systems of its day and was so until the AP began. Even then it was important and remained so until it ended in 1940. Please also note that while the BCS has a very strong grip on the National Championship it is by no means "official." There is still no "official" NCAA Div. 1 college football champion.
:::You guys are giving FAR, FAR too much credit to the criteria that College Football Data Warehouse uses. The only relevant ones post 1935 are Associated Press and the Coaches poll. The only relevant ones prior to that are ones that actually had selectors. Anyone that was a recent retroactive poll (read computer geek with access to Stassen's database) deserves zero credit by Wikipedia. And the '''BCS''' clearly is not a poll nor even the determiner of an official champion, but only a bowl matchmaker. The Coaches poll, of course, is obligated to make their first pick the winner of the BCS #1 v #2 game, but that doesn't mean that their is a BCS final pick.

The College Football Data Warehouse told me in an e-mail that he would look at the Dickinson System a second time. While I like this web-site, it is not all-inclusive and is also the opinion of that particular individual. Almanacs and many reference books now utilize Dickinson and the fact that their selections might differ is not relevant. It was major AT THE TIME. But using the Data Warehouse is alright as long as you can augment it. Please also note that they give 1964 Arkansas a championship although they were not slected by major selectors (I agree with that as well and I also agree with 1953 Notre Dame being granted a championship.){{unsigned|65.119.25.226}}

== Consensus titles ==

Notre Dame is listed as a school that does not count all potential titles, but by consensus counts has 11 championships. I've removed the following (with reasons:
# 1946 Helms (contemporaneous) split between ND and Army, CFRA also chose Army
# 1947 Helms split between ND and Michigan, AP picked ND, NCF and CFRA picked Michigan
# 1973 UPI picked Alabama, AP/FWAA picked ND
[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

==Link to Vince Young-Mack Brown Video on YouTube==
I have excised the link to a video on YouTube that someone had added in the External Links section. I think it was supposed to be funny, as it suggested a homoerotic relationship between Texas quarterback Vince Young and Texas coach Mack Brown, criticized rainbow iconography, and liberally used the word "homo" in a derogatory way. But yeah it had nothing to do with Division I-A national championships. At all. So it's gone. And yes, I do live in Texas. And no, I am not gay. And from what I understand, neither are Mack Brown and Vince Young.

For reference, here is the link:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmOliM5OAY The Vince Young Mack Brown Story]

Kind regards
[[User:J. Charles Taylor|J. Charles Taylor]] 11:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thank you for taking care of this. I do some editing in locations where I can't access some media (like many others), so I can't vet videos. Best. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 15:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

==In 1919...==
On the Texas A&M Wikipedia site, it claims the Aggies won the national championship in 1919 and in 1939. Although it does mention the championship in 1939, this page does not mention the championship supposedly won in 1919. Anyone have a source supporting/declining this?

:The only sources I could find for a 1919 championship for A&M were [http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1919.htm James Howell], a computer ranking that I believe was conducted in 2000, and a 3 way tie in the [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/champ_results.php?selector=National%20Championship%20Foundation National Championship Foundation] retroactive research results. The Aggies were undefeated and untied that year and it is quite possible that the press in Texas and elsewhere declared them national champions at the time. During this period, though, the NCF declared multiple champions on several occasions, making the inclusion of its champions on this list less useful than some other sources, as one would prefer a source that actually chooses a single national champion. [[user:Drewinmaine]] 11.26.06

== Last 25 years? ==

Why have this section? People can much more easily look at the list to see who has won recently, than since 1901. I hope it is not to maximize Miami's visibility. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 18:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

== Mythical National Championship merger? ==

The 90% of that article that contains interesting information is redundant with this article. The other 10% appears to be a very contrived attempt to come up with other MNCs to link to the term. It seems to me that since the CFB material is rendundant (think [[don't repeat yourself]]) that we'd do well to offload the other to one sentence each in [[high school football]] and [[college basketball]], and perhaps create a section here called something like "'Mythical' national championship?". If the juxtaposition with other sports is needed, it's probably most appropriate here. I just don't think mythical national championships ''per se'' (as opposed to the mythical D-I-A football championship, which is where we've all heard the term) are a sufficiently encyclopedic topic to need a separate article. Cheers - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 02:35, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:I am (mildly) against the merge proposal. I do appreciate that a lack of redundancy can be a good thing (especially in computer programming per the link you cited). However, redundancy can also be a good thing. It is an essential component of virtually all human knowledge.
:Also, similar information can be presented in differing ways, sometimes with good reason. For instance, until I just now re-read the article on [[Mythical national championship]], I didn't realize any national publications tried to crown a national high school champion. I also did not know that college basketball ever lacked a playoff. In other words, having those things brought into one article was helpful to me, as it may be to other readers in the future.
:Finally, this is a substantial article. I think having the info in mythical national championship makes the info easier to find. [[User:Johntex|'''Johntex''']]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 03:04, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

:I am against a merger. The article has developed into a pretty good article and will only get better. I plan on improving it with sources and examples, especially for the college basketball and high school football sections. I cannot tell you how many times (trust me, it's a lot) I've seen people on the internet see the letters MNC in message board posts and have them ask, "What's MNC?" This article was created for that reason. And like Johntex said, many people don't even realize that there are MNC's in sports other than college football. This deserves its own article. [[User:Seancp|Seancp]] 13:42, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

::"This article was created for that reason." - [[WP:WINAD]]. Whatever suitable place is agreed upon for this material, we can certainly use disambiguation and redirects to make sure MNC and Mythical [Nn]ational [Cc]hampionship lead there. But you both raise some valid points that I'm still processing. - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 14:56, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

:I am against a merger for the same reasons as above. Mythical national championship relates to any national championship declaration that doesn't have a national playoff to determine thus, thus adding a level of subjectiveness. While this has been mostly applied to college football, there are other examples that are just as valid. Merging them implies that Div. I-A is the mythical national championship, which, as apparent in the article, isn't the same thing. Besides, if this were to merge, I think it would be much better merged with the Bowl Championship Series page or the Bowl Game page rather than this one. [[User:Hawk405359|Hawk405359]] 21:59, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

=== Modified proposal ===
''Executive summary: See "The new proposal" subheading. Sorry I'm so long-winded.''

OK, as I'm processing the emerging consensus, here's my summary of what seems to be more-or-less the consensus or at least not-yet disputed:

*The [[MNC]] article has some information of value
*The juxtaposition of cfb to other sports, historical or present, without organized championships is interesting and encyclopedic
*This existing article is already a good size, and moving material into it may not be a good idea.

Here are a couple of other points that you've made me think about:

*While a certain amount of redundancy is tolerable in a prose encyclopedia, WP has a pretty standardized way to avoid extreme redundancy by setting up subordinate articles to deal with topics in depth. E.g. [[United States]], [[History of the United States]], [[History of the United States (1789–1849)]], etc. The reasons that make DRY applicable to programming also make it applicable to documentation. For example, I posted a quote from [[Bernie Machen]] on this article, but in principle I should also post it at MNC to keep it current, and any other article referencing the present playoff controversy. I would hope that each new piece of info would have an unambiguous home where it belongs, though I recognize there are exceptions (such as linking the same article at [[Bernie Machen]], etc.).
*I'm still not convinced that [[Mythical national championship]] isn't in essentially intended to be a dictionary entry. Indeed, [[User:Seancp|Seancp]]'s reply actually ''confirms'' this original impression. I've recently been looking into an example where [[WP:WINAD]] was absolutely flouted. A [[Motorway]] and a [[Freeway]] are virtually the exact same thing, but because they've grown up on a term-by-term basis instead of a concept-by-concept basis, each article is now jealously guarded by its editors in its US-centric or UK-centric form. '''Wikipedia articles are about concepts, not specific terms.'''

Now, that said, there's obviously material there that people think is beneficial to maintain separate from [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship]], and I've come to agree. So how about this?

==== The new proposal ====
*Migrate material from ''both'' this article and [[Mythical national championship]] concerning the college football controversy to something like, [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship debate]] (although I'd like to make the title shorter). There's precedent for this: [[Free trade]] and [[Free trade debate]], for example.
*Make what remains of [[Mythical national championship]] into a ''list''. Wikipedia has all kinds of useful lists and I think a list of sports with mythical championships (or list of sports without established championships or pseudo-championships) is certainly valid. I don't actually think it should just be "national championships" though, because that's fairly arbitrary. (Why wouldn't something transnational like a poll of European soccer clubs predating the [[European Champions' Cup]] not be equally relevant to this list?)
*Use the <nowiki>{{main}}</nowiki> template and disambiguation as appropriate:

:*Mythical national championship should probably direct to the appropriate college football articles. Someone looking under the term "mythical national championship" almost certainly either doesn't know what the term means or wants to read about the football debate.
:*Of course the debate article should explain the term MNC and probably have a templated dab at the top like {{redirect|Mythical national championship|a list of other mythical championships|List of sports with unofficial championships}}.
:*The debate article should cross-reference the list of other sports in addition to the dab
:*The present article NCAA Division I-A national football championship should give a brief intro to the debate but point to the debate article, cf. Free trade.

This would meet my needs because '''new material concerning the cfb debate would now have a single unambiguous home'''. At the same time, if we discover that say some prefecture in Japan has a [[Sumo]] "championship" that's as disorganized as I-A cfb, then that fact/juxtaposition has an unambiguous home too (the list).

As a fallback compromise, if [[Mythical National Championship]] is held to be the proper title for the article about the cfb debate then I would suggest moving the relevant material from here to avoid redundancy. But now we have an article both about ''the'' MNC and about ''various'' mncs. The confusion over capitalization, in my book, exposes a greater confusion about the purpose of that article. (The ''status quo'' has the title capitalized, but is an article ostensibly about various ''championships'', not one particular one, which seems thoroughly inconsistent.)

I welcome your thoughts. - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 00:37, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

:I appreciate all the effort you're putting in here, but I think what you suggested just makes everything way too complicated. I suggest we allow the article to develop as it has been. Like I mentioned before, I am going to get to work on sourcing it and adding info about high school football and college basketball. I'll also look for other sports that have mythical national championships. Separating the info, merging some here, moving some there, etc, etc just really makes things messy. They MNC article is a pretty decent article. If it is redundant it is redundant in a way that is useful. For instance, let's say a non-football fan overhears a reporter on ESPN mention "Mythical National Championship" and wonders what he means by that then he can just go to the wikipedia article and learn a lot about it. The information on the DI-A national football championship page would be harder to find for a non-football fan, and even if they did find it, they'd have to read through a lot of other information before finding the answer to their question. As far as the capitalization goes, I really don't see how that implies that there is only one MNC, especially when one reads the article. However, if Wikipedia has a capitalization policy that states it should be lowercased then we should make it lower case. To summarize, I would like the see the MNC page left as it is and allowed to develop. It is a decent page right now and will continue to get better. [[User:Seancp|Seancp]] 13:51, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Talk:College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-12-07T04:09:31Z

70.35.237.67: /* 2004 NCAA Source */

{{WikiProject College football|class=B|importance=Top}}

TCU has a claim to the 1935 Championship according to the NCAA website. If three schools are going to be listed, why not a fourth?

==2004 NCAA Source==
:[http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football_records_book/2004/2004_d1_football_records.pdf#page=84 Here] is the 2004 NCAA source for the championship information.
:Also [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html here] in non-pdf format. Which polls are we using? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 03:41, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

::Why does Kentucky's National Championship in 1950 keep being deleted from the article?—The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because only Sagarin chose Kentucky, not Associated Press, United Press, College Football Researchers Association, Helms Athletic Foundation, or National Championship Foundation (the sources used for 1950). If you believe that Sagarin should be used, make an argument here.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

::And why don't we simply use what the actual friggin' NCCA itself states? Instead of these BIASED guidelines? Ridiculous. [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA Div 1-A Football Champions] —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because the NCAA does not state which team is national champion, just what each of the sources says. If ou believe there are less biased ways to show the information without conveying too much information, or unqualified information, please present it. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

That's what I'm saying... use the sources approved by the ~NCCA itself~, no more/less. What is an arguement for using sources OTHER than what the NCAA itself deems appropriate??? There simply isn't one (not an unbiased one anyway).
http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

First, please [[WP:SIG|sign your posts]]. Next, you'll notice on the page you link that the NCAA is not claiming that these are reputable sources, that they picked the right team, or that they are anything more than selections (sometimes, a single newspaper writer). The sources used mirror those or expand upon those at [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php the college football data warehouse], which has the best information and reasoning. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 04:09, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

"which has the best information and reasoning" based on what? Your opinion? Of course there is no "perfect" system and the NCAA isn't claiming there is one, but the "best" would be what the ~NCAA itself~ deems so. That's the only real fair option here. I think it is ridiculous to see politics played out on a noble concept like wikipedia. But "whatever", right? That's what you want to hear, just let it drop. Let this bias slide(and just ignore the fact that such petty bias is bringing down wiki more and more all the time).

==Jokers==
Some unregistered joker changed "Georgia Tech" (short for "Georgia Institute of Technology") to "Georgia Tech University" for all 4 NC years ('17, '28, '52, and '90). Apparently the same joker changed the Georgia name for its one championship year of '42.

I changed all 5 back to what they should be. (If I made any mistakes in doing so, pls. correct them.) It also appears somebody deleted the International News Service (INS) from the list of polls at the top of the page. (I'll let someone else add that back in.)
All jokers involved should be banned from Wikipedia, IMO, as they are making a mockery of the project.
I'll watch the page and correct the four GT lines back to correct as often as necessary, so if you're doing this, don't waste your time, as few (if any) will ever see your handiwork (graffiti).

==1947 and 1950==
there is an * by 1947 Michigan anyone know what that is supposed to mean? Also 1950 Kentucky (Modern Analysts) Who are the mondern analysts ? [[User:Smith03|Smith03]] 15:25, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: the * by the 1947 Michigan team, there was an unofficial post-bowl poll that moved Michigan ahead of Notre Dame. The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 and Michigan #2. This is likely the reason for the * next to Michigan, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be there. [[User:Georgiablue|Georgiablue]] 14:38, 07 April 2006 (UTC)

== What criteria are we using? ==

There are more than just AP/UPI champions listed, but not all. Also, why is 1936 the cut-off year for the bottom tally? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 21:01, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

== Reversions back... ==

We should be able to agree that 1901 is the best year for calculating the most championships. This is the first year a non-Ivy League school won (since they now exclusively play one another), the first year of the Rose Bowl (which decides the national champion once ever four years now), and conveniently the beginning of the 20th century (well that just works out nicely). Starting at 1936 made some sense since that was the beginning of the AP poll, however, the AP poll has not been used exclusively since then and there were many years between 1901 and 1936 where one team was the consensus national champion. Also, BCS is now the deciding factor and is unrelated to the AP poll.

It is also important to note that schools calculate their numbers differently because they only choose to recognize certain polls, even if they contradict. Of course, "who is going to win the championship this year" is more important than "who won 100 years ago."

Also, my prior (now reverted) information is not inaccurate, as one editor noted. As demonstrated on the [[Ivy League]] page, Princeton claims 24 titles, Yale 19, etc.

Above all, this is a highly debatable topic and what is important on wikipedia is clarity and factual information.

:The year should be 1936. Polls before then were not widely used or retroactive. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 22:55, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

There was as much agreement about particular winners before 1936 as after, particularly among the schools. I agree that 1936 could make a good starting point since it marks the beginning of the AP poll, but there were many years before 1936 where there was a clear winner, still recognized as the champion by contemporaries. Retroactive polls are not to be disregarded, considering much research went into calculating each team and many champions were rightfully crowned. Either start at the beginning or 1901. [[User:68.80.237.199|68.80.237.199]] 00:49, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

== Prior Champions ==

I agree that this should start with 1901 with the advent of college football becoming more "national." Please note that the sources mentioned do not create a correspondence between what is "universally" counted and what the schools count. I agree that Helms, consensus champs, Dickenson, AP, UPI, CNN, and the BCS (along with the retroactive champs) are all solid and must be counted. However, I must question use of "Modern Analysts" which is really Sagarin. If used, USC in 2002 would have a claim, as an example. Also, Alabama in 1941 does not fall under the accepted selectors. There are also "sub-major" selectors such as the College Football Writers and the College Football Foundation (see Iowa in 1958). Finally, Notre Dame still does not recognize its 1938 champs despite every other winning school recognizing Dickenson--pretty odd for the school who inspired and requested the Dickenson system in the first place!

== ESPN vs. BCS ==

I propose that for years in split championships, after the BCS was instituted, rather than applying the label "ESPN", we should apply the label "BCS". [[User:Mrbrown|Mr. Brown]] 04:30, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

== NCAA-Recognized National Championships? ==

According to the NCAA, they have their own list of national champions. I know that some polls are more respectable than others, but wouldn't it be better to include all of the national championships from over the years, if the NCAA accepts as national championships?

== No NCAA official National Champions for DI-A football ==

There is no list of NCAA official national champions for DI-A football in their records book and if there were official champions, where are the trophies that would be awarded to the national champion? The NCAA does not make a championship trophy for DI-A football.

Although I like the current set up of this site, I do think that there should be a category for "claimed titles".

== I have implemented standards for list ==

I have updated the list of National Champions using the following sources:

1869-1882 - I have used the National Championship Foundation picks ("NCF"). There are few other sources available for this period, and this is the only one "recognized" by College Football Data Warehouse as reputable.

1883-1923 - I have used Helms Athletic Foundation picks. Although other reputable sources are available, this one, to my understanding, is the most widely recognized list for this period.

1924-1934 - I have included Helms, NCF, College Football Research Associates ("CFRA"), and the Dickinson System. Dickinson was a statistical evaluation conducted beginning in 1926, with retroactive analysis for 1924 and 1925. Helms, NCF and CFRA are all recognized as reputable by College Football Data Warehouse. Helms selections are listed first as the most widely recognized source. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable to omit CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidate as based on "other" sources.

1935 - I add the United Press poll for this year, the end of season press poll.

1936 - I add the Associated Press poll. The United Press poll was discontinued. AP selections are now listed first as the most widely recognized source. I continue Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson, although these are far less relevant beyond 1935. Again, it would be entirely reasonable to omit Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidates as based on "other" sources.

1941 - Dickinson results are no longer produced.

1950 - I add the United Press coaches poll. This becomes the 2nd priority selection. Helms, NCF and CFRA assist in sorting out post-bowl champions.

1952 - I add International News Service, another press poll.

1954 - I add the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which offers the Grantland Rice Trophy to the national champion. I drop Helms, NCF and CFRA since four contemporaneous sources are now available. In 1955, the FWAA begins deciding its championship after the bowls, the first to do so, likely in response to the 1950, '51 and '53 losses by the regular season champs.

1958 - UP and INS merge and continue the UP coaches poll as the UPI.

1991 - UPI coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/CNN.

1997 - USA-Today/CNN coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/ESPN.

1998 - Coaches poll agrees to be bound by winner of [[BCS National Championship Game]], so champion is now referred to as "BCS". Since the major conferences have agreed to be part of the BCS and its championship game system, the BCS replaces the AP as the first listed national championship.

In several cases I have included champions selected by "other" sources. I believe that there are strong cases for each of these. A similar case could be made for several schools during the 1876-1923 period that I have not included here. There are many references included below, however, that can be followed to learn more about these.

One championship that I did not include is the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's MacArthur trophy. It is now linked to the BCS like the coaches poll. It would add only a couple of champions from 1959-1990, none of which, I believe, were widely recognized.

I have changed Ohio State's redirects to redirect to Ohio State Buckeyes instead of the Ohio State University, since that seems to be the standard for most of the list.--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 18:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that my changes have been deleted without any explanation, does anyone disagree that the schools; link should go to their respective athletic's website?
--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 03:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
:Sam left a message as to why he reverted your changes. I believe that Texas is the only school linked to the athletics website. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 13:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
::…and poof; just like that, they're all gone -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 18:55, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

== 2003 USC ==

Someone deleted USC's 2003 AP national championship. While I agree that the BCS national champ should be listed first since the major conferences have agreed to the BCS system, the AP championship is widely recognized as legitimate even in the BCS era. My revision of the list is intended to reflect most widely recognized champions, including co-champions. USC's claim is better than many included for earlier years and I have restored it to the list.

== Proposed "Thinned Out" List ==

Would like comments on whether following list is preferred to that currently posted:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1930 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
|[[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1934 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-
| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-
| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|[[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|[[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (NCF) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[UCLA]] || (UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-
|[[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] | [[Mack Brown]] [Utah (USA Today)]
|}
 above unsigned suggestion by Drewinmaine

* Personally, I prefer the current version of the table, which features more information. I think more info is usually better so long as it is relevant and remains readable, which I think the current version does nicely. I did restore USC in 2003, as was suggested above. Also, if anyone does decide to change the table, please note that I changed [[University of Texas]] to [[Texas Longhorn Athletics]] as the second article is more directly relevant. [[User:Johntex|Johntex]]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 18:14, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Keep the Inclusive Table

I like the more inclusive table as well. However, if the thinned-out version is used, I would keep the Dickenson System champions as they have become more accepted and represent the first attempt to use statistics to determine a champion. It was also the pre-eminent selector of its time.
:It has? I give it no more value than I give any of those other random NC selectors. I propose, as mentioned below, we use the same criteria as the College Football Data Warehouse.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 18:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Please also note that any controversy regarding the split of 2003 should really be non-existent as the BCS itself recognizes the split on its website under the discussion of the 2003 season.

I think the thinned out version should be used. The Dickenson system is ridiculous to use when every other measure gives the championship to another team. It's crazy to use a system that awards a "statistical" championship to a team with a loss, especially if that loss was in their bowl game. [[User:67.64.114.187|67.64.114.187]] 20:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

==Counting retroactively awarded titles in the team totals==
As a a retroactive title wasn't recognized in the year that the team played, I think it is disingenuous to use retroactive rankings, such as National Championship Foundation, College Football Researchers Association, and Helms (pre 1941) as a an "official source" for National Championships in the total numbers awarded. If no-one comes up with a good argument why Wikipedia should use retroactively generated lists, then I will adjust the Team-by-team totals in a few days. -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 13:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I believe those were originally used because they are used on the [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php College Football Data Warehouse] website. It is difficult to determine which polls to use in the Pre-AP era.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 13:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:Honestly, I think we should just use the same criteria that website uses.
<pre>
1869-1882 National Championship Foundation
1883-1935 Helms Athletic Foundation
1919-1935 College Football Researches Association
1936-Current Associated Press Poll
1950-Current Coaches Poll
</pre>
I have a tough time justifying the use of the Dickinson System mainly because it award ND the title in 1938 and it was the only poll to do so.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I agree with Nmajdan. However, we should note that there are no ''''official'''' national champions until the BCS.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 17:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
::Dickinson used math much in the same way the present BCS computers do. I must once again note that it was the pre-eminent selector of its time. I certainly believe that it was far superior to most if not all of the other systems of its day and was so until the AP began. Even then it was important and remained so until it ended in 1940. Please also note that while the BCS has a very strong grip on the National Championship it is by no means "official." There is still no "official" NCAA Div. 1 college football champion.
:::You guys are giving FAR, FAR too much credit to the criteria that College Football Data Warehouse uses. The only relevant ones post 1935 are Associated Press and the Coaches poll. The only relevant ones prior to that are ones that actually had selectors. Anyone that was a recent retroactive poll (read computer geek with access to Stassen's database) deserves zero credit by Wikipedia. And the '''BCS''' clearly is not a poll nor even the determiner of an official champion, but only a bowl matchmaker. The Coaches poll, of course, is obligated to make their first pick the winner of the BCS #1 v #2 game, but that doesn't mean that their is a BCS final pick.

The College Football Data Warehouse told me in an e-mail that he would look at the Dickinson System a second time. While I like this web-site, it is not all-inclusive and is also the opinion of that particular individual. Almanacs and many reference books now utilize Dickinson and the fact that their selections might differ is not relevant. It was major AT THE TIME. But using the Data Warehouse is alright as long as you can augment it. Please also note that they give 1964 Arkansas a championship although they were not slected by major selectors (I agree with that as well and I also agree with 1953 Notre Dame being granted a championship.){{unsigned|65.119.25.226}}

== Consensus titles ==

Notre Dame is listed as a school that does not count all potential titles, but by consensus counts has 11 championships. I've removed the following (with reasons:
# 1946 Helms (contemporaneous) split between ND and Army, CFRA also chose Army
# 1947 Helms split between ND and Michigan, AP picked ND, NCF and CFRA picked Michigan
# 1973 UPI picked Alabama, AP/FWAA picked ND
[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

==Link to Vince Young-Mack Brown Video on YouTube==
I have excised the link to a video on YouTube that someone had added in the External Links section. I think it was supposed to be funny, as it suggested a homoerotic relationship between Texas quarterback Vince Young and Texas coach Mack Brown, criticized rainbow iconography, and liberally used the word "homo" in a derogatory way. But yeah it had nothing to do with Division I-A national championships. At all. So it's gone. And yes, I do live in Texas. And no, I am not gay. And from what I understand, neither are Mack Brown and Vince Young.

For reference, here is the link:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmOliM5OAY The Vince Young Mack Brown Story]

Kind regards
[[User:J. Charles Taylor|J. Charles Taylor]] 11:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thank you for taking care of this. I do some editing in locations where I can't access some media (like many others), so I can't vet videos. Best. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 15:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

==In 1919...==
On the Texas A&M Wikipedia site, it claims the Aggies won the national championship in 1919 and in 1939. Although it does mention the championship in 1939, this page does not mention the championship supposedly won in 1919. Anyone have a source supporting/declining this?

:The only sources I could find for a 1919 championship for A&M were [http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1919.htm James Howell], a computer ranking that I believe was conducted in 2000, and a 3 way tie in the [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/champ_results.php?selector=National%20Championship%20Foundation National Championship Foundation] retroactive research results. The Aggies were undefeated and untied that year and it is quite possible that the press in Texas and elsewhere declared them national champions at the time. During this period, though, the NCF declared multiple champions on several occasions, making the inclusion of its champions on this list less useful than some other sources, as one would prefer a source that actually chooses a single national champion. [[user:Drewinmaine]] 11.26.06

== Last 25 years? ==

Why have this section? People can much more easily look at the list to see who has won recently, than since 1901. I hope it is not to maximize Miami's visibility. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 18:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

== Mythical National Championship merger? ==

The 90% of that article that contains interesting information is redundant with this article. The other 10% appears to be a very contrived attempt to come up with other MNCs to link to the term. It seems to me that since the CFB material is rendundant (think [[don't repeat yourself]]) that we'd do well to offload the other to one sentence each in [[high school football]] and [[college basketball]], and perhaps create a section here called something like "'Mythical' national championship?". If the juxtaposition with other sports is needed, it's probably most appropriate here. I just don't think mythical national championships ''per se'' (as opposed to the mythical D-I-A football championship, which is where we've all heard the term) are a sufficiently encyclopedic topic to need a separate article. Cheers - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 02:35, 6 December 2006 (UTC)
:I am (mildly) against the merge proposal. I do appreciate that a lack of redundancy can be a good thing (especially in computer programming per the link you cited). However, redundancy can also be a good thing. It is an essential component of virtually all human knowledge.
:Also, similar information can be presented in differing ways, sometimes with good reason. For instance, until I just now re-read the article on [[Mythical national championship]], I didn't realize any national publications tried to crown a national high school champion. I also did not know that college basketball ever lacked a playoff. In other words, having those things brought into one article was helpful to me, as it may be to other readers in the future.
:Finally, this is a substantial article. I think having the info in mythical national championship makes the info easier to find. [[User:Johntex|'''Johntex''']]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 03:04, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

:I am against a merger. The article has developed into a pretty good article and will only get better. I plan on improving it with sources and examples, especially for the college basketball and high school football sections. I cannot tell you how many times (trust me, it's a lot) I've seen people on the internet see the letters MNC in message board posts and have them ask, "What's MNC?" This article was created for that reason. And like Johntex said, many people don't even realize that there are MNC's in sports other than college football. This deserves its own article. [[User:Seancp|Seancp]] 13:42, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

::"This article was created for that reason." - [[WP:WINAD]]. Whatever suitable place is agreed upon for this material, we can certainly use disambiguation and redirects to make sure MNC and Mythical [Nn]ational [Cc]hampionship lead there. But you both raise some valid points that I'm still processing. - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 14:56, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

:I am against a merger for the same reasons as above. Mythical national championship relates to any national championship declaration that doesn't have a national playoff to determine thus, thus adding a level of subjectiveness. While this has been mostly applied to college football, there are other examples that are just as valid. Merging them implies that Div. I-A is the mythical national championship, which, as apparent in the article, isn't the same thing. Besides, if this were to merge, I think it would be much better merged with the Bowl Championship Series page or the Bowl Game page rather than this one. [[User:Hawk405359|Hawk405359]] 21:59, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

=== Modified proposal ===
''Executive summary: See "The new proposal" subheading. Sorry I'm so long-winded.''

OK, as I'm processing the emerging consensus, here's my summary of what seems to be more-or-less the consensus or at least not-yet disputed:

*The [[MNC]] article has some information of value
*The juxtaposition of cfb to other sports, historical or present, without organized championships is interesting and encyclopedic
*This existing article is already a good size, and moving material into it may not be a good idea.

Here are a couple of other points that you've made me think about:

*While a certain amount of redundancy is tolerable in a prose encyclopedia, WP has a pretty standardized way to avoid extreme redundancy by setting up subordinate articles to deal with topics in depth. E.g. [[United States]], [[History of the United States]], [[History of the United States (1789–1849)]], etc. The reasons that make DRY applicable to programming also make it applicable to documentation. For example, I posted a quote from [[Bernie Machen]] on this article, but in principle I should also post it at MNC to keep it current, and any other article referencing the present playoff controversy. I would hope that each new piece of info would have an unambiguous home where it belongs, though I recognize there are exceptions (such as linking the same article at [[Bernie Machen]], etc.).
*I'm still not convinced that [[Mythical national championship]] isn't in essentially intended to be a dictionary entry. Indeed, [[User:Seancp|Seancp]]'s reply actually ''confirms'' this original impression. I've recently been looking into an example where [[WP:WINAD]] was absolutely flouted. A [[Motorway]] and a [[Freeway]] are virtually the exact same thing, but because they've grown up on a term-by-term basis instead of a concept-by-concept basis, each article is now jealously guarded by its editors in its US-centric or UK-centric form. '''Wikipedia articles are about concepts, not specific terms.'''

Now, that said, there's obviously material there that people think is beneficial to maintain separate from [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship]], and I've come to agree. So how about this?

==== The new proposal ====
*Migrate material from ''both'' this article and [[Mythical national championship]] concerning the college football controversy to something like, [[NCAA Division I-A national football championship debate]] (although I'd like to make the title shorter). There's precedent for this: [[Free trade]] and [[Free trade debate]], for example.
*Make what remains of [[Mythical national championship]] into a ''list''. Wikipedia has all kinds of useful lists and I think a list of sports with mythical championships (or list of sports without established championships or pseudo-championships) is certainly valid. I don't actually think it should just be "national championships" though, because that's fairly arbitrary. (Why wouldn't something transnational like a poll of European soccer clubs predating the [[European Champions' Cup]] not be equally relevant to this list?)
*Use the <nowiki>{{main}}</nowiki> template and disambiguation as appropriate:

:*Mythical national championship should probably direct to the appropriate college football articles. Someone looking under the term "mythical national championship" almost certainly either doesn't know what the term means or wants to read about the football debate.
:*Of course the debate article should explain the term MNC and probably have a templated dab at the top like {{redirect|Mythical national championship|a list of other mythical championships|List of sports with unofficial championships}}.
:*The debate article should cross-reference the list of other sports in addition to the dab
:*The present article NCAA Division I-A national football championship should give a brief intro to the debate but point to the debate article, cf. Free trade.

This would meet my needs because '''new material concerning the cfb debate would now have a single unambiguous home'''. At the same time, if we discover that say some prefecture in Japan has a [[Sumo]] "championship" that's as disorganized as I-A cfb, then that fact/juxtaposition has an unambiguous home too (the list).

As a fallback compromise, if [[Mythical National Championship]] is held to be the proper title for the article about the cfb debate then I would suggest moving the relevant material from here to avoid redundancy. But now we have an article both about ''the'' MNC and about ''various'' mncs. The confusion over capitalization, in my book, exposes a greater confusion about the purpose of that article. (The ''status quo'' has the title capitalized, but is an article ostensibly about various ''championships'', not one particular one, which seems thoroughly inconsistent.)

I welcome your thoughts. - [[User:PhilipR|PhilipR]] 00:37, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Talk:College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-12-05T03:49:11Z

70.35.237.67: /* 2004 NCAA Source */

{{WikiProject College football|class=B|importance=Top}}

TCU has a claim to the 1935 Championship according to the NCAA website. If three schools are going to be listed, why not a fourth?

==2004 NCAA Source==
:[http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football_records_book/2004/2004_d1_football_records.pdf#page=84 Here] is the 2004 NCAA source for the championship information.
:Also [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html here] in non-pdf format. Which polls are we using? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 03:41, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

::Why does Kentucky's National Championship in 1950 keep being deleted from the article?—The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because only Sagarin chose Kentucky, not Associated Press, United Press, College Football Researchers Association, Helms Athletic Foundation, or National Championship Foundation (the sources used for 1950). If you believe that Sagarin should be used, make an argument here.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

::And why don't we simply use what the actual friggin' NCCA itself states? Instead of these BIASED guidelines? Ridiculous. [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA Div 1-A Football Champions] —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]){{#if:{{{2|}}}| {{{2}}}|}}.

:::Because the NCAA does not state which team is national champion, just what each of the sources says. If ou believe there are less biased ways to show the information without conveying too much information, or unqualified information, please present it. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:30, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

That's what I'm saying... use the sources approved by the ~NCCA itself~, no more/less. What is an arguement for using sources OTHER than what the NCAA itself deems appropriate??? There simply isn't one (not an unbiased one anyway).

http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html

==Jokers==
Some unregistered joker changed "Georgia Tech" (short for "Georgia Institute of Technology") to "Georgia Tech University" for all 4 NC years ('17, '28, '52, and '90). Apparently the same joker changed the Georgia name for its one championship year of '42.

I changed all 5 back to what they should be. (If I made any mistakes in doing so, pls. correct them.) It also appears somebody deleted the International News Service (INS) from the list of polls at the top of the page. (I'll let someone else add that back in.)
All jokers involved should be banned from Wikipedia, IMO, as they are making a mockery of the project.
I'll watch the page and correct the four GT lines back to correct as often as necessary, so if you're doing this, don't waste your time, as few (if any) will ever see your handiwork (graffiti).

==1947 and 1950==
there is an * by 1947 Michigan anyone know what that is supposed to mean? Also 1950 Kentucky (Modern Analysts) Who are the mondern analysts ? [[User:Smith03|Smith03]] 15:25, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: the * by the 1947 Michigan team, there was an unofficial post-bowl poll that moved Michigan ahead of Notre Dame. The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 and Michigan #2. This is likely the reason for the * next to Michigan, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be there. [[User:Georgiablue|Georgiablue]] 14:38, 07 April 2006 (UTC)

== What criteria are we using? ==

There are more than just AP/UPI champions listed, but not all. Also, why is 1936 the cut-off year for the bottom tally? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 21:01, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

== Reversions back... ==

We should be able to agree that 1901 is the best year for calculating the most championships. This is the first year a non-Ivy League school won (since they now exclusively play one another), the first year of the Rose Bowl (which decides the national champion once ever four years now), and conveniently the beginning of the 20th century (well that just works out nicely). Starting at 1936 made some sense since that was the beginning of the AP poll, however, the AP poll has not been used exclusively since then and there were many years between 1901 and 1936 where one team was the consensus national champion. Also, BCS is now the deciding factor and is unrelated to the AP poll.

It is also important to note that schools calculate their numbers differently because they only choose to recognize certain polls, even if they contradict. Of course, "who is going to win the championship this year" is more important than "who won 100 years ago."

Also, my prior (now reverted) information is not inaccurate, as one editor noted. As demonstrated on the [[Ivy League]] page, Princeton claims 24 titles, Yale 19, etc.

Above all, this is a highly debatable topic and what is important on wikipedia is clarity and factual information.

:The year should be 1936. Polls before then were not widely used or retroactive. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 22:55, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

There was as much agreement about particular winners before 1936 as after, particularly among the schools. I agree that 1936 could make a good starting point since it marks the beginning of the AP poll, but there were many years before 1936 where there was a clear winner, still recognized as the champion by contemporaries. Retroactive polls are not to be disregarded, considering much research went into calculating each team and many champions were rightfully crowned. Either start at the beginning or 1901. [[User:68.80.237.199|68.80.237.199]] 00:49, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

== Prior Champions ==

I agree that this should start with 1901 with the advent of college football becoming more "national." Please note that the sources mentioned do not create a correspondence between what is "universally" counted and what the schools count. I agree that Helms, consensus champs, Dickenson, AP, UPI, CNN, and the BCS (along with the retroactive champs) are all solid and must be counted. However, I must question use of "Modern Analysts" which is really Sagarin. If used, USC in 2002 would have a claim, as an example. Also, Alabama in 1941 does not fall under the accepted selectors. There are also "sub-major" selectors such as the College Football Writers and the College Football Foundation (see Iowa in 1958). Finally, Notre Dame still does not recognize its 1938 champs despite every other winning school recognizing Dickenson--pretty odd for the school who inspired and requested the Dickenson system in the first place!

== ESPN vs. BCS ==

I propose that for years in split championships, after the BCS was instituted, rather than applying the label "ESPN", we should apply the label "BCS". [[User:Mrbrown|Mr. Brown]] 04:30, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

== NCAA-Recognized National Championships? ==

According to the NCAA, they have their own list of national champions. I know that some polls are more respectable than others, but wouldn't it be better to include all of the national championships from over the years, if the NCAA accepts as national championships?

== No NCAA official National Champions for DI-A football ==

There is no list of NCAA official national champions for DI-A football in their records book and if there were official champions, where are the trophies that would be awarded to the national champion? The NCAA does not make a championship trophy for DI-A football.

Although I like the current set up of this site, I do think that there should be a category for "claimed titles".

== I have implemented standards for list ==

I have updated the list of National Champions using the following sources:

1869-1882 - I have used the National Championship Foundation picks ("NCF"). There are few other sources available for this period, and this is the only one "recognized" by College Football Data Warehouse as reputable.

1883-1923 - I have used Helms Athletic Foundation picks. Although other reputable sources are available, this one, to my understanding, is the most widely recognized list for this period.

1924-1934 - I have included Helms, NCF, College Football Research Associates ("CFRA"), and the Dickinson System. Dickinson was a statistical evaluation conducted beginning in 1926, with retroactive analysis for 1924 and 1925. Helms, NCF and CFRA are all recognized as reputable by College Football Data Warehouse. Helms selections are listed first as the most widely recognized source. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable to omit CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidate as based on "other" sources.

1935 - I add the United Press poll for this year, the end of season press poll.

1936 - I add the Associated Press poll. The United Press poll was discontinued. AP selections are now listed first as the most widely recognized source. I continue Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson, although these are far less relevant beyond 1935. Again, it would be entirely reasonable to omit Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidates as based on "other" sources.

1941 - Dickinson results are no longer produced.

1950 - I add the United Press coaches poll. This becomes the 2nd priority selection. Helms, NCF and CFRA assist in sorting out post-bowl champions.

1952 - I add International News Service, another press poll.

1954 - I add the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which offers the Grantland Rice Trophy to the national champion. I drop Helms, NCF and CFRA since four contemporaneous sources are now available. In 1955, the FWAA begins deciding its championship after the bowls, the first to do so, likely in response to the 1950, '51 and '53 losses by the regular season champs.

1958 - UP and INS merge and continue the UP coaches poll as the UPI.

1991 - UPI coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/CNN.

1997 - USA-Today/CNN coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/ESPN.

1998 - Coaches poll agrees to be bound by winner of [[BCS National Championship Game]], so champion is now referred to as "BCS". Since the major conferences have agreed to be part of the BCS and its championship game system, the BCS replaces the AP as the first listed national championship.

In several cases I have included champions selected by "other" sources. I believe that there are strong cases for each of these. A similar case could be made for several schools during the 1876-1923 period that I have not included here. There are many references included below, however, that can be followed to learn more about these.

One championship that I did not include is the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's MacArthur trophy. It is now linked to the BCS like the coaches poll. It would add only a couple of champions from 1959-1990, none of which, I believe, were widely recognized.

I have changed Ohio State's redirects to redirect to Ohio State Buckeyes instead of the Ohio State University, since that seems to be the standard for most of the list.--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 18:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that my changes have been deleted without any explanation, does anyone disagree that the schools; link should go to their respective athletic's website?
--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 03:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
:Sam left a message as to why he reverted your changes. I believe that Texas is the only school linked to the athletics website. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 13:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
::…and poof; just like that, they're all gone -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 18:55, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

== 2003 USC ==

Someone deleted USC's 2003 AP national championship. While I agree that the BCS national champ should be listed first since the major conferences have agreed to the BCS system, the AP championship is widely recognized as legitimate even in the BCS era. My revision of the list is intended to reflect most widely recognized champions, including co-champions. USC's claim is better than many included for earlier years and I have restored it to the list.

== Proposed "Thinned Out" List ==

Would like comments on whether following list is preferred to that currently posted:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1930 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
|[[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1934 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-
| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-
| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|[[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|[[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (NCF) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[UCLA]] || (UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-
|[[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] | [[Mack Brown]] [Utah (USA Today)]
|}
 above unsigned suggestion by Drewinmaine

* Personally, I prefer the current version of the table, which features more information. I think more info is usually better so long as it is relevant and remains readable, which I think the current version does nicely. I did restore USC in 2003, as was suggested above. Also, if anyone does decide to change the table, please note that I changed [[University of Texas]] to [[Texas Longhorn Athletics]] as the second article is more directly relevant. [[User:Johntex|Johntex]]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 18:14, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Keep the Inclusive Table

I like the more inclusive table as well. However, if the thinned-out version is used, I would keep the Dickenson System champions as they have become more accepted and represent the first attempt to use statistics to determine a champion. It was also the pre-eminent selector of its time.
:It has? I give it no more value than I give any of those other random NC selectors. I propose, as mentioned below, we use the same criteria as the College Football Data Warehouse.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 18:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Please also note that any controversy regarding the split of 2003 should really be non-existent as the BCS itself recognizes the split on its website under the discussion of the 2003 season.

I think the thinned out version should be used. The Dickenson system is ridiculous to use when every other measure gives the championship to another team. It's crazy to use a system that awards a "statistical" championship to a team with a loss, especially if that loss was in their bowl game. [[User:67.64.114.187|67.64.114.187]] 20:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

==Counting retroactively awarded titles in the team totals==
As a a retroactive title wasn't recognized in the year that the team played, I think it is disingenuous to use retroactive rankings, such as National Championship Foundation, College Football Researchers Association, and Helms (pre 1941) as a an "official source" for National Championships in the total numbers awarded. If no-one comes up with a good argument why Wikipedia should use retroactively generated lists, then I will adjust the Team-by-team totals in a few days. -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 13:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I believe those were originally used because they are used on the [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php College Football Data Warehouse] website. It is difficult to determine which polls to use in the Pre-AP era.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 13:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:Honestly, I think we should just use the same criteria that website uses.
<pre>
1869-1882 National Championship Foundation
1883-1935 Helms Athletic Foundation
1919-1935 College Football Researches Association
1936-Current Associated Press Poll
1950-Current Coaches Poll
</pre>
I have a tough time justifying the use of the Dickinson System mainly because it award ND the title in 1938 and it was the only poll to do so.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I agree with Nmajdan. However, we should note that there are no ''''official'''' national champions until the BCS.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 17:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
::Dickinson used math much in the same way the present BCS computers do. I must once again note that it was the pre-eminent selector of its time. I certainly believe that it was far superior to most if not all of the other systems of its day and was so until the AP began. Even then it was important and remained so until it ended in 1940. Please also note that while the BCS has a very strong grip on the National Championship it is by no means "official." There is still no "official" NCAA Div. 1 college football champion.
:::You guys are giving FAR, FAR too much credit to the criteria that College Football Data Warehouse uses. The only relevant ones post 1935 are Associated Press and the Coaches poll. The only relevant ones prior to that are ones that actually had selectors. Anyone that was a recent retroactive poll (read computer geek with access to Stassen's database) deserves zero credit by Wikipedia. And the '''BCS''' clearly is not a poll nor even the determiner of an official champion, but only a bowl matchmaker. The Coaches poll, of course, is obligated to make their first pick the winner of the BCS #1 v #2 game, but that doesn't mean that their is a BCS final pick.

The College Football Data Warehouse told me in an e-mail that he would look at the Dickinson System a second time. While I like this web-site, it is not all-inclusive and is also the opinion of that particular individual. Almanacs and many reference books now utilize Dickinson and the fact that their selections might differ is not relevant. It was major AT THE TIME. But using the Data Warehouse is alright as long as you can augment it. Please also note that they give 1964 Arkansas a championship although they were not slected by major selectors (I agree with that as well and I also agree with 1953 Notre Dame being granted a championship.){{unsigned|65.119.25.226}}

== Consensus titles ==

Notre Dame is listed as a school that does not count all potential titles, but by consensus counts has 11 championships. I've removed the following (with reasons:
# 1946 Helms (contemporaneous) split between ND and Army, CFRA also chose Army
# 1947 Helms split between ND and Michigan, AP picked ND, NCF and CFRA picked Michigan
# 1973 UPI picked Alabama, AP/FWAA picked ND
[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

==Link to Vince Young-Mack Brown Video on YouTube==
I have excised the link to a video on YouTube that someone had added in the External Links section. I think it was supposed to be funny, as it suggested a homoerotic relationship between Texas quarterback Vince Young and Texas coach Mack Brown, criticized rainbow iconography, and liberally used the word "homo" in a derogatory way. But yeah it had nothing to do with Division I-A national championships. At all. So it's gone. And yes, I do live in Texas. And no, I am not gay. And from what I understand, neither are Mack Brown and Vince Young.

For reference, here is the link:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmOliM5OAY The Vince Young Mack Brown Story]

Kind regards
[[User:J. Charles Taylor|J. Charles Taylor]] 11:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thank you for taking care of this. I do some editing in locations where I can't access some media (like many others), so I can't vet videos. Best. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 15:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

==In 1919...==
On the Texas A&M Wikipedia site, it claims the Aggies won the national championship in 1919 and in 1939. Although it does mention the championship in 1939, this page does not mention the championship supposedly won in 1919. Anyone have a source supporting/declining this?

:The only sources I could find for a 1919 championship for A&M were [http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1919.htm James Howell], a computer ranking that I believe was conducted in 2000, and a 3 way tie in the [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/champ_results.php?selector=National%20Championship%20Foundation National Championship Foundation] retroactive research results. The Aggies were undefeated and untied that year and it is quite possible that the press in Texas and elsewhere declared them national champions at the time. During this period, though, the NCF declared multiple champions on several occasions, making the inclusion of its champions on this list less useful than some other sources, as one would prefer a source that actually chooses a single national champion. [[user:Drewinmaine]] 11.26.06

== Last 25 years? ==

Why have this section? People can much more easily look at the list to see who has won recently, than since 1901. I hope it is not to maximize Miami's visibility. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 18:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Talk:College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-12-04T19:01:40Z

70.35.237.67: /* 2004 NCAA Source */

{{WikiProject College football|class=B|importance=Top}}

TCU has a claim to the 1935 Championship according to the NCAA website. If three schools are going to be listed, why not a fourth?

==2004 NCAA Source==
[http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football_records_book/2004/2004_d1_football_records.pdf#page=84 Here] is the 2004 NCAA source for the championship information.
:Also [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html here] in non-pdf format. Which polls are we using? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 03:41, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

Why does Kentucky's National Championship in 1950 keep being deleted from the article?

And why don't we simply use what the actual friggin' NCCA itself states? Instead of these BIASED guidelines? Ridiculous

NCAA Div 1-A Football Champions [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html] http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html

==Jokers==
Some unregistered joker changed "Georgia Tech" (short for "Georgia Institute of Technology") to "Georgia Tech University" for all 4 NC years ('17, '28, '52, and '90). Apparently the same joker changed the Georgia name for its one championship year of '42.

I changed all 5 back to what they should be. (If I made any mistakes in doing so, pls. correct them.) It also appears somebody deleted the International News Service (INS) from the list of polls at the top of the page. (I'll let someone else add that back in.)
All jokers involved should be banned from Wikipedia, IMO, as they are making a mockery of the project.
I'll watch the page and correct the four GT lines back to correct as often as necessary, so if you're doing this, don't waste your time, as few (if any) will ever see your handiwork (graffiti).

==1947 and 1950==
there is an * by 1947 Michigan anyone know what that is supposed to mean? Also 1950 Kentucky (Modern Analysts) Who are the mondern analysts ? [[User:Smith03|Smith03]] 15:25, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: the * by the 1947 Michigan team, there was an unofficial post-bowl poll that moved Michigan ahead of Notre Dame. The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 and Michigan #2. This is likely the reason for the * next to Michigan, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be there. [[User:Georgiablue|Georgiablue]] 14:38, 07 April 2006 (UTC)

== What criteria are we using? ==

There are more than just AP/UPI champions listed, but not all. Also, why is 1936 the cut-off year for the bottom tally? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 21:01, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

== Reversions back... ==

We should be able to agree that 1901 is the best year for calculating the most championships. This is the first year a non-Ivy League school won (since they now exclusively play one another), the first year of the Rose Bowl (which decides the national champion once ever four years now), and conveniently the beginning of the 20th century (well that just works out nicely). Starting at 1936 made some sense since that was the beginning of the AP poll, however, the AP poll has not been used exclusively since then and there were many years between 1901 and 1936 where one team was the consensus national champion. Also, BCS is now the deciding factor and is unrelated to the AP poll.

It is also important to note that schools calculate their numbers differently because they only choose to recognize certain polls, even if they contradict. Of course, "who is going to win the championship this year" is more important than "who won 100 years ago."

Also, my prior (now reverted) information is not inaccurate, as one editor noted. As demonstrated on the [[Ivy League]] page, Princeton claims 24 titles, Yale 19, etc.

Above all, this is a highly debatable topic and what is important on wikipedia is clarity and factual information.

:The year should be 1936. Polls before then were not widely used or retroactive. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 22:55, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

There was as much agreement about particular winners before 1936 as after, particularly among the schools. I agree that 1936 could make a good starting point since it marks the beginning of the AP poll, but there were many years before 1936 where there was a clear winner, still recognized as the champion by contemporaries. Retroactive polls are not to be disregarded, considering much research went into calculating each team and many champions were rightfully crowned. Either start at the beginning or 1901. [[User:68.80.237.199|68.80.237.199]] 00:49, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

== Prior Champions ==

I agree that this should start with 1901 with the advent of college football becoming more "national." Please note that the sources mentioned do not create a correspondence between what is "universally" counted and what the schools count. I agree that Helms, consensus champs, Dickenson, AP, UPI, CNN, and the BCS (along with the retroactive champs) are all solid and must be counted. However, I must question use of "Modern Analysts" which is really Sagarin. If used, USC in 2002 would have a claim, as an example. Also, Alabama in 1941 does not fall under the accepted selectors. There are also "sub-major" selectors such as the College Football Writers and the College Football Foundation (see Iowa in 1958). Finally, Notre Dame still does not recognize its 1938 champs despite every other winning school recognizing Dickenson--pretty odd for the school who inspired and requested the Dickenson system in the first place!

== ESPN vs. BCS ==

I propose that for years in split championships, after the BCS was instituted, rather than applying the label "ESPN", we should apply the label "BCS". [[User:Mrbrown|Mr. Brown]] 04:30, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

== NCAA-Recognized National Championships? ==

According to the NCAA, they have their own list of national champions. I know that some polls are more respectable than others, but wouldn't it be better to include all of the national championships from over the years, if the NCAA accepts as national championships?

== No NCAA official National Champions for DI-A football ==

There is no list of NCAA official national champions for DI-A football in their records book and if there were official champions, where are the trophies that would be awarded to the national champion? The NCAA does not make a championship trophy for DI-A football.

Although I like the current set up of this site, I do think that there should be a category for "claimed titles".

== I have implemented standards for list ==

I have updated the list of National Champions using the following sources:

1869-1882 - I have used the National Championship Foundation picks ("NCF"). There are few other sources available for this period, and this is the only one "recognized" by College Football Data Warehouse as reputable.

1883-1923 - I have used Helms Athletic Foundation picks. Although other reputable sources are available, this one, to my understanding, is the most widely recognized list for this period.

1924-1934 - I have included Helms, NCF, College Football Research Associates ("CFRA"), and the Dickinson System. Dickinson was a statistical evaluation conducted beginning in 1926, with retroactive analysis for 1924 and 1925. Helms, NCF and CFRA are all recognized as reputable by College Football Data Warehouse. Helms selections are listed first as the most widely recognized source. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable to omit CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidate as based on "other" sources.

1935 - I add the United Press poll for this year, the end of season press poll.

1936 - I add the Associated Press poll. The United Press poll was discontinued. AP selections are now listed first as the most widely recognized source. I continue Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson, although these are far less relevant beyond 1935. Again, it would be entirely reasonable to omit Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidates as based on "other" sources.

1941 - Dickinson results are no longer produced.

1950 - I add the United Press coaches poll. This becomes the 2nd priority selection. Helms, NCF and CFRA assist in sorting out post-bowl champions.

1952 - I add International News Service, another press poll.

1954 - I add the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which offers the Grantland Rice Trophy to the national champion. I drop Helms, NCF and CFRA since four contemporaneous sources are now available. In 1955, the FWAA begins deciding its championship after the bowls, the first to do so, likely in response to the 1950, '51 and '53 losses by the regular season champs.

1958 - UP and INS merge and continue the UP coaches poll as the UPI.

1991 - UPI coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/CNN.

1997 - USA-Today/CNN coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/ESPN.

1998 - Coaches poll agrees to be bound by winner of [[BCS National Championship Game]], so champion is now referred to as "BCS". Since the major conferences have agreed to be part of the BCS and its championship game system, the BCS replaces the AP as the first listed national championship.

In several cases I have included champions selected by "other" sources. I believe that there are strong cases for each of these. A similar case could be made for several schools during the 1876-1923 period that I have not included here. There are many references included below, however, that can be followed to learn more about these.

One championship that I did not include is the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's MacArthur trophy. It is now linked to the BCS like the coaches poll. It would add only a couple of champions from 1959-1990, none of which, I believe, were widely recognized.

I have changed Ohio State's redirects to redirect to Ohio State Buckeyes instead of the Ohio State University, since that seems to be the standard for most of the list.--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 18:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that my changes have been deleted without any explanation, does anyone disagree that the schools; link should go to their respective athletic's website?
--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 03:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
:Sam left a message as to why he reverted your changes. I believe that Texas is the only school linked to the athletics website. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 13:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
::…and poof; just like that, they're all gone -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 18:55, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

== 2003 USC ==

Someone deleted USC's 2003 AP national championship. While I agree that the BCS national champ should be listed first since the major conferences have agreed to the BCS system, the AP championship is widely recognized as legitimate even in the BCS era. My revision of the list is intended to reflect most widely recognized champions, including co-champions. USC's claim is better than many included for earlier years and I have restored it to the list.

== Proposed "Thinned Out" List ==

Would like comments on whether following list is preferred to that currently posted:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1930 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
|[[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1934 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-
| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-
| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|[[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|[[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (NCF) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[UCLA]] || (UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-
|[[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] | [[Mack Brown]] [Utah (USA Today)]
|}
 above unsigned suggestion by Drewinmaine

* Personally, I prefer the current version of the table, which features more information. I think more info is usually better so long as it is relevant and remains readable, which I think the current version does nicely. I did restore USC in 2003, as was suggested above. Also, if anyone does decide to change the table, please note that I changed [[University of Texas]] to [[Texas Longhorn Athletics]] as the second article is more directly relevant. [[User:Johntex|Johntex]]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 18:14, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Keep the Inclusive Table

I like the more inclusive table as well. However, if the thinned-out version is used, I would keep the Dickenson System champions as they have become more accepted and represent the first attempt to use statistics to determine a champion. It was also the pre-eminent selector of its time.
:It has? I give it no more value than I give any of those other random NC selectors. I propose, as mentioned below, we use the same criteria as the College Football Data Warehouse.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 18:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Please also note that any controversy regarding the split of 2003 should really be non-existent as the BCS itself recognizes the split on its website under the discussion of the 2003 season.

I think the thinned out version should be used. The Dickenson system is ridiculous to use when every other measure gives the championship to another team. It's crazy to use a system that awards a "statistical" championship to a team with a loss, especially if that loss was in their bowl game. [[User:67.64.114.187|67.64.114.187]] 20:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

==Counting retroactively awarded titles in the team totals==
As a a retroactive title wasn't recognized in the year that the team played, I think it is disingenuous to use retroactive rankings, such as National Championship Foundation, College Football Researchers Association, and Helms (pre 1941) as a an "official source" for National Championships in the total numbers awarded. If no-one comes up with a good argument why Wikipedia should use retroactively generated lists, then I will adjust the Team-by-team totals in a few days. -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 13:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I believe those were originally used because they are used on the [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php College Football Data Warehouse] website. It is difficult to determine which polls to use in the Pre-AP era.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 13:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:Honestly, I think we should just use the same criteria that website uses.
<pre>
1869-1882 National Championship Foundation
1883-1935 Helms Athletic Foundation
1919-1935 College Football Researches Association
1936-Current Associated Press Poll
1950-Current Coaches Poll
</pre>
I have a tough time justifying the use of the Dickinson System mainly because it award ND the title in 1938 and it was the only poll to do so.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I agree with Nmajdan. However, we should note that there are no ''''official'''' national champions until the BCS.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 17:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
::Dickinson used math much in the same way the present BCS computers do. I must once again note that it was the pre-eminent selector of its time. I certainly believe that it was far superior to most if not all of the other systems of its day and was so until the AP began. Even then it was important and remained so until it ended in 1940. Please also note that while the BCS has a very strong grip on the National Championship it is by no means "official." There is still no "official" NCAA Div. 1 college football champion.
:::You guys are giving FAR, FAR too much credit to the criteria that College Football Data Warehouse uses. The only relevant ones post 1935 are Associated Press and the Coaches poll. The only relevant ones prior to that are ones that actually had selectors. Anyone that was a recent retroactive poll (read computer geek with access to Stassen's database) deserves zero credit by Wikipedia. And the '''BCS''' clearly is not a poll nor even the determiner of an official champion, but only a bowl matchmaker. The Coaches poll, of course, is obligated to make their first pick the winner of the BCS #1 v #2 game, but that doesn't mean that their is a BCS final pick.

The College Football Data Warehouse told me in an e-mail that he would look at the Dickinson System a second time. While I like this web-site, it is not all-inclusive and is also the opinion of that particular individual. Almanacs and many reference books now utilize Dickinson and the fact that their selections might differ is not relevant. It was major AT THE TIME. But using the Data Warehouse is alright as long as you can augment it. Please also note that they give 1964 Arkansas a championship although they were not slected by major selectors (I agree with that as well and I also agree with 1953 Notre Dame being granted a championship.){{unsigned|65.119.25.226}}

== Consensus titles ==

Notre Dame is listed as a school that does not count all potential titles, but by consensus counts has 11 championships. I've removed the following (with reasons:
# 1946 Helms (contemporaneous) split between ND and Army, CFRA also chose Army
# 1947 Helms split between ND and Michigan, AP picked ND, NCF and CFRA picked Michigan
# 1973 UPI picked Alabama, AP/FWAA picked ND
[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

==Link to Vince Young-Mack Brown Video on YouTube==
I have excised the link to a video on YouTube that someone had added in the External Links section. I think it was supposed to be funny, as it suggested a homoerotic relationship between Texas quarterback Vince Young and Texas coach Mack Brown, criticized rainbow iconography, and liberally used the word "homo" in a derogatory way. But yeah it had nothing to do with Division I-A national championships. At all. So it's gone. And yes, I do live in Texas. And no, I am not gay. And from what I understand, neither are Mack Brown and Vince Young.

For reference, here is the link:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmOliM5OAY The Vince Young Mack Brown Story]

Kind regards
[[User:J. Charles Taylor|J. Charles Taylor]] 11:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thank you for taking care of this. I do some editing in locations where I can't access some media (like many others), so I can't vet videos. Best. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 15:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

==In 1919...==
On the Texas A&M Wikipedia site, it claims the Aggies won the national championship in 1919 and in 1939. Although it does mention the championship in 1939, this page does not mention the championship supposedly won in 1919. Anyone have a source supporting/declining this?

:The only sources I could find for a 1919 championship for A&M were [http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1919.htm James Howell], a computer ranking that I believe was conducted in 2000, and a 3 way tie in the [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/champ_results.php?selector=National%20Championship%20Foundation National Championship Foundation] retroactive research results. The Aggies were undefeated and untied that year and it is quite possible that the press in Texas and elsewhere declared them national champions at the time. During this period, though, the NCF declared multiple champions on several occasions, making the inclusion of its champions on this list less useful than some other sources, as one would prefer a source that actually chooses a single national champion. [[user:Drewinmaine]] 11.26.06

== Last 25 years? ==

Why have this section? People can much more easily look at the list to see who has won recently, than since 1901. I hope it is not to maximize Miami's visibility. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 18:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

Talk:College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-12-04T19:01:04Z

70.35.237.67: /* 2004 NCAA Source */

{{WikiProject College football|class=B|importance=Top}}

TCU has a claim to the 1935 Championship according to the NCAA website. If three schools are going to be listed, why not a fourth?

==2004 NCAA Source==
[http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football_records_book/2004/2004_d1_football_records.pdf#page=84 Here] is the 2004 NCAA source for the championship information.
:Also [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html here] in non-pdf format. Which polls are we using? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 03:41, 5 December 2005 (UTC)

Why does Kentucky's National Championship in 1950 keep being deleted from the article?

And why don't we simply use what the actual friggin' NCCA itself states? Instead of these BIASED guidelines? Ridiculous

NCAA Div 1-A Football Champions [http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html]

==Jokers==
Some unregistered joker changed "Georgia Tech" (short for "Georgia Institute of Technology") to "Georgia Tech University" for all 4 NC years ('17, '28, '52, and '90). Apparently the same joker changed the Georgia name for its one championship year of '42.

I changed all 5 back to what they should be. (If I made any mistakes in doing so, pls. correct them.) It also appears somebody deleted the International News Service (INS) from the list of polls at the top of the page. (I'll let someone else add that back in.)
All jokers involved should be banned from Wikipedia, IMO, as they are making a mockery of the project.
I'll watch the page and correct the four GT lines back to correct as often as necessary, so if you're doing this, don't waste your time, as few (if any) will ever see your handiwork (graffiti).

==1947 and 1950==
there is an * by 1947 Michigan anyone know what that is supposed to mean? Also 1950 Kentucky (Modern Analysts) Who are the mondern analysts ? [[User:Smith03|Smith03]] 15:25, 12 November 2005 (UTC)

Re: the * by the 1947 Michigan team, there was an unofficial post-bowl poll that moved Michigan ahead of Notre Dame. The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 and Michigan #2. This is likely the reason for the * next to Michigan, as I can't think of any other reason why it would be there. [[User:Georgiablue|Georgiablue]] 14:38, 07 April 2006 (UTC)

== What criteria are we using? ==

There are more than just AP/UPI champions listed, but not all. Also, why is 1936 the cut-off year for the bottom tally? [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 21:01, 4 December 2005 (UTC)

== Reversions back... ==

We should be able to agree that 1901 is the best year for calculating the most championships. This is the first year a non-Ivy League school won (since they now exclusively play one another), the first year of the Rose Bowl (which decides the national champion once ever four years now), and conveniently the beginning of the 20th century (well that just works out nicely). Starting at 1936 made some sense since that was the beginning of the AP poll, however, the AP poll has not been used exclusively since then and there were many years between 1901 and 1936 where one team was the consensus national champion. Also, BCS is now the deciding factor and is unrelated to the AP poll.

It is also important to note that schools calculate their numbers differently because they only choose to recognize certain polls, even if they contradict. Of course, "who is going to win the championship this year" is more important than "who won 100 years ago."

Also, my prior (now reverted) information is not inaccurate, as one editor noted. As demonstrated on the [[Ivy League]] page, Princeton claims 24 titles, Yale 19, etc.

Above all, this is a highly debatable topic and what is important on wikipedia is clarity and factual information.

:The year should be 1936. Polls before then were not widely used or retroactive. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 22:55, 11 December 2005 (UTC)

There was as much agreement about particular winners before 1936 as after, particularly among the schools. I agree that 1936 could make a good starting point since it marks the beginning of the AP poll, but there were many years before 1936 where there was a clear winner, still recognized as the champion by contemporaries. Retroactive polls are not to be disregarded, considering much research went into calculating each team and many champions were rightfully crowned. Either start at the beginning or 1901. [[User:68.80.237.199|68.80.237.199]] 00:49, 12 December 2005 (UTC)

== Prior Champions ==

I agree that this should start with 1901 with the advent of college football becoming more "national." Please note that the sources mentioned do not create a correspondence between what is "universally" counted and what the schools count. I agree that Helms, consensus champs, Dickenson, AP, UPI, CNN, and the BCS (along with the retroactive champs) are all solid and must be counted. However, I must question use of "Modern Analysts" which is really Sagarin. If used, USC in 2002 would have a claim, as an example. Also, Alabama in 1941 does not fall under the accepted selectors. There are also "sub-major" selectors such as the College Football Writers and the College Football Foundation (see Iowa in 1958). Finally, Notre Dame still does not recognize its 1938 champs despite every other winning school recognizing Dickenson--pretty odd for the school who inspired and requested the Dickenson system in the first place!

== ESPN vs. BCS ==

I propose that for years in split championships, after the BCS was instituted, rather than applying the label "ESPN", we should apply the label "BCS". [[User:Mrbrown|Mr. Brown]] 04:30, 25 December 2005 (UTC)

== NCAA-Recognized National Championships? ==

According to the NCAA, they have their own list of national champions. I know that some polls are more respectable than others, but wouldn't it be better to include all of the national championships from over the years, if the NCAA accepts as national championships?

== No NCAA official National Champions for DI-A football ==

There is no list of NCAA official national champions for DI-A football in their records book and if there were official champions, where are the trophies that would be awarded to the national champion? The NCAA does not make a championship trophy for DI-A football.

Although I like the current set up of this site, I do think that there should be a category for "claimed titles".

== I have implemented standards for list ==

I have updated the list of National Champions using the following sources:

1869-1882 - I have used the National Championship Foundation picks ("NCF"). There are few other sources available for this period, and this is the only one "recognized" by College Football Data Warehouse as reputable.

1883-1923 - I have used Helms Athletic Foundation picks. Although other reputable sources are available, this one, to my understanding, is the most widely recognized list for this period.

1924-1934 - I have included Helms, NCF, College Football Research Associates ("CFRA"), and the Dickinson System. Dickinson was a statistical evaluation conducted beginning in 1926, with retroactive analysis for 1924 and 1925. Helms, NCF and CFRA are all recognized as reputable by College Football Data Warehouse. Helms selections are listed first as the most widely recognized source. Indeed, it would be entirely reasonable to omit CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidate as based on "other" sources.

1935 - I add the United Press poll for this year, the end of season press poll.

1936 - I add the Associated Press poll. The United Press poll was discontinued. AP selections are now listed first as the most widely recognized source. I continue Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson, although these are far less relevant beyond 1935. Again, it would be entirely reasonable to omit Helms, CFRA, NCF and Dickinson for this period and to list any particularly strong candidates as based on "other" sources.

1941 - Dickinson results are no longer produced.

1950 - I add the United Press coaches poll. This becomes the 2nd priority selection. Helms, NCF and CFRA assist in sorting out post-bowl champions.

1952 - I add International News Service, another press poll.

1954 - I add the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), which offers the Grantland Rice Trophy to the national champion. I drop Helms, NCF and CFRA since four contemporaneous sources are now available. In 1955, the FWAA begins deciding its championship after the bowls, the first to do so, likely in response to the 1950, '51 and '53 losses by the regular season champs.

1958 - UP and INS merge and continue the UP coaches poll as the UPI.

1991 - UPI coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/CNN.

1997 - USA-Today/CNN coaches poll is taken over by USA-Today/ESPN.

1998 - Coaches poll agrees to be bound by winner of [[BCS National Championship Game]], so champion is now referred to as "BCS". Since the major conferences have agreed to be part of the BCS and its championship game system, the BCS replaces the AP as the first listed national championship.

In several cases I have included champions selected by "other" sources. I believe that there are strong cases for each of these. A similar case could be made for several schools during the 1876-1923 period that I have not included here. There are many references included below, however, that can be followed to learn more about these.

One championship that I did not include is the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame's MacArthur trophy. It is now linked to the BCS like the coaches poll. It would add only a couple of champions from 1959-1990, none of which, I believe, were widely recognized.

I have changed Ohio State's redirects to redirect to Ohio State Buckeyes instead of the Ohio State University, since that seems to be the standard for most of the list.--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 18:48, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

It seems that my changes have been deleted without any explanation, does anyone disagree that the schools; link should go to their respective athletic's website?
--[[User:Majorpayne27|Majorpayne27]] 03:20, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
:Sam left a message as to why he reverted your changes. I believe that Texas is the only school linked to the athletics website. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 13:56, 28 June 2006 (UTC)
::…and poof; just like that, they're all gone -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 18:55, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

== 2003 USC ==

Someone deleted USC's 2003 AP national championship. While I agree that the BCS national champ should be listed first since the major conferences have agreed to the BCS system, the AP championship is widely recognized as legitimate even in the BCS era. My revision of the list is intended to reflect most widely recognized champions, including co-champions. USC's claim is better than many included for earlier years and I have restored it to the list.

== Proposed "Thinned Out" List ==

Would like comments on whether following list is preferred to that currently posted:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois|Illinois]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1930 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
|[[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || ([http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/yearly_results.php?year=1934 Other]) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-
| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-
| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|[[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|[[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (NCF) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[UCLA]] || (UP) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-
|[[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS)(AP) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS)(AP) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS)(AP) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] | [[Mack Brown]] [Utah (USA Today)]
|}
 above unsigned suggestion by Drewinmaine

* Personally, I prefer the current version of the table, which features more information. I think more info is usually better so long as it is relevant and remains readable, which I think the current version does nicely. I did restore USC in 2003, as was suggested above. Also, if anyone does decide to change the table, please note that I changed [[University of Texas]] to [[Texas Longhorn Athletics]] as the second article is more directly relevant. [[User:Johntex|Johntex]]\[[User_talk:Johntex|talk]] 18:14, 6 January 2006 (UTC)

Keep the Inclusive Table

I like the more inclusive table as well. However, if the thinned-out version is used, I would keep the Dickenson System champions as they have become more accepted and represent the first attempt to use statistics to determine a champion. It was also the pre-eminent selector of its time.
:It has? I give it no more value than I give any of those other random NC selectors. I propose, as mentioned below, we use the same criteria as the College Football Data Warehouse.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 18:27, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Please also note that any controversy regarding the split of 2003 should really be non-existent as the BCS itself recognizes the split on its website under the discussion of the 2003 season.

I think the thinned out version should be used. The Dickenson system is ridiculous to use when every other measure gives the championship to another team. It's crazy to use a system that awards a "statistical" championship to a team with a loss, especially if that loss was in their bowl game. [[User:67.64.114.187|67.64.114.187]] 20:58, 8 September 2006 (UTC)

==Counting retroactively awarded titles in the team totals==
As a a retroactive title wasn't recognized in the year that the team played, I think it is disingenuous to use retroactive rankings, such as National Championship Foundation, College Football Researchers Association, and Helms (pre 1941) as a an "official source" for National Championships in the total numbers awarded. If no-one comes up with a good argument why Wikipedia should use retroactively generated lists, then I will adjust the Team-by-team totals in a few days. -- [[User:KelleyCook|KelleyCook]] 13:51, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I believe those were originally used because they are used on the [http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php College Football Data Warehouse] website. It is difficult to determine which polls to use in the Pre-AP era.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 13:55, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:Honestly, I think we should just use the same criteria that website uses.
<pre>
1869-1882 National Championship Foundation
1883-1935 Helms Athletic Foundation
1919-1935 College Football Researches Association
1936-Current Associated Press Poll
1950-Current Coaches Poll
</pre>
I have a tough time justifying the use of the Dickinson System mainly because it award ND the title in 1938 and it was the only poll to do so.--[[User:Nmajdan|NMajdan]]•[[User talk:Nmajdan|talk]] 14:20, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
:I agree with Nmajdan. However, we should note that there are no ''''official'''' national champions until the BCS.[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 17:40, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
::Dickinson used math much in the same way the present BCS computers do. I must once again note that it was the pre-eminent selector of its time. I certainly believe that it was far superior to most if not all of the other systems of its day and was so until the AP began. Even then it was important and remained so until it ended in 1940. Please also note that while the BCS has a very strong grip on the National Championship it is by no means "official." There is still no "official" NCAA Div. 1 college football champion.
:::You guys are giving FAR, FAR too much credit to the criteria that College Football Data Warehouse uses. The only relevant ones post 1935 are Associated Press and the Coaches poll. The only relevant ones prior to that are ones that actually had selectors. Anyone that was a recent retroactive poll (read computer geek with access to Stassen's database) deserves zero credit by Wikipedia. And the '''BCS''' clearly is not a poll nor even the determiner of an official champion, but only a bowl matchmaker. The Coaches poll, of course, is obligated to make their first pick the winner of the BCS #1 v #2 game, but that doesn't mean that their is a BCS final pick.

The College Football Data Warehouse told me in an e-mail that he would look at the Dickinson System a second time. While I like this web-site, it is not all-inclusive and is also the opinion of that particular individual. Almanacs and many reference books now utilize Dickinson and the fact that their selections might differ is not relevant. It was major AT THE TIME. But using the Data Warehouse is alright as long as you can augment it. Please also note that they give 1964 Arkansas a championship although they were not slected by major selectors (I agree with that as well and I also agree with 1953 Notre Dame being granted a championship.){{unsigned|65.119.25.226}}

== Consensus titles ==

Notre Dame is listed as a school that does not count all potential titles, but by consensus counts has 11 championships. I've removed the following (with reasons:
# 1946 Helms (contemporaneous) split between ND and Army, CFRA also chose Army
# 1947 Helms split between ND and Michigan, AP picked ND, NCF and CFRA picked Michigan
# 1973 UPI picked Alabama, AP/FWAA picked ND
[[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 19:16, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

==Link to Vince Young-Mack Brown Video on YouTube==
I have excised the link to a video on YouTube that someone had added in the External Links section. I think it was supposed to be funny, as it suggested a homoerotic relationship between Texas quarterback Vince Young and Texas coach Mack Brown, criticized rainbow iconography, and liberally used the word "homo" in a derogatory way. But yeah it had nothing to do with Division I-A national championships. At all. So it's gone. And yes, I do live in Texas. And no, I am not gay. And from what I understand, neither are Mack Brown and Vince Young.

For reference, here is the link:
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEmOliM5OAY The Vince Young Mack Brown Story]

Kind regards
[[User:J. Charles Taylor|J. Charles Taylor]] 11:59, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thank you for taking care of this. I do some editing in locations where I can't access some media (like many others), so I can't vet videos. Best. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 15:28, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

==In 1919...==
On the Texas A&M Wikipedia site, it claims the Aggies won the national championship in 1919 and in 1939. Although it does mention the championship in 1939, this page does not mention the championship supposedly won in 1919. Anyone have a source supporting/declining this?

:The only sources I could find for a 1919 championship for A&M were [http://www.jhowell.net/cf/cf1919.htm James Howell], a computer ranking that I believe was conducted in 2000, and a 3 way tie in the [http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/champ_results.php?selector=National%20Championship%20Foundation National Championship Foundation] retroactive research results. The Aggies were undefeated and untied that year and it is quite possible that the press in Texas and elsewhere declared them national champions at the time. During this period, though, the NCF declared multiple champions on several occasions, making the inclusion of its champions on this list less useful than some other sources, as one would prefer a source that actually chooses a single national champion. [[user:Drewinmaine]] 11.26.06

== Last 25 years? ==

Why have this section? People can much more easily look at the list to see who has won recently, than since 1901. I hope it is not to maximize Miami's visibility. [[User:Rkevins82|Rkevins82]] 18:00, 29 September 2006 (UTC)

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T09:02:58Z

70.35.237.67: /* Most national championships */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (Sagarin)<ref>url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html </ref> || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || 1 || 1950<ref>url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html </ref>
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T09:01:09Z

70.35.237.67: /* Most national championships */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (Sagarin)<ref>url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html </ref> || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

Using only the sources from the National Championship Foundation or the "consensus" champion, the following teams have won the most championships since 1901:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || 1 || 1950<ref>url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html </ref>
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T08:53:02Z

70.35.237.67: /* By year */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (Sagarin)<ref>url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html </ref> || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

Using only the sources from the National Championship Foundation or the "consensus" champion, the following teams have won the most championships since 1901:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T08:51:07Z

70.35.237.67: /* By year */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (Sagarin)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html format=HTML | accessdate=2006-07-18}}</ref> || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

Using only the sources from the National Championship Foundation or the "consensus" champion, the following teams have won the most championships since 1901:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T08:34:26Z

70.35.237.67: /* By year */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (SAR) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

Using only the sources from the National Championship Foundation or the "consensus" champion, the following teams have won the most championships since 1901:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS

2006-11-18T08:32:44Z

70.35.237.67: /* By year */

[[Image:BCS national championship trophy and Bevo.JPG|right|thumb|[[Texas Longhorn Athletics|UT]]'s [[Bevo (mascot)|Bevo]] with the [[Bowl Championship Series|BCS]] Division I-A National Championship trophy in an [[ESPN]] [[College GameDay]] broadcast. ]]
The '''NCAA Division I-A national football championship''' is the only [[Division I]]-A [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]-sponsored sport without an organized [[tournament]] to determine its champion.

Although football is the most popular NCAA sport and the sport in which public interest in the "championship" might be highest, there may be in fact no undisputed champion in any given year. Criticisms lodged against the NCAA DI-A football division include the fact that the final ranking of NCAA DI-A football teams is decided by subjective standards, which are often regarded as being arbitrary. Many believe that the champion of the most popular collegiate sport should not be decided by polls; others regard the poll system as well-tested and as appropriate for an amateur collegiate sport. The major push for changes to the system is less than a decade old, while Bowl traditions approach a century old. The most vocal supporters of a change to the system are some fans, some coaches and the ESPN network (which would profit handsomely from a change), while other fans and coaches, and virtually all school presidents, largely favor the current system.[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE6DE1F38F932A35753C1A961948260].

Since the start of college football, there have been many individuals, publications and organizations that have selected their national champion. Some carried more weight than others. Also, some organizations have gone back and researched those early seasons and retroactively constructed rankings and determined recognized champions of major college football. Some examples of these type of polls include the National Championship Foundation, the College Football Researchers Association, and the [[Helms Athletic Foundation]]. Other systems, such as the Dickinson System, used statistical analysis to determine a ranking.

One of the first major media poll was the [[AP Poll]] released in 1936, and is still in use today. This poll utilizes a vast network of sportswriters to determine its ranking. Although modified slightly, another poll still in use today is the [[Coaches Poll]], which polls a random selection of 62 collegiate football [[head coach]]es to determine its ranking.

The tradition, and the controversy, is carried on today with the [[Bowl Championship Series]] (BCS), created for the [[1998 Division 1A Football Season|1998 season]], and its predecessors — the [[Bowl Coalition]] from seasons [[1992 Division 1A Football Season|1992]] to [[1994 Division 1A Football Season|1994]], and the [[Bowl Alliance]] from seasons [[1995 Division 1A Football Season|1995]] to [[1997 Division 1A Football Season|1997]]. The [[Associated Press|AP]] and Coaches' polls, computer rankings, strength of schedule and performance against other top teams were combined into a formula, with the top two teams meeting in the [[BCS National Championship Game]]. But the system has not been without controversy.

Most recently, in [[2003 in sports|2003]] [[University of Southern California|USC]] did not play in the BCS title game, despite finishing the regular season as #1 in both the AP and coaches polls. In the BCS formula Oklahoma was ranked #1 at the end of the regular season and [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] ended up #2. Under the BCS agreement Oklahoma played LSU in the championship game. LSU won the BCS title game, giving it the BCS title and #1 ranking in the coaches' poll, while the sportswriters voted USC #1 in the AP poll. The resulting "split" national championship forced more changes to the BCS formula for the 2004 season, when the BCS formula was once again tweaked (see [[Bowl Championship Series]] article).

On two occasions, the BCS formula has worked ideally. In both 2002 and 2005, there were only two undefeated teams at the end of the season. In 2002 those teams were the Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU) and the Miami Huricanes. In 2005 those teams were the [[USC Trojans]] and the [[Texas Longhorns]]. In 2002 the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Miami in the Fiesta Bowl to claim the title and in 2005 the Texas Longhorns defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to claim the title. The use of the [[Bowl Championship Series]] formula, however, has fostered debate amongst those college football fans who are proponents of a playoff system.
The term Division I-A was not used until 1978, and before that the term 'major college champion' was often used.

==Football Bowl subdivision==
On August 3, 2006, the Division I Board of Directors took action regarding the two football subdivisions in Division I (Division I-A and I-AA), the Board approved new labels. The presidents approved a change in terminology to "[[Football Bowl Subdivision]]" for the former I-A classification and "[[NCAA Football Championship Subdivision]]" for the former I-AA group. The Collegiate Commissioners Association helped develop the new labels.

The presidents believe the new nomenclature, which becomes effective in December 2006, more accurately distinguishes Division I institutions for purposes of governing football, the only sport for which such a distinction is necessary. Members felt the old nomenclature inaccurately tiered Division I institutions in all sports, not just football, and produced instances in which media outlets and other entities incorrectly cited institutions as being Division I-AA in basketball or baseball, for example.

The new nomenclature does not effect the voting structure used in Division I governance matters.

==Rankings overview==
As mentioned previously, the NCAA does not award a consensus national champion for Division I-A football. Throughout the season, human polls are used to decide who are the tops teams. The most widely accepted polls in use today are the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. Beginning in 1998, the BCS became the determining system in crowning a national champion. The BCS uses both objective and subjective data, including human polls, to determine the top two teams at the end of the season. Those two teams play each other in a National Championship Game.

Prior to 1936, determining national champions is more difficult. According to the website, College Football Data Warehouse, the most acceptable selectors throughout history are the National Championship Foundation, Helms Athletic Foundation, and the College Football Researchers Association.<ref>{{cite web | title=National Championships | url=http://cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/national_championships/index.php | publisher=College Football Data Warehouse | accessdate=2006-08-01 | language=English | format=HTML }}</ref>

Following is a table of the polls that will be used for this ranking:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Retroactive/research polls
|-
| <center>1869-2001</center> || National Championship Foundation || <center>NCF</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1869-1882 and from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1919-1992</center> || College Football Researchers Association || <center>CFRA</center> || Table below reflects selections from 1924-1953
|-
| <center>1883-1982</center> || [[Helms Athletic Foundation]] || <center>H</center> || Retroactive 1883-1941, Contemporaneous 1942-1982; Table below reflects selections from 1883-1953
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Statistical analysis
|-
| <center>1924-1940</center> || Dickinson System || <center>D</center> || Contemporaneous 1926-1940
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | Media/opinion polls
|-
| <center>1935</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1936-Current</center> || Associated Press || <center>AP</center> || After Bowls 1965 and 1968-current
|-
| <center>1952-1957</center> || [[International News Service]] || <center>INS</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1954-Current</center> || [[Football Writers Association of America]] || <center>FWAA</center> || After Bowls 1955-current
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[Harris Interactive Poll]] || <center>HI</center> || Used only for BCS Rankings
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:left;" | The Coaches poll, published by:
|-
| <center>1950-1957</center> || [[United Press]] || <center>UP</center> || Before Bowls
|-
| <center>1958-1990</center> || [[United Press International]] || <center>UPI</center> || After Bowls 1974-1990
|-
| <center>1991-1996</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[CNN]] || <center>CNN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1997</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>ESPN</center> || After Bowls
|-
| <center>1998-2004</center> || [[USA Today]]/[[ESPN]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|-
| 2005-Current</center> || [[USA Today]] || <center>BCS</center> || Required to vote for [[BCS National Championship Game|BCS title game]] winner
|}

==By year==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Champion !! Source !! Record !! Bowl !! Head coach
|-
| [[1869 in sports|1869]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1870 in sports|1870]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1871 in sports|1871]] || ''No Champion'' || || || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1872 in sports|1872]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-
| [[1873 in sports|1873]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 1-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1874 in sports|1874]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1875 in sports|1875]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (NCF) || 4-0 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1876 in sports|1876]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0 || ||
|-
| [[1877 in sports|1877]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 3-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1878 in sports|1878]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 6-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1879 in sports|1879]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2" |[[1880 in sports|1880]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 4-0-1 || ||
|-
| [[1881 in sports|1881]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 5-0-1 || ||
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1882 in sports|1882]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (NCF) || 8-0-0 || ||
|-
| [[1883 in sports|1883]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || Ray Tomkins (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1884 in sports|1884]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Eugene L. Richards (Captain)
|-
| [[1885 in sports|1885]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Charles DeCamp (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1886 in sports|1886]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Robert N. Corwin (Captain)
|-
| [[1887 in sports|1887]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || Harry W. Beecher (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1888 in sports|1888]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1889 in sports|1889]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || Edgar Poe (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1890 in sports|1890]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || G.A. Stewart/G.C. Adams
|-
| [[1891 in sports|1891]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1892 in sports|1892]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 13-0-0 || || [[Walter Camp]]
|-
| [[1893 in sports|1893]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Tom Trenchard (Captain)
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1894 in sports|1894]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 16-0-0 || || William C. Rhodes
|-
| [[1895 in sports|1895]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 14-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1896 in sports|1896]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Garrett Cochran
|-
| [[1897 in sports|1897]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 15-0-0 || || [[George Woodruff]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1898 in sports|1898]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || W. Cameron Forbes
|-
| [[1899 in sports|1899]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || || Benjamin H. Dibblee
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1900 in sports|1900]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Malcolm McBride
|-
| [[1901 in sports|1901]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1902 in sports|1902]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Fielding Yost]]
|-
| [[1903 in sports|1903]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || Art Hillebrand
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1904 in sports|1904]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 12-0-0 || || Carl Williams
|-
| [[1905 in sports|1905]] || [[University of Chicago|Chicago]] || (H) || 11-0-0 || || [[Amos Alonzo Stagg]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1906 in sports|1906]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || Bill Roper
|-
| [[1907 in sports|1907]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || || [[Bill Knox]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1908 in sports|1908]] || [[University of Pennsylvania|Pennsylvania]] || (H) || 11-0-1 || || [[Sol Metzger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|-
| [[1909 in sports|1909]] || [[Yale University|Yale]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1910 in sports|1910]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 8-0-1 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1911 in sports|1911]] || [[Princeton University|Princeton]] || (H) || 8-0-2 || || Bill Roper
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1912 in sports|1912]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-
| [[1913 in sports|1913]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Percy Houghton]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1914 in sports|1914]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Charley Daly]]
|-
| [[1915 in sports|1915]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Al Sharpe]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1916 in sports|1916]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| [[1917 in sports|1917]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[John Heisman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1918 in sports|1918]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (H) || 4-1-0 || || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|[[1919 in sports|1919]] || [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || (H) || 9-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bob Fisher (football coach)|Bob Fisher]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| rowspan="2"|[[1920 in sports|1920]] || [[University of California, Berkeley|California]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Andy Smith]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
| [[1921 in sports|1921]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1922 in sports|1922]] || [[Cornell University|Cornell]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Gil Dobie]]
|-
| [[1923 in sports|1923]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H) || 8-0-0 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1924 in sports|1924]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1925 in sports|1925]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[Dartmouth College|Dartmouth]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Jesse Hawley (football)|Jesse Hawley]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1926 in sports|1926]] || [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Glenn Scobey Warner|Pop Warner]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || Tied [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1927 in sports|1927]] || [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|Illinois]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Robert Zuppke|Bob Zuppke]]
|-
| [[Yale University|Yale]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || || T.A. Dwight "Tad" Jones
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1928 in sports|1928]] || [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Bill Alexander]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 9-0-1 || || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-
| [[1929 in sports|1929]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1930 in sports|1930]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(D)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Knute Rockne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (CFRA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Wallace Wade]]
|-
| [[1931 in sports|1931]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1932 in sports|1932]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (D) || 8-0-0 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-
| [[1933 in sports|1933]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 7-0-1 || || [[Harry Kipke]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1934 in sports|1934]] ||[[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (H)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1935 in sports|1935]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-
| [[Southern Methodist University|SMU]] || (D) || 12-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Madison A. "Matty" Bell]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1936 in sports|1936]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(D)(NCF) || 7-1-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (CFRA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1937 in sports|1937]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Jock Sutherland]]
|-
|| [[University of California|California]] || (H) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Leonard Allison]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="3"| [[1938 in sports|1938]] || [[Texas Christian University|TCU]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dutch Meyer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (D) || 8-1-0 || || [[Elmer Layden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1939 in sports|1939]] || [[Texas A&M University|Texas A&M]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Homer Norton]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (D) || 8-0-2 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Howard Jones (football coach)|Howard Jones]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1940 in sports|1940]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(D)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Stanford University|Stanford]] || (H) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Clark Shaughnessy]]
|-
| [[1941 in sports|1941]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 8-0-0 || || [[Bernie Bierman]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1942 in sports|1942]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Paul Brown]]
|- style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[University of Wisconsin-Madison|Wisconsin]] || (H) || 8-1-1 || || [[Harry Stuhldreher]]
|-
| [[1943 in sports|1943]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-1-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1944 in sports|1944]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Carroll Widdoes]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1945 in sports|1945]] || [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Frank Thomas (football coach)|Frank Thomas]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1946 in sports|1946]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 8-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[United States Military Academy|Army]] || (H)(CFRA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Earl Blaik]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1947 in sports|1947]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)<ref>The official final AP poll, taken before the bowls, had Notre Dame #1 (107 first place votes) and Michigan #2 (25 first place votes). Michigan won the Rose Bowl 49-0 over USC while Notre Dame did not play in a bowl game. [[Detroit Free Press]] sports editor Lyall Smith arranged a post-bowl AP poll with only Michigan or Notre Dame as choices. Michigan won that poll 266-119.{{cite book|Last=Kyrk|first=John|title=Natural Enemies|page=142-7|isbn=1589790901}}</ref>(H)(CFRA)(NCF)|| 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Fritz Crisler]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1948 in sports|1948]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Bennie Oosterbaan]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1949 in sports|1949]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(H)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1950 in sports|1950]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(H) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]] || (SAR) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl (game)|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1951 in sports|1951]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (AP)(UP) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Robert Neyland]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (H) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-
| [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (CFRA)(NCF) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1952 in sports|1952]] || [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (AP)(UP)(H)(CFRA)(NCF) || 9-0-0 || || [[Biggie Munn]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (INS) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Dodd]]
|-
|rowspan="3"| [[1953 in sports|1953]] || [[University of Maryland, College Park|Maryland]] || (AP)(UP)(INS) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jim Tatum]]
|-
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (H)(NCF) || 9-0-1 || || [[Frank Leahy]]
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (CFRA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1954 in sports|1954]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(INS) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[UCLA]] || (UP)(FWAA) || 9-0-0 || || [[Red Sanders]]
|-
| [[1955 in sports|1955]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1956 in sports|1956]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || || [[Bud Wilkinson]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1957 in sports|1957]] || [[Auburn University|Auburn]] || (AP) || 10-0-0 || || [[Shug Jordan]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (UP)(INS)(FWAA) || 9-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1958 in sports|1958]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Paul Dietzel]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Iowa|Iowa]] || (FWAA) || 8-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Forest Evashevski]]
|-
| [[1959 in sports|1959]] || [[Syracuse University|Syracuse]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Ben Schwartzwalder]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1960 in sports|1960]] || [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || (AP)(UPI) || 8-2-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Murray Warmath]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Mississippi|Mississippi]] || (FWAA) || 10-0-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[John Vaught ]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1961 in sports|1961]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (FWAA) || 8-0-1 || || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1962 in sports|1962]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1963 in sports|1963]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1964 in sports|1964]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Arkansas|Arkansas]] || (FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Frank Broyles]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1965 in sports|1965]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 9-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-
| [[Michigan State University|Michigan State]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Duffy Daugherty]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1966 in sports|1966]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 9-0-1 || || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[1967 in sports|1967]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1968 in sports|1968]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 10-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Woody Hayes]]
|-
| [[1969 in sports|1969]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1970 in sports|1970]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (UPI) || 10-1-0 || Lost [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Darrell Royal]]
|-
| [[1971 in sports|1971]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Devaney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1972 in sports|1972]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1973 in sports|1973]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Ara Parseghian]]
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (UPI) || 11-1-0 || Lost [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1974 in sports|1974]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP) || 11-0-0 || || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI)(FWAA) || 10-1-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John McKay (football coach)|John McKay]]
|-
| [[1975 in sports|1975]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1976 in sports|1976]] || [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Johnny Majors]]
|-
| [[1977 in sports|1977]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Cotton Bowl (game)|Cotton]] || [[Dan Devine]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1978 in sports|1978]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (UPI) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[John Robinson (football coach)|John Robinson]]
|-
| [[1979 in sports|1979]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bear Bryant|Paul "Bear" Bryant]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1980 in sports|1980]] || [[University of Georgia|Georgia]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Vince Dooley]]
|-
| [[1981 in sports|1981]] || [[Clemson University|Clemson]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Danny Ford]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1982 in sports|1982]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1983 in sports|1983]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Howard Schnellenberger]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1984 in sports|1984]] || [[Brigham Young University|BYU]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Holiday Bowl|Holiday]] || [[Lavell Edwards]]
|-
| [[1985 in sports|1985]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Barry Switzer]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1986 in sports|1986]] || [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Joe Paterno]]
|-
| [[1987 in sports|1987]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Jimmy Johnson (football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1988 in sports|1988]] || [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Lou Holtz]]
|-
| [[1989 in sports|1989]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP)(UPI)(FWAA) || 11-1-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
|rowspan="2"| [[1990 in sports|1990]] || [[University of Colorado|Colorado]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 11-1-1 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bill McCartney]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || (UPI) || 11-0-1 || Won [[Citrus Bowl|Citrus]] || [[Bobby Ross]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1991 in sports|1991]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (AP) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Dennis Erickson]]
|-
| [[University of Washington|Washington]] || (CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Don James]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1992 in sports|1992]] || [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Gene Stallings]]
|-
| [[1993 in sports|1993]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1994 in sports|1994]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 13-0-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-
| [[1995 in sports|1995]] || [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-0-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1996 in sports|1996]] || [[University of Florida|Florida]] || (AP)(CNN)(FWAA) || 12-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Steve Spurrier]]
|-
|rowspan="2"| [[1997 in sports|1997]] || [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || (AP)(FWAA) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Lloyd Carr]]
|-
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || (ESPN) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Tom Osborne (football coach)|Tom Osborne]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[1998 in sports|1998]] || [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Phillip Fulmer]]
|-
| [[1999 in sports|1999]] || [[Florida State University|Florida State]] || (BCS)|| 12-0 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Bobby Bowden]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2000 in sports|2000]] || [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Bob Stoops]]
|-
| [[2001 in sports|2001]] || [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || (BCS) || 12-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Larry Coker]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2002 in sports|2002]] || [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || (BCS) || 14-0 || Won [[Fiesta Bowl|Fiesta]] || [[Jim Tressel]]
|-
|rowspan ="2"| [[2003 in sports|2003]] || [[Louisiana State University|LSU]] || (BCS) || 13-1 || Won [[Sugar Bowl|Sugar]] || [[Nick Saban]]
|-
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (AP) || 12-1 || Won [[Rose Bowl (game)|Rose]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[2004 in sports|2004]] || [[University of Southern California|USC]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange]] || [[Pete Carroll]]
|-
| [[2005 in sports|2005]] || [[University of Texas|Texas]] || (BCS) || 13-0 || Won [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose]] || [[Mack Brown]]
|}

==Most national championships==
This is a source of much debate. Before 1901 the national title was dominated by teams that are now members of the [[Ivy League]]. Yale and Princeton each claim as many as 24 national championships. However, Yale's last title was in 1927 and Princeton's was in 1935 (according to Dunkel, not reflected above). The University of Michigan won the first non-Ivy League national championship in 1901 (game played in January, 1902).

To settle countless arguments, ''Sports Illustrated'' in 1970 researched the first and only complete and wholly accurate list ever compiled of college football's mythical national champions. Every recognized authority that ever presumed to name a No. 1 was included: Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame, United Press International and many other authorities. At that time they claimed Notre Dame had the most national championships with 17, USC with 13, Yale 13, Princeton 12, Alabama 10, and Pittsburgh 9. [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

Using only the sources from the National Championship Foundation or the "consensus" champion, the following teams have won the most championships since 1901:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Team !! Recognized titles !! Winning years
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Southern California|USC]] || 17 || 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, 1939, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Notre Dame|Notre Dame]] || 14 || 1919, 1920, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988
|-
| [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] || 11 || 1925, 1926, 1930, 1945, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992
|-
| [[University of Oklahoma|Oklahoma]] || 9 || 1949, 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Michigan|Michigan]] || 7 || 1901, 1902, 1932, 1933, 1947, 1948, 1997
|-
| [[Ohio State University|Ohio State]] || 7 || 1942, 1944, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 2002
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Minnesota|Minnesota]] || 6 || 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
|-
| [[University of Miami|Miami (FL)]] || 5 || 1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, 2001
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Nebraska|Nebraska]] || 5 || 1970, 1971, 1994, 1995, 1997
|-
| [[University of Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh]] || 5 || 1916, 1918, 1936, 1937, 1976
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]] || 4 || 1917, 1928, 1952, 1990
|-
| [[Harvard University|Harvard]] || 4 || 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919
|-style="background: #e3e3e3;"
| [[University of Tennessee|Tennessee]] || 4 || 1938, 1950, 1951, 1998
|-
| [[University of Texas at Austin|Texas]] || 4 || 1963, 1969, 1970, 2005
|-
|}

Several universities claim more championships than are listed above (e.g., Michigan claims 11 national championships) and some claim fewer championships than are listed above (e.g., Notre Dame claims 11 national championships, and Oklahoma claims 7).

==See also==
* [[NCAA Division I-AA national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division I-AA Consensus Mid-Major Football National Championship]]
* [[NCAA Division II national football championship]]
* [[NCAA Division III national football championship]]
* [[List of college bowl games]]

==References==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
*[http://www.hickoksports.com/history/cfchamps.shtml Hickok Sports College Football National Champions page]
*[http://www.ncaa.org/champadmin/ia_football_past_champs.html NCAA.org Past National Champions page]
*[http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/nationalchamps_history.htm Nationalchamps.net History Page]
*[http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~dwilson/rsfc/history/kirlin/champs.html Bob Kirlin's Historical Reality National College Football Champions]
</div>
*[http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/pitt/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/06guide-pantherhistory.pdf]

==Other College Football links==
*[http://www.ncaasports.com/football/mens NCAA football page]
*{{cite web|
url=http://www.hickoksports.com/history/collbowl.shtml|title=College Bowl Games|
work=HickokSports.com|accessdate=September 20|accessyear=2005}}

[[Category:College football]]
[[Category:Sports-related lists|F]]
[[Category:Bowl Championship Series]]

[[fr:Championnat NCAA de football américain]]

Stan Lane

2006-11-10T09:33:33Z

70.35.237.67:

{{Unreferenced}}

'''Stan Lane''' is a [[professional wrestler]] famous for being a member of The [[Fabulous Ones (professional wrestling)|Fabulous Ones]] and [[The Midnight Express]] tag teams.

==Career==
Stan Lane (Wallace Stanfield Lane) was trained by [[Ric Flair]] and started wrestling in 1974 in Florida Championship Wrestling.

In 1982, he went to Mid-Southern Wrestling and formed a team called The Fabulous Ones with [[Steve Keirn]]. This legendary tag team is considered the greatest in the history of professional wrestling by many experts. They feuded with the Midnight Express, The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams), Randy Savage with Lanny Poffo and the Moondogs with whom they had a series of exceptionaly bloody matches. They were also pioneers in the "MTV style" of promotion, creating promotional videos and spectacular entrances with their popular theme song "Everybody Wants You" by [[Billy Squier]].

In 1987, Lane left the Fabulous Ones to go to the NWA's [[Jim Crockett]] Promotions to take Dennis Condrey's place in The [[Midnight Express]] with [[Bobby Eaton]]. He became "Sweet Stan" and would do the introductions in a deep radio DJ voice for manager Jim Cornette. While they were the most successful version of the Midnight Express as they won the United States Tag Team Titles 3 times and the NWA World Tag Team Championship once, defeating Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for the titles, many fans felt they were but a plae immitation of the Fabulous Ones whom many fans desperatley wanted to see back together.

They also feuded with an old Midnight Express enemy, The [[Rock 'N Roll Express]]. In late 1990, Lane left when Ted Turner bought it and was turning it into WCW. To fans excitement he reformed the Fabulous Ones with Keirn briefly in the USWA and went to Smoky Mountain Wrestling to reunited with Cornette and form a new team called "The Heavenly Bodies" with Tom Prichard. They feuded with the Rock 'N Roll Express and won the tag team titles 5 times.

He retired in 1993 and went to work for the [[WWF]] as a member of the WWF's broadcast team. He began as a color commentator alongside Vince McMahon on WWF Superstars. He then went on to become the host of WWF Wrestling Challenge in 1994, where he worked with [[Ted DiBiase]] and Gorilla Monsoon. Lane also did voiceover work of matches that were taped exclusively for Coliseum Video. He worked with DiBiase and Monsoon for those too. He also worked as a commentator in Ted DiBiase's promotion, WXO.

He left after about a year and retired. Lane returned in the late-1990s and again reformed "The Fabulous Ones" for a few cards in Bert Prentice's NWA Wildside promotion to wild fan reception.

He came back to the sport in 2004 to tour with Condrey and Eaton in the independent promotions in the Mid-Atlantic area. He is still wrestling in 2005. Many fans hope to see the Fabulous Ones together again, possibly in [[TNA]] or the [[WWE]].

==Profile==
*Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
*Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
*Birthday: [[August 5]], [[1953]]
*Hometown: [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
*Birthplace: [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
*Trainer: Ric Flair
*Managers: [[Jim Cornette]], [[Oliver Humperdink]], [[Jimmy Hart]], Sal Corrente, [[Stacy Carter]]
*Other Gimmicks: "Gangster of Love" Stan Lane, "Sweet" Stan Lane

==Championships and accomplishments==
'''National Wrestling Alliance'''
*1-Time [[NWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Bobby Eaton]])
*3-Time [[WCW United States Tag Team Championship|NWA United States Tag Team Champion]] (with Bobby Eaton)
'''Smoky Mountain Wrestling'''
*5-Time [[SMW Tag Team Championship|SMW Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Tom Prichard]])
'''Florida Championship Wrestling'''
*3-Time [[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship|Florida Tag Team Champion]] (with Bryan St. John)
*2-Time [[NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship|Florida United States Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Steve Keirn]])
'''Mid-Southern Wrestling & USWA'''
*1-Time USWA Tag Team Champion (with Steve Keirn)
*17-Time Mid-Southern Tag Team Champion (with Steve Keirn 15 times, [[Koko B. Ware|Koko Ware]] once and [[Ronald Herd|Ron Bass]] once)
'''Other Titles'''
*1-Time Georgia Junior Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time Southeast United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time Southwest Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champion (with Seve Keirn)
*1-Time AWF Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time VWA Tag Team Champion (with Jeff Collette)
'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # '''213''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked three times in the best tag teams during the "PWI Years". He was ranked # '''28''' with [[Steve Keirn]], # '''32''' with [[Bobby Eaton]] and # '''73''' with [[Tom Prichard]].
*Lane also won the PWI Tag Team of the Year Award with Bobby Eaton.
'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
*1987 Tag Team of the Year (with Bobby Eaton)
*1988 Feud of the Year (with Bobby Eaton vs Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers)
*1988 Tag Team of the Year (with Bobby Eaton)

[[Category:American professional wrestlers|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:1953 births|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Living people|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:People from North Carolina|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:American color commentators|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Smoky Mountain Wrestling alumni|Lane, Stan]]

Stan Lane

2006-11-10T09:25:40Z

70.35.237.67: /* Career */

{{Unreferenced}}

'''Stan Lane''' is a [[professional wrestler]] famous for being a member of The [[Fabulous Ones (professional wrestling)|Fabulous Ones]] and [[The Midnight Express]] tag teams.

==Career==
Stan Lane (Wallace Stanfield Lane) was trained by Ric Flair and started wrestling in 1974 in Florida Championship Wrestling.

In 1982, he went to Mid-Southern Wrestling and formed a team called The Fabulous Ones with Steve Keirn. This legendary tag team is considered the greatest in the history of professional wrestling by many experts. They feuded with the Midnight Express, The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams), Randy Savage with Lanny Poffo and the Moondogs with whom they had a series of exceptionaly bloody matches. They were also pioneers in the "MTV style" of promotion, creating promotional videos and spectacular entrances with their popular theme song "Everybody Wants You" by Billy Squier

In 1987, Lane left the Fabulous Ones to go to the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions to take Dennis Condrey's place in The Midnight Express with Bobby Eaton. He became "Sweet Stan" and would do the introductions in a deep radio DJ voice for manager Jim Cornette. While they were the most successful version of the Midnight Express as they won the United States Tag Team Titles 3 times and the NWA World Tag Team Championship once, defeating Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard for the titles, many fans felt they were but a plae immitation of the Fabulous Ones whom many fans desperatley wanted to see back together.

They also feuded with an old Midnight Express enemy, The Rock 'N Roll Express. In late 1990, Lane left when Ted Turner bought it and was turning it into WCW. To fans excitement he reformed the Fabulous Ones with Keirn briefly in the USWA and went to Smoky Mountain Wrestling to reunited with Cornette and form a new team called "The Heavenly Bodies" with Tom Prichard. They feuded with the Rock 'N Roll Express and won the tag team titles 5 times.

He retired in 1993 and went to work for the WWF as a member of the WWF's broadcast team. He began as a color commentator alongside Vince McMahon on WWF Superstars. He then went on to become the host of WWF Wrestling Challenge in 1994, where he worked with Ted DiBiase and Gorilla Monsoon. Lane also did voiceover work of matches that were taped exclusively for Coliseum Video. He worked with DiBiase and Monsoon for those too. He also worked as a commentator in Ted DiBiase's promotion, WXO.

He left after about a year and retired. Lane returned in the late-1990s and again reformed "The Fabulous Ones" for a few cards in Bert Prentice's NWA Wildside promotion to wild fan reception.

He came back to the sport in 2004 to tour with Condrey and Eaton in the independent promotions in the Mid-Atlantic area. He is still wrestling in 2005. Many fans hope to see the Fabulous Ones together again, possibly in TNA or the WWE.

==Profile==
*Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
*Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
*Birthday: [[August 5]], [[1953]]
*Hometown: [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
*Birthplace: [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
*Trainer: Ric Flair
*Managers: [[Jim Cornette]], [[Oliver Humperdink]], [[Jimmy Hart]], Sal Corrente, [[Stacy Carter]]
*Other Gimmicks: "Gangster of Love" Stan Lane, "Sweet" Stan Lane

==Championships and accomplishments==
'''National Wrestling Alliance'''
*1-Time [[NWA World Tag Team Championship|NWA World Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Bobby Eaton]])
*3-Time [[WCW United States Tag Team Championship|NWA United States Tag Team Champion]] (with Bobby Eaton)
'''Smoky Mountain Wrestling'''
*5-Time [[SMW Tag Team Championship|SMW Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Tom Prichard]])
'''Florida Championship Wrestling'''
*3-Time [[NWA Florida Tag Team Championship|Florida Tag Team Champion]] (with Bryan St. John)
*2-Time [[NWA Florida United States Tag Team Championship|Florida United States Tag Team Champion]] (with [[Steve Keirn]])
'''Mid-Southern Wrestling & USWA'''
*1-Time USWA Tag Team Champion (with Steve Keirn)
*17-Time Mid-Southern Tag Team Champion (with Steve Keirn 15 times, [[Koko B. Ware|Koko Ware]] once and [[Ronald Herd|Ron Bass]] once)
'''Other Titles'''
*1-Time Georgia Junior Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time Southeast United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time Southwest Championship Wrestling Tag Team Champion (with Seve Keirn)
*1-Time AWF Heavyweight Champion
*1-Time VWA Tag Team Champion (with Jeff Collette)
'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
*Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) ranked him # '''213''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003. He was also ranked three times in the best tag teams during the "PWI Years". He was ranked # '''28''' with [[Steve Keirn]], # '''32''' with [[Bobby Eaton]] and # '''73''' with [[Tom Prichard]].
*Lane also won the PWI Tag Team of the Year Award with Bobby Eaton.
'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
*1987 Tag Team of the Year (with Bobby Eaton)
*1988 Feud of the Year (with Bobby Eaton vs Bobby Fulton and Tommy Rogers)
*1988 Tag Team of the Year (with Bobby Eaton)

[[Category:American professional wrestlers|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:1953 births|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Living people|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling announcers|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:People from North Carolina|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:American color commentators|Lane, Stan]]
[[Category:Smoky Mountain Wrestling alumni|Lane, Stan]]

Cincinnati Reds

2006-10-30T18:57:19Z

70.35.237.67: /* The original "Red Stockings" */

{{MLB infobox |
name = Cincinnati Reds |
established = 1882 |
misc = |
logo = CincinnatiReds_100.png |
uniformlogo = NLRedsIcon.PNG |
WS = (5) |
WORLD CHAMPIONS = 1990 • 1976 • 1975 • 19401919 |
LEAGUE = NL |
P = (9) |
PENNANTS = 1990 • 1976 • 1975 • 19721970 • 1961 • 1940 • 19391919 |
misc1 = '''AA Pennants''' (1) |
OTHER PENNANTS = 1882 |
DIV = Central |
DV = (1) [1] |
Division Champs = 1995 |
misc5 = '''West Division titles''' (7) [2] |
OTHER DIV CHAMPS = 1990 • 1979 • 1976 • 19751973 • 1972 • 1970 |
WC = (0) [3] |
Wild Card = None |
misc6 =
[1]- In [[1994 in baseball|1994]], a [[1994 baseball strike|players' strike]] wiped out the last eight weeks of the season and all post-season. Cincinnati was in first place in the Central Division by a half game over [[Houston Astros|Houston]] when play was stopped. No official titles were awarded in 1994. 
[2]- In [[1981 in baseball|1981]], the Reds finished with the overall best record in the National League. However, a [[1981 baseball strike|players' strike]] in the middle of the season resulted in the season being split into two halves. Cincinnati finished second in both halves and was thereby deprived of a post-season appearance. 
[3]- In [[1999 in baseball|1999]], the Reds finished the regular season tied with the [[New York Mets]] for the Wild Card, but lost a one-game playoff. |
current league = National League |
y1 = 1890 |
division = [[National League Central|Central Division]] |
y2 = 1994 |
former division = [[National League West|Western Division]] |
y3 = 1969-1993 |
misc2 =
**[[National League West|West Division]] ([[1969 in baseball|1969]]-[[1993 in baseball|1993]])
*[[American Association (19th century)|American Association]] ([[1888 in baseball|1882]]-[[1889 in baseball|1889]])
*[[National League|National League ]] ([[1876 in baseball|1876]]-[[1880 in baseball|1880]]) |

nickname = Cincinnati Reds |
y3 = 1876 |
pastnames =(Referred to as "Redlegs" 1953-1958) |
ballpark = [[Great American Ball Park]] |
y4 = 2003 |
pastparks =[[Riverfront Stadium]] ([[1970 in baseball|1970]]-[[2002 in baseball|2002]])
**a.k.a. Cinergy Field ([[1996 in baseball|1996]]-[[2002 in baseball|2002]])
*[[Crosley Field]] ([[1912 in baseball|1912]]-[[1970 in baseball|1970]])
**a.k.a. Redland Field ([[1912 in baseball|1912]]-[[1933 in baseball|1933]])
*[[Palace of the Fans]] ([[1902 in baseball|1902]]-[[1911 in baseball|1911]])
*[[League Park II (Cincinnati)|League Park (II)]] ([[1894 in baseball|1894]]-[[1901 in baseball|1901]])
*[[League Park I (Cincinnati)|League Park (I)]] ([[1884 in baseball|1884]]-[[1893 in baseball|1893]])
**a.k.a. American Park ([[1884 in baseball|1884]]-[[1889 in baseball|1889]])
*[[Bank Street Grounds]] ([[1880 in baseball|1880]]-[[1883 in baseball|1883]])
*[[Avenue Grounds]] ([[1876 in baseball|1876]]-[[1879 in baseball|1879]])
*[[Lincoln Park Grounds]] ([[1876 in baseball|1876]]) |
Uniform = Nl 2005 cincinnati 01.gif |
retirednumbers = 1,5,8,10,18,20,24 |
Team = Reds |
Team1 = Reds|
Uniform logo = Nl 2005 cincinnati 01.gif
}}

{{otheruses4|the current Major League Baseball team|first openly all-professional baseball team|Cincinnati Red Stockings}}

The '''Cincinnati Reds''' are a [[Major League Baseball]] team based in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]. They are in the [[National League Central|Central Division]] of the [[National League]].

==Franchise history==
===The original "Red Stockings"===
The original [[Cincinnati Red Stockings]], baseball's first openly all-professional team, were founded in [[1866]], turning professional in [[1869 in sports|1869]]. The Red Stockings won 130 games in 1869 & [[1870 in sports|1870]], before the [[Brooklyn Atlantics]] defeated them. Star players were brothers Harry and [[George Wright (baseball)|George Wright]], [[Fred Waterman]], and pitcher [[Asa Brainard]].

[[Image:Redscap_incorrectdate.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Cap sold by the club in 2006.]]The Red Stockings disbanded after the [[1870]] season. A new Cincinnati Red Stockings team became a charter member of the [[National League]] in [[1876]], five years after the first Red Stockings team. The second Red Stockings team was expelled from the league after the [[1880]] season, in part for violating league rules by serving beer to fans at games, and for their refusal to stop renting out their ballpark, the [[Bank Street Grounds]], on Sundays.

===The American Association===
Following the expulsion, a third Cincinnati team of the same name became a founding member of the [[American Association (19th century)|American Association]], a rival league that began play in [[1882]]. That team (which is the same franchise of today) played for nine seasons in the American Association and won the Association pennent in 1882. The pennent winning club still holds the record for the highest winning percentage of any Reds club to date (.688). In November of 1889, the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] both left the Association for the National League. In the move, the Red Stockings dropped "Stockings" from their name.

===The National League, to stay===
Although some dispute whether the two teams are the same, according to ''The Baseball Encyclopedia''<ref>Palmer, Peter & Gillette, Gary, editors, ''The Baseball Encyclopedia.'' New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 2004, pp 1370 & 1387.</ref> the Cincinnati Red Stockings left the American Association in [[1890]] to play in the National League. One of the main reasons had absolutely nothing to do with the team directly--the upstart Player's League, an early, failed attempt to break the [[reserve clause]] in baseball. The league's impending presence severely weakened both previously existing leagues, and, because the National League decided to expand and the American Association was weakening, the team decided to accept the invitation to become members of the stronger National League. It was also at this time that the team first shortened their nickname from "Red Stockings" to "Reds." The Reds wandered through the [[1890s]] signing local stars & aging veterans. During this time, the team never finished above third place (1897) and never closer than 10 1/2 games (1890).

At the turn of the century, the Reds had hitting stars such as [[Sam Crawford]] and [[Cy Seymour]]. Seymour's .377 average in 1905 was the first individual batting crown won by a Red. In [[1911]], [[Bob Bescher]] stole 81 bases which is still a team record. Like the previous decade, the 1900s were not kind to the Reds, as much of the decade was spent in the league's second division.

===Redland Field to the Great Depression===
In [[1912]] [[Crosley Field]], built on the corner of Findlay and Western Avenues on the city's west side opened for the Reds. The Reds had actually been playing baseball on that site for the last 20 years. By the late [[1910s]] the Reds began to come out of the second division. The [[1918]] team finished 4th, and then new manager [[Pat Moran]] led the Reds to a NL [[pennant]] in [[1919]]. The 1919 team had hitting stars led by [[Edd Roush]] and [[Heinie Groh]] while the pitching staff was led by [[Hod Eller]] and [[Slim Sallee|Harry "Slim" Sallee]], a lefthander. The Reds finished ahead of [[John McGraw (baseball)|John McGraw's]] [[San Francisco Giants|New York Giants]], and then won the [[world championship]] in 8 games over the [[Chicago White Sox]].

By [[1920]], the [[Black Sox Scandal|"Black Sox" scandal]] had brought a taint to the Reds' first championship. In the remainder of the [[1920s]] and early [[1930s]] the Reds were second division dwellers for most of those years. [[Eppa Rixey]], [[Dolf Luque]] and [[Pete Donohue]] were pitching stars; the offense never quite lived up to the pitching. By [[1931]] the team was bankrupt, thanks to the [[Great Depression]], and Crosley Field was in a state of disrepair.

===Revival of 1930s===
[[Powel Crosley Jr.]], an [[electronics]] [[business magnate|magnate]] who, with his brother [[Lewis M. Crosley]], produced [[radio]]s, [[refrigerator]]s, and other [[household]] items, bought the Reds out of bankruptcy in [[1933]], and hired [[Larry MacPhail]] to be the General Manager. Powell Crosley Jr. had also started [[WLW]] radio and the [[Crosley Broadcasting Corporation]] in Cincinnati and was doing quite well as a civic leader. (WLW has been the Reds' radio flagship for decades.) MacPhail began to develop the Reds' [[minor league baseball|minor league system]] and expanded the Reds' base. The Reds, throughout the [[1930s]], became a team of "firsts". [[Crosley Field]], (formerly Redland Field), became the host of the first night game in [[1935]]. [[Johnny Vander Meer]] became the only pitcher in major league history to throw back-to-back no-hitters in [[1938]]. Thanks to Vander Meer, [[Paul Derringer]], and [[second-baseman/third baseman]]-turned-[[pitcher]] [[Bucky Walters]], the Reds had a solid pitching staff. The offense came around in the late 1930s. [[Ernie Lombardi]] was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1938, [[First baseman]] [[Frank McCormick]] was the 1940 NL MVP. Other position players included [[Harry Craft]], [[Lonny Frey]], [[Ival Goodman]] and [[Lew Riggs]]. By 1938 the Reds, now led by manager [[Bill McKechnie]], were out of the second division finishing fourth. By [[1939]] they were National League champions. The Reds were swept by the [[New York Yankees]] in four straight. In 1940, they repeated as NL Champions, and for the first time in 21 years, the Reds captured a World championship, beating the [[Detroit Tigers]] 4 games to 3.

===From WWII through the 1960s===
[[World War II]] and age finally caught up with the Reds. Throughout the remainder of the [[1940s]] and the early [[1950s]], Cincinnati finished mostly in the second division. In 1944, [[Joe Nuxhall]], (who was later to become part of the radio broadcasting team), at age 15, pitching for the Reds on loan from a Hamilton, Ohio Junior High School, became the youngest person ever to play in a major league game -- a record that still stands today. Ewell "The Whip" Blackwell was the main pitching stalwart before arm problems cut short his career. [[Ted Kluszewski]] was the NL home run leader in 1954. The rest of the offense was a collection of over-the-hill players and not-ready-for-prime time youngsters.

In [[1956]], led by NL [[Rookie of the Year]] [[Frank Robinson]], the Reds hit 221 HR to tie the NL record. By 1961, Robinson was joined by [[Vada Pinson]], [[Wally Post]], [[Gordy Coleman]] and [[Gene Freese]]. Pitchers [[Joey Jay]], [[Jim O'Toole]] and [[Bob Purkey]] led the staff. The Reds captured the [[1961]] NL pennant, holding off the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and the [[San Francisco Giants]], only to be defeated by the perennially powerful [[New York Yankees]] in the [[1961 World Series|World Series]]. The Reds had many successful teams during the rest of the [[1960s]], but didn't produce any championships. They won 98 games in 1962 (paced by Purkey's 23), but finished 3rd. In 1964, they lost the pennant by one game, having taken 1st place when the Phillies collapsed in September but then losing out to the Cardinals. In that 1964 season, the beloved leader of the Reds, manager [[Fred Hutchinson]], died of cancer, succumbing just weeks after the end of the 1964 season, one of baseball's most exciting pennant races ever. The failure of the Reds to win the 1964 pennant led to owner Bill DeWitt's selling off key components of the team, in anticipation of relocating the franchise. After the 1965 season he executed what may be the most lopsided trade in baseball history, sending former MVP Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles for pitchers Milt Pappas, Jack Balshun and outfilder Dick Simpson. Robinson went on to win the MVP in the American league for 1966, win the "triple crown" and lead Baltimore to its first ever World Series title in a 4 game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds never recovered from this trade until the rise of the "Big Red Machine" of the 70's.

Starting in the early 1960s, the Reds farm system began producing a series of future stars, such as [[Jim Maloney]] (the Reds pitching ace of the 1960s), [[Pete Rose]], [[Tony Pérez]], [[Johnny Bench]] [[Lee May]], [[Tommy Helms]], [[Bernie Carbo]], [[Hal McRae]], [[Dave Concepcion]], and [[Gary Nolan (baseball player)|Gary Nolan]]. The tipping point came in 1967 with the appointment of [[Bob Howsam]] as general manager. That same year the Reds avoided an all but certain move to San Diego when the city of Cincinnati and Hamilton County agreed to build a new, state of the art, downtown stadium on the edge of the Ohio River. The Reds entered into a 30 year lease in exchange for the stadium commitment keeping the franchise in its original home city. In a series of strategic moves, Howsam nurtured the homegrown talent and brought in key personnel, allowing the team to finally reach its potential during the [[1970s]]. The Reds' final game at Crosley Field, home to over 4500 baseball games, was played on [[June 24]] [[1970]], a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. In its place, a new stadium, and a new Reds dynasty.

===Striving for an image: The "Redlegs" and Clean Shaves===
Twice in the 1950s (the [[McCarthyism|McCarthy era]]), the Reds, fearing that their traditional club nickname would associate them with the [[Communist]] threat, officially changed the name of the team to the '''Cincinnati Redlegs'''. From 1956 to 1960, the club's logo was altered to remove the term "REDS" from the inside of the "wishbone ''C''" symbol. The "REDS" reappeared on the 1961 uniforms, but the point of the ''C'' was removed, leaving a smooth, non-wishbone curve. The traditional home-uniform logo was restored in 1967.

Under Howsam's administration starting in the late 1960s, the Reds instituted a strict rule barring the team's players from wearing moustaches, beards, and long hair. (This rule, with a moustache exemption, is also enforced to this day by the [[New York Yankees]], under the ownership of [[George Steinbrenner]].) The clean cut look was meant to present the team as wholesome and traditional in an era of turmoil. Over the years, the rule was controversial, but persisted under the ownership of [[Marge Schott]]. All players coming to the Reds were required to shave and cut their hair for the next three decades or more. On at least one occasion, in the early 1980s, when the Reds were hurting for pitching, strict enforcement of this rule lost them the services of star reliever [[Rollie Fingers]], who would not shave his trademark handlebar moustache in order to join the team. The Reds thus took a pass on Fingers. When Pete Rose became player-manager in the mid-1980s, he grew a "rat's tail," fashionable among the youth of the time, but the rule was not officially rescinded until 1999 when the Reds signed free-agent [[Greg Vaughn]] who had a goatee.

The Reds' grooming rules also included guidelines for wearing the uniform. In major league baseball, a club generally provides most of the equipment and clothing needed for play. However, players are required to supply their gloves and shoes themselves. Many players take advantage of this rule by entering into sponsorship arrangements with shoe manufacturers. Through the mid-1980s, the Reds had a strict rule that players were to wear only plain black shoes with no prominent logo. Reds players decried the boring color choice as well as the denial of the opportunity to earn more money through shoe contracts. A compromise was struck in which players were given the opportunity to wear red shoes.

For years, club management and players throughout Major League Baseball have been involved in a struggle over how uniform pants and stockings are to be worn. Generally, baseball players wear a double layer of socks -- underneath, the regular socks or "sanitaries" (traditionally plain white) and over that, a stirrup-type stocking (traditionally bearing team colors). Some clubs, such as the Reds, require that the pants and socks be worn so that the team colors on the stirrup are visible. However, since the 1990s, players have generally preferred to pull down the cuffs of their trousers all the way to the ankle, thus covering up the colored stockings.

===The Big Red Machine===
In [[1970 in baseball|1970]], little known [[Sparky Anderson|George "Sparky" Anderson]] was hired as manager, and the Reds embarked upon a decade of excellence, with a team that came to be known as "[[The Big Red Machine]]". Playing at Crosley Field until June 30, 1970 when the Reds moved into brand-new [[Riverfront Stadium]], a 52,000 seat multi-purpose venue on the shores of the [[Ohio River]], the Reds began the [[1970s]] with a bang by winning 70 of their first 100 games. [[Johnny Bench]], [[Tony Pérez]], [[Pete Rose]], [[Lee May]] and [[Bobby Tolan]] were the early Red Machine offensive leaders; [[Gary Nolan (baseball player)|Gary Nolan]], [[Jim Merritt]] Jim Maloney and [[Jim McGlothlin]] led a pitching staff which also contained veterans [[Tony Cloninger]] and [[Clay Carroll]] and youngsters [[Wayne Simpson]] and [[Don Gullett]]. The Reds breezed through the 1970 season, winning the NL West and captured the NL pennant by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in three games. By time the club got to the [[1970 World Series|World Series]], however, the Reds pitching staff had run out of gas and the veteran [[Baltimore Orioles]] beat the Reds in five games.

After the disastrous [[1971 in baseball|1971]] season (the only season of the '70s during which the Reds finished with a losing record) the Reds reloaded by trading veterans Jimmy Stewert, May and [[Tommy Helms]] for [[Joe Morgan]], [[César Gerónimo]], [[Jack Billingham]], [[Ed Armbrister]], and [[Denis Menke]]. Meanwhile, [[Dave Concepción]] blossomed at [[shortstop]]. 1971 was also the year a key component of the future world championships was acquired in [[George Foster (baseball player)|George Foster]] from the San Francisco Giants in a trade for shortstop [[Frank Duffy]].

The [[1972 in baseball|1972]] Reds won the NL West in a baseball first ever strike shortened season... and defeated the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in an exciting five-game playoff series; that 5th game in Cincinnati was the last major league game Pittsburgh's great Roberto Clemente ever played in... then faced the [[Oakland Athletics]] in the [[1972 World Series|World Series]]. Six of the seven games were won by one run. With powerful slugger [[Reggie Jackson]] sidlined due to an injury incurred during Oakland's playoff series against Detroit, Ohio native [[Gene Tenace]] got a chance to play in the series for manager Dick Williams, delivering four home runs that tied the World Series record for homers in a series, propelling Oakland to a dramatic seventh game series win. This was the first World Series where no starting pitcher for either side pitched a complete game. The Reds won a third NL West crown in [[1973 in baseball|1973]] after a dramatic 2nd half comeback, that saw them make up 10½ games on the Los Angeles Dodgers after the all-star game break. However they lost the NL pennant to the [[New York Mets]] in 5 games. In game one, Tom Seaver faced Jack Billingham in a classic pitching duo, with all three runs of the 2-1 margin being scored on homeruns. John Milner provided New York's run off Billingham, while Pete Rose tied the game in the 7th inning off Seaver, setting the stage for a dramatic game ending homerun by Johnny Bench in the bottom of the 9th inning. The New York series provided plenty of controversy with the riotious behavior of Shea Stadium fans towards Pete Rose when he and [[Bud Harrelson]] scuffled after a hard slide by Rose into Harrelson at second base during the 5th inning of game 3. A full bench clearing fight resulted after New York's [[Wayne Garrett]] came over from 3rd base to take cheap shots at Rose. The resulting on field tension led to two separate incidences where play was stopped for safety of the players. A forfeit was in order to the Reds, who at the time trailed 9-3 before New York's manager [[Yogi Berra]] and legendary outfielder [[Willie Mays]] on request of National League president [[Warren Giles]], appealed to fans in left field to restrain themselves. The next day the series was extended to a fifth game when Rose homered in the 12th inning to tie the series at 2 games each. The Reds won 98 games in [[1974 in baseball|1974]] but finished in second place. The 1974 season started off with much excitement, as the Atlanta Braves were in town to open the season with the Reds. Hank Aaron entered opening day with 713 homeruns, one shy of tying Babe Ruth's record of 714. On a three ball one strike count, the first pitch Aaron swung at in the 74 season was the record tying homerun off Jack Billingham. The next day the Braves benched Aaron, hoping to save him for his record breaking homerun on their season opening homestand. The Commissioner of baseball, [[Bowie Kuhn]], ordered Braves management to play Aaron the next day, where he narrowly missed the historic homerun in the 5th inning. Aaron went on to set the recond in Atlanta two nights later off [[Al Downing]] and the Los Angeles Dodgers. 1974 also was the beginning year of current Reds hall of fame radio announcer Marty Brennaman, who replaced Al Michaels, after Michaels left the Reds to broadcast for the San Francisco Giants.

With 1975, the Big Red Machine lineup solidified with the starting team of [[Johnny Bench]] (c), [[Tony Perez]] (1b), [[Joe Morgan]] (2b), [[Dave Concepcion]] (ss), [[Pete Rose]] (3b), [[Ken Griffey]] (rf), [[César Gerónimo]] (cf), and [[George Foster (baseball player)|George Foster]] (lf). The starting pitchers included [[Don Gullett]], [[Fred Norman]], [[Gary Nolan (baseball player)|Gary Nolan]], [[Jack Billingham]], [[Pat Darcy]], and [[Clay Kirby]]. However, it was the bullpen that was the key to the Reds' pitching (and Anderson's reputation as "'''Captain Hook'''") with [[Rawly Eastwick]] and [[Will McEnaney]] as the key closers with a combined 37 saves. [[Pedro Borbon]] and [[Clay Carroll]] filled in as stretchers between the starters and the finishers. However, this was not the lineup on Opening Day. At that time, Rose still played in left field, Foster was not a starter, while [[John Vuckovich]], an off-season acquisition from the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] was the starting third baseman, replacing [[Danny Driessen]], who was a decent hitter, but whose defensive skills were considered a weakness. While Vuckovich was a superb defensive shortstop, he was a weak hitter. In May, with the team off to a slow start and trailing the Dodgers, Sparky Anderson made a bold move by moving Rose to third base (a position where he had very little experience, playing there occasionally in the mid-1960's) and inserting Foster in left field to bat cleanup. This was the jolt that the Reds needed to propel them into first place, with Rose proving to be reliable on defense, while adding Foster to the outfield gave the offense some added punch. During the season, the Reds compiled two miraculous streaks: one, by winning 41 out of 50 games in one stretch, and two, by going a month without committing any errors on defense.

In the [[1975]] season, Cincinnati clinched the NL West with 108 victories. Then swept the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] in three games to win the NL pennant. In the [[1975 World Series|World Series]], the [[Boston Red Sox]] were the opponents. After splitting the first four games, the Reds took Game 5. After a 3 day rain delay, the two teams met in Game 6, one of the most memorable baseball games ever played and considered by many to be the best World Series game ever. The Reds were ahead 6-3 with 5 outs left, when the Red Sox tied the game on former Red [[Bernie Carbo]]'s three-run [[home run]]. It was Carbo's second pinch-hit 3 run homer in the series. After a few close-calls either way, [[Carlton Fisk]] hit a dramatic 12th inning [[home run]] off the [[foul pole]] in left field (which is considered to be one of the greatest TV sports moments of all time) to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win and force a deciding Game 7. Cincinnati prevailed the next day when Morgan's [[run batted in|RBI]] [[single (baseball)|single]] won Game 7 and gave the Reds their first championship in 35 years.

1976 saw a return of the same starting eight in the field. There were slight changes in the pitching staff, however, with [[Pat Zachry]] and [[Santo Alcala]] taking the place of Kirby and Darcy and [[Manny Sarmiento]] and [[Rich Hinton]] replacing Carroll. McEnaney joined Borbon, Sarmiento, and Hinton as mid-inning relievers, leaving Eastwick as the sole key closer.

In [[1976 in baseball|1976]], the Reds swept throughout the NL West and proceeded to go undefeated in the postseason. They swept the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (winning Game 3 in their final at-bat) to return to the [[1976 World Series|World Series]], then continued to dominate by sweeping the [[New York Yankees|Yankees]],in the newly renovated Yankee Stadium, the first World Series games played in Yankee Stadium since 1964, and only the second ever sweep of the Proud Yankees in the World Series... who never really challenged the powerhouse Reds. In winning the Series, the Reds became the first NL team in since the 1921-22 New York Giants to win back-to-back World Series championships.

===The Machine Dismantled and "We Wuz Robbed!"===

Personnel changes were in the offing. Popular Tony Perez was sent to Montreal after the 1976 season, breaking up the Big Red Machine's starting lineup. Starting pitcher Don Gullet left via free agency and signed with the New York Yankees. In an effort to fill that gap, a trade with the Oakland A's for starting ace Vida Blue was arranged during the '76 - '77 off-season. However, Bowie Kuhn, the Commissioner of Baseball at the time, vetoed this trade in an effort to maintain the competitive balance in baseball. On [[June 15]] [[1977]], the Reds entered the trading market with a vengeance. New York was heartbroken by the news that the Mets' franchise pitcher [[Tom Seaver]] was being traded to the Reds for Pat Zachry, [[Doug Flynn]], Steve Henderson, and Dan Norman. In less successful deals, the Reds also traded Gary Nolan to the Angels for [[Craig Hendrickson]], Rawly Eastwick to St. Louis for [[Doug Capilla]] and [[Mike Caldwell]] to Milwaukee for [[Dick O'Keeffe]] and [[Garry Pyka]], and got [[Rick Auerbach]] from Texas. The end of the Big Red Machine era was heralded by the replacement of General Manager Bob Howsam with [[Dick Wagner]]. After the 1978 season, Cincinnati hero Pete Rose, who since 1963 had played almost every position for the team except pitcher and catcher, signed with Philadelphia as a free agent. In Rose's last season as a Red, he gave baseball a thrill as he challenged Joe Dimagio's 56 game hitting streak, tying for the second longest streak ever at 44 games. The streak came to an end in Atlanta after striking out in his 5th at bat in the game against Gene Garber. Rose also earned his 3000th hit that season, on his way to becoming baseball's all time hits leader when he rejoined the Reds in the mid 80's. The year also witnessed the only no-hitter of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver's career, coming against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16, 1978.

The later years of the 1970s brought turmoil and change. After two consecutive runner-up seasons, Wagner fired manager Anderson. By [[1979 in baseball|1979]], players Gullett, Nolan, Pérez, and Rose, among others, had left the club. By 1979, the starters were Bench (c), [[Dan Driessen]] (1b), Morgan (2b), Concepcion (ss), [[Ray Knight]] (3b), with Griffey, Foster, and Geronimo again in the outfield. The pitching staff had experienced an almost complete turnover. The ace starter was now [[Tom Seaver]], acquired from the [[New York Mets]] in 1977 in a multiple-player deal. Only Norman was left from 1975-76; the remaining starters were [[Mike La Coss]], [[Bill Bonham]], and [[Paul Moskau]]. In the bullpen, only Borbon had remained. [[Dave Tomlin]] and [[Mario Soto (baseball)|Mario Soto]] worked mid-innings with [[Tom Hume]] and [[Doug Bair]] closing.

The Reds did manage to win the 1979 NL West behind the pitching of [[Tom Seaver]] but were dispatched in the NL playoffs by Pittsburgh, after a controversial play in Game 2 in which a ball hit by Pittsburgh's [[Phil Garner]] was caught by Cincinnati outfielder [[Dave Collins]] but was ruled a trap, setting the Pirates up to take a 2-1 lead. The Pirates swept the series 3 games to 0.

The 1981 team fielded a strong lineup, with only Concepcion, Foster, and Griffey retaining their spots from the 1975-76 heyday. Johnny Bench broke his ankle and so [[Joe Nolan]] played the majority of games behind the plate. Driessen and Knight still played the corners, but Morgan and Geronimo had been replaced at second base and center field by [[Ron Oester]] and Dave Collins. Mario Soto posted a banner year starting on the mound, even surpassing the performance of future hall-of-famer Seaver. La Coss, [[Bruce Berenyi]], and [[Frank Pastore]] rounded out the starting rotation. Hume again led the bullpen as closer, joined by Bair, Moskau, [[Joe Price]], and [[Geoff Combe]].

In [[1981 in baseball|1981]], Cincinnati had the best overall record in baseball, but after a mid-season players' [[1981 baseball strike|strike]], they finished second in the division in both of the half-seasons that were created. To commemorate this, a team photo was taken, accompanied by a banner that read "Baseball's Best Record 1981." By [[1982 in baseball|1982]], the Reds were a shell of the original Red Machine; they lost 100 games that year. Johnny Bench retired a year later. Outraged Reds fans proclaimed, "We Wuz Robbed!"

===The 1980s===
[[Image:Eric_davis.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Eric Davis in 1990]]

After the heartbreak of 1981, General Manager Dick Wagner pursued the strategy of ridding the team of pricey veterans, stars, and proven winners, ridding the roster of catcher Nolan, third-baseman Knight (who had adequately replaced the unreplaceable Pete Rose) and the entire starting outfield of Griffey, Foster, and Collins. Johnny Bench decided to give up catching entirely and was made the starting third baseman; [[Alex Trevino]] became the regular starting catcher. The outfield was staffed with [[Paul Householder]], [[Cesar Cedeno]], and the untried [[Eddie Milner]]. The starting rotation still featured the strong Seaver and Soto, joined by Pastore and [[Bruce Berenyi]], but their efforts were wasted without a strong offensive lineup backing them. Tom Hume still led the bullpen, but he had no support from the dismal relieving of [[Ben Hayes]], [[Brad Lesley|Brad "The Animal" Lesley]], [[Joe Price]], and [[Jim Kern]].

The Reds fell to the absolute bottom of the Western Division for the next few years, losing Seaver after the 1982 season. A series of desultory changes -- [[Dann Bilardello]] behind the plate, [[Nick Esasky]] taking over after Bench's failed experiment in the hot corner, and [[Gary Redus]] taking over from Cedeno. Tom Hume had pitched himself out and there was not a body in the bullpen worth naming. Dave Concepcion was the sole remaining starter from the Big Red Machine era.

Wagner's control of the Reds ended in 1983, when Howsam, the architect of the Big Red Machine was brought back and he began his return by acquiring Cincinnati native [[Dave Parker]] from Pittsburgh. In [[1984 in baseball|1984]] the Reds began to move up, depending on trades and some minor leaguers. In that season [[Dave Parker (baseball player)|Dave Parker]], [[Dave Concepción]] and [[Tony Pérez]] were in Cincinnati uniforms. By the end of 1984, [[Pete Rose]] was hired to be the Reds player-manager. After raising the franchise from the grave, Howsam gave way to the administration of [[Bill Bergesch]], who was principally known for holding on tightly to perennial future stars like [[Kurt Stillwell]], [[Tracy Jones]], [[Kal Daniels]], and others, refusing to risk these "crown jewels" for pitching help.

Under Bergesch, from [[1985 in baseball|1985]]-[[1989 in baseball|89]] the Reds finished second four times. Among the highlights, Rose became the all-time hits leader, [[Tom Browning]] threw a [[perfect game]], and [[Chris Sabo]] was the [[MLB Rookie of the Year Award|1988 National League Rookie of the Year]]. The Reds also had a bullpen star in [[John Franco]], who was with the team from 1984 to 1989. In [[1989 in baseball|1989]], Rose was banned from baseball by [[Baseball commissioner|Commissioner]] [[A. Bartlett Giamatti|Bart Giamatti]], who declared Rose guilty of "conduct detrimental to baseball." Controversy also swirled around Reds owner [[Marge Schott]], who was accused several times of [[List of ethnic slurs|ethnic and racial slurs]].

===After Pete Rose===

In 1987, General Manager Bergesch was replaced by [[Murray Cook]], who initiated a series of deals that would finally bring the Reds back to the championship, starting with acquisitions of [[Danny Jackson]] and [[Jose Rijo]], finally letting go of Bergesch favorites Stillwell and Parker. In 1989, Cook was succeeded by [[Bob Quinn]], who put the final pieces of the championship puzzle together, with acquisitions such as [[Hal Morris]], [[Billy Hatcher (baseball player)|Billy Hatcher]], and [[Randy Myers]].

In [[1990 in baseball|1990]], the Reds under new manager [[Lou Piniella]] shocked baseball by leading the NL West from wire-to-wire. They started off 33-12, winning their first 9 games, and maintained their lead throughout the year. Led by Chris Sabo, [[Barry Larkin]], [[Eric Davis]], [[Paul O'Neill (baseball player)|Paul O'Neill]] and Billy Hatcher in the field, and by [[José Rijo]], Tom Browning and the "Nasty Boys" of [[Rob Dibble]], [[Norm Charlton]] and [[Randy Myers]] on the mound, the Reds took out the [[Pittsburgh Pirates|Pirates]] in the [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] and swept the heavily favored [[Oakland Athletics]] in four straight. The sweep of the Oakland Athletics extended the Reds winning streak in the World Series to 9 consecutive games. The World Series, however, cost the team Eric Davis, who severely bruised a kidney diving for a fly ball in the first inning of Game 4, and whose career never really recovered afterward.

In 1992, Quinn was replaced in the front office by [[Jim Bowden]]. On the field, manager Lou Piniella wanted outfielder [[Paul O'Neill (baseball player)|Paul O'Neill]] to be a power-hitter to fill the void Eric Davis left when he was traded to the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in exchange for [[Tim Belcher]]. However, O'Neill only hit .246 and 14 homers. In the midst of all that trouble, the Reds won 90 games in 1992. But that was enough for 2nd place behind the division-winning [[Atlanta Braves]]. Before the season ended, Piniella got into an altercation with "Nasty Boy" [[Rob Dibble]]. O'Neill would be traded to the [[New York Yankees]] for outfielder [[Roberto Kelly]]. Kelly would only be in a Reds uniform for a few years. As for O'Neill, he would lead an up-and-coming Yankees team to several postseason appearances. Speaking of uniforms, the Reds would replace the famous "Big Red Machine" uniforms in favor of some sleeveless jerseys.

For the 1993 season Piniella was replaced by fan favorite Tony Perez, but he lasted only 44 games at the helm, replaced by [[Davey Johnson]]. With Johnson steering the team, the Reds made steady progress upward. In 1994, the Reds were in the newly-created [[National League Central Division]] with the [[Chicago Cubs]], [[St. Louis Cardinals]], as well as fellow rivals [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] and [[Houston Astros]]. By the time the strike hit, the Reds finished a half-game ahead of the Astros for first-place in the NL Central. By [[1995 in baseball|1995]], the Reds won the division thanks to [[Most Valuable Player]] [[Barry Larkin]]. After defeating Western Division Champs the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in the first ever NLDS, they lost to the [[Atlanta Braves]]. In a bizarre move, eccentric team owner [[Marge Schott]] announced mid-season that Johnson would be gone by the end of the year, regardless of outcome, to be replaced by former Reds third baseman Ray Knight, who, along with his wife, professional golfer [[Nancy Lopez]], were personal friends of Schott's. The team took a dive under Knight and he was unable to complete two full seasons as manager, subject to complaints in the press about his strict managerial style. In [[1999 in baseball|1999]] the Reds won 96 games, led by manager Jack Mckeon, but lost to the [[New York Mets]] in a one game playoff. [[Riverfront Stadium]] was demolished in [[2002 in baseball|2002]] and ended an era marked by three world championships.

[[Great American Ball Park]] opened in [[2003 in baseball|2003]] with high expectations for a team led by local favorites, including franchise [[outfielder]] [[Ken Griffey, Jr.]], [[shortstop]] [[Barry Larkin]], [[relief pitcher|reliever]] [[Danny Graves]] and [[first baseman]] [[Sean Casey]]. Although attendance improved considerably with the new ballpark, the team continued to lose. After years of promises that the club was rebuilding toward the opening of the new ballpark, General Manager [[Jim Bowden]] and manager [[Bob Boone]] were fired on [[July 28]]. This broke up the father-son combo of manager [[Bob Boone]] and [[third baseman]] [[Aaron Boone]] and Aaron was soon traded to the [[New York Yankees]]. Following the season [[Dan O'Brien]] was hired as the Reds' 16th General Manager.

The [[2004 in baseball|2004]] and [[2005 in baseball|2005]] seasons continued the trend of big hitting and poor pitching and ultimately poor records. Griffey, Jr. joined the 500-home run club in 2004, but was again hampered by injuries. [[Adam Dunn]] emerged as formidable home run hitter, hitting a 535-foot home run against [[Jose Lima]]. He also broke the major league record for [[strikeouts]] in 2004. Although a number of [[free agent|free-agents]] were signed before 2005, the Reds were quickly in last place and manager [[Dave Miley]] was forced out in the 2005 midseason and replaced by [[Jerry Narron]]. Like many other small market clubs, the Reds dispatched some of their veteran players and began entrusting their future to a young nucleus that includes [[Adam Dunn]], [[Ryan Freel]], and [[Aaron Harang]].

In 2006, a new era in Reds baseball began as [[Robert Castellini]] took over as owner, assumming control of the team from Carl Linder. Castinelli promptly fired general manager Dan O'Brien. Wayne Krivsky, previously an assistant General Manager with the [[Minnesota Twins]], and a candidate for the job when O'Brien was hired, was appointed as the General Manager of the Reds after a protracted search. The first move Krivsky made was to trade young outfielder [[Wily Mo Peña]] to the [[Boston Red Sox]] for pitcher [[Bronson Arroyo]]. Arroyo made his first start in a Reds uniform on [[April 5]] [[2006]]. He not only earned the win, but also led off the third inning with his first career home run. Krivsky also gave fans hope with mid season trades that bolstered the "non-existent" bullpen, trading for "Everyday Eddie" Guardado and then trading outfielder Austin Kearns, shortstop Felipe Lopez, and 2004 first round draft pick Ryan Wagner to the Washington Nationals for relievers Gary Majewski, Bill Bray, shortstop Royce Clayton, and two prospects.

For Opening Day [[2006]], President [[George W. Bush]] threw out the ceremonial first pitch, becoming the first sitting [[President of the United States|president]] to throw out the first pitch at a Reds game.

== Logos and Uniforms==
[[Image:Reds 4.gif|thumb|right|thumb|Reds logo 1967-1971]]
[[Image:Reds 3.gif|thumb|right|thumb|Reds logo 1972-1992]]
[[Image:Reds 2.gif|thumb|right|thumb|Reds logo 1993-1998]]
Not surprisingly, over the years, red has been the key trim color in the Reds' on-field ensembles. However, there have been some significant deviances from this standard, as reflected by the club's current uniforms, which feature black as a major trim style.

===The "Redlegs," 1956-1960===

The growth of [[McCarthyism]] and the advent of a new [[Red Scare]] in the 1950s gave the Reds' owners concerns that the club's traditional nickname would be seen as an association with the dreaded Red Menace. The name of the team was officially changed to the '''Cincinnati Redlegs''' and the new 1956 uniforms wiped out the ''REDS'' lettering from inside the ''C-REDS'' logo, leaving a plain wishbone ''C'' in red. The color red however, was restored to its pride of place as the sole trim color, completely eliminating the navy blue that had been used as a secondary trim color since 1935.

The other groundbreaking feature of the 1956 uniforms was the use of sleeveless jerseys, seen only once before in the Major Leagues (the 1940-1942 uniforms of the [[Chicago Cubs]]. At home and away, the cap was all-red with a white wishbone ''C'' insignia. The long-sleeved undershirts were red. The uniform was plain white with a red wishbone ''C'' logo on the left and the uniform number on the right. On the road the wishbone ''C'' was replaced by the moustachioed "Mr. Red" logo, the pillbox-hat-wearing man with a baseball for a head. The home stockings were red with six white stripes. The away stockings had only three white stripes.

In 1957, the red caps were changed for ones whose crowns matched the white or gray of the home and road uniforms; the ''C'' insignia was changed to red. The road uniform was slightly altered so that it was just like the home togs, but grey instead of white: Mr. Red was eliminated in favor of a plain red wishbone ''C'' logo.

In 1958, the home uniforms, including the caps, got red pinstripes.

===The "Reds" Again, 1961-1966===

In 1961, the ''C-REDS'' logo was restored to the uniforms. However, the ''C'' was smoothed over, and without its point, it could no longer be described as a "wishbone ''C''" -- it was merely a ''C'' elongated into an oval shape.

Except for the smoothed ''C'' and the restored ''C-REDS'', this uniform style was largely the same as the preceding style. The Reds continued to wear sleeveless jerseys at home and on the road, with red undershirts. The home gear was white with red pinstripes and the road gear was grey. The home ''C-REDS'' logo included a black background. The arched ''CINCINNATI'' was restored to the road jerseys. The caps bore red bills, but, as before, the crowns matched the jerseys -- white with pinstripes at home and grey away -- with a red non-wishbone ''C'' insignia. Another minor change was the moving of the uniform to the left side on the away uniforms but remaining on the right at home. The stockings were plain red stirrups over white.

This uniform was worn during the Reds' 1961 appearance in the World Series, which they lost to the [[New York Yankees]].

===Big Red Machine era classic uniform===
The Cincinnati uniform design most familiar to baseball enthusiasts is the one whose basic form, with minor variations, held sway for the 25 years from 1967 to 1992. Most significantly, the point was restored to the ''C'' insignia, making it a wishbone again.

During this era, the Reds wore all-red caps both at home and on the road. The caps bore the simple wishbone ''C'' insignia in white. The uniforms were standard short-sleeved jerseys and standard trousers -- white at home and grey on the road. The home uniform featured the ''Wishbone C-REDS'' logo in red with white type on the left breast and the uniform number in red on the right. The away uniform bore ''CINCINNATI'' in an arched block style across the front with the uniform number below on the left. Red, long-sleeved undershirts and plain red stirrups over white sanitary stockings completed the basic design.

For the first year of this design, 1967, the home uniform bore red pinstripes, but in 1968, the pinstripes were removed and did not reappear until the classic uniform style was abandoned in 1993. This was the uniform the Reds wore at their fifth appearance in the World Series in 1970, which they lost to Baltimore.

In 1972, the uniform was modified by a change to the double-knit synthetic fabric. The jerseys were now pullover style instead of button down and the trousers had a built in elastic belt replacing the standard leather belt and belt loops. Slightly more trim, in the form of narrow red and white bands, was added to the V-neck line, the cuff of the short sleeve, and the elastic belt. This uniform style carried the Reds through three more World Series appearances, in 1972, 1975, and 1976, the last two ending in championships for Cincinnati.

In 1976 to celebrate the National League's 100th season, along with several other N.L. clubs--including the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], and the [[New York Mets]]--the Reds adopted an old-fashioned pillbox-style cap for use during nostalgia events. Unlike the Pirates and the Cardinals, the Reds did not make regular use of this cap, which featured a white crown with two encircling red stripes, a red bill, and a red wishbone ''C'' insignia. For regular wear, the Reds stuck to their all-red caps.

On St. Patrick's Day during the pre-season of 1978, the Reds wore a novelty uniform in which all the red trim was replaced with green.

In 1985, the reds adopted an optional jersey whose base color was red, bearing the arched ''CINCINNATI'' in white with white trim stripes at the collar and cuffs. Originally, this jersey was used only during batting practice, but it came to be worn occasionally during games through the 1991, after which it was dropped. On at least one occasion, the Reds wore an all-red version of the away uniform during a game in San Francisco against the [[San Francisco Giants|Giants]]. Also during one year in the early 1980s, the Reds sported all-white caps with a red wishbone ''C'' insignia during spring training; the white cap proved to be so unpopular, however, that it was never worn in regular games.

In 1988, an additional red stripe was added to the end of the short sleeves. In addition, the same trim now went down the pants. This version was the style worn during Cincinnati's fifth championship season in 1990.

In 1992, club owner Marge Schott announced that she was bored of the classic uniform style and wanted to bring back uniform features worn during her youth in the 1960s.{{fact}} During a few 1992 games, the club demonstrated the style that would become official in 1993. With the introduction of the next uniforms, the Reds were the last team (to date) to wear the pullover jerseys and beltless trousers.

===Pinstripes and sleeveless jerseys return===

The 1993 uniforms--which did away with the pullovers and brought back button-down jerseys--kept white and gray as the base colors for the home and away uniforms, but added red pinstripes. The home jerseys were sleeveless, showing more of the red undershirts. The color scheme of the ''C-REDS'' logo on the home uniform was reversed, now red lettering on a white background. A new home cap was created that had a red bill and a white crown with red pinstripes and a red wishbone ''C'' insignia. The away uniform kept the all-red cap, but moved the uniform number to the left, to more closely match the home uniform. This style was kept unchanged through the 1998 season.

In 1998, Reds' management announced a new uniform change for the next season. The Reds marketing division decided that since black was such a popular color in the marketplace for licensed sports merchandise, that the color should be added as a significant trim color in Cincinnati.

The most obvious change in the new 1999 uniforms was featured in the caps. The Reds had last used a single cap for all purposes in 1992. Since 1993, the Reds had been using two styles of caps for home and road games. The new wardrobe included ''four'' different cap styles. The official home cap had a red crown and a black bill with a white wishbone ''C'' insignia highlighted with a black drop shadow. The official road cap was reversed, with a black crown and a red bill and a red wishbone ''C'' with white drop shadow. There was also now an "alternative" or "Sunday game" cap that was all red, and a batting practice cap that was all black.

The jerseys and trousers kept the traditional white at home and grey on the road, but all the graphics featured on the uniforms now featured fancy drop shadows. Pinstripes were kept on the home togs, but eliminated on the road version. Sleeveless vests for both, with black undershirts at home and red on the road. Home uniforms still had the ''C-REDS'' and away bore the arched ''CINCINNATI'', but the designs featured red, white, and black in the trim.

In the next year, 2000, the undershirts were swapped, with red now for home games and black for away games.

===Change Coming for 2007===

In September 2006, the '''Dayton Daily News''' and the '''Cincinnati Post''' reported that New Era has already delivered new uniform caps for the 2007 season and that manager Jerry Narron had kept one on his desk. The home caps will return to all-red with a white wishbone C, lightly outlined in black. The caps with red crowns and black bill will be used on the road. Additionally, the sleeveless jerseys will be abandoned for more traditional shirts. The numbers and the lettering for the names on the backs of the jerseys will be changed to an early-1900's style typeface. It had been rumoured that navy blue was to make a return as a trim colour, but that has been denied. The alternate club logo and jersey emblem will be the moustachioed Mr. Red from 1956. The ''Cincinnati Enquirer'' reported that the new uniforms are to be revealed to the public at Redsfest in December.

==Season-by-Season Records==
* '''Cincinnati Red Stockings ([[American Association|AA]])''' (Not Included in W/L Total)
* 1882 55-25 .688 1st in AA '''Won the American Association pennant'''
* 1883 61-37 .622 3rd in AA
* 1884 68-41 .624 5th in AA
* 1885 63-49 .563 2nd in AA
* 1886 65-73 .471 5th in AA
* 1887 81-54 .600 2nd in AA
* 1888 80-54 .597 4th in AA
* 1889 76-63 .547 4th in AA
* '''Cincinnati Reds ([[National League|NL]])''' (Included in W/L total)
* 1890 77-55 .583 4th in NL
* 1891 56-81 .409 7th in NL
* 1892 82-68 .587 5th in NL
* 1893 65-63 .508 6th in NL
* 1894 55-75 .423 10th in NL
* 1895 66-64 .508 8th in NL
* 1896 77-50 .606 3rd in NL
* 1897 76-56 .576 4th in NL
* 1898 92-60 .605 3rd in NL
* 1899 83-67 .553 6th in NL
* 1900 62-77 .446 7th in NL
* 1901 52-87 .374 8th in NL
* 1902 70-70 .500 4th in NL
* 1903 74-65 .532 4th in NL
* 1904 88-65 .575 3rd in NL
* 1905 79-74 .516 5th in NL
* 1906 64-87 .424 6th in NL
* 1907 66-87 .431 6th in NL
* 1908 73-81 .474 5th in NL
* 1909 77-76 .503 4th in NL
* 1910 75-79 .487 5th in NL
* 1911 70-83 .458 6th in NL
* 1912 75-78 .490 4th in NL
* 1913 |64-89 .418 7th in NL
* 1914 60-94 .390 8th in NL
* 1915 71-83 .461 7th in NL
* 1916 60-63 .392 7th in NL
* 1917 78-76 .506 4th in NL
* 1918 68-60 .531 3rd in NL
* 1919 96-44 .686 1st in NL '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[Chicago White Sox]], 5-3.
* 1920 82-71 .536 3rd in NL
* 1921 70-83 .458 6th in NL
* 1922 86-68 .558 2nd in NL
* 1923 91-63 .591 2nd in NL
* 1924 83-70 .542 4th in NL
* 1925 80-73 .523 3rd in NL
* 1926 87-67 .565 2nd in NL
* 1927 75-78 .490 5th in NL
* 1928 78-74 .513 5th in NL
* 1929 66-88 .429 7th in NL
* 1930 59-95 .383 7th in NL
* 1931 58-96 .377 8th in NL
* 1932 60-94 .390 8th in NL
* 1933 58-94 .382 8th in NL
* 1934 52-99 .344 8th in NL
* 1935 68-85 .444 6th in NL
* 1936 74-80 .481 4th in NL
* 1937 56-98 .364 8th in NL
* 1938 82-68 .547 4th in NL
* 1939 97-57 .630 1st in NL Lost [[World Series]] to [[New York Yankees]], 0-4.
* 1940 100-53 .654 1st in NL '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[Detroit Tigers]], 4-3.'''
* 1941 88-66 .571 2nd in NL
* 1942 76-76 .500 4th in NL
* 1943 87-67 .565 2nd in NL
* 1944 89-65 .578 3rd in NL
* 1945 61-93 .396 7th in NL
* 1946 67-87 .435 6th in NL
* 1947 73-81 .474 5th in NL
* 1948 64-89 .418 7th in NL
* 1949 62-92 .403 7th in NL
* 1950 66-87 .431 6th in NL
* 1951 68-86 .442 6th in NL
* 1952 69-85 .448 6th in NL
* '''Cincinnati Redlegs'''
* 1953 68-86 .442 6th in NL
* 1954 74-80 .481 5th in NL
* 1955 75-79 .487 5th in NL
* 1956 91-63 .591 3rd in NL
* 1957 80-74 .519 4th in NL
* 1958 76-78 .494 4th in NL
* '''Cincinnati Reds'''
* 1959 74-80 .481 5th in NL
* 1960 67-87 .435 6th in NL
* 1961 93-61 .604 1st in NL Lost [[World Series]] to [[New York Yankees]], 1-4.
* 1962 98-64 .605 3rd in NL
* 1963 86-76 .531 5th in NL
* 1964 92-70 .568 2nd in NL
* 1965 89-73 .549 4th in NL
* 1966 76-84 .475 7th in NL
* 1967 87-75 .537 4th in NL
* 1968 83-79 .512 4th in NL
* 1969 89-73 .549 3rd in NL West
* 1970 102-60 .630 1st in NL West Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 3-0. Lost [[World Series]] to [[Baltimore Orioles]], 1-4.
* 1971 79-83 .488 4th in NL West
* 1972 95-59 .617 1st in NL West Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 3-2. Lost [[World Series]] to [[Oakland Athletics]], 3-4.
* 1973 99-63 .611 1st in NL West Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[New York Mets]], 2-3.
* 1974 98-64 .605 2nd in NL West
* 1975 108-54 .667 1st in NL West Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 3-0. '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[Boston Red Sox]], 4-3.'''
* 1976 102-60 .630 1st in NL West Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Philadelphia Phillies]], 3-0. '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[New York Yankees]], 4-0.'''
* 1977 88-74 .543 2nd in NL West
* 1978 92-69 .571 2nd in NL West
* 1979 90-71 .559 1st in NL West Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 0-3.
* 1980 89-73 .549 3rd in NL West
* 1981 66-42 .611 1st in NL West Best record in baseball. But was not in the playoffs.
* 1982 61-101 .377 6th in NL West
* 1983 74-88 .457 6th in NL West
* 1984 70-92 .432 5th in NL West
* 1985 89-72 .553 2nd in NL West
* 1986 86-76 .531 2nd in NL West
* 1987 84-78 .519 2nd in NL West
* 1988 87-74 .540 2nd in NL West
* 1989 75-87 .463 5th in NL West
* 1990 91-71 .562 1st in NL West Won [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] vs [[Pittsburgh Pirates]], 4-2. '''Won [[World Series]] vs [[Oakland Athletics]], 4-0.'''
* 1991 74-88 .457 5th in NL West
* 1992 90-72 .556 2nd in NL West
* 1993 73-89 .451 4th in NL West
* 1994 66-48 .579 1st in NL Central No Postseason due to Player's Strike.
* 1995 85-59 .590 1st in NL Central Won [[National League Division Series|NLDS]] vs [[Los Angeles Dodgers]], 3-0. Lost [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]], to [[Atlanta Braves]], 0-4.
* 1996 81-81 .500 3rd in NL Central
* 1997 76-86 .469 3rd in NL Central
* 1998 77-85 .475 4th in NL Central
* 1999 96-67 .589 2nd in NL Central
* 2000 85-77 .525 2nd in NL Central
* 2001 66-96 .407 5th in NL Central
* 2002 78-84 .481 3rd in NL Central
* 2003 69-93 .426 5th in NL Central
* 2004 76-86 .469 4th in NL Central
* 2005 73-89 .451 5th in NL Central
* 2006 80-82 .494 3rd in NL Central
* '''Totals 9981-8870 .529'''
* '''Playoffs 47-39 .547 (11-7, .611 in Postseason Series')'''
* '''5 [[World Series]] Championships'''
* '''1 [[American Association]] Championship'''
* '''9 [[National League]] Championships'''
* '''7 [[National League West]] Championships'''
* '''1 [[National League Central]] Championship'''

==Quick facts==
:'''Founded:''' [[1866]]/[[1869]]/[[1876]]/[[1882]]/[[1890]] (depending on the account). See above.
:'''Formerly known as:''' The Red Stockings in the [[19th century]]; the Redlegs (1953-1960)
:'''Home ballpark:''' [[Great American Ball Park]], Cincinnati
:'''Uniform colors:''' Red and white, trim Black
:'''Logo design:''' a red wishbone "C" with the word "REDS" inside
:'''Team motto:''' The Power of Tradition
:'''Playoff appearances''' (12): [[1919]], [[1939]], [[1940]], [[1961]], [[1970]], [[1972]], [[1973]], [[1975]], [[1976]], [[1979]], [[1990]], [[1995]]
:'''Pennants:''' [[1919]], [[1939]], [[1940]], [[1961]], [[1970]], [[1972]], [[1975]], [[1976]], [[1990]]
:'''World Series Champions:''' [[1919]], [[1940]], [[1975]], [[1976]], [[1990]]
:'''Other titles won:''' (1): Had baseball's best overall record in [[1981]]
:'''American Association pennants won:''' (1): [[1882]]
:'''Ownership:''' Robert Castellini
:'''Local Televison:''' FSN Ohio
:'''Spring Training Facility:''' [[Ed Smith Stadium]], [[Sarasota, FL]]

==[[Baseball Hall of Fame]]rs==
{|
|valign="top"|
*[[Sparky Anderson]] *
*[[Jake Beckley]]
*[[Johnny Bench]]
*[[Marty Brennaman]] **
*[[Jim Bottomley]]
*[[Mordecai Brown]]
*[[Charles Comiskey]]
*[[Sam Crawford]]
*[[Candy Cummings]]
*[[Kiki Cuyler]]
*[[Leo Durocher]]
*[[Buck Ewing]]
*[[Clark Griffith]]
|width="100"| 
|valign="top"|
*[[Chick Hafey]]
*[[Jesse Haines]]
*[[Harry Heilmann]]
*[[Miller Huggins]]
*[[Joe Kelley]]
*[[George Kelly (baseball player)|George Kelly]]
*[[King Kelly]]
*[[Ernie Lombardi]]
*[[Rube Marquard]]
*[[Christy Mathewson]]
*[[Bill McKechnie]]
*[[Bid McPhee]]
|width="100"| 
|valign="top"|
*[[Joe Morgan]]
*[[Tony Pérez]]
*[[Charles Radbourn]]
*[[Eppa Rixey]]
*[[Frank Robinson]]
*[[Edd Roush]]
*[[Amos Rusie]]
*[[Tom Seaver]]
*[[Al Simmons]]
*[[Joe Tinker]]
*[[Dazzy Vance]]
|}
'''*''' Manager

'''**''' Broadcaster

==Ineligible for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]]==
*[[Pete Rose]]

==Retired numbers==
* '''1''' [[Fred Hutchinson]], Manager, 1959-64
* '''5''' [[Johnny Bench]], C, 1967-83
* '''8''' [[Joe Morgan]], 2B, 1972-79
* '''10''' [[Sparky Anderson]], Manager, 1970-78
* '''18''' [[Ted Kluszewski]], 1B, 1947-57; Coach 1970-78
* '''20''' [[Frank Robinson]], OF, 1956-65
* '''24''' [[Tony Perez]], 1B, 1964-76, 1984-86; Coach 1987-92; Manager, 1993
* '''42''' [[Jackie Robinson]], retired throughout Major League Baseball

Since [[Pete Rose]] [OF-3B-1B, 1963-78 and 1984-86, manager 1984-89] has been banned from baseball, the Reds have not retired his #14. However, they have not reissued it except for [[Pete Rose, Jr.]] in his 11 game tenure in [[1997]], and it is not likely that any Red will ever wear that jersey number again.

[[Dave Concepcion]]'s number 13 has also not been reissued since his retirement.

The number 11 of [[Barry Larkin]] (SS, 1986-2004) has not been issued since his retirement, and it is a near certainty his number will be retired.

==Current roster==
{{:Cincinnati Reds roster}}

==Minor league affiliations==
* '''AAA:''' [[Louisville Bats]], [[International League]]
* '''AA:''' [[Chattanooga Lookouts]], [[Southern League (baseball)|Southern League]]
* '''Advanced A:''' [[Sarasota Reds]], [[Florida State League]]
* '''A:''' [[Dayton Dragons]], [[Midwest League]]
* '''Rookie:''' [[Billings Mustangs]], [[Pioneer League]]
* '''Rookie:''' [[Gulf Coast Reds]], [[Gulf Coast League]]
* '''Rookie:''' [[VSL Reds]], [[Venezuelan Summer League]]

==See also==
*[[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]
*[[Cincinnati Reds/Award winners and league leaders|Reds award winners and league leaders]]
*[[Cincinnati Reds/Team records|Reds statistical records and milestone achievements]]
*[[Cincinnati Reds/Players of note|Reds players of note]]
*[[Cincinnati Reds/Broadcasters|Reds broadcasters and media]]
*[[Cincinnati Reds/Managers and ownership|Reds managers and ownership]]

==References==
</references>

==External links==
*[http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cin/homepage/cin_homepage.jsp Cincinnati Reds official web site]
*[http://www.redreporter.com Red Reporter]
*[http://www.red-hot-mama.com Red Hot Mama]
*[http://www.redlegnation.com Redleg Nation]
*[http://www.redszone.com RedsZone]
*[http://www.redshistory.com Reds History]

{{MLB}}

[[Category:Major League Baseball teams]]
[[Category:Sports in Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Sports clubs established in 1882]]

[[de:Cincinnati Reds]]
[[fr:Reds de Cincinnati]]
[[ko:신시내티 레즈]]
[[it:Cincinnati Reds]]
[[nl:Cincinnati Reds]]
[[ja:シンシナティ・レッズ]]
[[pt:Cincinnati Reds]]
[[sv:Cincinnati Reds]]
[[zh:辛辛那提紅人]]

Talk:Lexington, Kentucky

2006-08-30T06:34:26Z

70.35.237.67: /* Cleanups */

{{Talkheader}}
{{WikiProjectCities}}
{{WikiProject Kentucky}}

== Cityscape ==
Fayette County's population has doubled since 1950 and tripled since 1960.

Is this possible? Did Lexington shrink significantly between 1950 and 60?

== External Links: Clark's 2006 Almanac ==

I'm removing this link [http://www.kyalmanac.com/] because it doesn't seem to add any knowledge to the article and appears to be an advertizing ploy. If anyone disagrees, let us converse. --[[User:Raprat0|Robby]] 21:40, 3 November 2005 (UTC)

== Categorization ==

Why is...

: "''Within a day's drive of 75% of the population of the United States, Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 75. Lexington is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct and nonstop flights from Blue Grass Airport.''"

in the Geography and Climate section? --[[User:Anthony5429|Anthony5429]] 17:44, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

Well, doesn't the location of a city in relation to other cities have a little something to do with geography? It makes sense where it's at to me. [[User:BMetts|BMetts]] 20:22, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

== Proposed merges ==

I have proposed that the articles [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky]] and [[Fayette County, Kentucky]] be merged into this article. Any content in one of these articles applies equally to the others, and there is no sense in having three articles with identical content! Comparing the current content of these articles, there is no unique content in the Lexington-Fayette article, and only a small bit in the Fayette County article, which could easily be worked into this one. [[User:Cmadler|Cmadler]] 17:49, 18 January 2006 (UTC)
:I would agree about merging the [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky]] article, but counties, even where a city-county merger has occurred ([[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], [[Marion County, Indiana]]), should have their own articles. --[[User:Rogerd|rogerd]] 18:05, 18 January 2006 (UTC)
:: I agree it's bad to merge city and county entries. It's confusing enough that so many already duplicate. Imagine merging Lexington Ave. (NYC) as well, or Indiana, PA [http://www.indianapa.com/] with the state of Indiana. [[User:Carrionluggage|Carrionluggage]] 20:05, 18 January 2006 (UTC)
:::I have completed the merge of "Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky" into this article. [[User:Cmadler|Cmadler]] 18:11, 25 January 2006 (UTC)
::::I think [[Fayette County, Kentucky]] should remain separate. Fayette county has a distinct history. Also, counties are thought of differently than cities by other government and non-government organizations. For example, Fayette County Board of Education is not part of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. In KY, most people ID by county rather than city. For this cultural reasons, I think we should keep Fayette County separate. [[User:FloNight|FloNight]] 17:25, 3 March 2006 (UTC)
:::::I think [[Fayette County, Kentucky]] ''should'' be merged into [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. An example of this type of action is [[Orleans Parish, LA]] (to [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]). I'm not sure there would be as much confusion as people are thinking. The county and the city are the same entity. How many people in Kentucky say "I'm from Fayette County." rather than "I'm from Lexington."? What is truly gained by having them separate? Those are my thoughts on the subject. [[User:Raprat0|RobbyPrather]] [[User talk:Raprat0|(talk)]] 04:18, 13 March 2006 (UTC)

I agree with [[User:Raprat0|RobbyPrather]], there's not any real benefit to have the separate...--[[User:Dp462090|Dp462090]] 22:14, 18 March 2006 (UTC)
:What is the harm in having separate articles? Why are you so intent on merging them? I might agree if we were only talking about the present. In an encyclopedia, we mostly write about history. The history of the two is completely separate. There were other towns in Fayette county with a distinct history. Many of them disappeared well before the government merged. --[[User:FloNight|'''FloNight''']] [[User talk:FloNight|''talk'']] 22:41, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

Granted currently Lexington-Fayette is one entity, but historically Fayette County was one thrid of the entire state of kentucky. Perhaps the Fayette County page can be historical with a link to lexington for the current incarnation. Somehwere I have a projeny list of all the counties Fayette spawned since its creation by the Virginia Leguislature. I'll hunt for it, and am willing to put a(n) historical spin on the thing.
[[User:K3vin|K3vin]] 22:03, 19 April 2006 (UTC)

:K3vin points out yet another good reason to keep a separate Fayette County article. Counties aren't cities, and their histories are quite different. [[User:Bill Thayer|Bill]] 15:44, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

I think its a good idea since Lexington and Fayette county is one. However, I wouldnt object to seeing a seprate section in the artical dedicated soly to Fayette County's history itself, such as the founding of the county and some of the divisions and when it was incorprated into Lexington.
[[User:N@vi|N@vi]] Friday July 14, 2006
:The fact that Fayette County and Lexington, Kentucky have had significant history as separate entities is in my eyes sufficient reason to think that they should continue to hafve separate pages. Having said that, I can easily imagine that most of the overlapping data could be contained in one article. [[User:Badbilltucker|Badbilltucker]] 13:23, 25 July 2006 (UTC)
::I concur 100% with Badbilltucker. The merge templates should be removed. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 20:20, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

== Area Code ==

While I agree that "UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city" and that "the area code (859) spells out UKY" are both true, I don't think it's correct to say that the latter is an example of the former. UKY is not even something unique to basketball. If UK's basketball program is really the reason for the 859 area code, please cite that fact. [[User:Mescad|Mescad]] 21:52, 24 March 2006 (UTC)
: Seeing no objections or citation thus far, I made a change to remove this claim. [[User:Mescad|Mescad]] 23:42, 10 June 2006 (UTC)
It was widely reported in the lexington Herald Leader that the 859 area code was chosen as a nod toward the UK basketball program, as well as a consolation for being a central city that lost its area code to a surrounding rural district. this arbitrary removal due to lack of citation is a trivial waste of a nit-picker's time and effort. I have already spent more time writing this objection than it would have taken for mescad to do a simple search on the subject and perhaps leave such a non-issue intact.
[[User:K3vin|K3vin]]
: I researched the subject a bit before suggesting the change. The only references I found were statements like, "Commission officials said they requested 859, or UKY, because they wanted numbers that would be significant for Kentuckians and easy to remember." Contrary to the above statement that it was partly a consolation for losing the area code to a surrounding rural district, most of the articles suggest that the change was necessary due to the fact that Lexington was growing, not the surrounding rural district. If I'm wrong, please cite the facts and make the appropriate edits.
:I would hardly call the edit an "arbitrary removal due to lack of citation." First, the suggestion was made and input was requested. After eleven weeks passed with no objections or citations, the edit was made. [[Wikipedia:Cite_sources]] clearly states that "Providing sources for edits is mandated by [[Wikipedia:No original research]] and [[Wikipedia:Verifiability]], which are policy." [[User:Mescad|Mescad]] 03:48, 21 July 2006 (UTC)

== Not on water ==

I've heard that Lexington is the largest city in the US not built on a body of water. Is this correct? [[User:Dynzmoar|Dynzmoar]] 11:33, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

There are other, larger cities that aren't on bodies of water, San Antonio, Las Vegas...Is Denver on water? but its probably at least one of the largest that is not on water

I don't think that Lexington is the largest city not on water. [[Atlanta]] is not on water, although the Chattahoochee runs nearby. --15:20, 10 July 2006 (UTC)[[User:Cjwpmm360|Cjwpmm360]]--

== Likely factual error corrected (population doubling and tripling) ==

I have removed the following line because it makes no sense:

Fayette County's population has doubled since [[1950]] and tripled since [[1960]].

I doubt there was a population decline between 1950 and 1960 since that was the peak of the baby boom, so how can the current population be 2 times the 1950 population and 3 times the 1960 population? If you can clarify/correct this, please do so. Until then, this line is probably best not included. ⇝[[User:Casito|Casito]]⇝[[User talk:Casito|Talk]] 18:27, 9 June 2006 (UTC)
:Factors during that era, such as the opening of the IBM research facility and the creation of many jobs around that as a result do not go along with a population decline. Nor does the completion of East New Circle and the expansion eastward towards East New Circle via Winchester Road. [[User:Seicer|Seicer]] 17:19, 22 June 2006 (UTC)

== Nickname ==

The Nickname the article gives is that this is the "Horse Capital of the World", but I'm not sure that actually passed. (If I remember right it reach some controversy with a few other cities who also called themselves the horse capital of the world, so it was desolved.) What I do know is that Lexington is known as (or at least was known as) "The Athens of the West." (If not its still sort of nostalgic.) I went ahead and added it. I don't think there should be too many objections.—The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:N@vigation|N@vigation]] ([[User talk:N@vigation|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/N@vigation|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}.

:I'm not aware of what passage (or failure to pass) you're referring to, but "Horse Capital of the World" is a fairly common nickname for Lexington, although there are other cities (such as [[Ocala, Florida]]) with the same nickname. At least one official site ([http://www.visitlex.com visitlex.com], maintained by the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, uses the nickname. The urban county government also sponsored an essay contest with a theme of [http://www.lfucg.com/Mayor/EssayContestWinners/EssayContestWinners.asp "Why living in the Horse Capital of the World is important to me"]. [[User:Michael Slone|Michael Slone]] ([[User talk:Michael Slone|talk]]) 17:40, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

== "New Developments" section ==

I just wanted to question presentation of the "New Developments" section of the article. I think this section does make a very important point (the building and renovation boom in and around downtown), but I don't think it is necessary to present a catalog of individual developments. Also some of these are very POV ("this mixed-use development introduces rowhouses and townhomes that blend in very well with the existing historical structures.") and read like advertisements ("Only 20 of 96 units remain available!") [[User:Cmadler|Cmadler]] 19:49, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

:You should initate a discussion before deletion. I will revert until such a conclusion can be made on how to correct it. If there is any critism, please stick a tag before the section, such as NPOV. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) 23:17, 17 July 2006 (UTC)

:Now that the article has been restored to prevent an [[Wikipedia:Edit war|edit war]] and for all parties to reach an approperiate conclusion, I feel that it is a worthwhile read in itself and if anything, should be split into a seperate article. If no one objects, I will split it off Wednesday. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) 23:19, 17 July 2006 (UTC)
I hadn't realized there was a bit of a row about all this until [[User:Seicer]] asked me about adding {{tl|advert}} under the '''Cityscape''' heading. I feel that the trend information presented by the twelve subheadings is certainly pertinent — that Lexington is making a concerted effort in revitalizing and renovating its downtown is certainly inportant and noteworthy. However, listing each individual development taking place; and in such a fashion that it reads as an exposition strikes me as excessive. My 3¢: the blow-by-blow of residential oppertunities be re-written along the following lines (facts have been ignored to protect the lazy):
: "''In the recent years Lexington has made a concerted effort to revitalize and renovate their downtown area, especially in the venues of residential availabilities. In the last twelve days alone, over 6,000 townhomes and three apartments have been renovated and replaced on the market where none before were available or desirable — with around 13 more similar projects either being planned, already underway or nearing completion. Of the over three billion renovation projects planned in the downtown Lexington area, as of June 2006, approximately 28% has been completed.''"
Obviously over-stated, ...and mostly made-up..., but the right idea, I feel. — '''[[User:pd_THOR|pd_THOR]]''' |''' [[User_talk:pd_THOR|=/\=]] | 00:00, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

::What about less of a "list" of developments but have expanded coverage for the projects in paragraph format? For instance, two paragraphs would cover most of the projects. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) 00:08, 19 July 2006 (UTC)

: I did a cleanup tonight on the page, Cityscape as a whole. Did some rewordings and condensings. I also added an image of the CenterCourt project. Please tell me what you think :) [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 05:07, 6 August 2006 (UTC)

Can anyone cite the statement of there being a proposed 65 story tower under development by Sherman Carter Barnhart? I can't seem to find anything in Lexington's newspapers, or on the developers website suggesting this...a tower this large would be huge news for kentucky as a whole.. {{unsigned|BK4867}}

: The user re-added the statement, so I will leave it up for three days. It already violates [[WP:V|verifiability]] and the [[WP:NOR|original research principle]]. I will warn the user on his talk page to include a citation. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 03:43, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:: People who likely have no lives and get off on a pitiful little "power trips" make me sad. The Lexington tower was cited twice before you erased it. Are you mad it's not in Louisville or something? Get over it, Louisville will have the tallest for at least 3 years with the muesum complex. Please contain your overzealous editing to your ghost hunting articles. You've been reported. —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}.

::: I suggest you read [[WP:CITE|how to cite sources]], an official policy on Wikipedia before you start with ad homem attacks. Adding an external link is '''not''' how you cite a source. Within that link, by the way, contained '''no''' relevant information on the project, therefore it must be treated as original research. By [[WP:NOR|official policy]], that is not allowed. I suggest you read over the links I provided, then introduce approperiate citations where they are '''not''' links that contain '''no''' information pertaining to your statements, and then we can go from there. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 11:33, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:::: Do not continue to add statements that do not abide by official policy. Others have reverted, asked for citations, and have discussed. Introduce your citations, post statements with no original research, and keep it civil. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 11:44, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:For Louisville, we discuss new developments to a good degree in the Cityscape section of [[Geography of Louisville, Kentucky]]. We also have separate articles for major projects. Perhaps this could be somewhat of a guide for Lexington (and other cities for that matter). [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 14:52, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:: There was a seperation at one point, but some complained that it read like an advertisment. I think though, with the article expanding in size, it would be good to spin-off the Cityscape into its own section, similar to [[Cityscape of Huntington, West Virginia]]. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 14:56, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:::Well, [[Louisville, Kentucky]] has been at FA status for over a year. Yes, I am a proud Louisvillian, but really, this article and its offspring should provide a very good template for other cities, including Lexington. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:02, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:Re: the "new 65-story building", I agree that should have a cite other than the architectural firm. If it's not appropriately sourced, keep it out. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:02, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

== cultural organizations ==

I'm new to the Wiki thing so I don't want to go into the main article and mess up the layout, but I really think there should be a list of cultural organizations in Lexington. I know they aren't as well attended as the basketball games but Lexington has a lot of professional and semi-pro performing arts organizations for its size and people should know about them.

*The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra [http://www.lexingtonphilharmonic.org]
*Actors Guild of Lexington[http://www.actorsguildoflexington.org]
*Lexington Childrens Theater[http://www.lctonstage.org]
*Lexington Chamber Chorale [http://www.lexingtonchamberchorale.org]
*The Lexington Singers [http://www.lexingtonsingers.org]
*Lexington Opera Society [http://www.lexingtonopera.com]
*Central Kentucky Youth Orchestras [http://www.ckyo.org]
*Lexington Ballet Company [http://www.lexingtonballet.org]
*Kentucky Ballet Theatre [http://www.kyballet.com]
*Studio Players [http://www.studioplayers.org]
*Lexington Arts and Cultural Council [http://www.lexarts.org]
*Singletary Center for the Arts [http://www.uky.edu/SFA]

By no means an exhaustive list but these are the major performing groups in town. One might also list art galleries, the Carnegie Center, etc.

Hope it makes it in! Thanks!
—The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:66.31.73.34|66.31.73.34]] ([[User talk:66.31.73.34|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/66.31.73.34|contribs]]) Aug 17, 2006.

:I'm not a fan of putting lists in articles, but I do agree that this article might benefit from an "Arts & Culture" section. [[User:Cmadler|Cmadler]] 10:42, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

:See [[Louisville, Kentucky#Culture]] and [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]] for templates. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:06, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

== external links feel like ads ==

Perhaps it would be possible to make links to things like the city department of commerce or perhaps some major media outlets? The existing list includes and even seems dominated by new home and real estate agent links which is not entirely a bad thing but kind of a distraction and not really encyclopedic. -- [[User:M0llusk|M0llusk]] 18:48, 27 August 2006 (UTC)

:Agree. I'll look at adding them. --[[User:FloNight|FloNight]] 05:35, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:Commercial spam links should always be zapped out. Anytime they appear, remove them, and say "Wikipedia is not a web directory". [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:08, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

== Highways ==

Let's discuss this section. First, is it necessary to provide the local names of the roads? I'm not sure that it is. If we wish to include this description, I think there are some errors. Looking at a [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lexington,%20KY map of Lexington] you can see that:
# US 25 aka Georgetown Road, does not enter the city from the West. At best I'd call it Northwest, but it's pretty close to North.
# US 68 becomes S Broadway before it joins up with US 27. The article states that US 27 is "Nicholasville Road to the south, Broadway through town, and Paris Pike to the north)" and that US 68 is "(Harrodsburg Road to the south, multiplexes with US 27 in the rest of the city)". Would it not be more accurate to say that US 68 is Broadway through town and that US 27 multiplexes with it (since US 68 is Broadway before US 27 is Broadway, coming from the south)?
# US 27 is called S Limestone between Nicholasville Road and the point where it (via some smaller streets) joins up with Broadway.
# US 421 is called Leestown Road on the Google Maps, but Leestown Pike in the article. Is it Road or Pike, and does that make a difference?
# Again we have a case of US 421 becoming Main Street (when coming from the west) before US 25 becomes Main Street, but the article states that US 25 is Main and that US 421 multiplexes with US 25.
# The google maps source shows US 60, US 421 and KY-4 all multiplexing around the west side of town. Is this accurate, and does it deserve a mention?
[[User:Mescad|Mescad]] 20:07, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

: Replies:
: -> 1 - It enters from the north and leaves southeast.
: -> 2 - I think so, because US 27 cuts over at Bolivar and Winsolow. That would be accurate but it is so damn confusing.
: -> 3 - US 27 is also called S. Upper between Bolivar and S. Limestone - the portion that runs in front of the Taylor Education Building complex.
: -> 4 - I have four maps that show it as Leestown Pike. Google Maps is not known for its accuracy most of the time.
: -> 5 - US 421 is Main Street from Newtown Pike (IIRC) eastward to whereever it transitions to Richmond Road. US 25 comes in off of Newtown Pike and intersects with US 421, so both would have the same western terminus of Main Street. IIRC, Georgetown Road does not exist between US 421/Main Street and KY 922, but I could be mistaken. I could do a field check this evening or tommorrow to make sure.
: -> 6 - This is a sticky issues. All of the US routes were to be multiplexed around New Circle, with the city regaining control of the routes inside so they would have more control (e.g. narrow down lanes, add bike paths, etc. easier without state wrangling). But I still see US 68, US 27, US 421, US 25, etc. shields inside the city - sparsely, but its there.
: US 25 and 421 were to use New Circle, and under a KY 4 shield heading NB past the Richmond Road interchange, it is indicated as such. But there are ''no'' US 25/421 directional signs on Richmond Road itself. Therefore, US 25/421 bound traffic just continues on down Richmond Road (and to Main Streeet) without ever turning on KY 4. This is evident on the brand new guide signs on Richmond Road after it was reconstructed.
: In this case, I am going to assume the routes, with the exception of US 60 (as it is still signed on US 60 as taking New Circle Road) that they are still in the city. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 21:32, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:: I did a cleanup and added information pertaining to their routings. All US routes were moved to the beltway, but are not really signed. It's a confusing mess. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 00:51, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:::Very confusing. I reassert my question of the necessity of this much detail. I appreciate the effort, but I think I'd rather see it in other areas of the article.

:::: Perhaps it could be shortened down with a paragraph about the confusing mess of routes, how they are not signed on New Circle. As far as I know, the routes were all moved to the beltway, with Lexington regaining control of all the routes inside. The signs do not indicate this 100% though...

:::: Would a general map help? [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 03:50, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

== Cleanups ==

Notable residents/people have been moved off of the main page in an effort to condense the information at [[Lexington, Kentucky]] and create sub-pages so that they can be expanded upon. See [[Notable residents of Lexington, Kentucky]]. Other headings have been reorganized and further cleanups should make this page more concise :) [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 05:21, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

Are you still in #5? Stay up late?

Lexington, Kentucky

2006-08-30T06:31:55Z

70.35.237.67: /* External links */

{{Infobox City |official_name = Lexington, Kentucky
|nickname = [[Athens]] of the West" "Horse Capital of the World
|website = http://www.lfucg.com/
|image_skyline = PhotodowntownLexKY.JPG
|image_flag = Us-kylxl.gif
|image_seal = Lfucg-seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Fayette County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Teresa Isaac]] (D)
|area_magnitude = 1 E8
|area_total = 285.5 mi² / 739.5
|area_land = 284.5 mi² / 736.9
|area_water = 1.0 mi² / 2.6
|population_as_of = 2000
|population_total = 266,358
|population_density = 353.5
|population_metro = 429,889
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 01
|lats = 47
|latNS = N
|longd = 84
|longm = 29
|longs = 41
|longEW = W
|elevation = 298
|footnotes =
}}
'''Lexington, Kentucky''', [[United States]], known as the "Horse Capital of the World," is located in the heart of the [[Bluegrass region]]. It is the second-largest city in [[Kentucky]], after [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]].<ref>Lexington was briefly Kentucky's largest city by 10,000 people, from the 2000 Census until [[January 1]], [[2003]], when [[Louisville]] merged with Jefferson County.</ref> On January 1, [[1974]] Lexington became the first municipality in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to form a [[consolidated city-county]] government by merging with [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]]. In 2005, the population estimate given by the [[U.S. Census Bureau]] was 268,080.

[[Category:Birthplaces of United States vice-presidents]]

Lexington is home to the [[Kentucky Horse Park]], [[Keeneland]] race course, the [[The Red Mile (track)|Red Mile race course]], a [[Jif (peanut butter)|Jif]] [[peanut butter]] plant which produces more peanut butter than any other factory in the world, [[Transylvania University]] and the [[University of Kentucky]] (UK). The [[area code]] (859) spells out UKY. UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city, and the [[Kentucky Wildcats|University of Kentucky Wildcats]] basketball team have won more games than any other team in college basketball history.

Lexington has been selected to be the site of the [[World Equestrian Games|2010 World Equestrian Games]] [http://www.aachen2006.de/aktuell/051208Kentucky2010_e.htm].

==History==
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]]''
Lexington was founded in June 1775 in Virginia (17 years before [[Kentucky]] became a state). A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on the Middle Fork of [[Elkhorn Creek]] (today called Town Branch and rerouted under Vine Street) at the location known today as McConnell Springs. Upon hearing of the colonists' victory in the [[Battles of Lexington and Concord]], on [[April 19]], [[1775]], they named their campsite Lexington after [[Lexington, Massachusetts]]. Due to the danger of Indian attacks, permanent settlement was delayed for four years. In 1779, [[Colonel Robert Patterson]] and 25 companions came from [[Fort Harrod]] and erected a [[blockhouse]]. Cabins and a stockade were soon built, making the fort a place of importance. The town of Lexington was established on [[May 6]], [[1782]], by an act of the [[Virginia General Assembly]].

By 1820, it was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the [[Allegheny Mountains]]. So cultured was its lifestyle, Lexington gained the nickname "Athens of the West." One early prominent citizen, [[John Wesley Hunt]], became the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. [[Slaves]] were widely held and used as laborers, field hands and domestic servants in Kentucky. In 1850, 1/5 of the state's population were slaves, and Lexington had the highest concentration of slaves in the state. However, the state attempted to remain neutral during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. Not only were both [[Abraham Lincoln]] and Confederate President [[Jefferson Davis]] born in Kentucky (less than one year and 100 miles apart), but both had spent time in Lexington. Davis attended [[Transylvania University]] in 1823 and 1824. Lincoln's wife, [[Mary Todd Lincoln]], was born and raised in Lexington; the couple visited the city several times after their marriage in 1842.

Lexington hosted one of the first drug rehabilitation clinics, known as the "Addiction Research Center," which opened in [[1935]] [http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol10N6/ARCHistory.html]. It also has a [[Federal Prison]].

==Geography and climate==
[[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]] consists of 283 square miles (733 km²) of gently rolling plateau in the center of the inner [[Bluegrass region|Bluegrass]] Region. The area is noted for its beauty, fertile soil, excellent pastureland, and horse and stock farms. Poa Pratensis (bluegrass) thrives on the limestone beneath the soil's surface, playing a major role in the area's scenic beauty and in the development of champion horses. Numerous small creeks rise and flow into the [[Kentucky River]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 739.5 [[square kilometer|km²]] (285.5 [[square mile|mi²]]). 736.9 km² (284.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.35% water.

===Climate===
The [[average]] temperature in Lexington is 54.9 °F (13 °C). Annual precipitation is 45.68 inches (1.2 m). Lexington and the Bluegrass have four distinct seasons that include cool plateau breezes, moderate nights in the summer, and no prolonged periods of heat, cold, rain, wind, or snow.

Lexington has the dubious distinction of being recognized as the #1 worst city for spring allergies in the fall of 2005 by the [[Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America]] [http://www.aafa.org/]. [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]] came in at #4 in that same time period. The results for spring of 2006 have since moved Lexington to #75 and Louisville to #12.

===Cityscape===
[[Image:Lexington Kentucky downtown.jpg|thumb|260px|A portion of downtown Lexington in 2006]]
Lexington's urban development patterns, confined within an [[urban growth boundary]] that protects its famed horse farms, includes greenbelts and expanse land between it and the surrounding towns. This has been done to preserve the heritage and land of the region's horse farms and the unique Bluegrass landscape, which brings millions of dollars to the city both in the way of the horse industry and tourism. Urban growth is also tightly restricted in the adjacent counties, with the exception of [[Jessamine County, Kentucky|Jessamine County]], with development only allowed inside existing city limits. Fayette county and all surrounding counties have minimum lot size requirements, which range from ten acres in Jessamine to fifty in Fayette, which prevents rural subdivisions and large homes with expanse yards from consuming the Bluegrass landscape.

Most of Lexington's growth has been historically concentrated south of the downtown because the farmland there was considered "replaceable," since it consisted more of tobacco farms than pastures for raising horses. As a result, more than 70% of today's population lives south of [[U.S. Route 60|US 60]]. Until the mid-1990's, most of the growth occurred southwest of the downtown between [[U.S. Route 68|US 68 (Harrodsburg Road)]] and [[Kentucky State Highway 1974|KY 1974 (Tates Creek Road)]]. Today, there is a considerable buildup to the Jessamine County line, leading new development towards the southeast along the [[Interstate 75]] and [[U.S. Route 60|US 60 (Winchester Road)]] corridor. Of the surrounding counties, growth is occurring the greatest along the counties to which [[Interstate 75]] and [[U.S. Route 27|US 27]] crosses through, such as [[Scott County, Kentucky|Scott County]], [[Madison County, Kentucky|Madison County]] and [[Jessamine County, Kentucky|Jessamine County]]. [[Clark County, Kentucky|Clark County]] and [[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]] are experiencing moderate growth, and [[Bourbon County, Kentucky|Bourbon County]] is stagnant, with almost no growth.

In addition to rampant suburban growth, downtown Lexington is seeing a large building boom, with the revitalization of many historical structures and the construction of many new ones. Several new projects are taking advantage of now-disused tobacco warehouses along the South Broadway corridor. Others are utilizing infill techniques, filling in parking lots and low-density or out-of-character structures.

==== New development projects ====
[[Image:Lexington centercourt.jpg|thumb|right|260px|The new mixed-use CenterCourt development under construction blocks from downtown and adjacent to the University of Kentucky.]]With the price of land within the urban service boundary of Fayette County increasing due to the diminishing amount of developable plots, along with a resurgence in downtown living, several new projects are either in planning, under construction, or have already been finished.

Among the distinctive new developments is the 500's on the Main located across from the [[Lexington Center]]. It is a residental and commercial project that features a tall sweeping spire and a clock and will include seven separate structures and two renovated buildings. Main & Rose is another new project that will feature Lexington's first grocery store downtown, along with residental condos. Center Courts is located within the College Town district adjacent to the [[University of Kentucky]] and is geared towards UK faculty and other professionals. One of the newest to be announced is the Transit Center development. The transit terminal and 770-space parking garage, constructed in the late 1980's along East Vine and East High Street, was designed to support a multi-story structure on top. On June 11, 2006, it was announced that a mixed-use development project, combining enterainment, retail, and residental into one structure, would be constructed. It is in the preliminary planning phases. <ref>Fortune, Beverly. "Downtown officials pick 3 plans for developing Transit Center." Herald-Leader [Lexington] 11 June 2006. 12 July 2006 [http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15016700.htm].</ref>

== Government and politics ==
In 1974, the governments of the city of Lexington and [[Fayette County, Kentucky]] combined to create the current ''Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government''. Lexington has an elected mayor and city council-style of government.

=== Mayor ===

Lexington's mayor is [[Teresa Isaac]], who has served in the post since 2002. Lexington is the largest American city with an Arab-American mayor. <ref name=ArabAmericanInstitute>[http://www.aaiusa.org/press-room/994/pr110702 The Arab American Institute web site].</ref>

=== Urban County Council ===

The Urban County Council is a fifteen-member legislative group. Twelve of the members represent specific districts and serve two-year terms; three are elected city-wide as at-large council members and serve four-year terms. The at-large member with the highest number of votes in the general election automatically becomes the Vice Mayor who, in the absence of the Mayor, is the presiding officer of the Council. The current council members are:
* Mike Scanlon: Vice Mayor
* Chuck Ellinger II: At-Large
* David B. Stevens, MD: At-Large
* George Brown, Jr: 1st District
* Jacques Wigginton: 2nd District
* Dick DeCamp: 3rd District
* Linda Gorton: 4th District
* Bill Farmer, Jr: 5th District
* Kevin O. Stinnett: 6th District
* Bill Cegelka: 7th District
* George Myers: 8th District
* Jay McChord: 9th District
* Sandy Shafer: 10th District
* Richard Moloney: 11th District
* Ed Lane: 12th District

===Law enforcement===
Primary law enforcement duties within Lexington are the responsibility of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Police. The Division of Police resulted from the merger of the Lexington Police Department with the Fayette County Patrol in 1974. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office is responsible for court service, including court security, prisoner transport, process and warrant service, and property tax collection. In addition, the University of Kentucky Police Department, the Transylvania University Department of Public Safety, Bluegrass Airport Public Safety, and the Kentucky Horsepark Police have jurisdiction within their geographic areas.

==Demographics==
[[Image:Calvary baptist church lex ky.jpg|thumb|260px|right|Calvary Baptist Church, Lexington]]
The estimated 2000 population of Lexington-Fayette was 260,512. The Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Fayette and [[Bourbon County, Kentucky|Bourbon]], [[Clark County, Kentucky|Clark]], [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette]], [[Jessamine County, Kentucky|Jessamine]], [[Madison County, Kentucky|Madison]], [[Scott County, Kentucky|Scott]], and [[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford]] counties. As of 2005, the MSA population stands at 507,638, an increase of 63,636 since 1995 <ref>Lexington, KY MSA Population. Census Bureau. 28 Aug. 2006 [http://recenter.tamu.edu/data/popm/pm4280.htm].</ref>.

The [[Lexington-Fayette-Frankfort-Richmond, KY Combined Statistical Area]], established in 2005, had an estimated population of 635,547 in 2005. This includes the metro area and an additional seven counties, although [[Garrard County, Kentucky|Garrard County]] was excluded even though it is an important commuter county.
is also an important commuter county, even though it is excluded from the CSA [http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/List6.txt].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|2]] of 2000, there are 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] is 353.5/km² (915.6/mi²). There are 116,167 housing units at an average density of 157.6/km² (408.3/mi²).

'''The racial makeup of the city is:''' 
81.04% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] 
13.48% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]] 
0.19% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] 
2.46% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] 
0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] 
1.21% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]] 
1.58% from two or more races 
3.29% of the population are [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

'''There are 108,288 households out of which:''' 
27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them 
43.5% are [[Marriage|married couples]] living together 
11.5% have a female householder with no husband present 
41.9% are non-families 
31.7% of all households are made up of individuals 
7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older 

The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.90.

The age distribution is 21.3% under the age of 18, 14.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,813, and the median income for a family is $58,677. Males have a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city is $23,109. 12.9% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the [[poverty line]]. Out of the total population, 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

There are over 230 churches, mosques and synagogues in Lexington, representing 38 denominations.

== Economy ==

{{Sectstub}}

Traditionally the area's economy has been based on horses and tobacco, but since 1950 it has increasingly become a manufacturing and university based economy. There are three public universities, five private colleges, and two theological seminaries located in the Lexington CSA, with [[Centre College]] located just outside the CSA in [[Danville, Kentucky]]. In addition, Lexington functions as the major medical and commercial center for a large part of Kentucky. Major employers in the Lexington area include:
* [[Affiliated Computer Services]] (ACS)
* [[Ashland, Inc.]]
* [[Amazon.com|Amazon.com, Inc.]]
* Clark Material Handling Company
* [[Fazoli's]]
* [[General Electric Company]]
* GTE Products Corporation
* [[Johnson Controls]]
* [[Lexmark International]]
* [[Link-Belt]] Construction Equipment Company
* [[Quebecor World]]
* [[The J.M. Smucker Co.|Smucker's]]
* Square D Company
* [[Tempur-Pedic]]
* [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky]]
* [[Trane]]
* [[Valvoline]]
* [[United Parcel Service]]
* [[University of Kentucky]]

== Education ==

{{main|List of schools in Lexington, Kentucky}}

According to the [[United States Census]], of Lexington's population over the age of twenty-five, 22.4% hold a bachelor's degree, 11.4% hold a master's degree, and 3.1% hold a professional degree. Just 2.6% hold a doctorate degree.

The city is served by the [[Fayette County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Fayette County Public Schools]]. The system consists of seven high schools, 11 middle schools, and 33 elementary schools. Three private schools also serve Lexington.

The city also plays host to four colleges, including [[Bluegrass Community and Technical College]], [[Spencerian College]], [[Transylvania University]], and the [[University of Kentucky]].

== Culture ==

=== Annual cultural events and fairs ===

{{sectstub}}

* Southern Lights (Nov.18 - Dec.31)

=== Media ===

{{main|Media of Lexington, Kentucky}}

Lexington's largest daily circulating newspaper is the [[Lexington Herald-Leader]]. It is also home to another daily circulating newspaper, two weekly publications, and several bi-weekly and monthly papers. The region is also served by seven primary television stations, including [[WLEX]], [[WKYT]], and [[WKLE]], also known as [[Kentucky Educational Television]]. It is also host to eighteen radio stations.

=== Historical structures and museums ===
* Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate
* Aviation Museum of Kentucky
* The Headley-Whitney Museum
* The Hunt-Morgan House
* [[Lexington Cemetery (Kentucky)|Lexington Cemetery]]
* [[University of Kentucky/Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Arboretum]]
* [[Lexington History Center]]
* Martin Castle
* Mary Todd Lincoln House
* [[Rupp Arena]]
* UK Basketball Museum
* Water Fuel Museum
* Waveland State Historic Site

=== Parks and outdoor attractions ===

{{sectstub}}

Lexington is amongst a region consisting of gently rolling Bluegrass plains, providing fertile soils that support the grassy pastures that aid in the region's horse industry. As a result, the city is home to two historic horse racing tracks. [[Keeneland]], sporting live races in April and October since 1936, is steeped in tradition where much has not changed since the track's opening. [[The Red Mile (track)|The Red Mile Harness Track]] is the oldest horse racing track in the city, and second oldest in the nation; this is where horses pull two-wheeled carts called sulkies while racing. The [[Kentucky Horse Park]] is a relatively late-comer to Lexington, opening in 1978. It is a working horse farm and an educational theme park, along with holding the distinction of being a retirement home for some of the world's greatest competition horses. It will play host to the [[World Equestrian Games|2010 World Equestrian Games]] [http://www.aachen2006.de/aktuell/051208Kentucky2010_e.htm].

The city is also home to historic [[McConnell Springs]] and Raven Run Nature Sanctuary.

=== Sports ===

{{sectstub}}

Lexington is home to the [[Lexington Legends]], a Class A minor league affiliate of the [[Houston Astros]]. Since its creation in 2001, Lexington has produced three major leaguers, the first being [[John Buck]] (Catcher) who plays for the [[Kansas City Royals]], followed by [[Kirk Saarloos]] (Starting Pitcher) who is with the [[Oakland Athletics]] and [[Mike Gallo]] (Relief Pitcher), who is currently with the Astros. The Legends belong to the SAL (South Atlantic League), have one league title (2001) and 4 playoff appearances since 2001.

The [[Lexington Horsemen]] are an [[United Indoor Football|indoor football]] league. The [[University of Kentucky]] fields [[Kentucky Wildcats|22 varsity sports teams]], most of which compete in the [[Southeastern Conference]]. The most famous team by far is the men's basketball team. [[Transylvania University]] has [[NCAA Division III]] athletics.

Lexington was also home to the [[Lexington Thoroughblades]], a minor league hockey defunct since 2003.

== Transportation ==
=== Highways ===

Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of [[Interstate 64]] and [[Interstate 75]]. The city's downtown, however, is not served by any controlled-access facilities and traffic congestion during rush-hour along the arterial roadways are a significant problem.

[[Kentucky State Highway 4|KY 4 (New Circle Road)]] acts as a [[beltway]] around the city. The segment between [[Kentucky State Highway 922|KY 922 (Newtown Pike)]] proceeding southwest, south, east, and then north to [[U.S. Route 25|US 25 (Richmond Road)]] and [[U.S. Route 421|US 421 (Richmond Road)]] is a limited-access expressway with access provided only at interchanges. The remainder of the highway is a principal arterial highway with one interchange at [[U.S. Route 60|US 60 (Winchester Road)]].

Other routes that serve the city by way of major arterial thoroughfares are:
*[[U.S. Route 25|US 25]]: Enters as Georgetown Road from the north and becomes Main Street when it intersects [[U.S. Route 421|US 421 (Leestown Road)]]. It then multiplexes with US 421 and proceeds east through downtown, where southbound traffic utilises Vine Street and northbound traffic utilises Main Street. Vine Street rejoins Main Street at Midland Road east of downtown. The route continues east and ultimately becomes Richmond Road.
** As of 2005, this designation was moved to New Circle Road, however, it is not signed as departing as such on Richmond Road itself. The only reassurance signage known is on New Circle Road immediately past the Richmond Road interchange, with a small US 25 and US 421 shield sharing the space under the KY 4 shield.

* [[U.S. Route 27|US 27]]: Enters as part of the [[Paris Pike]], multiplexed with [[U.S. Route 68|US 68]] from the north. It becomes Broadway from [[Kentucky State Highway 4|KY 4]] south to Bolivar. US 27 southbound utilises part of Upper Street to South Limestone, which becomes Nicholasville Road. US 27 northbound utilises South Limestone, Winslow Street, South Upper between Nicholasville Road and Bolivar. South Limestone becomes Nicholasville Road at Cooper Drive.
** As of 2005, this designation was moved to New Circle Road, however, it is not signed as such on New Circle Road or shown to depart anywhere along Nicholasville Road.

* [[U.S. Route 60|US 60]]: Enters as Versailles Road from the west before splitting off as High and Maxwell Streets. It has two brief multiplexes in the downtown. It shares part of US 27 and US 68, and then US 25 and US 421. It becomes the Midland Road at Main Street and then Winchester Road.
** As of 2005, US 60 was moved to New Circle Road. While it is signed as such on Winchester Road, there are scant reassurance markers along New Circle Road itself.

* [[U.S. Route 68|US 68]]: Enters as Harrodsburg Road from the southwest before becoming Broadway. It multiplexes with US 27 at Bolivar and continues northward, ultimately becoming the [[Paris Pike]].
** As of 2005, US 68 was moved to New Circle Road but is not signed as such.

*[[U.S. Route 421|US 421]]: Enters as Leestown Pike from the west before multiplexing with US 25 at Georgetown Road. It becomes Main Street/Vine Street before becoming Richmond Road.
** As of 2005, US 421 was moved to New Circle Road but is not signed as such.

=== Air ===

{{sectstub}}

:''See also: [[Comair Flight 191|August 27, 2006 crash of Comair Flight 191]]''

Lexington is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct and nonstop flights daily from two runway [[Blue Grass Airport]]. Five major airlines operate out of Blue Grass, including [[American Airlines]], [[Delta Air Lines]], [[Continental Airlines]], [[Northwest Airlines]], [[United Airlines]], and [[US Airways]].

The airport is located four miles (six km) west of the city along [[U.S. Route 60|US 60 (Versailles Road)]].

=== Public transportation ===

{{sectstub}}

Lexington is served by the public transit city bus system called LexTran, running eight routes from 5 AM to Midnight all week from a bus transit center in the downtown area. LexTran is a joint partnership through the City of Lexington and Fayette County.

==Sister cities==
{{SisterCities|Lexington|four}}
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Deauville]], [[France]] since 1957
*{{flagicon|IRL}} [[County Kildare]], [[Ireland]] since 1984
*{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Shizunai]], [[Japan]] since 1988
*{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Newmarket]], [[England]] since 2003
All four are, like Lexington, major centers of the [[thoroughbred]] breeding industry in their respective countries.

== See also ==
* [[Notable residents of Lexington, Kentucky]]

==Notes and references==
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
</div>

* Bolin, James Duane. ''Bossism and Reform in a Southern City: Lexington, Kentucky, 1880-1940'' (2000) ISBN 0-8131-2150-7.)

==External links==
* [http://www.lfucg.com/ Official web-site of Lexington, Kentucky]
* [http://www.fayette.k12.ky.us/ Official web-site of Fayette County Public Schools]
* [http://www.fayettesheriff.com/ Official web-site of Fayette County Sheriff]
* [http://i2.tinypic.com/261cfaw.jpg]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1775 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Fayette County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Lexington, Kentucky]]

[[de:Lexington (Kentucky)]]
[[es:Lexington (Kentucky)]]
[[fr:Lexington (Kentucky)]]
[[io:Lexington, Kentucky]]
[[ja:レキシントン (ケンタッキー州)]]
[[la:Lexintonia]]
[[nl:Lexington (Kentucky)]]
[[fi:Lexington (Kentucky)]]

Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-08-30 Stalker

2006-08-30T06:29:38Z

70.35.237.67: /* Compromise offers */

{{Medcabstatus

|status = new
|article =
|requestor =
|parties =
|mediators =
|comment =
}}

== Mediation Case: 2006-08-30 Stalker ==

{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Request_header}}

=== Request Information===

: '''Request made by:''' [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:10, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

; ''Where is the issue taking place?''
: Throughout my [[Special:Contributions/Seicer|user contribution list]]. [[70.35.237.67]] began by adding speculation and unsourced statements at [[Lexington, Kentucky‎]] which was removed several times by myself and another user. The IPUser argued and began digging through my user contributions, editing [[Louisville, Kentucky‎]], [[Urban exploration]], [[Big Dig‎]], [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society‎]], [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], [[Parapsychology]], and [[University of Kentucky]].

; ''Who's involved?''
: Myself; [[User:Stevietheman]] has reverted several attacks; [[Chris24]] reverted [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. Within [[talk:Lexington, Kentucky]], several others asked or requested the offending statement from the IPuser be removed.

; ''What's going on?''
: The IPUser began adding statements to [[Lexington, Kentucky]] that provided no citations and constituted original research. I then asked for a citation, but that was removed. Numerous others asked for citations or for its removal (on here and at [http://www.urbanplanet.org Urban Planet] (where it was originally discussed) to which it was removed eventually. The IPUser made an ad homiem attack against my character and made references to prior edits I have done.
: Since then, the IPUSer has trolled through my user contributions and has made many needless edits, adding {{fact}} whereever the IPUser saw fit (in response to me asking for a citation for his statements on [[Lexington, Kentucky]]), vandalising pages, and making a circus out of the edit history of many pages. The user has also introduced weasel words and has blanked a section.

; ''What would you like to change about that?
: I have been more than patient with the IPUser. I have provided IPUser helpful links to why IPUser needs to cite his/her statements, what original research is, what weasel words are, and when all that failed, I provided IPUser with warning templates. IPUSer continued to ignore all of this and continues to play defense. I would like to see IPUser warned or banned from editing articles that I have created or worked on that are visible in my user contribution list for the interm.

; ''Would you prefer we work discreetly? If so, how can we reach you?''
: That would be approperiate. My e-mail is shermancahal@uky.edu.

=== Mediator response ===


=== Compromise offers ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Compromise}}
:

I'm a sexy beast http://i2.tinypic.com/261cfaw.jpg

=== Discussion ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Comments_Section}}
:

Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-08-30 Stalker

2006-08-30T06:29:06Z

70.35.237.67: /* Compromise offers */

{{Medcabstatus

|status = new
|article =
|requestor =
|parties =
|mediators =
|comment =
}}

== Mediation Case: 2006-08-30 Stalker ==

{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Request_header}}

=== Request Information===

: '''Request made by:''' [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:10, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

; ''Where is the issue taking place?''
: Throughout my [[Special:Contributions/Seicer|user contribution list]]. [[70.35.237.67]] began by adding speculation and unsourced statements at [[Lexington, Kentucky‎]] which was removed several times by myself and another user. The IPUser argued and began digging through my user contributions, editing [[Louisville, Kentucky‎]], [[Urban exploration]], [[Big Dig‎]], [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society‎]], [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], [[Parapsychology]], and [[University of Kentucky]].

; ''Who's involved?''
: Myself; [[User:Stevietheman]] has reverted several attacks; [[Chris24]] reverted [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. Within [[talk:Lexington, Kentucky]], several others asked or requested the offending statement from the IPuser be removed.

; ''What's going on?''
: The IPUser began adding statements to [[Lexington, Kentucky]] that provided no citations and constituted original research. I then asked for a citation, but that was removed. Numerous others asked for citations or for its removal (on here and at [http://www.urbanplanet.org Urban Planet] (where it was originally discussed) to which it was removed eventually. The IPUser made an ad homiem attack against my character and made references to prior edits I have done.
: Since then, the IPUSer has trolled through my user contributions and has made many needless edits, adding {{fact}} whereever the IPUser saw fit (in response to me asking for a citation for his statements on [[Lexington, Kentucky]]), vandalising pages, and making a circus out of the edit history of many pages. The user has also introduced weasel words and has blanked a section.

; ''What would you like to change about that?
: I have been more than patient with the IPUser. I have provided IPUser helpful links to why IPUser needs to cite his/her statements, what original research is, what weasel words are, and when all that failed, I provided IPUser with warning templates. IPUSer continued to ignore all of this and continues to play defense. I would like to see IPUser warned or banned from editing articles that I have created or worked on that are visible in my user contribution list for the interm.

; ''Would you prefer we work discreetly? If so, how can we reach you?''
: That would be approperiate. My e-mail is shermancahal@uky.edu.

=== Mediator response ===


=== Compromise offers ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Compromise}}
:

<a href="http://tinypic.com"><img src="http://i2.tinypic.com/261cfaw.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a>

=== Discussion ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Comments_Section}}
:

Talk:Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T06:06:00Z

70.35.237.67: /* Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article */

{{Talkheader}}
{|
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{| class="infobox" width="315px"
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! align="center" | [[Image:Vista-file-manager.png|50px|Archive]] [[Wikipedia:How to archive a talk page|Archives]]
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#[[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky/archive1|Discussions prior to Featured Article status]]
#[[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky/archive2|After FA status to end of 2005]]
#[[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky/archive3|First half of 2006]]
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{{featured}}
{{Mainpage date|October 1|2005}}
{{United States SA|July 10-16, 2006}}
{{LouisvilleWikiProject}}
{{V0.5|class=FA|category=Geography}}
{{notice|[[:Category:Wikipedians in Louisville|List of Wikipedians in Louisville]]}}
|}
{{todo}}

==New Louisville definition==
Since the Census Bureau has clearly defined the new Louisville as only the old city and unicorpirated areas, I think there some details needed that need to be added defining Metro Government. First, it is important to note that a KY Legislative bill (dubbed the [[Lyndon, Kentucky|Lyndon]] Bill} prohibits suburban cities from annexing more land. If this were not the case then the unincorp. areas could create their own government and only the old city would again be left. Second, this definition won't effect the new city's population growth, since nearly all growth is in the unicorpirated areas and nearly all suburban cities are having very slow growth or even populatiuon losses. Third, even if Suburban cities don't count toward the population, their residents can still vote for Metro mayor and council members, and will still receive Metrowide help in such areas as urban planning and emergency services.
:Personally, I think the official '''municipality''' (the entire county) is what should make up this article, regardless of what the Census Bureau says. The smaller article with the "balance" is what should have the information for the '''census-defined''' city. [[User:CrazyC83|CrazyC83]] 01:31, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
:Your ideas of what the census bureau has defined are not correct. What you are referring to is the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]], which is not the same thing as consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County. Both are defined separately by the Census Bureau (see [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv here]). This article is about the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County (which is how the city is legally incorporated). The confusion lies in the Census Bureau's use of balance figures when ranking cities, rather than the consolidated figures. (Although even this use is inconsistant as they seem to use the full consolidated figures for the decennial rankings.) [[User:Kaldari|Kaldari]] 05:04, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
:The Census Bureau has accepted the Louisville/ Jefferson balance, but not the City/County Consolidation, which is why the suburban populations are not counted in its estimates and won't be in future censuses. Because of the acceptence of the Lou/Jef Balance, my points should be brought up about the ban on suburban city annexation. If this were not the case then the Balance could be quickly eaten up by the suburbs.
Your assertion is not entirely correct. The Census Bureau does, in fact, include the entire consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County in their estimates. They also include a separate figure for the balance:
170,Louisville/Jefferson County,Kentucky,A,693604,693872,694757,695843,698059,698903,699827
162,Louisville/Jefferson County (balance),Kentucky,A,551183,551390,552058,552828,554381,555366,556429
That's from the 2005 estimates (the last number is the 2005 estimated population). This article is not about the balance, however. Issues involving the balance should be discussed on the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|balance article]]'s talk page. [[User:Kaldari|Kaldari]] 15:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

== Actual Population ==
There are too many disputes about the population of the actual city proper. According to the Census bureau estimates, the balance population is 556,429 and not anywhere near 700,000. What is the actual city proper population, as that is to be what is listed? I do not believe that Louisville has a population anywhere near that of Columbus, Ohio. We need to decide the official population of the city proper and correct any and all inaccurate statements regarding the actual population. There are several pages in Wikipedia listing the population as 699,000 (or so), when the Census lists the population as 556,429. I understand that several people (especially those who live in the area) want the population figure to be high so the city can reach a higher status. If it was a city I lived in, I would like to do the same. However, that cannot be done here. An actual, correct population for the city proper and the metro needs to be listed. If we are able to, we need to come up with the balance population of the counties and the actual city. I am a little confused myself, and I did not want to attempt to change anything before it is discussed. [[User:Ajwebb|Ajwebb]] 21:21, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

:There have been many people who have debated this over and over again and we have come to the consensus that is now demonstrated in the article. Please, for the sake of your own knowledge, read all the talk archives that cover this situation. Since there is a consensus that's currently overwhelmingly not in your favor, you might want to do that research before thinking about flaming things up. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

::I agree with you that a comprmise had been reached but please, tone down your anger. --[[User:Moreau36|Moreau36]] 21:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

:::Who's angry? I suppose "direct and to the point" equals angry? How about toning down your oversensitivity? — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 03:48, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

Reguardless of the population, this article needs more facts about what the "New" Louisville looks like and how it is different from the previous government(s); specifically how all of Jefferson County is now represented in Metro Council, the merger of Police and Emergency Service communications, countywide help in urban planning issues, plans to add sidewalks throughout the county (they are currently only in widespread use in the old city), and greater cooperation among the whole area, examplifided by projects like the City of Parks, whose main goal is to add parks outside the old city. I don't think population should be the main issue, and if it is the addition of five counties to the Metro area is a much bigger deal, the bottom line is merger has and is greatly improving the quality of life here...that should be the focus.

Also, I was unaware that this recent controversy is due to my assertion that The Balance has been the accepted "city" by the Census Bureau, citing the 26th ranking as evidence. I wasn't trying to undue any compromises on this situation, but only saying that it doesn't make sense to have an entire section about that while leaving out the governmental changes. I didn't mean to force my opinion on anyone. —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:65.142.158.221|65.142.158.221]] ([[User talk:65.142.158.221|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/65.142.158.221|contribs]]) 18:41, July 11, 2006 (UTC{{{3|}}})

:I agree that more could be added to the "Government and politics" section covering major changes due to the merger. The article already mentions [[City of Parks]] using a contextual wikilink. I guess as long as the material merits encyclopedia-level coverage, it should be added. Perhaps we could even end up with a separate [[Government of Louisville, Kentucky]] article someday. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 03:54, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

== Deleting articles ==

Since no one appreciates the Louisville related pages I created, I'm going to start deleting them. {{unsigned|65.138.67.34}}
:We can't really know what pages you're talking about unless you tell us, sorry. --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 02:34, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
:Throw us a bone here. And what do you mean by "appreciates"? — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:35, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Never mind about deleting articles, but Chris24's attack on the Louisville CSA page is attrocius. He does not own that page and there is NO good reason why the data shouldn't go back to 1960. He also removed my Kentucky county population projections. The fact that the admins are on his side is exactly the type of reason I have no interest in constructive edits anymore.

I vandalize user pages (Appologies, I'm just a mean ole country boy). Chris24 vandalizes pages with valuable information. You tell me which is worse. {{unsigned|4.224.114.168}}

:Have you tried discussing this matter with Chris24? Just because somebody's approach doesn't agree with yours doesn't mean they are "attacking" the article. I've already conversed with Chris24 myself about the CSA page, and I am content with his reasoning, or at least I don't see a reason to debate it. Re: projections, consider that many won't find those numbers to be encyclopedic, as they aren't hard numbers. At the very least, try to see how others look at things, and don't assume your position is always right. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:15, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

:Further, flat-out vandalism is just plain wrong. Please cease that kind of activity. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:16, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

He claims that "since the CSA wasn't formed until 2003, that populations back to 1960 are inacurate. However, under that logic numbers from 1990 and 2000 would also be wrong. He then left the figures for the Metro area to 1960 (now extended them to 1950), even though many counties have been added to the Metro throught time. On the CSA page, he is also incorrect in stating that Scott County Indiana (with its 22,000 inhabitants) is its own Metro area. It is a MICRO politian area. BIG Difference. Further, based on his edits, he is a buckeye, so his holding the Louisville page back in my mind makes him an elitest carpetbagger. [[User:4.224.114.168|4.224.114.168]] 02:49, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

::I did not ''attack'' the Louisville CSA page. I removed inaccurate information. CSA's did ''not exist'' prior to 2000. Although it did not exist in 1990, I compromised and left it with a clearly stated disclaimer. If you wish to see data going back to 1960, you can look at the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] page which I also added 1950 data to. On that page, you can clearly see that the counties included within the Census area have changed over time, and simply adding populations for what ''currently'' forms a Census area does not mean those are accurate for ''previous'' years. Not only do populations change over time, but so do boundaries of defined populations. When Louisville and Jefferson County merged it did not make Louisville's population for previous years mirror those of Jefferson County. I have never vandalized anything and all of the 1960-1980 information is a single mouse click away at either the Louisville MSA page or the county pages for Hardin, LaRue, and Scott counties where it is presented accurately because they are accurate populations being referred to within accurate boundaries (and you may wish to note that I ''restored'' your data for Hardin County populations that was deleted 19 June 2006, minus the vandalism).
::I did remove some population projections but was not the first to do so. After someone else did so for Jefferson County, I agreed with the reasoning that projections are not hard facts (especially since they constantly change). I do not feel as if the admins are on my side because I try to not show any point of view in anything I contribute (unless it is on a talk page). When I add or edit anything I make every attempt to make sure it is factual, accurate, verifiable, and presents a neutral point of view. As for the assertion "He does not own that page," that is true. No page is owned by anyone as Wikipedia is a ''community'' project, and when information is factual, accurate, verifiable, and presents a neutral point of view there would be no reason to edit it.--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:25, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::Also, If you would look at the Louisvile CSA page it clearly states "³Scott County, Indiana was designated a part of the Louisville, KY-IN MSA in 2000, but was removed in 2003 to become the Scottsburg, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area."
::Not that it is any of your business, but I was born at St. Joseph's Hospital at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Preston... were you born in Louisville? --[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:32, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::when you state "even though many counties have been added to the Metro throught time" do you realise that when a county is added, it does not change the fact that it was '''NOT''' included in previous years?--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:34, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::There is also a difference between a Metropolitan Statisitcal Area and a Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area (Which is that the the Louisville MSA is ''combined'' with the E'town Metro and the Scottsburg Micro to form the ''combined'' MSA.--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:48, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

::Chris24 provided a great response, but I'll respond to the 'carpetbagger' nonsense--this term only applies to politics. The mere idea of a carpetbagger in the production of a knowledgebase is laughable. There is nothing at all the matter in somebody from another place using their knowledge to add content to the Wikipedia about a place they happen to not currently live in. Besides, many Americans have lived in multiple places during their lives. Since your world view here appears to unreasonably put up a wall against outsiders (from your POV) and thus is needlessly disruptive to our processes here, I would suggest an attitude adjustment. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:25, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

==Image copyright problem with Image:OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg==
Looks like the image copyright nazis aren't satisfied with the copyright status on the city flag image that's posted to this page. Following is what was posted to my user page regarding the image. Granted, IANAL, so I'm not sure what image copyright tag is appropriate. But one would think that, if the image is a direct representation of the actual image of the city flag, that should be owned by the city of Louisville, one would expect it to be in the public domain. [[User:Derek.cashman|Dr. Cash]] 21:26, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thanks for uploading [[:Image:OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg]]. However, the image may soon be deleted unless we can determine the copyright holder and copyright status. The [[Wikimedia Foundation]] is very careful about the images included in [[Wikipedia]] because of [[Copyright|copyright law]] (see Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Copyright|Copyright policy]]).

:The copyright holder is usually the creator, the creator's employer, or the last person who was transferred ownership rights. Copyright information on images is signified using copyright templates. The three basic license types on Wikipedia are [[open content]], [[public domain]], and [[fair use]]. Find the appropriate template in [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags]] and place it on the image page like this: <code>{{TemplateName}}</code>.

:Please signify the copyright information on any other images you have uploaded or will upload. Remember that images without this important information can be deleted by an administrator. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, or ask them at the [[Wikipedia:Media copyright questions|Media copyright questions page]]. Thank you. --[[User:Durin|Durin]] 06:30, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

:I took a stab at correcting, saying that it's copyrighted by Louisville Metro, but should be fair use on [[Louisville, Kentucky]] and [[Flag of Louisville, Kentucky]]. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 22:47, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

==minor change to section heirarchy==
Looking at the progression of other city articles, I think it's becoming somewhat of a ''de facto'' standard for the Demographics section to be in its own section, and not groups with People and Culture. So I separated this out, and created a new section called 'Culture', with the other information from People and Culture going there. I also promoted the 'economy' section to be ahead of the 'culture' section, based on what appears in other articles as well. [[User:Derek.cashman|Dr. Cash]] 21:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

:Looks acceptable to me. Thanks! [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:55, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

:That's in line with what's suggested at [[WP:CITY]] I think, so it seems okay with me. --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 23:03, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

== Louisville (balance) slips to 27 in ranking ==

According to [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/21/AR2006072101621.html this Washington Post article] and [[List of United States cities by population]], Louisville (balance) now ranks 27 with regards to 2005 U.S. Census figures. I will be updating the article to reflect this. Thanks. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:42, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

== Confusion of Sealbach and Brown ==

In the segment describing the creation of the Hot Brown, it also is mentioned that the Brown Hotel had a back room popular with Al Capone. This back room was at the Seelbach's Oak Room, not at the Brown. One can verify this via the hotel's website(www.seelbachhilton.com/history_celebrities.html) or via a simple Google search as a number of newspaper stories have been devoted to it over the years. {{unsigned|165.123.86.203}}

:I just made an attempt at correcting the article. Thank you for letting us know about the error. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

== World's smallest city in Lou. Metro? ==

My almanac stated the the smallest city in the US / World is (among others) New Amsterdam, Indiana, located in southern Harrison County. It has a population of 1 has of 2000. This might be an interesting tidbit for the page.

Also, it may be worth noting that when the Fort Knox troop population loss is not considered, Hardin COunty was one of the fastest growing KY counties, & the Lou CSA added 125K people, not 114K in the 90s in non military residents. [[User:4.225.116.88|4.225.116.88]] 01:59, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

:New Amsterdam could be covered in [[Harrison County, Indiana]] and [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Hardin County info could be covered in [[Hardin County, Kentucky]]. And additional information about CSA population changes could be covered in [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]]. Hope that helps. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:44, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

:Not sure how accurate that population total is though... [http://www.elmada.com/archives/2004_05.html] --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 01:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

== Media ==

I UL-d the tv and radio stations 'cause they were a mess. However, some of the details may have been muddied (more than they were). [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 00:55, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thanks for wanting to clean up this material. However, I fear the article could be risking its featured status if this information isn't in prose form. If my fear is overly heightened, somebody else please add your two cents. I personally don't mind having a couple lists, but I have to be concerned about maintaining the status of the article. Thanks. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 01:31, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:I wonder if this should be relegated to a ''List of Radio Stations in Lou. KY'' page. I agree that the list looks bad, but reformatting the data doesn't change its nature. I think it's too much detail for a page like this. If I'm going to be this involved I should join the group 8). [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 20:11, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

::Feel free to join us at the Louisville Wikiproject. I wonder if maybe both TV and Radio stations need to be on a separate [[Media of Louisville, Kentucky]] page, and maybe just mention 840 WHAS and WAVE 3 on the main page, as WHAS is a "legacy station" and Wave 3 was Kentucky's first TV channel.--[[User:Bedford|Bedford]] 20:38, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

::Bedford, looks like you've done it! That cleans up the main page nicely. I did join the group. [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 03:02, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

I ordered the radio stations by dial number (we had one down twice as two different types), and added 2-3 I knew about (98.3, 88.1, 1080, 100.5) Also, I fixed the number for the Colonels; 2001?--[[User:Bedford|Bedford]] 02:09, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:I agree with your ideas for creating a separate article and only discussing the most prominent media examples in this article. Either approach ("List of" or "Media of") works for me. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

[[WHAS-TV]] would also seem notable enough to place on the front page due to the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]] and its ownership by the Binghams, amongst other things. If nobody objects, I'll revise to include them. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 08:20, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

== "the most widely watched event in American horse racing" ==

Can anyone find a source for this statement? First of all, it's nebulous in that it could either mean historically, recently, or this year, and also, watched by who? (television viewers? track visitors?). Since this is a featured article, I think we need to come up with a source very soon, or this clause should be removed. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 14:20, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:I'm going to go ahead and remove this blurb from the article. A claim like this really does need to have much better precision and be sourced adequately. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 16:44, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

:I actually rewrote it, as it is indeed widely watched, but saying it is the ''most'' widely watched isn't acceptable without precision and a source. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 16:55, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

==Elizabethtown==
Elizabethtown is an important city in it's own right. Way do you try to include Elizabethtown's attributes in an article about Louisville? Stating that Fort Knox and the Patton Museum is "nearby" when in fact it is over an hours drive away. I modified the statement to reflect that, and you revert it. Power-tripping and homerism at it's worse. This statement needsto be removed all together(which I will do if you don't allow the modification, I'm trying to be nice) or allow it to be noted that it is some distance away in another major city.

:Fort Knox is largely in the Louisville metropolitan area. In fact, Elizabethtown is in the Louisville CSA. It might behoove you to look up facts before making accusations. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:19, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:Further, the Bullion Depository and Patton Museum are absolutely not in E-town. I live in the Louisville area, and I know this stuff. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:25, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:: I've been by it numerous times and can vouch for this. Looking at a map, Elizabethtown does not come ''close'' to the Bullion Depository or the Patton Museum. Let's get the facts straight. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Richmond KY among many other cities are located in Lexington's metro, I will add those cities attributes to the Lexington article later tonight.

Also, what is the rule of thumb? The gold depository is 36 miles from Louisville's city limits... is that the standard? I would also like to add some stuff about Cincinnati to the Lexington article but it's 60 miles out. Is 40 miles the limit?

:It may behoove you to learn about the concept of a metropolitan area. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 05:30, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

== Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article ==

I've counted 67 and whenever I cite this with a {{fact}} for later use and/or hoping others will help me with the citing, it is removed by "stevies is the woman!". Is Louiville article exempt from Wikipedia policy? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability

Will cite the mentioned later tonight.

Also, the Louisville article exeeds policy length. Needs to be edited down.

:[[WP:NPA|Your personal attacks]], plus your insertion of infactual material, plus content removal, plus indicating that you will keep doing damage to various articles, means that, at some point, admins will be dealing with this matter. Thank you. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 05:43, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Who have I attacked stevies? And you're the one including what should be in the Hardin County/Elizabethtown articles in the Louisville article. I have tried to be very factual, unlike you. I've already connected an admin. Thank you.

There seems to be some misunderstanding. You may contact me at my girlfriends email
mlcaha00@pop.uky.edu anytime. I do not have an account and am a computer novice.

Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-08-30 Stalker

2006-08-30T05:54:33Z

70.35.237.67: /* Request Information */

{{Medcabstatus

|status = new
|article =
|requestor =
|parties =
|mediators =
|comment =
}}

== Mediation Case: 2006-08-30 Stalker ==

{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Request_header}}

=== Request Information===

: '''Request made by:''' [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:10, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

; ''Where is the issue taking place?''
: Throughout my [[Special:Contributions/Seicer|user contribution list]]. [[70.35.237.67]] began by adding speculation and unsourced statements at [[Lexington, Kentucky‎]] which was removed several times by myself and another user. The IPUser argued and began digging through my user contributions, editing [[Louisville, Kentucky‎]], [[Urban exploration]], [[Big Dig‎]], [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society‎]], [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], [[Parapsychology]], and [[University of Kentucky]].

; ''Who's involved?''
: Myself; [[User:Stevietheman]] has reverted several attacks; [[Chris24]] reverted [[Lexington, Kentucky]]. Within [[talk:Lexington, Kentucky]], several others asked or requested the offending statement from the IPuser be removed.

; ''What's going on?''
: The IPUser began adding statements to [[Lexington, Kentucky]] that provided no citations and constituted original research. I then asked for a citation, but that was removed. Numerous others asked for citations or for its removal (on here and at [http://www.urbanplanet.org Urban Planet] (where it was originally discussed) to which it was removed eventually. The IPUser made an ad homiem attack against my character and made references to prior edits I have done.
: Since then, the IPUSer has trolled through my user contributions and has made many needless edits, adding {{fact}} whereever the IPUser saw fit (in response to me asking for a citation for his statements on [[Lexington, Kentucky]]), vandalising pages, and making a circus out of the edit history of many pages. The user has also introduced weasel words{{fact}} and has blanked a section.

; ''What would you like to change about that?
: I have been more than patient with the IPUser. I have provided IPUser helpful links to why IPUser needs to cite his/her statements, what original research is, what weasel words are, and when all that failed, I provided IPUser with warning templates. IPUSer continued to ignore all of this and continues to play defense. I would like to see IPUser warned or banned from editing articles that I have created or worked on that are visible in my user contribution list for the interm.

; ''Would you prefer we work discreetly? If so, how can we reach you?''
: That would be approperiate. My e-mail is shermancahal@uky.edu.

=== Mediator response ===


=== Compromise offers ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Compromise}}
:
=== Discussion ===
{{Wikipedia:Mediation_Cabal/Comments_Section}}
:

Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:50:52Z

70.35.237.67:

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
'''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]] by population. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], spread out amongst [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin]] and [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade]] Counties (two of which are in the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]), is home to the [[United States Bullion Depository|U.S. Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1778 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]

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Talk:Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:47:30Z

70.35.237.67: /* Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article */

Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:43:38Z

70.35.237.67:

Talk:Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:40:59Z

70.35.237.67: /* Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article */

Talk:Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:39:54Z

70.35.237.67: Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article

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#[[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky/archive1|Discussions prior to Featured Article status]]
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#[[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky/archive3|First half of 2006]]
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{{Mainpage date|October 1|2005}}
{{United States SA|July 10-16, 2006}}
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==New Louisville definition==
Since the Census Bureau has clearly defined the new Louisville as only the old city and unicorpirated areas, I think there some details needed that need to be added defining Metro Government. First, it is important to note that a KY Legislative bill (dubbed the [[Lyndon, Kentucky|Lyndon]] Bill} prohibits suburban cities from annexing more land. If this were not the case then the unincorp. areas could create their own government and only the old city would again be left. Second, this definition won't effect the new city's population growth, since nearly all growth is in the unicorpirated areas and nearly all suburban cities are having very slow growth or even populatiuon losses. Third, even if Suburban cities don't count toward the population, their residents can still vote for Metro mayor and council members, and will still receive Metrowide help in such areas as urban planning and emergency services.
:Personally, I think the official '''municipality''' (the entire county) is what should make up this article, regardless of what the Census Bureau says. The smaller article with the "balance" is what should have the information for the '''census-defined''' city. [[User:CrazyC83|CrazyC83]] 01:31, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
:Your ideas of what the census bureau has defined are not correct. What you are referring to is the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]], which is not the same thing as consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County. Both are defined separately by the Census Bureau (see [http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv here]). This article is about the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County (which is how the city is legally incorporated). The confusion lies in the Census Bureau's use of balance figures when ranking cities, rather than the consolidated figures. (Although even this use is inconsistant as they seem to use the full consolidated figures for the decennial rankings.) [[User:Kaldari|Kaldari]] 05:04, 11 July 2006 (UTC)
:The Census Bureau has accepted the Louisville/ Jefferson balance, but not the City/County Consolidation, which is why the suburban populations are not counted in its estimates and won't be in future censuses. Because of the acceptence of the Lou/Jef Balance, my points should be brought up about the ban on suburban city annexation. If this were not the case then the Balance could be quickly eaten up by the suburbs.
Your assertion is not entirely correct. The Census Bureau does, in fact, include the entire consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County in their estimates. They also include a separate figure for the balance:
170,Louisville/Jefferson County,Kentucky,A,693604,693872,694757,695843,698059,698903,699827
162,Louisville/Jefferson County (balance),Kentucky,A,551183,551390,552058,552828,554381,555366,556429
That's from the 2005 estimates (the last number is the 2005 estimated population). This article is not about the balance, however. Issues involving the balance should be discussed on the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|balance article]]'s talk page. [[User:Kaldari|Kaldari]] 15:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

== Actual Population ==
There are too many disputes about the population of the actual city proper. According to the Census bureau estimates, the balance population is 556,429 and not anywhere near 700,000. What is the actual city proper population, as that is to be what is listed? I do not believe that Louisville has a population anywhere near that of Columbus, Ohio. We need to decide the official population of the city proper and correct any and all inaccurate statements regarding the actual population. There are several pages in Wikipedia listing the population as 699,000 (or so), when the Census lists the population as 556,429. I understand that several people (especially those who live in the area) want the population figure to be high so the city can reach a higher status. If it was a city I lived in, I would like to do the same. However, that cannot be done here. An actual, correct population for the city proper and the metro needs to be listed. If we are able to, we need to come up with the balance population of the counties and the actual city. I am a little confused myself, and I did not want to attempt to change anything before it is discussed. [[User:Ajwebb|Ajwebb]] 21:21, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

:There have been many people who have debated this over and over again and we have come to the consensus that is now demonstrated in the article. Please, for the sake of your own knowledge, read all the talk archives that cover this situation. Since there is a consensus that's currently overwhelmingly not in your favor, you might want to do that research before thinking about flaming things up. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

::I agree with you that a comprmise had been reached but please, tone down your anger. --[[User:Moreau36|Moreau36]] 21:46, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

:::Who's angry? I suppose "direct and to the point" equals angry? How about toning down your oversensitivity? — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 03:48, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

Reguardless of the population, this article needs more facts about what the "New" Louisville looks like and how it is different from the previous government(s); specifically how all of Jefferson County is now represented in Metro Council, the merger of Police and Emergency Service communications, countywide help in urban planning issues, plans to add sidewalks throughout the county (they are currently only in widespread use in the old city), and greater cooperation among the whole area, examplifided by projects like the City of Parks, whose main goal is to add parks outside the old city. I don't think population should be the main issue, and if it is the addition of five counties to the Metro area is a much bigger deal, the bottom line is merger has and is greatly improving the quality of life here...that should be the focus.

Also, I was unaware that this recent controversy is due to my assertion that The Balance has been the accepted "city" by the Census Bureau, citing the 26th ranking as evidence. I wasn't trying to undue any compromises on this situation, but only saying that it doesn't make sense to have an entire section about that while leaving out the governmental changes. I didn't mean to force my opinion on anyone. —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:65.142.158.221|65.142.158.221]] ([[User talk:65.142.158.221|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/65.142.158.221|contribs]]) 18:41, July 11, 2006 (UTC{{{3|}}})

:I agree that more could be added to the "Government and politics" section covering major changes due to the merger. The article already mentions [[City of Parks]] using a contextual wikilink. I guess as long as the material merits encyclopedia-level coverage, it should be added. Perhaps we could even end up with a separate [[Government of Louisville, Kentucky]] article someday. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 03:54, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

== Deleting articles ==

Since no one appreciates the Louisville related pages I created, I'm going to start deleting them. {{unsigned|65.138.67.34}}
:We can't really know what pages you're talking about unless you tell us, sorry. --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 02:34, 24 July 2006 (UTC)
:Throw us a bone here. And what do you mean by "appreciates"? — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:35, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

Never mind about deleting articles, but Chris24's attack on the Louisville CSA page is attrocius. He does not own that page and there is NO good reason why the data shouldn't go back to 1960. He also removed my Kentucky county population projections. The fact that the admins are on his side is exactly the type of reason I have no interest in constructive edits anymore.

I vandalize user pages (Appologies, I'm just a mean ole country boy). Chris24 vandalizes pages with valuable information. You tell me which is worse. {{unsigned|4.224.114.168}}

:Have you tried discussing this matter with Chris24? Just because somebody's approach doesn't agree with yours doesn't mean they are "attacking" the article. I've already conversed with Chris24 myself about the CSA page, and I am content with his reasoning, or at least I don't see a reason to debate it. Re: projections, consider that many won't find those numbers to be encyclopedic, as they aren't hard numbers. At the very least, try to see how others look at things, and don't assume your position is always right. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:15, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

:Further, flat-out vandalism is just plain wrong. Please cease that kind of activity. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 02:16, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

He claims that "since the CSA wasn't formed until 2003, that populations back to 1960 are inacurate. However, under that logic numbers from 1990 and 2000 would also be wrong. He then left the figures for the Metro area to 1960 (now extended them to 1950), even though many counties have been added to the Metro throught time. On the CSA page, he is also incorrect in stating that Scott County Indiana (with its 22,000 inhabitants) is its own Metro area. It is a MICRO politian area. BIG Difference. Further, based on his edits, he is a buckeye, so his holding the Louisville page back in my mind makes him an elitest carpetbagger. [[User:4.224.114.168|4.224.114.168]] 02:49, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

::I did not ''attack'' the Louisville CSA page. I removed inaccurate information. CSA's did ''not exist'' prior to 2000. Although it did not exist in 1990, I compromised and left it with a clearly stated disclaimer. If you wish to see data going back to 1960, you can look at the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] page which I also added 1950 data to. On that page, you can clearly see that the counties included within the Census area have changed over time, and simply adding populations for what ''currently'' forms a Census area does not mean those are accurate for ''previous'' years. Not only do populations change over time, but so do boundaries of defined populations. When Louisville and Jefferson County merged it did not make Louisville's population for previous years mirror those of Jefferson County. I have never vandalized anything and all of the 1960-1980 information is a single mouse click away at either the Louisville MSA page or the county pages for Hardin, LaRue, and Scott counties where it is presented accurately because they are accurate populations being referred to within accurate boundaries (and you may wish to note that I ''restored'' your data for Hardin County populations that was deleted 19 June 2006, minus the vandalism).
::I did remove some population projections but was not the first to do so. After someone else did so for Jefferson County, I agreed with the reasoning that projections are not hard facts (especially since they constantly change). I do not feel as if the admins are on my side because I try to not show any point of view in anything I contribute (unless it is on a talk page). When I add or edit anything I make every attempt to make sure it is factual, accurate, verifiable, and presents a neutral point of view. As for the assertion "He does not own that page," that is true. No page is owned by anyone as Wikipedia is a ''community'' project, and when information is factual, accurate, verifiable, and presents a neutral point of view there would be no reason to edit it.--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:25, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::Also, If you would look at the Louisvile CSA page it clearly states "³Scott County, Indiana was designated a part of the Louisville, KY-IN MSA in 2000, but was removed in 2003 to become the Scottsburg, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area."
::Not that it is any of your business, but I was born at St. Joseph's Hospital at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Preston... were you born in Louisville? --[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:32, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::when you state "even though many counties have been added to the Metro throught time" do you realise that when a county is added, it does not change the fact that it was '''NOT''' included in previous years?--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:34, 25 July 2006 (UTC)Chris24

::There is also a difference between a Metropolitan Statisitcal Area and a Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area (Which is that the the Louisville MSA is ''combined'' with the E'town Metro and the Scottsburg Micro to form the ''combined'' MSA.--[[User:Chris24|Chris24]] 03:48, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

::Chris24 provided a great response, but I'll respond to the 'carpetbagger' nonsense--this term only applies to politics. The mere idea of a carpetbagger in the production of a knowledgebase is laughable. There is nothing at all the matter in somebody from another place using their knowledge to add content to the Wikipedia about a place they happen to not currently live in. Besides, many Americans have lived in multiple places during their lives. Since your world view here appears to unreasonably put up a wall against outsiders (from your POV) and thus is needlessly disruptive to our processes here, I would suggest an attitude adjustment. — [[User:Stevietheman| '''Stevie is the man!''' ]] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] | [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:25, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

==Image copyright problem with Image:OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg==
Looks like the image copyright nazis aren't satisfied with the copyright status on the city flag image that's posted to this page. Following is what was posted to my user page regarding the image. Granted, IANAL, so I'm not sure what image copyright tag is appropriate. But one would think that, if the image is a direct representation of the actual image of the city flag, that should be owned by the city of Louisville, one would expect it to be in the public domain. [[User:Derek.cashman|Dr. Cash]] 21:26, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thanks for uploading [[:Image:OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg]]. However, the image may soon be deleted unless we can determine the copyright holder and copyright status. The [[Wikimedia Foundation]] is very careful about the images included in [[Wikipedia]] because of [[Copyright|copyright law]] (see Wikipedia's [[Wikipedia:Copyright|Copyright policy]]).

:The copyright holder is usually the creator, the creator's employer, or the last person who was transferred ownership rights. Copyright information on images is signified using copyright templates. The three basic license types on Wikipedia are [[open content]], [[public domain]], and [[fair use]]. Find the appropriate template in [[Wikipedia:Image copyright tags]] and place it on the image page like this: <code>{{TemplateName}}</code>.

:Please signify the copyright information on any other images you have uploaded or will upload. Remember that images without this important information can be deleted by an administrator. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, or ask them at the [[Wikipedia:Media copyright questions|Media copyright questions page]]. Thank you. --[[User:Durin|Durin]] 06:30, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

:I took a stab at correcting, saying that it's copyrighted by Louisville Metro, but should be fair use on [[Louisville, Kentucky]] and [[Flag of Louisville, Kentucky]]. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 22:47, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

==minor change to section heirarchy==
Looking at the progression of other city articles, I think it's becoming somewhat of a ''de facto'' standard for the Demographics section to be in its own section, and not groups with People and Culture. So I separated this out, and created a new section called 'Culture', with the other information from People and Culture going there. I also promoted the 'economy' section to be ahead of the 'culture' section, based on what appears in other articles as well. [[User:Derek.cashman|Dr. Cash]] 21:39, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

:Looks acceptable to me. Thanks! [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:55, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

:That's in line with what's suggested at [[WP:CITY]] I think, so it seems okay with me. --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 23:03, 7 August 2006 (UTC)

== Louisville (balance) slips to 27 in ranking ==

According to [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/21/AR2006072101621.html this Washington Post article] and [[List of United States cities by population]], Louisville (balance) now ranks 27 with regards to 2005 U.S. Census figures. I will be updating the article to reflect this. Thanks. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 15:42, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

== Confusion of Sealbach and Brown ==

In the segment describing the creation of the Hot Brown, it also is mentioned that the Brown Hotel had a back room popular with Al Capone. This back room was at the Seelbach's Oak Room, not at the Brown. One can verify this via the hotel's website(www.seelbachhilton.com/history_celebrities.html) or via a simple Google search as a number of newspaper stories have been devoted to it over the years. {{unsigned|165.123.86.203}}

:I just made an attempt at correcting the article. Thank you for letting us know about the error. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 8 August 2006 (UTC)

== World's smallest city in Lou. Metro? ==

My almanac stated the the smallest city in the US / World is (among others) New Amsterdam, Indiana, located in southern Harrison County. It has a population of 1 has of 2000. This might be an interesting tidbit for the page.

Also, it may be worth noting that when the Fort Knox troop population loss is not considered, Hardin COunty was one of the fastest growing KY counties, & the Lou CSA added 125K people, not 114K in the 90s in non military residents. [[User:4.225.116.88|4.225.116.88]] 01:59, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

:New Amsterdam could be covered in [[Harrison County, Indiana]] and [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Hardin County info could be covered in [[Hardin County, Kentucky]]. And additional information about CSA population changes could be covered in [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]]. Hope that helps. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:44, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

:Not sure how accurate that population total is though... [http://www.elmada.com/archives/2004_05.html] --[[User:W.marsh|W.marsh]] 01:25, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

== Media ==

I UL-d the tv and radio stations 'cause they were a mess. However, some of the details may have been muddied (more than they were). [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 00:55, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:Thanks for wanting to clean up this material. However, I fear the article could be risking its featured status if this information isn't in prose form. If my fear is overly heightened, somebody else please add your two cents. I personally don't mind having a couple lists, but I have to be concerned about maintaining the status of the article. Thanks. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 01:31, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:I wonder if this should be relegated to a ''List of Radio Stations in Lou. KY'' page. I agree that the list looks bad, but reformatting the data doesn't change its nature. I think it's too much detail for a page like this. If I'm going to be this involved I should join the group 8). [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 20:11, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

::Feel free to join us at the Louisville Wikiproject. I wonder if maybe both TV and Radio stations need to be on a separate [[Media of Louisville, Kentucky]] page, and maybe just mention 840 WHAS and WAVE 3 on the main page, as WHAS is a "legacy station" and Wave 3 was Kentucky's first TV channel.--[[User:Bedford|Bedford]] 20:38, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

::Bedford, looks like you've done it! That cleans up the main page nicely. I did join the group. [[User:Jwpurple|Wake]] 03:02, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

I ordered the radio stations by dial number (we had one down twice as two different types), and added 2-3 I knew about (98.3, 88.1, 1080, 100.5) Also, I fixed the number for the Colonels; 2001?--[[User:Bedford|Bedford]] 02:09, 18 August 2006 (UTC)

:I agree with your ideas for creating a separate article and only discussing the most prominent media examples in this article. Either approach ("List of" or "Media of") works for me. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 21:29, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

[[WHAS-TV]] would also seem notable enough to place on the front page due to the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]] and its ownership by the Binghams, amongst other things. If nobody objects, I'll revise to include them. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 08:20, 20 August 2006 (UTC)

== "the most widely watched event in American horse racing" ==

Can anyone find a source for this statement? First of all, it's nebulous in that it could either mean historically, recently, or this year, and also, watched by who? (television viewers? track visitors?). Since this is a featured article, I think we need to come up with a source very soon, or this clause should be removed. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 14:20, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

:I'm going to go ahead and remove this blurb from the article. A claim like this really does need to have much better precision and be sourced adequately. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 16:44, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

:I actually rewrote it, as it is indeed widely watched, but saying it is the ''most'' widely watched isn't acceptable without precision and a source. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 16:55, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

==Elizabethtown==
Elizabethtown is an important city in it's own right. Way do you try to include Elizabethtown's attributes in an article about Louisville? Stating that Fort Knox and the Patton Museum is "nearby" when in fact it is over an hours drive away. I modified the statement to reflect that, and you revert it. Power-tripping and homerism at it's worse. This statement needsto be removed all together(which I will do if you don't allow the modification, I'm trying to be nice) or allow it to be noted that it is some distance away in another major city.

:Fort Knox is largely in the Louisville metropolitan area. In fact, Elizabethtown is in the Louisville CSA. It might behoove you to look up facts before making accusations. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:19, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:Further, the Bullion Depository and Patton Museum are absolutely not in E-town. I live in the Louisville area, and I know this stuff. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:25, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:: I've been by it numerous times and can vouch for this. Looking at a map, Elizabethtown does not come ''close'' to the Bullion Depository or the Patton Museum. Let's get the facts straight. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:26, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Richmond KY among many other cities are located in Lexington's metro, I will add those cities attributes to the Lexington article later tonight.

Also, what is the rule of thumb? The gold depository is 36 miles from Louisville's city limits... is that the standard? I would also like to add some stuff about Cincinnati to the Lexington article but it's 60 miles out. Is 40 miles the limit?

:It may behoove you to learn about the concept of a metropolitan area. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 05:30, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

== Uncited Statements of Fact in Louisville Article ==

I've counted 67 and whenever I cite this with a {{fact}} for later use and/or hoping others will help me with the citing, it is removed by seicer. Is Louiville article exempt from Wikipedia policy? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability

Will cite the mentioned later tonight.

Also, the Louisville article exeeds policy length. Needs to be edited down.

Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:32:42Z

70.35.237.67: /* Cityscape */

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
The city of '''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located directly [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall{{fact}}. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], spread out amongst [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin]] and [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade]] Counties (two of which are in the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]), is home to the [[United States Bullion Depository|U.S. Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1778 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]

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[[io:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[la:Ludovicopolis, Kentukiae]]
[[nl:Louisville]]
[[ja:ルイビル]]
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Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:31:38Z

70.35.237.67:

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
The city of '''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation{{fact}}. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], spread out amongst [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin]] and [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade]] Counties (two of which are in the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]), is home to the [[United States Bullion Depository|U.S. Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1778 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]

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Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:30:26Z

70.35.237.67: /* Annual cultural events and fairs */

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
'''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation{{fact}}. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], spread out amongst [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]], [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin]] and [[Meade County, Kentucky|Meade]] Counties (two of which are in the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]), is home to the [[United States Bullion Depository|U.S. Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]].

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

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Talk:Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T05:27:49Z

70.35.237.67: /* Elizabethtown */

User talk:70.35.237.67

2006-08-30T05:27:06Z

70.35.237.67: /* Your edits to Louisville, Kentucky and University of Kentucky */

==Your edit to [[Atari Jaguar CD]]==
Your recent edit to [[Atari Jaguar CD]] was reverted by an '''automated bot''' that attempts to recognize and repair [[Wikipedia:vandalism|vandalism]] to Wikipedia articles. If the bot reverted a legitimate edit, please accept my humble creator's apologies – if you bring it to the attention of the bot's owner, we may be able to improve its behavior. '''[[User:Tawkerbot2/FAQ|Click here]]''' for '''frequently asked questions''' about the bot and this warning. // [[User:Tawkerbot2|Tawkerbot2]] 08:32, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

accident —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}.

== New Developments at [[Lexington, Kentucky]] ==

Your addition to the [[Lexington, Kentucky#New developments]] heading at [[Lexington, Kentucky]] will be '''removed''' in three days from the date of this message if citations are not added. As of right now, your statement(s) violate two official policies: [[WP:V|verifiability]] and the [[WP:NOR|original research principle]].

Also see [[Talk:Lexington, Kentucky#.22New Developments|discussion]]. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 03:45, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

: Have a dispute? See [[WP:DR|resolving disputes]]. Your edit will be reverted since they once again fail [[WP:V|verifiability]], and the statement contains [[WP:NOR|original research]]. '''Both are official policies of Wikipedia and therefore both statements will be removed, again.''' Introduce approperiate citations - here is [[WP:CITE|how]]. '''Read these Wikipedia official policy pages before editing again.''' [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 11:40, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

== [[WP:WEASEL|Weasel Words]] ==

Do not add [[WP:WEASEL|weasel words]] to the articles that you edit. Please read that offical policy carefully. Your edits to two articles were reverted. Do not attempt to reintroduce them. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 14:46, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

== Your edit to [[Lexington, Kentucky]] ==

[[Image:Stop hand.svg|left|30px]] Welcome to Wikipedia. We invite everyone to contribute constructively to our encyclopedia. Take a look at the [[Wikipedia:Welcome, newcomers|welcome page]] if you would like to learn more about contributing. However, unconstructive edits are considered [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalism]], and if you continue in this manner you may be '''[[Wikipedia:blocking policy|blocked]] from editing without further warning'''. Please stop, and consider improving rather than damaging the work of others. Thank you.  [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 13:21, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

== Your edits to [[Louisville, Kentucky]] and [[University of Kentucky]] ==

Please do not add nonsense to Wikipedia; it is considered [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalism]]. If you would like to experiment, use the [[Wikipedia:Sandbox|sandbox]]. Thank you.  [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 13:23, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

:Also note that [[Louisville, Kentucky]] is a featured article and any degradation will not be tolerated. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 14:47, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

:: Why don't you contribute to the articles instead of going through my [[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contributions]] and adding {{fact}} or making senseless edits and/or vandalise pages? [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 03:44, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Please stop. If you continue to [[Wikipedia:Vandalism|vandalize]] pages, you will be [[Wikipedia:Blocking policy|blocked]] from editing Wikipedia.  [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:18, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:Kind sir, I am TRYING to contribute, but some seem to think of Wikipedia as their own personal domain and have power issues. I have never vandalized a page and see that as evidence you are on a major power-trip. —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}.

::I agree with Seicer, especially with regards to [[Louisville, Kentucky]]. This is a featured article. If you think something isn't well-sourced, bring it up in talk or find the source instead of dropping all these bombs. I will not allow any degradation to this featured article. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:03, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

:::So stated facts don't have to be sourced when it comes to the Louisville article? —The preceding [[Wikipedia:Sign your posts on talk pages|unsigned]] comment was added by [[User:70.35.237.67|70.35.237.67]] ([[User talk:70.35.237.67|talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/70.35.237.67|contribs]]) {{{2|}}}.

::::You have made it rather clear that you're not interested in facts. You keep saying two things are in E-town when they are absolutely not. And you also seem to not understand the concept of a metropolitan area, which major portions of Fort Knox are in. [[User:Stevietheman|'''Stevie is the man!''']] [[User talk:Stevietheman|Talk]] • [[Special:Contributions/Stevietheman|Work]] 04:40, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

: Do not vandalise [[Talk:Louisville, Kentucky]]. It has been noted. Further vandalism or unfaithful edits will result in other action. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:24, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Richmond KY among many other cities are located in Lexington's metro, I will add those cities attributes to the Lexington article later tonight.

Also, what is the rule of thumb? The gold depository is 36 miles from Louisville's city limits... is that the standard? I would also like to add some stuff about Cincinnati to the Lexington article but it's 60 miles out. Is 40 miles the limit?

== Vandalism to [[70.35.237.67]] ==

[[Image:Stop hand.svg|left|30px]] Do not remove warning templates. It is considered a form of [[vandalism]]. [[User:Seicer| '''Seicer''']] ([[User talk:Seicer|talk]]) ([[Special:Contributions/Seicer|contribs]]) 04:20, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

2006-08-30T04:04:58Z

70.35.237.67: /* Your edits to Louisville, Kentucky and University of Kentucky */

Urban exploration

2006-08-30T04:03:23Z

70.35.237.67: /* Ethics */

[[Image:116-1693_IMG_r.JPG|right|thumb|300px|An urban explorer stands near the outfall of a muffin shaped brick and concrete [[storm drain]], under [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]].]]

'''Urban exploration''', '''urbex''' or '''UE''', is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as ''infiltration,'' although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. In the USA, it may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", and "urban caving."
==Targets of exploration==

Urban explorers may attempt some or all of these subsets of urban exploration.

===Abandonments===

Ventures into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Abandoned sites are generally entered first by locals, and often sport large amounts of [[graffiti]] and other vandalism. Explorers face various risks in abandoned structures including collapsing roofs and floors, broken glass, guard dogs, the presence of chemicals, other harmful substances, most notably, [[asbestos]], and sometimes motion detectors. Some explorers wear respirators to protect airways.

Exploration targets vary from one country to another, but some of the more popular or high-profile abandonments include [[grain elevator]]s, [[missile silo]]s, [[hospital]]s, [[psychiatric hospital|lunatic asylum]]s, and [[sanatorium]]s.

Most, if not all explorers of abandonments find the decay of uninhabited spaces to be beautiful; many of these explorers are also photographers. Some abandonments are heavily guarded with motion sensors and active security. Others are more easily accessible and carry less risk of discovery. Abandonments are also popular among history buffs, '[[urban archaeologists]],' '[[ghosts|ghosthunters]]' and fans of [[graffiti]] art.

===Active buildings===

Another aspect of urban exploration is the practice of exploring active or ''in use'' buildings. This includes seeing secured or "member-only" areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, and other normally unseen parts of such buildings. The term 'infilitration' is often associated with the exploration of active structures.

===Catacombs===

[[Catacombs]] such as those found in [[Paris]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]] are targets for many urban explorers. The catacombs under Paris, for instance, have been considered the 'Holy Grail' by some due to their extensive nature.

===Sewers and storm drains===

Entry into [[storm drain]]s, or ''draining'', is another common form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the [[Cave Clan]] in [[Australia]]. Draining has a specialized set of guidelines, the foremost of which is "When it rains, no drains."

A small subset of explorers enter sanitary sewers. Sometimes they are the only connection to caves or other subterranean feature. Sewers are among the most dangerous locations to explore.

===Transit tunnels===

The subset of urban exploration deals with exploring active and abandoned subway and underground railway tunnels and bores. Since these are in major cities, they carry stiff penalties if one should be caught while trespassing in these, especially after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]]. As a result, this type of exploration is rarely publicised. Although they exist worldwide, those who partake in this often reside near [[New York City]], [[Toronto]], [[London]], and [[Moscow]], along with many other major cities throughout the world.

===Utility tunnels===

[[University|Universities]] and other large institutions, such as hospitals, often distribute steam for heating buildings from a central heating plant. These steam ducts are generally run through utility tunnels, which are often accessible solely for the purposes of maintenance. Many of these steam tunnels, such as those on college campuses, often also have a tradition of exploration by students. This was once called [[vadding]] at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], though students there now refer to it as [[roof and tunnel hacking]].

Steam tunnels in general have been getting more secure in recent years, due to their use for carrying network backbones and perceived risk of their use in terrorist activities, safety and liability.

Some steam tunnels have dirt floors, no lighting and can have temperatures upwards of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46° C). Others have concrete floors, bright light, and can even be quite nice and feature a cool temperature. Most steam tunnels have large intake fans to bring in fresh air, and push all of the hot air out the back.

== Ethics ==

The majority of urban explorers understand the risks that they face if caught while [[trespass|trespassing]] or [[Burglary|breaking and entering]]. The crime is generally seen as a means to an end, however, rather than being the focal point of the hobby. There are some urban explorers that tend to stick to a basic set of "ethical practices" out of respect for the locations that they visit, as well as for any other explorers who may want to visit later. The hobby, however, is still ultimately an unstructured one, and there are rarely two explorers who share the same views on ethics. As such, there many exceptions to these "practices".

To some, the idea behind these "ethical practices" is to leave buildings in the same state that they were in before they were visited. The common, but not always entirely accurate catchphrase for this ethical standpoint is the [[Sierra Club|Sierra Club's]] motto: ''"take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."'' Some try and adhere to this motto which frowns heavily upon [[theft]], [[vandalism]], [[tagging]], [[graffiti]], and any other crime except for [[trespass|trespassing]].

For others, graffiti in drains is sometimes condoned or encouraged as long as [[speleothem]]s and other features aren't damaged. Drainers may use it to indicate how far down the drain a given explorer has been.

An example of another counterpoint against the standard "ethical practices," some explorers remove items from abandoned sites to preserve them or to keep as [[souvenir]]s. More often than not, these explorers save these items from further decay or destruction when a location has become a target of [[vandalism]] or is being demolished.

Some locations contain a small area reserved for leaving tags, known as a ''guest book''. These vary from actual books to blackboards to pieces of scrap metal or wood, or even the dust on an old piece of machinery. Rarely, employee guestbooks will be found, made before the business in question closed.

As with these cases of ethic principles, it is primairly up to the individual to make their own decision based on their viewpoints and their current situations.

==Popularity==

The rise in the popularity of urban exploration can be attributed to its increased media attention. Recent television shows, such as "Urban Explorers" on the [[Discovery Channel]], [[MTV's Fear]], and the [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society]] have packaged the hobby for a popular audience; interviews, such as on "New Morning" on the [[Hallmark Channel]], look more closely at the everyday aspects of the activity <ref>Digital, Mike. "Whispers from the Past." New Morning. Hallmark Channel. 19 Apr. 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dijitalphotography.com/newmorning/Urbex.wmv].</ref>. Talks and exhibits on urban exploration have appeared at the 5th and 6th [[Hackers on Planet Earth]] Conference, complementing numerous newspaper articles and interviews. With the advent rise in the relative popularity of the hobby due to this increased focus, there has been increasing discussion on whether the extra attention has been benefical to urban exploration as a whole <ref>Last NINE. "Infiltration/UER in the news again." Online posting. 27 July 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=34199&currpage=1].</ref> <ref>"Re: UE news story on Fox." Online posting. 17 Feb. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=28116].</ref>.

The growing popularity of the activity has resulted not just in increased attention from explorers, but also from vandals and law enforcement. The illicit aspects of urban exploring, which may include trespassing and breaking and entering, have brought along with them critical articles in mainstream newspapers. In one recent article <ref>Jacks, Jason. "Going in where others broke out." Times Community 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=16971853&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511694&rfi=6].</ref>, web-postings and photographs from the web-site [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] were cited as evidence that explorers were trespassing in a closed prison in [[Northern Virginia]]. Users had posted specific details on entry points and how "easy" it was to gain entry to the disused facility <ref>"Lorton Prison." Online posting. 8 Oct. 2005. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=23479].</ref>.

In that regard, some explorers have become wary of posting information and photographs on UE-related websites for fear of being prosecuted for trespassing. Two popular web-sites, [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] and [http://www.deggi5.com Deggi5], have been locked in argument about the structure of urban exploration web-sites. UER has an open forum and a database of abandonments and active "inflitrations", while Deggi5's forum is open only to those that the moderators know personally. Additionally, arguments focus on whether online listings of explorable structures undermine the "underground" aspect of urban exploration. <ref>Greenburg, Andy. "Caught in their own web." DragonFire 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dfire.org/x2764.xml].</ref> <ref>Cahal, Sherman. "Have we started pandering to the tourists?" Online posting. 11 May 2006. Abandoned. 31 July 2006 [http://www.abandonedonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=245].</ref>

Along with the rise in the popularity of urban exploring, numerous events have been hosted throughout the world. These organized meetings have included campouts, barbeques, day-long explorations, and tours of active and abandoned sites. While most of these are illegal in the sense that they involve trespassing or breaking and entering, a handful of meets, such as a recent event held at the [[West Virginia State Penitentiary]], involve tours or lock-ins. Others include quasi-urban exploring gatherings, as evidenced by a meet held by "Shiroi" in which stunts were performed in an abandoned structure <ref>"Shiroi Meet Simplified." Online posting. 2 Aug. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 3 Aug. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082&currpage=6&pp#post110].</ref>. This has attracted both negative and positive attention based upon the ethics that each particular explorer holds <ref>"Shiroi Meet '07." Online posting. 21 June 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082].</ref>.

==In the media==
===Books===

Many urban exploration books are available, including:

* Ninjalicious (2005). ''Access All Areas: A user's guide to the art of urban exploration.'' PO Box 13, Station E, Toronto, ON M6H 4E1 Canada: Infilpress. ISBN 0-9737787-0-9
* Wand, Eku and Arnold, Dietmar (2000). ''Berlin im Untergrund: Potsdamer Platz.'' Eku interactive e.K., Berlin, Germany. ISBN 3-935709-02-1
* Deyo, L.B. and Leibowitz, David "Lefty". ''Invisible Frontier: Exploring the tunnels, ruins & rooftops of hidden New York.'' Three Rivers Press. ISBN 609809318 {{invalid isbn|609809318}}
* [[Julia Solis|Solis, Julia]]. ''New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City.'' Routledge. ISBN 0-415-95013-9

The following two photography books by Chilean-born, New York–based photographer and documentarian [[Camilo José Vergara]] are not explicitly about urban exploration, but Mr. Vergara uses many of the same techniques as urban explorers to gain access to the abandoned buildings which he photographs to document their decay.

* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "American Ruins". Monacelli. ISBN 1-58093-056-5
* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "The New American Ghetto". Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-2331-1

Fiction:
* Urban explorers (termed "creepers") and their culture are at the core of the thriller Creepers by well-known author David Morrell[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Morrell].

===Magazines===

* [http://www.5100.ca 5100]: A Canadian Urban Exploration magazine focusing mainly on Western Canada.
* [http://www.caveclan.org The Cave Clan Magazine]: Australian draining magazine.
* [http://www.jinxmagazine.com Jinx]: United States urban exploration magazine.

===Movies===


* Pray for Rain's [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], (2006) a supernatural thriller about three urban explorers who get more than they bargain for when they set out to explore the secret world beneath [[Moscow]].

* Red Scream Films' [http://www.redscreamfilms.com "Prison of the Psychotic Damned"], (2006) the world's first exploitation style UE film.

* Brad Anderson's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261983 "Session 9"] (2001) is a movie about an asbestos cleaning crew working in an abandoned mental hospital. Tensions rise as the horrific past of the mental institution seems to be coming back.

* Phillip Booth's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418627 "Death Tunnel"] (2005). Set in Waverly Hills TB Sanitarium in Louisville, Kentucky, five college women were locked in the hospital for an initiation stunt. Deep under the hospital is the infamous 'Death Tunnel' which was once used to remove the dead from the grounds of the hospital.

===Short Films and Documentaries===

* David L. Cunningham's documentary short, which documents a research trip he and screenwriter Kevin Miller made in preparation for writing [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], a supernatural UE thriller about three urban explorers who get more than what they bargain for when they set out to explore the vast secret world under Moscow.

* Melody Gilbert's [http://www.urbanexplorersfilm.com "Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness"] (2006), a documentary about some of the world's urban explorers.

* Robert Fantinatto's [http://www.scribblemedia.com/echoes.html "Echoes of Forgotten Places"] (2005), a visual essay on the allure of abandoned buildings and industrial relics.

===Television===

*A 2004 episode of [[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]] ([[Down the Drain (CSI episode)|Down the Drain]]) involved a person supposedly killed while '[[draining]]'.
*A 2006 episode of [[Law & Order]] involved urban exploration.
*The Discovery Channel filmed and aired a 5-episode TV series with the title "Urban Explorers". The 5 episodes are Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh. Discovery does not sell these episodes, and does not intend to.
*A 2006 episode of [[CSI:Miami]] ([[Free Fall (CSI episode)|Free Fall]]) involved 2 Urban Explorers taking artifacts from an abandoned hotel.

==See also==

* [[Caving]]
* [[Cave Clan]]
* [[Catacombs of Paris]]
* [[C.H.U.D.]]
* [[Freedom Tunnel]]
* [[Parkour]]
* [[Reality hacker]]
* [[The Tunnel Rats]]

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==


* [http://www.abandonedonline.com Abandoned]
* [http://www.darkplaces.co.uk Dark Places]
* [http://www.infiltration.org Infiltration Zine]
* [http://www.urbanadventure.org Urban Adventure]
* [http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=draining Urban exploration & draining web-ring]
* [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource]
* [http://www.urbanexplorers.net Urban Explorers]
* [http://www.urbexforum.com Urbex Forum]


[[Category:Urban exploration|*]]
[[Category:Subterranea]]
[[Category:Hobbies]]
[[Category:Backpacking]]

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User talk:70.35.237.67

2006-08-30T04:00:38Z

70.35.237.67: /* Your edit to Atari Jaguar CD */

User talk:70.35.237.67

2006-08-30T03:59:35Z

70.35.237.67: /* Your edits to Louisville, Kentucky and University of Kentucky */

Urban exploration

2006-08-30T03:53:33Z

70.35.237.67: /* Targets of exploration */

[[Image:116-1693_IMG_r.JPG|right|thumb|300px|An urban explorer stands near the outfall of a muffin shaped brick and concrete [[storm drain]], under [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]].]]

'''Urban exploration''', '''urbex''' or '''UE''', is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as ''infiltration,'' although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. In the USA, it may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", and "urban caving."
==Targets of exploration==

Urban explorers may attempt some or all of these subsets of urban exploration.

===Abandonments===

Ventures into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Abandoned sites are generally entered first by locals, and often sport large amounts of [[graffiti]] and other vandalism. Explorers face various risks in abandoned structures including collapsing roofs and floors, broken glass, guard dogs, the presence of chemicals, other harmful substances, most notably, [[asbestos]], and sometimes motion detectors. Some explorers wear respirators to protect airways.

Exploration targets vary from one country to another, but some of the more popular or high-profile abandonments include [[grain elevator]]s, [[missile silo]]s, [[hospital]]s, [[psychiatric hospital|lunatic asylum]]s, and [[sanatorium]]s.

Most, if not all explorers of abandonments find the decay of uninhabited spaces to be beautiful; many of these explorers are also photographers. Some abandonments are heavily guarded with motion sensors and active security. Others are more easily accessible and carry less risk of discovery. Abandonments are also popular among history buffs, '[[urban archaeologists]],' '[[ghosts|ghosthunters]]' and fans of [[graffiti]] art.

===Active buildings===

Another aspect of urban exploration is the practice of exploring active or ''in use'' buildings. This includes seeing secured or "member-only" areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, and other normally unseen parts of such buildings. The term 'infilitration' is often associated with the exploration of active structures.

===Catacombs===

[[Catacombs]] such as those found in [[Paris]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]] are targets for many urban explorers. The catacombs under Paris, for instance, have been considered the 'Holy Grail' by some due to their extensive nature.

===Sewers and storm drains===

Entry into [[storm drain]]s, or ''draining'', is another common form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the [[Cave Clan]] in [[Australia]]. Draining has a specialized set of guidelines, the foremost of which is "When it rains, no drains."

A small subset of explorers enter sanitary sewers. Sometimes they are the only connection to caves or other subterranean feature. Sewers are among the most dangerous locations to explore.

===Transit tunnels===

The subset of urban exploration deals with exploring active and abandoned subway and underground railway tunnels and bores. Since these are in major cities, they carry stiff penalties if one should be caught while trespassing in these, especially after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]]. As a result, this type of exploration is rarely publicised. Although they exist worldwide, those who partake in this often reside near [[New York City]], [[Toronto]], [[London]], and [[Moscow]], along with many other major cities throughout the world.

===Utility tunnels===

[[University|Universities]] and other large institutions, such as hospitals, often distribute steam for heating buildings from a central heating plant. These steam ducts are generally run through utility tunnels, which are often accessible solely for the purposes of maintenance. Many of these steam tunnels, such as those on college campuses, often also have a tradition of exploration by students. This was once called [[vadding]] at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], though students there now refer to it as [[roof and tunnel hacking]].

Steam tunnels in general have been getting more secure in recent years, due to their use for carrying network backbones and perceived risk of their use in terrorist activities, safety and liability.

Some steam tunnels have dirt floors, no lighting and can have temperatures upwards of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46° C). Others have concrete floors, bright light, and can even be quite nice and feature a cool temperature. Most steam tunnels have large intake fans to bring in fresh air, and push all of the hot air out the back.

== Ethics ==

Most urban explorers understand the risks that they face if caught while [[trespass|trespassing]] or [[Burglary|breaking and entering]]. The crime is generally seen as a means to an end, however, rather than being the focal point of the hobby. There are some urban explorers that tend to stick to a basic set of "ethical practices" out of respect for the locations that they visit, as well as for any other explorers who may want to visit later. The hobby, however, is still ultimately an unstructured one, and there are rarely two explorers who share the same views on ethics. As such, there many exceptions to these "practices".

To some, the idea behind these "ethical practices" is to leave buildings in the same state that they were in before they were visited. The common, but not always entirely accurate catchphrase for this ethical standpoint is the [[Sierra Club|Sierra Club's]] motto: ''"take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."'' Some try and adhere to this motto which frowns heavily upon [[theft]], [[vandalism]], [[tagging]], [[graffiti]], and any other crime except for [[trespass|trespassing]].

For others, graffiti in drains is sometimes condoned or encouraged as long as [[speleothem]]s and other features aren't damaged. Drainers may use it to indicate how far down the drain a given explorer has been.

An example of another counterpoint against the standard "ethical practices," some explorers remove items from abandoned sites to preserve them or to keep as [[souvenir]]s. More often than not, these explorers save these items from further decay or destruction when a location has become a target of [[vandalism]] or is being demolished.

Some locations contain a small area reserved for leaving tags, known as a ''guest book''. These vary from actual books to blackboards to pieces of scrap metal or wood, or even the dust on an old piece of machinery. Rarely, employee guestbooks will be found, made before the business in question closed.

As with these cases of ethic principles, it is primairly up to the individual to make their own decision based on their viewpoints and their current situations.

==Popularity==

The rise in the popularity of urban exploration can be attributed to its increased media attention. Recent television shows, such as "Urban Explorers" on the [[Discovery Channel]], [[MTV's Fear]], and the [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society]] have packaged the hobby for a popular audience; interviews, such as on "New Morning" on the [[Hallmark Channel]], look more closely at the everyday aspects of the activity <ref>Digital, Mike. "Whispers from the Past." New Morning. Hallmark Channel. 19 Apr. 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dijitalphotography.com/newmorning/Urbex.wmv].</ref>. Talks and exhibits on urban exploration have appeared at the 5th and 6th [[Hackers on Planet Earth]] Conference, complementing numerous newspaper articles and interviews. With the advent rise in the relative popularity of the hobby due to this increased focus, there has been increasing discussion on whether the extra attention has been benefical to urban exploration as a whole <ref>Last NINE. "Infiltration/UER in the news again." Online posting. 27 July 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=34199&currpage=1].</ref> <ref>"Re: UE news story on Fox." Online posting. 17 Feb. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=28116].</ref>.

The growing popularity of the activity has resulted not just in increased attention from explorers, but also from vandals and law enforcement. The illicit aspects of urban exploring, which may include trespassing and breaking and entering, have brought along with them critical articles in mainstream newspapers. In one recent article <ref>Jacks, Jason. "Going in where others broke out." Times Community 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=16971853&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511694&rfi=6].</ref>, web-postings and photographs from the web-site [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] were cited as evidence that explorers were trespassing in a closed prison in [[Northern Virginia]]. Users had posted specific details on entry points and how "easy" it was to gain entry to the disused facility <ref>"Lorton Prison." Online posting. 8 Oct. 2005. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=23479].</ref>.

In that regard, some explorers have become wary of posting information and photographs on UE-related websites for fear of being prosecuted for trespassing. Two popular web-sites, [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] and [http://www.deggi5.com Deggi5], have been locked in argument about the structure of urban exploration web-sites. UER has an open forum and a database of abandonments and active "inflitrations", while Deggi5's forum is open only to those that the moderators know personally. Additionally, arguments focus on whether online listings of explorable structures undermine the "underground" aspect of urban exploration. <ref>Greenburg, Andy. "Caught in their own web." DragonFire 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dfire.org/x2764.xml].</ref> <ref>Cahal, Sherman. "Have we started pandering to the tourists?" Online posting. 11 May 2006. Abandoned. 31 July 2006 [http://www.abandonedonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=245].</ref>

Along with the rise in the popularity of urban exploring, numerous events have been hosted throughout the world. These organized meetings have included campouts, barbeques, day-long explorations, and tours of active and abandoned sites. While most of these are illegal in the sense that they involve trespassing or breaking and entering, a handful of meets, such as a recent event held at the [[West Virginia State Penitentiary]], involve tours or lock-ins. Others include quasi-urban exploring gatherings, as evidenced by a meet held by "Shiroi" in which stunts were performed in an abandoned structure <ref>"Shiroi Meet Simplified." Online posting. 2 Aug. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 3 Aug. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082&currpage=6&pp#post110].</ref>. This has attracted both negative and positive attention based upon the ethics that each particular explorer holds <ref>"Shiroi Meet '07." Online posting. 21 June 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082].</ref>.

==In the media==
===Books===

Many urban exploration books are available, including:

* Ninjalicious (2005). ''Access All Areas: A user's guide to the art of urban exploration.'' PO Box 13, Station E, Toronto, ON M6H 4E1 Canada: Infilpress. ISBN 0-9737787-0-9
* Wand, Eku and Arnold, Dietmar (2000). ''Berlin im Untergrund: Potsdamer Platz.'' Eku interactive e.K., Berlin, Germany. ISBN 3-935709-02-1
* Deyo, L.B. and Leibowitz, David "Lefty". ''Invisible Frontier: Exploring the tunnels, ruins & rooftops of hidden New York.'' Three Rivers Press. ISBN 609809318 {{invalid isbn|609809318}}
* [[Julia Solis|Solis, Julia]]. ''New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City.'' Routledge. ISBN 0-415-95013-9

The following two photography books by Chilean-born, New York–based photographer and documentarian [[Camilo José Vergara]] are not explicitly about urban exploration, but Mr. Vergara uses many of the same techniques as urban explorers to gain access to the abandoned buildings which he photographs to document their decay.

* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "American Ruins". Monacelli. ISBN 1-58093-056-5
* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "The New American Ghetto". Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-2331-1

Fiction:
* Urban explorers (termed "creepers") and their culture are at the core of the thriller Creepers by well-known author David Morrell[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Morrell].

===Magazines===

* [http://www.5100.ca 5100]: A Canadian Urban Exploration magazine focusing mainly on Western Canada.
* [http://www.caveclan.org The Cave Clan Magazine]: Australian draining magazine.
* [http://www.jinxmagazine.com Jinx]: United States urban exploration magazine.

===Movies===


* Pray for Rain's [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], (2006) a supernatural thriller about three urban explorers who get more than they bargain for when they set out to explore the secret world beneath [[Moscow]].

* Red Scream Films' [http://www.redscreamfilms.com "Prison of the Psychotic Damned"], (2006) the world's first exploitation style UE film.

* Brad Anderson's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261983 "Session 9"] (2001) is a movie about an asbestos cleaning crew working in an abandoned mental hospital. Tensions rise as the horrific past of the mental institution seems to be coming back.

* Phillip Booth's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418627 "Death Tunnel"] (2005). Set in Waverly Hills TB Sanitarium in Louisville, Kentucky, five college women were locked in the hospital for an initiation stunt. Deep under the hospital is the infamous 'Death Tunnel' which was once used to remove the dead from the grounds of the hospital.

===Short Films and Documentaries===

* David L. Cunningham's documentary short, which documents a research trip he and screenwriter Kevin Miller made in preparation for writing [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], a supernatural UE thriller about three urban explorers who get more than what they bargain for when they set out to explore the vast secret world under Moscow.

* Melody Gilbert's [http://www.urbanexplorersfilm.com "Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness"] (2006), a documentary about some of the world's urban explorers.

* Robert Fantinatto's [http://www.scribblemedia.com/echoes.html "Echoes of Forgotten Places"] (2005), a visual essay on the allure of abandoned buildings and industrial relics.

===Television===

*A 2004 episode of [[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]] ([[Down the Drain (CSI episode)|Down the Drain]]) involved a person supposedly killed while '[[draining]]'.
*A 2006 episode of [[Law & Order]] involved urban exploration.
*The Discovery Channel filmed and aired a 5-episode TV series with the title "Urban Explorers". The 5 episodes are Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh. Discovery does not sell these episodes, and does not intend to.
*A 2006 episode of [[CSI:Miami]] ([[Free Fall (CSI episode)|Free Fall]]) involved 2 Urban Explorers taking artifacts from an abandoned hotel.

==See also==

* [[Caving]]
* [[Cave Clan]]
* [[Catacombs of Paris]]
* [[C.H.U.D.]]
* [[Freedom Tunnel]]
* [[Parkour]]
* [[Reality hacker]]
* [[The Tunnel Rats]]

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==


* [http://www.abandonedonline.com Abandoned]
* [http://www.darkplaces.co.uk Dark Places]
* [http://www.infiltration.org Infiltration Zine]
* [http://www.urbanadventure.org Urban Adventure]
* [http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=draining Urban exploration & draining web-ring]
* [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource]
* [http://www.urbanexplorers.net Urban Explorers]
* [http://www.urbexforum.com Urbex Forum]


[[Category:Urban exploration|*]]
[[Category:Subterranea]]
[[Category:Hobbies]]
[[Category:Backpacking]]

[[sv:Urban Exploration]]
[[nl:Urban exploring]]
[[fi:Urbaani löytöretkeily]]
[[fr:Exploration urbaine]]

Urban exploration

2006-08-30T03:50:13Z

70.35.237.67: /* Targets of exploration */

[[Image:116-1693_IMG_r.JPG|right|thumb|300px|An urban explorer stands near the outfall of a muffin shaped brick and concrete [[storm drain]], under [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]].]]

'''Urban exploration''', '''urbex''' or '''UE''', is the examination of the normally unseen or off-limits parts of human civilization. Urban exploration is also commonly referred to as ''infiltration,'' although some people consider infiltration to be more closely associated with the exploration of active or inhabited sites. In the USA, it may also be referred to as "draining" (when exploring drains) "urban spelunking", and "urban caving."
==Targets of exploration==

Urban explorers do any or all of these things, but often specialize in one or two and sometimes three.

===Abandonments===

Ventures into abandoned structures are perhaps the most common example of UE. Abandoned sites are generally entered first by locals, and often sport large amounts of [[graffiti]] and other vandalism. Explorers face various risks in abandoned structures including collapsing roofs and floors, broken glass, guard dogs, the presence of chemicals, other harmful substances, most notably, [[asbestos]], and sometimes motion detectors. Some explorers wear respirators to protect airways.

Exploration targets vary from one country to another, but some of the more popular or high-profile abandonments include [[grain elevator]]s, [[missile silo]]s, [[hospital]]s, [[psychiatric hospital|lunatic asylum]]s, and [[sanatorium]]s.

Most, if not all explorers of abandonments find the decay of uninhabited spaces to be beautiful; many of these explorers are also photographers. Some abandonments are heavily guarded with motion sensors and active security. Others are more easily accessible and carry less risk of discovery. Abandonments are also popular among history buffs, '[[urban archaeologists]],' '[[ghosts|ghosthunters]]' and fans of [[graffiti]] art.

===Active buildings===

Another aspect of urban exploration is the practice of exploring active or ''in use'' buildings. This includes seeing secured or "member-only" areas, mechanical rooms, roofs, elevator rooms, and other normally unseen parts of such buildings. The term 'infilitration' is often associated with the exploration of active structures.

===Catacombs===

[[Catacombs]] such as those found in [[Paris]], [[Rome]] and [[Naples]] are targets for many urban explorers. The catacombs under Paris, for instance, have been considered the 'Holy Grail' by some due to their extensive nature.

===Sewers and storm drains===

Entry into [[storm drain]]s, or ''draining'', is another common form of UE. Groups devoted to the task have arisen, such as the [[Cave Clan]] in [[Australia]]. Draining has a specialized set of guidelines, the foremost of which is "When it rains, no drains."

A small subset of explorers enter sanitary sewers. Sometimes they are the only connection to caves or other subterranean feature. Sewers are among the most dangerous locations to explore.

===Transit tunnels===

The subset of urban exploration deals with exploring active and abandoned subway and underground railway tunnels and bores. Since these are in major cities, they carry stiff penalties if one should be caught while trespassing in these, especially after the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks]]. As a result, this type of exploration is rarely publicised. Although they exist worldwide, those who partake in this often reside near [[New York City]], [[Toronto]], [[London]], and [[Moscow]], along with many other major cities throughout the world.

===Utility tunnels===

[[University|Universities]] and other large institutions, such as hospitals, often distribute steam for heating buildings from a central heating plant. These steam ducts are generally run through utility tunnels, which are often accessible solely for the purposes of maintenance. Many of these steam tunnels, such as those on college campuses, often also have a tradition of exploration by students. This was once called [[vadding]] at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]], though students there now refer to it as [[roof and tunnel hacking]].

Steam tunnels in general have been getting more secure in recent years, due to their use for carrying network backbones and perceived risk of their use in terrorist activities, safety and liability.

Some steam tunnels have dirt floors, no lighting and can have temperatures upwards of 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46° C). Others have concrete floors, bright light, and can even be quite nice and feature a cool temperature. Most steam tunnels have large intake fans to bring in fresh air, and push all of the hot air out the back.

== Ethics ==

Most urban explorers understand the risks that they face if caught while [[trespass|trespassing]] or [[Burglary|breaking and entering]]. The crime is generally seen as a means to an end, however, rather than being the focal point of the hobby. There are some urban explorers that tend to stick to a basic set of "ethical practices" out of respect for the locations that they visit, as well as for any other explorers who may want to visit later. The hobby, however, is still ultimately an unstructured one, and there are rarely two explorers who share the same views on ethics. As such, there many exceptions to these "practices".

To some, the idea behind these "ethical practices" is to leave buildings in the same state that they were in before they were visited. The common, but not always entirely accurate catchphrase for this ethical standpoint is the [[Sierra Club|Sierra Club's]] motto: ''"take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."'' Some try and adhere to this motto which frowns heavily upon [[theft]], [[vandalism]], [[tagging]], [[graffiti]], and any other crime except for [[trespass|trespassing]].

For others, graffiti in drains is sometimes condoned or encouraged as long as [[speleothem]]s and other features aren't damaged. Drainers may use it to indicate how far down the drain a given explorer has been.

An example of another counterpoint against the standard "ethical practices," some explorers remove items from abandoned sites to preserve them or to keep as [[souvenir]]s. More often than not, these explorers save these items from further decay or destruction when a location has become a target of [[vandalism]] or is being demolished.

Some locations contain a small area reserved for leaving tags, known as a ''guest book''. These vary from actual books to blackboards to pieces of scrap metal or wood, or even the dust on an old piece of machinery. Rarely, employee guestbooks will be found, made before the business in question closed.

As with these cases of ethic principles, it is primairly up to the individual to make their own decision based on their viewpoints and their current situations.

==Popularity==

The rise in the popularity of urban exploration can be attributed to its increased media attention. Recent television shows, such as "Urban Explorers" on the [[Discovery Channel]], [[MTV's Fear]], and the [[The Atlantic Paranormal Society]] have packaged the hobby for a popular audience; interviews, such as on "New Morning" on the [[Hallmark Channel]], look more closely at the everyday aspects of the activity <ref>Digital, Mike. "Whispers from the Past." New Morning. Hallmark Channel. 19 Apr. 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dijitalphotography.com/newmorning/Urbex.wmv].</ref>. Talks and exhibits on urban exploration have appeared at the 5th and 6th [[Hackers on Planet Earth]] Conference, complementing numerous newspaper articles and interviews. With the advent rise in the relative popularity of the hobby due to this increased focus, there has been increasing discussion on whether the extra attention has been benefical to urban exploration as a whole <ref>Last NINE. "Infiltration/UER in the news again." Online posting. 27 July 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=34199&currpage=1].</ref> <ref>"Re: UE news story on Fox." Online posting. 17 Feb. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=28116].</ref>.

The growing popularity of the activity has resulted not just in increased attention from explorers, but also from vandals and law enforcement. The illicit aspects of urban exploring, which may include trespassing and breaking and entering, have brought along with them critical articles in mainstream newspapers. In one recent article <ref>Jacks, Jason. "Going in where others broke out." Times Community 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab5.cfm?newsid=16971853&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=511694&rfi=6].</ref>, web-postings and photographs from the web-site [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] were cited as evidence that explorers were trespassing in a closed prison in [[Northern Virginia]]. Users had posted specific details on entry points and how "easy" it was to gain entry to the disused facility <ref>"Lorton Prison." Online posting. 8 Oct. 2005. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=23479].</ref>.

In that regard, some explorers have become wary of posting information and photographs on UE-related websites for fear of being prosecuted for trespassing. Two popular web-sites, [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource] and [http://www.deggi5.com Deggi5], have been locked in argument about the structure of urban exploration web-sites. UER has an open forum and a database of abandonments and active "inflitrations", while Deggi5's forum is open only to those that the moderators know personally. Additionally, arguments focus on whether online listings of explorable structures undermine the "underground" aspect of urban exploration. <ref>Greenburg, Andy. "Caught in their own web." DragonFire 26 July 2006. 31 July 2006 [http://www.dfire.org/x2764.xml].</ref> <ref>Cahal, Sherman. "Have we started pandering to the tourists?" Online posting. 11 May 2006. Abandoned. 31 July 2006 [http://www.abandonedonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=245].</ref>

Along with the rise in the popularity of urban exploring, numerous events have been hosted throughout the world. These organized meetings have included campouts, barbeques, day-long explorations, and tours of active and abandoned sites. While most of these are illegal in the sense that they involve trespassing or breaking and entering, a handful of meets, such as a recent event held at the [[West Virginia State Penitentiary]], involve tours or lock-ins. Others include quasi-urban exploring gatherings, as evidenced by a meet held by "Shiroi" in which stunts were performed in an abandoned structure <ref>"Shiroi Meet Simplified." Online posting. 2 Aug. 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 3 Aug. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082&currpage=6&pp#post110].</ref>. This has attracted both negative and positive attention based upon the ethics that each particular explorer holds <ref>"Shiroi Meet '07." Online posting. 21 June 2006. Urban Exploration Resource. 31 July. 2006 [http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread.asp?fid=1&threadid=33082].</ref>.

==In the media==
===Books===

Many urban exploration books are available, including:

* Ninjalicious (2005). ''Access All Areas: A user's guide to the art of urban exploration.'' PO Box 13, Station E, Toronto, ON M6H 4E1 Canada: Infilpress. ISBN 0-9737787-0-9
* Wand, Eku and Arnold, Dietmar (2000). ''Berlin im Untergrund: Potsdamer Platz.'' Eku interactive e.K., Berlin, Germany. ISBN 3-935709-02-1
* Deyo, L.B. and Leibowitz, David "Lefty". ''Invisible Frontier: Exploring the tunnels, ruins & rooftops of hidden New York.'' Three Rivers Press. ISBN 609809318 {{invalid isbn|609809318}}
* [[Julia Solis|Solis, Julia]]. ''New York Underground: The Anatomy of a City.'' Routledge. ISBN 0-415-95013-9

The following two photography books by Chilean-born, New York–based photographer and documentarian [[Camilo José Vergara]] are not explicitly about urban exploration, but Mr. Vergara uses many of the same techniques as urban explorers to gain access to the abandoned buildings which he photographs to document their decay.

* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "American Ruins". Monacelli. ISBN 1-58093-056-5
* [[Camilo José Vergara]]. "The New American Ghetto". Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-2331-1

Fiction:
* Urban explorers (termed "creepers") and their culture are at the core of the thriller Creepers by well-known author David Morrell[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Morrell].

===Magazines===

* [http://www.5100.ca 5100]: A Canadian Urban Exploration magazine focusing mainly on Western Canada.
* [http://www.caveclan.org The Cave Clan Magazine]: Australian draining magazine.
* [http://www.jinxmagazine.com Jinx]: United States urban exploration magazine.

===Movies===


* Pray for Rain's [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], (2006) a supernatural thriller about three urban explorers who get more than they bargain for when they set out to explore the secret world beneath [[Moscow]].

* Red Scream Films' [http://www.redscreamfilms.com "Prison of the Psychotic Damned"], (2006) the world's first exploitation style UE film.

* Brad Anderson's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0261983 "Session 9"] (2001) is a movie about an asbestos cleaning crew working in an abandoned mental hospital. Tensions rise as the horrific past of the mental institution seems to be coming back.

* Phillip Booth's [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0418627 "Death Tunnel"] (2005). Set in Waverly Hills TB Sanitarium in Louisville, Kentucky, five college women were locked in the hospital for an initiation stunt. Deep under the hospital is the infamous 'Death Tunnel' which was once used to remove the dead from the grounds of the hospital.

===Short Films and Documentaries===

* David L. Cunningham's documentary short, which documents a research trip he and screenwriter Kevin Miller made in preparation for writing [http://www.themovieafter.com "After..."], a supernatural UE thriller about three urban explorers who get more than what they bargain for when they set out to explore the vast secret world under Moscow.

* Melody Gilbert's [http://www.urbanexplorersfilm.com "Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness"] (2006), a documentary about some of the world's urban explorers.

* Robert Fantinatto's [http://www.scribblemedia.com/echoes.html "Echoes of Forgotten Places"] (2005), a visual essay on the allure of abandoned buildings and industrial relics.

===Television===

*A 2004 episode of [[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation|CSI]] ([[Down the Drain (CSI episode)|Down the Drain]]) involved a person supposedly killed while '[[draining]]'.
*A 2006 episode of [[Law & Order]] involved urban exploration.
*The Discovery Channel filmed and aired a 5-episode TV series with the title "Urban Explorers". The 5 episodes are Buffalo, Chicago, Denver, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh. Discovery does not sell these episodes, and does not intend to.
*A 2006 episode of [[CSI:Miami]] ([[Free Fall (CSI episode)|Free Fall]]) involved 2 Urban Explorers taking artifacts from an abandoned hotel.

==See also==

* [[Caving]]
* [[Cave Clan]]
* [[Catacombs of Paris]]
* [[C.H.U.D.]]
* [[Freedom Tunnel]]
* [[Parkour]]
* [[Reality hacker]]
* [[The Tunnel Rats]]

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==


* [http://www.abandonedonline.com Abandoned]
* [http://www.darkplaces.co.uk Dark Places]
* [http://www.infiltration.org Infiltration Zine]
* [http://www.urbanadventure.org Urban Adventure]
* [http://e.webring.com/hub?ring=draining Urban exploration & draining web-ring]
* [http://www.uer.ca Urban Exploration Resource]
* [http://www.urbanexplorers.net Urban Explorers]
* [http://www.urbexforum.com Urbex Forum]


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Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T03:44:08Z

70.35.237.67: /* Museums and art collections */

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
'''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States{{fact}}. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters{{fact}}.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically{{fact}}. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people{{fact}}. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700{{fact}}. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area{{fact}}.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district{{fact}}.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville{{fact}}. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]{{fact}}. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], 30 miles away in [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin County]] is home to the [[Fort Knox Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]{{fact}}.

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic{{fact}}. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service{{fact}}.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1778 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]

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Louisville, Kentucky

2006-08-30T03:40:49Z

70.35.237.67:

{{featured article}}
{{Redirect|Louisville}}
{{Infobox City |official_name = Louisville, Kentucky
|nickname = Derby City", "River City", "Falls City", "Da Ville
|website = http://www.louisvilleky.gov/
|image_skyline = LouisvilleDowntownSkyline.jpg
|image_flag = OfficialMetroLouisvilleFlag.jpg
|image_seal = Lousiville Seal.gif
|image_map = Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County.png
|map_caption = Location in the Commonwealth of [[Kentucky]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]] [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] [[List of counties in Kentucky|Counties]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]] [[Kentucky]] [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|area_total = 399 mi² / 1,032
|area_land = 385 mi² / 997
|area_water = 13 mi² / 35
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_total = 699,827 <ref name="census1">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25202)</ref>
|population_metro = 1.2 million
|population_density = 1,592.6
|timezone = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|latd = 38
|latm = 13
|lats = 44
|latNS = N
|longd = 85
|longm = 44
|longs = 58
|longEW = W
|footnotes =
}}
'''Louisville''' (usually [[pronunciation|pronounced]] {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}}; see ''[[#Pronunciation|Pronunciation]]'' below) is [[Kentucky]]'s largest [[city]]. It is ranked as either the 16th or 27th largest city in the [[United States]] depending on how the population is calculated (see [[#Nomenclature, population and ranking|''Nomenclature, population and ranking'']] below). The [[colonization|settlement]] that became the City of Louisville was founded in 1778 by [[George Rogers Clark]] and is named after [[Louis XVI of France|King Louis XVI]] of [[France]]. Louisville is most famous as the home of "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports": the [[Kentucky Derby]], the widely watched first [[horse racing|race]] of the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing]].

Louisville is situated on the [[Kentucky]]-[[Indiana]] border at the only natural obstacle in the [[Ohio River]], the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Because it includes counties in [[Southern Indiana]], the [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]] is regularly referred to as ''Kentuckiana''. A resident of Louisville is referred to as a '''Louisvillian'''.

==Nomenclature, population and ranking==
As of the [[U.S. Census, 2000|2000 Census]], Louisville had a population of 256,231. This was just under [[Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s merged [[consolidated city-county]] population of 260,512. However, on November 7, 2000, Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] approved a [[referendum|ballot measure]] to merge into a consolidated city-county government named '''Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government''' (official long form) and '''Louisville Metro''' (official short form) which took effect [[January 1]], [[2003]].

The U.S. Census Bureau gives two different population figures for Louisville: for the consolidated Louisville-Jefferson County it lists the 2005 estimated population as 699,827 (16th largest in the nation and equal to that of Jefferson County); <ref name="census1"/> for the [[Louisville-Jefferson County (balance), Kentucky|Louisville-Jefferson County balance]] it lists the population as 556,429 (27th largest). <ref name="census2">[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/files/SUB-EST2005-all.csv Census Population Estimates for 2005] (line 25466)</ref> The "balance" is a designation created by the Census Bureau to describe the portion of Louisville-Jefferson County that does not include any of the semi-independent separately incorporated places located within Louisville Metro (such as [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], [[Middletown, Kentucky|Middletown]] or [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]]). <ref name="census3">[http://www.census.gov/popest/geographic/ For what geographic areas does the Census Bureau produce estimates?]</ref>

Census methodology uses balance values in comparing consolidated cities to other cities for ranking purposes, so the lower ranking (27th) is official as far as the Census is concerned. Nevertheless, the higher ranking (16th) continues to be claimed by Louisville Metro government and business leaders, widely reported in the local media, and has even been posted on road signs at the city limits. <ref>{{cite news|first=Marcus|last=Green|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS01/606230370|title=Argh! City still No. 26; Census Bureau again clips Louisville's claim to No. 16|publisher=[[The Courier-Journal]]|accessdate=2006-06-23}}</ref>

The ''[[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Louisville metropolitan area]]'' (not to be confused with ''Louisville Metro''), having a population of approximately 1.2 million, [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|ranks 43rd nationally]]. The metro area also includes some [[Southern Indiana]] [[Counties of the United States|counties]] (see [[#Geography and climate|''Geography and climate'']] below).

===Pronunciation===
[[Image:Louisville_pronunciationguide.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Louisville Convention & Visitors' Bureau displays many of the common pronunciations of the city on its logo.]]

Most long-time residents pronounce the city's name as {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} ([[International Phonetic Alphabet for English|IPA]])—often this degrades further into {{IPA|['lǝvǝl]}}. The name is often pronounced far back in the mouth, in the top of the throat. The standard [[English language|English]] pronunciation, however, is {{IPA|['luːivɪl]}} (referring to King Louis XVI), which is often utilized by political leaders and the media. No matter how ''Louisville'' is pronounced, the 's' is always silent. (This contrasts with the name of the cities [[Louisville, Colorado]] and [[Louisville, Georgia]], which, although spelled the same, are pronounced {{IPA|['luːisvɪl]}}.)

The variability of the local pronunciation of the city's name can perhaps be laid at the feet of the city's location on the border between the North and South of the United States{{fact}}. Louisville's diverse population has traditionally represented elements of both Northern and Southern culture.

Regional [[human migration|migration]] patterns and the homogenization of [[dialect]] due to electronic media also may be responsible for the incidence of native-born Louisvillians adopting or affecting the standard English pronunciation. Nevertheless, the {{IPA|['luːǝvǝl]}} pronunciation is most popular among residents and is, with little exception, used by news and sports reporters{{fact}}.

==History==
{{main|History of Louisville, Kentucky}}
:''See also: [[History of Kentucky]], [[Louisville in the Civil War]], [[The Filson Historical Society]]''

The [[history]] of Louisville spans hundreds of years, and has been influenced by the area's unique [[geography]] and location. The first settlement was made in the vicinity of modern-day Louisville in 1778 by Col. [[George Rogers Clark]]. Today, Col. Clark is now recognized as the founder of Louisville, and several landmarks are named after him.

[[Image:louisville_1846.jpg|thumb|300px|View of Main Street, Louisville, in 1846.]]
Two years later, in 1780, the [[Virginia General Assembly]] and then-[[Governor of Virginia|Governor]] [[Thomas Jefferson]] approved the town charter of Louisville. The city was named in honor of King [[Louis XVI of France|Louis XVI]] of [[France]], whose soldiers at the time were aiding Americans in the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]. In 1803, explorers [[Meriwether Lewis]] and [[William Clark]] organized their expedition across America at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]] in Louisville.

The city achieved its early growth from the fact that boats had to be unloaded and moved downriver before reaching the falls. By 1828, the population had swelled to 7,000 and Louisville became an incorporated city. The city grew rapidly in its formative years.

Louisville had one of the largest [[Slavery in the United States|slave]] trades in the United States before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and much of the city's initial growth is attributed to that trade. Louisville was the turning point for many enslaved [[African American|black]]s since Kentucky was a neutral state and crossing the [[Ohio River]] would lead to freedom in the North.

During the Civil War Louisville was the major stronghold of the [[Union Army|Unionist forces]] which kept Kentucky firmly in the Union. It was the center of planning, supplies, recruiting and transportation for numerous campaigns. By the end of the war, Louisville itself had not been attacked even once, even though surrounded by various battles. The Unionists—most whose leaders owned slaves—felt betrayed by the [[abolitionism|abolitionist]] position of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]]. After 1865 returning [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] veterans largely took control of the city, leading to the jibe that it joined the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]] after the war was over.

In January 1937, a month of heavy rain throughout the [[Ohio River|Ohio River Valley]] prompted what became remembered as the [[Ohio River flood of 1937|"Great Flood of '37"]]. The [[flood]] submerged about 70% of the city and forced the evacuation of 175,000 residents, and also lead to fundamental changes in where residents bought houses. Today, the city is protected by numerous [[flood wall]]s.

Similar to many other older American cities, Louisville began to decline as an important city in the 1960s and 1970s. Highways that had been built in the 1950s facilitated a flight to the [[suburb]]s, and the downtown area began to decline economically{{fact}}. In 1974 a major ([[Fujita scale|F4]]) tornado hit Louisville as part of the [[Super Outbreak]] of tornadoes that struck 13 states. It covered 21 [[mile]]s (34 [[Kilometre|km]]) and destroyed several hundred homes in the Louisville area but was only responsible for two deaths.

From 1974 to 1988, Jefferson County had a net loss of over 50,000 people{{fact}}. Since 1989 the county has gained population every year, and is currently growing annually between 800 to 1700{{fact}}. Louisville has also made efforts to revitalize its downtown and the city in general, including significant downtown infrastructure improvements such as the conversion of the waterfront into [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]] and the development of luxury condominiums and entertainment areas like [[Fourth Street Live!]]. Louisville's metro area is outgrowing [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]'s by a significant margin (about 4,100 a year, or 41,000 per census), and is growing nearly as fast as [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]]'s metro area{{fact}}.

==Geography and climate==
{{mainarticle|Geography of Louisville, Kentucky}}
===Geography===
[[Image:NWviewfromUhospital.jpg|thumb|right|220px|View of [[Downtown Louisville]] with Hospital Curve in the foreground]]Louisville is located at {{coor dms|38|13|44|N|85|44|58|W|region:US}} (38.228870, -85.749534){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], Louisville Metro (in 2000 measurements for [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]) has a total area of 1,032 km² (399 mi²). 997 km² (385 mi²) of it is land and 35 km² (13 mi²) of it (3.38%) is water.

Although officially in the [[Bluegrass region]], most of Louisville is better described as being located in the low lying [[Ohio River]] flood plain. Prior to urbanization much of the area west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]] was composed of [[wetlands]].

Areas generally east of I-65 were not in the flood plain and thus are mostly gentle rollings hills and were once farmland. Southern Jefferson County contains the scenic and largely undeveloped [[Knobs region]], home to [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]]. The eastern portion of is in the [[Eden Shale Hills]] section of the Bluegrass region and has also experienced less urbanization than the flood plain, although that is starting to change.

The [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA), the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|43rd largest]] in the United States, includes the Kentucky county of Jefferson (contiguous with Louisville Metro), plus twelve outlying counties—eight in Kentucky and four in [[Southern Indiana]]. This MSA is included in the [[Louisville-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA), which also includes the [[Elizabethtown, Kentucky|Elizabethtown, KY]] MSA as well as the [[Scottsburg, Indiana|Scottsburg, IN]] [[United States micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The Louisville CSA ranks 31st in the USA in population. <ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t29/tab06.xls Population in Combined Statistical Areas (CSAs) in Alphabetical Order and Numerical and Percent Change for the United States and Puerto Rico: 1990 and 2000]</ref>

===Climate===
Louisville's weather is temperate and seasonal. [[summer|Summers]] are hot and humid with mildly warm evenings. The mean annual temperature is 56 [[Fahrenheit|°F]] (13 [[Celsius|°C]]), with an average annual snowfall of 16.4 [[inch]]es (41 [[centimetre|cm]]) and an average annual rainfall of 44.53 inches (1131 mm). The wettest seasons are the [[spring (season)|spring]] and summer, although rainfall is fairly constant all year round. During the [[winter]], particularly in January and February, several days of [[snow]] can be expected, allowing for [[winter sports]]. Winter temperatures range from 27 to 43 °F (−3 to 6 °C) and summer temperatures range from 66 and 86 °F (19 and 30 °C). <ref>Climate information from [http://www.noaa.gov/ NOAA]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on [[July 14]], [[1954]], and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C) on [[January 19]], [[1994]]. <ref>Maximum and minimum temperatures from [http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/USKY1096_c.html Yahoo! Weather]</ref> However, in any season, temperatures can vary widely day by day, because of Louisville's location where many fronts often converge. Severe weather is not uncommon; the area is prone to almost all types of non-tropical weather extremes, including [[tornado]]es, [[severe thunderstorm]]s, [[ice storm]]s and extreme heat and cold.

Much like [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], Louisville's valley location traps [[air pollution]]. Because of this, the city is ranked as one of [[Environmental Defense]]'s fifty worst cities for air. Louisville also often exemplifies the [[urban heat island|heat island effect]]. Temperatures in commercial areas and in the industrialized areas along interstates are often higher than in the suburbs, particularly the shaded areas, like [[Anchorage, Kentucky|Anchorage]], where temperatures are often five degrees cooler.

===Cityscape===
:''See also: [[Louisville neighborhoods]]''
[[Image:LouisvilleNightSkyline2-small.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Louisville skyline at night]]
The [[Downtown Louisville|downtown business district]] of Louisville is located immediately [[south]] of the [[Ohio River]], and [[southeast]] of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. Major roads extend outwards from the downtown area to all directions, like the spokes of a wheel. The [[Louisville International Airport|airport]] is located approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) south of the downtown area. The [[industry|industrial]] sections of town are located to the south and west of the airport, while most of the [[residential]] areas of the city are located to the southwest, south and east of downtown.

Another major business and industrial district is located in the suburban area east of the city on Hurstbourne Parkway. Louisville also boasts a large number of [[park]]s, with 122 parks covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 [[square kilometre|km²]]). Recent initiatives have branded Louisville "A City of Parks".

The city's [[architecture]] contains a blend of old and new. The [[Old Louisville]] neighborhood is the largest historic preservation district solely featuring [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] homes and buildings in the [[United States]], it is also the fourth largest such district overall. There are many modern skyscrapers downtown, as well as older preserved structures. The buildings of West Main Street in downtown Louisville boast the largest collection of cast iron facades of anywhere outside of New York's [[SoHo]] district{{fact}}.

Louisville has traditionally been divided up into three sides of town: the West, East and South sides. Stereotypically, the East end is made up of affluent whites and is located east of Bardstown Road, the West end is predominantly African American and is located west of 7th Street and north of [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]], and the south end is made of blue collar whites and is located south of I-264 and west of [[Interstate 65|I-65]].

In a survey in 2005, Louisville was rated as the seventh safest large city in the [[United States]]. <ref>"[http://morganquitno.com/cit06pop.htm#CITIES America's Safest (and Most Dangerous) Cities]." ''[[Morgan Quitno|Morgan Quitno Press]].'' [[November 21]], [[2005]]. Retrieved on [[July 8]], [[2006]].</ref>

====Future development projects====
[[Image:DSC 4139.jpg|thumb|right|140px|Waterfront Park Place, a new development project in [[downtown Louisville]] along the [[Ohio River]]]]
Several important projects in the city are slated for completion from the late 2000s to 2020. This includes several key transportation projects, such as the [[Ohio River Bridges Project]], reconstruction of the [[Kennedy Interchange]], and the inclusion of a parallel [[John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge|Kennedy Bridge]].

Several major urban structure projects are either in planning, design, or under construction. The three-tower [[Louisville Museum Plaza]], whose tallest tower will replace the AEGON Center as Kentucky's tallest building, will feature a one-acre public "park" 22 stories off the ground. The 22-story Waterfront Park Place, the state's tallest residental condo project, is also one of a few residental centers located along the [[Ohio River]]. Also to be developed is a new [[Louisville waterfront arena|waterfront arena]], which will be home to the [[Louisville Cardinals]] [[basketball]] team.

There are several other important projects relating to the city's parks, including the creation of a [[City of Parks|"ring of parks"]], which will connect the waterfront, [[Levee Trail|Levee Bike Trail]], the [[Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing|Farnsley-Moremen Landing]], [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] and [[E.P. "Tom" Sawyer State Park]]; and also the conversion of the former [[Big Four Bridge (Louisville)|Big Four railroad bridge]] over the Ohio River into the second longest pedestrian-only bridge in the world. There are also plans to use the existing (but closed) vehicle lanes on the K and I railroad bridge over the Ohio River as a pedestrian sidewalk to connect Louisville's [[Riverwalk Trail]] to a planned seven mile greenway on the [[Indiana]] side which will connect [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]].

==Government and politics==
[[Image:Louis_City_Hall.jpg|thumb|left|180px|City hall in [[Downtown Louisville]], built 1870-1873, is a blend of [[Italianate]] styles characteristic of [[Neo-Renaissance]]]]
''Louisville Metro'' is governed by an executive dubbed the [[Mayor of Louisville Metro|Metro Mayor]] as well as a [[city council|city legislature]] dubbed the [[Louisville Metro Council|Metro Council]]. The first and current Metro Mayor is [[Jerry E. Abramson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]), who was also the longest serving [[List of Mayors of Louisville|Mayor of the former City of Louisville]]'s history, serving from 1985 to 1998 (13 years due to a state-mandated extension of the third term). Abramson has often been referred to as "mayor for life" not only due to his long tenure as Mayor, but also due to his not having faced strong opposition in elections. Abramson was elected to the new office of Metro Mayor with 73.4% of the vote in 2002. Abramson's opponent in the 2006 mayoral race is Metro Council member [[Kelly Downard]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), who some consider to be Abramson's first serious competitor.

The Metro Council consists of 26 seats corresponding to 26 districts apportioned by population throughout the city. Half (13) of the seats come up for reelection every two years. The council is chaired by a [[Louisville Metro Council President|Council President]], who is elected by the council members annually.

The Official Seal of the City of Louisville, no longer used following the formation of a [[consolidated city-county]] government in 2003, reflected its history and heritage in the [[fleur-de-lis]] representing [[France|French]] aid given during the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], and the thirteen stars signify the original colonies. It was designed by legendary [[Austria]]n [[typography|typographer]] [[Victor Hammer]]. The new seal of the consolidated government retains the fleur-de-lis, but has only two stars, one representing the city and the other the county.

[[Kentucky's 3rd congressional district]] is roughly contiguous with ''Louisville Metro'', and is currently represented by [[United States House of Representatives|Rep.]] [[Anne Northup]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]), though some of the southern areas of the city are in the [[Kentucky's 2nd congressional district|2nd congressional district]], which is represented by [[Ron Lewis]] (R).

==Demographics==
{| width="20%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;" class="wikitable"
|-
! align=center | City of Louisville Population by year (Pre-merger) <ref>Gibson, Campbell. "[http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027.html Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[June]], [[1998]]. Retrieved on [[July 10]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|ency=The Encyclopedia of Louisville|edition=1|year=2001|article=Population}}</ref>
|-
| align=center |
1790 - 200 
1800 - 359 
1810 - 1,357 
1820 - 4,012 
1830 - 10,341 
1840 - 21,210 
1850 - 43,194 
1860 - 68,033 
1870 - 100,753 
1880 - 123,758 
1890 - 161,129 
1900 - 204,731 
1910 - 223,928 
1920 - 234,891 
1930 - 307,745 
1940 - 319,077 
1950 - 369,129 
1960 - 390,639 
1970 - 361,472 
1980 - 298,451 
1990 - 269,063 
2000 - 256,231
|}

'''''Note:''' All demographics are the same as that of [[Jefferson County, Kentucky]], which merged with the former City of Louisville on [[January 6]] [[2003]].

As of the [[census]][[Geographic references#2|²]] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the city/county. The [[population density]] was 695/km² (1,801/mi²). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 307/km² (794/mi²). The racial makeup of the city/county is 77.38% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 18.88% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.39% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were [[Hispanic American|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 287,012 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution is 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household is $39,457, and the median income for a family was $49,161. Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $22,352. About 9.50% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

There are 135,421 Catholic Louisvillians who attend 163 Catholic churches in the city. <ref>Data on Catholic residents from the [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09386a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia]</ref> The [[Cathedral of the Assumption (Louisville)|Cathedral of the Assumption]] located in downtown Louisville is the seat of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville|Archdiocese of Louisville]]. [[Abbey of Gethsemani|Our Lady of Gethsemani Abbey]], the monastic home of Catholic writer [[Thomas Merton]], is in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky]] and also located in the archdiocese. There is also a noticeably large [[Jewish]] population of around 10,000 in the city. Most Jewish families came from [[Russia]] at the turn of the 20th century with a sizable number (around 1,000) of Soviet Jews having moved to Louisville since 1991. A sizable number of Louisvillians belong to a [[Protestant]] faith. [[Southeast Christian Church]], one of the largest Christian churches in the United States, is located in Louisville.

Many geographers consider Louisville to be Kentucky's [[primate city]], since 17% of the state's population lives in Jefferson County and 25% live in counties in the Louisville CSA, and also Jefferson County has 2.5 times more people than Kentucky's second most populous county, Fayette County. Also, 12 of the 15 buildings in Kentucky over 300 feet are located in downtown Louisville. Over one-third of the population growth in Kentucky is in Louisville's CSA counties.

==Economy==
[[Image:Bourbon-bottle from Gettysburg.jpeg|right|thumb|Bourbon bottle, 19th century. One-third of all [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville.]]
Louisville's early economy first developed through the shipping and cargo industries. Its strategic location at the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]], as well as its unique position in the central [[United States]] (within one day's travel to 60% of the cities in the continental U.S.) make it an ideal location for the transfer of cargo along its route to other destinations. In the early days, the [[Louisville and Portland Canal]] (the [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is built in this canal) was a crucial link in water traffic on its route from [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] (and other origins) to the mouth of the [[Mississippi River]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and beyond. The [[Louisville & Nashville Railroad]] was also an important link between the industrialized northern cities and the South. Louisville's importance to the shipping industry continues today with the presence of the world air hub for [[United Parcel Service|UPS]]. Louisville's location at the crossroads of three major [[Interstate highways]] ([[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]]) also contributes to its modern-day strategic importance to the shipping and cargo industry.

Additionally, Louisville is home to several major [[corporation]]s and organizations:
*[[Brown-Forman Corporation]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Hillerich & Bradsby]] (known for ''[[Louisville Slugger]]'' [[baseball]] bats)
*[[Humana Inc.]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Kindred Healthcare Incorporated]] ([[Fortune 500]])
*[[Norton Healthcare]]
*[[Papa John's Pizza]]
*[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]]
*[[Yum! Brands, Inc.]] (owners of [[KFC]], [[Pizza Hut]], [[Taco Bell]], [[Long John Silver's]] and [[A & W Restaurants]]; formerly ''Tricon Global Restaurants'', spin-off of [[PepsiCo]]) ([[Fortune 500]])

Louisville for a long time was also home to [[Brown & Williamson]], the third largest company in the [[tobacco industry]] before merging with R. J. Reynolds in 2004 to form the Reynolds American Company. Brands such as KOOL, Viceroy, Capri, Misty and Raleigh were introduced in Louisville. Brown & Williamson, one of the subjects of the tobacco industry [[corporate scandal|scandal]]s of the 1990s, was the focus of [[The Insider (film)|''The Insider'']], a 1999 film shot around the Louisville area. Also located in Louisville are two major [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] plants, and a major [[General Electric]] appliance factory.

Additionally, one third of all of the [[bourbon whiskey]] comes from Louisville{{fact}}. The [[Brown-Forman Corporation]] is one of the major makers of bourbon, which is headquartered in Louisville. Other major distilleries of bourbon can be found both in the city of Louisville, or in neighboring cities in [[Kentucky]], such as [[Jim Beam]] ([[Clermont, Kentucky]]), [[Heaven Hill]] ([[Bardstown, Kentucky]]), [[Woodford Reserve]] ([[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]), or [[Maker's Mark]] ([[Loretto, Kentucky]], with a restaurant/lounge in Louisville).

[[Image:Disco ball.jpg|right|150px|thumb|90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville.]]
Louisville also prides itself in its large assortment of small, independent businesses and restaurants. Some of these local businesses have become known for their ingenuity and creativity. In 1926 the [[Brown Hotel]] became the home of the [[Hot Brown]] "sandwich". A few blocks away, the [[Seelbach Hotel]], which [[F. Scott Fitzgerald]] references in ''[[The Great Gatsby]]'', is also famous for a secret back room where [[Al Capone]] would regularly meet with associates during the [[Prohibition]] era. The room features a secret back door escape and was used as a starting point for rumrunners who would transport illegal [[moonshine]] from the hills of eastern Kentucky to [[Chicago]]. Also, in 1880, John Colgan invented a way to make [[chewing gum]] taste better for a longer period of time.

[[The Highlands (Louisville)|The Highlands]] area of Louisville on Bardstown Road also contains many independent businesses, including but not limited to the popular [[Ear X-tacy]] music store, the Preston Arts Center, Baxter Avenue Theater, Carmichael's book store, the Wild and Woolly Video store, Heine Brothers' Coffee, John Conti Coffee, Wick's Pizza, Guitar Emporium and O'Shea's Irish Pub, among others. Several local brewpubs such as Rich O's Public House of [[New Albany, Indiana]], Browning's Restaurant and Brewery, Cumberland Brewing Company, and the Bluegrass Brewing Company offer an assortment of local brewing talent in the area.

Louisville also has connections to the entertainment industry. For example, 90% of the United States' [[disco ball]]s are made in Louisville at [[National Products, Inc]]{{fact}}. Several major motion pictures have also been filmed in or near Louisville, including ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'', ''[[Stripes (film)|Stripes]]'', ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'', ''[[Lawn Dogs]]'', ''Nice Guys Sleep Alone'', ''Keep Your Distance'' and ''[[Elizabethtown (film)|Elizabethtown]]''.

==Culture==
===Annual cultural events and fairs===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:BalloonRace AdamMatthews 09232005.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Hot air balloons launching during the balloon race at the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]].]]
Louisville is home to a number of annual cultural events. Perhaps most well-known is the [[Kentucky Derby]], held annually during the first Saturday of May. The Derby is preceded by a two-week long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]], which starts with the annual [[Thunder Over Louisville]], the largest annual fireworks display in the nation. The Kentucky Derby Festival also features notable events such as the Pegasus Parade, Great Balloon Race, a [[marathon (sport)|marathon]], and about seventy events in total.

Usually beginning in late February is the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] at [[Actors Theatre of Louisville]], an internationally acclaimed new-play festival that lasts approximately six weeks.

The summer season in Louisville also features a series of cultural events such as the [[Kentucky Shakespeare Festival]], held in July of every year and features free [[Shakespeare]] plays in [[Central Park, Louisville|Central Park]] in [[Old Louisville]]. The [[Kentucky State Fair]] is held every August at the [[Kentucky Exposition Center]] in Louisville as well, featuring an array of culture from all areas of [[Kentucky]].

In September is the [[Adam Matthews Balloon Festival]], the fifth largest [[hot air balloon]] festival in the nation. The festival features early morning balloon races, as well as balloon glows in the evening. Also in September, in nearby [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]], is the annual Kentucky [[bourbon whiskey|Bourbon]] Festival, which features some of the finest bourbon in the world. The suburb of [[Jeffersontown, Kentucky|Jeffersontown]] is also the home of the annual Gaslight Festival, a series of events spread over a week. Attendance is approximately 200,000 for the week.

The month of October features the [[St. James Court Art Show]] in Old Louisville. Thousands of artists gather on the streets and in the courtyard to exhibit and sell their wares, and the event is attended by many art collectors and enthusiasts.

===Museums and art collections===
[[Image:LouisvilleSluggerMusem.jpg|right|thumb|180px|A giant [[baseball]] bat adorns the outside of [[Louisville Slugger Museum]] in [[downtown Louisville]].]]
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
The [[Speed Art Museum]] opened in 1927 and is the oldest and largest [[art]] [[museum]] in the state of [[Kentucky]]. Located adjacent to the [[University of Louisville]], the museum features over 1,200 pieces of [[art]] in its permanent collection.

There are several [[museum]]s located in the downtown hotel and shopping districts. The [[Frazier International History Museum]], opened in 2004, features a collection of arms, armor, and related historical artifacts spanning 1,000 years, concentrating on U.S. and [[United Kingdom|UK]] arms. The building features three stories of exhibits, two reenactment arenas, a 120-seat auditorium, and a 48-seat movie theater. Also downtown is the [[Louisville Science Center]], which is [[Kentucky]]'s largest hands-on science center and features interactive exhibits, [[IMAX]] films, educational programs and technology networks.

The [[interpretive center]] at the [[Falls of the Ohio State Park]] (part of the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]]) functions as a museum with exhibits that concentrate on the [[natural history]] related to findings in the nearby exposed [[Devonian]] [[fossil]] bed as well as the human history of the Louisville area, covering pre-settlement, early settlement, and Louisville and [[southern Indiana]] history all the way up through the 20th century.

The [[Muhammad Ali Center]] opened November 19, 2005 in the downtown area and features [[Muhammad Ali]]'s [[boxing]] memorabilia, as well as information on the core themes that he has taken to heart: peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth.

Louisville is also home to the [[Callahan Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind]], which features exhibits on the history of the education of the blind, as well as information on the printing process.

There are also several historical properties and items of interest in the area, including the [[Belle of Louisville]], the oldest [[Mississippi]]-style [[steamboat]] in operation in the [[United States]]. [[Fort Knox]], in nearby [[Hardin County, Kentucky|Hardin County]], is home to the [[Fort Knox Bullion Depository]] and the [[Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor]]. The [[Historic Locust Grove]] farm, former home of Louisville Founder [[George Rogers Clark]], portrays life in the early days of the city. The Louisville area is also home to the [[Waverly Hills Sanatorium]], a turn-of-the-century (20th) [[hospital]] that was originally built to accommodate [[tuberculosis]] patients, and is now listed as one of the nation's most [[haunted house]]s.

===Media===
{{main|Media of Louisville, Kentucky}}
Louisville's main [[newspaper]] is ''[[The Courier-Journal]]'', and various weekly alternative papers cover the Louisville area. The most prominent of TV stations is [[WAVE (TV)|WAVE 3]], an ([[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]]) affiliate, which was Kentucky's first TV station and has the popular weathermen [[Tom Wills (TV weatherman)|Tom Wills]] and [[John Belski]]. Another prominent TV station is [[WHAS-TV|WHAS 11]], formerly owned by the famous Bingham family and hosts to the regionally notable annual fundraiser, the [[WHAS Crusade for Children]]. The biggest radio station is [[WHAS (AM)|84 WHAS]], also formerly owned by the Binghams (now [[Clear Channel Communications]]), a 50,000 watt ([[talk radio|talk]]) station that is a [[clear channel]] and a [[legacy station]].

===Parks and outdoor attractions===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:louisville_waterfrontpark.jpg|thumb|250px|right|thumb|The Louisville Waterfront Park provides a nice place to relax and have fun amidst the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.]]
The Louisville area is home to 122 spacious city [[park]]s covering more than 14,000 [[acre]]s (57 km²), located throughout the city. Several of these parks were designed by [[Frederick Law Olmsted]], who also designed [[New York City]]'s [[Central Park]] as well as parks, parkways, college campuses and public facilities in many U.S. locations. The [[Louisville Waterfront Park]] is prominently located on the banks of the [[Ohio River]] near downtown, and features large open areas, which often feature free [[concert]]s and other [[festival]]s. [[Cherokee Park]] is also one of the larger parks in the city, covering 409 acres (1.7 km²), and features many bicycle and nature trails, [[basketball]] courts, [[baseball]] fields and picnic pavilions.

Going a bit further out from the downtown area is the [[Jefferson Memorial Forest]] which, at 5,500 acres (22 km²), is the largest urban forest in the [[United States]]. The forest is designated as a [[National Audubon Society]] wildlife refuge, and offers over 30 miles (50 km) of various hiking trails. [[Camping]] and [[fishing]] are both permitted.

[[Otter Creek Park]] is another large park nearby. While actually in [[Brandenburg, Kentucky]], Otter Creek Park is owned and operated by ''Louisville Metro'' government. The park's namesake, Otter Creek, winds along the eastern side of the park. A scenic bend in the [[Ohio River]], which divides [[Kentucky]] from [[Indiana]], can be seen from northern overlooks within the park. The park is a popular mountain biking destination, with trails maintained by a local mountain bike organization.

Other outdoor points of interest in the Louisville area include [[Cave Hill Cemetery and Arboretum]] (the burial location of [[Colonel Sanders|Col. Harland Sanders]]), [[Zachary Taylor National Cemetery]] (the burial location of [[President of the United States|President]] [[Zachary Taylor]]), the [[Louisville Zoo]], [[Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom]] and the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area]].

===Performing arts===
:''See also: [[List of attractions and events in Louisville]]''
[[Image:KCA entrance.jpg|thumb|280px|right|The statues "Faribolus and Perceval," by [[Jean Dubuffet]], stand at the entrance to the [[Kentucky Center]].]]
The [[performing arts]] community in Louisville is currently undergoing a bit of a [[renaissance]]. The [[Kentucky Center]], dedicated in 1983, located in the downtown hotel and entertainment district, features a variety of plays and concerts. This is also the home of the [[Louisville Ballet]], [[Louisville Orchestra]], and the [[Kentucky Opera]], which is the twelfth oldest [[opera]] in the [[United States]]. [[Iroquois Park]] is the home of the renovated [http://www.iroquoisamphitheater.com/ Iroquois Amphitheater] which hosts a variety of musical concerts in a partially covered outdoor setting.

[[Actors Theatre of Louisville]] is another performing arts center that has become the cornerstone of the revitalization of Louisville's Main Street. As the centerpiece of the city's urban cultural district, Actors Theatre has significant economic impact on a vital downtown life. Highly acclaimed for its artistic programming and business acumen, Actors Theatre hosts the [[Humana Festival of New American Plays]] each Spring. It also presents approximately six hundred performances of about thirty productions during its year-round season, composed of a diverse array of contemporary and classical fare. It also boasts one of the largest per capita subscription audiences in the country and logs an annual attendance of over 200,000.

Also located in Louisville is [[Walden Theatre]], the nation's leading theatre conservatory for young people. The company boasts one of the only annual theatre festivals celebrating [[William Shakespeare]] in the annual Young American Shakespeare Festival. Many of the company's performances are presented at the Kentucky Center.

[[The Louisville Palace]], the official venue for the Louisville Orchestra, is an elegant, ornate theatre in [[downtown Louisville]]'s so-called theatre district. In addition to orchestra performances, the theatre also features an array of popular [[film|movie]]s, old and new, as well as concerts by popular artists. Located nearby is the [[Kentucky Theater]], which was built in 1921 and operated for 60 years as a movie house, but was closed and was almost demolished in 1986. Ultimately it was saved by local arts advocates, and the newly renovated Kentucky Theater opened its doors in 2000 and has become a vibrant community arts center and art film house.

Also on Fourth Street is the brand new [[Fourth Street Live!]] outdoor entertainment complex, which features a wide variety of [[restaurant]]s, [[store]]s and [[nightclub]]s. The complex sponsors many free [[concert]]s, as does the popular [[Louisville Waterfront Park|Waterfront Park]].

===Sports===
{{main|Sports in Louisville, Kentucky}}
[[College sports]] are very popular in greater Louisville, with an enormous following for the [[University of Louisville|University of Louisville Cardinals]]. The U of L football and basketball teams are annual contenders among the top 25 teams in both sports. Rick Pitino coached the Cardinals to the Final Four in the NCAA basketball tournament in 2005 and Bobby Petrino guided the football team to the [[Gator Bowl]] in 2006.

Horse racing is also a major attraction. [[Churchill Downs]] is home to the [[Kentucky Derby]], the largest sports event in the state, as well as the [[Kentucky Oaks]] which together cap the two-week-long [[Kentucky Derby Festival]]. Churchill Downs has also hosted the renowned [[Breeders' Cup]] on five occasions, and will host that event again in 2006.

Louisville is also the home of [[Valhalla Golf Club]] which hosted the 1996 and 2000 [[PGA Championship]]s and the 2004 [[Senior PGA Championship]], and will host the 2008 [[Ryder Cup]]. It is also home to one of the top [[skatepark]]s in the U.S., [[Louisville Extreme Park]].

Louisville has four professional and semi-professional sports teams. The [[Louisville Bats]] are a [[baseball]] team playing in the [[International League]] as the Class AAA affiliate of the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. The team plays at [[Louisville Slugger Field]] at the edge of the city's downtown. The [[Louisville Fire]] play in [[af2]], the minor league of the [[Arena Football League]]. The [[Louisville Bulls]] are a semi-pro football team in the [[Mid Continental Football League]]. The [[Kentucky Colonels]] currently play in the present incarnation of the [[American Basketball Association]].

The city of Louisville has made several unsuccessful bids in recent years to draw major league sports teams to the city, most notably when the [[Vancouver Grizzlies]] franchise was considering a move several years ago, as well as the [[New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets|Charlotte Hornets]] franchise, which ultimately ended up in [[New Orleans, Louisiana|New Orleans]]{{fact}}.

High school sports are also very popular in the city. Louisville area high schools have been dominant in [[American football|football]] for decades. Schools such as [[St. Xavier High School, Louisville, Kentucky|St. Xavier]], [[Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)|Trinity]] and [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] have won every 4A football title except one since 1992 and have been 13 of the 15 finalists since 1997. Some fierce rivalries have developed over the years. The annual game between St. Xavier and Trinity draws over 35,000 fans and is the second largest attended high school sporting event in the country. The 2002 KY State 4-A Football Championship between Male and Trinity is listed as one of the top 50 sporting events of all time by many critics. The "Old Rivalry" between [[Louisville Male High School|Male]] and [[DuPont Manual Magnet High School|Manual]] high schools is one of the nation's oldest, dating back to 1893, and was played on Thanksgiving Day through 1980, with Manual winning the final T-Day game by a score of 6-0 in overtime.

====Current professional teams====
:''See also: [[Sports in Louisville, Kentucky#Historical teams|Historical professional sports teams in Louisville]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Club !! Sport !! Founded !! League !! Venue
|-
| [[Louisville Bulls]]
| [[American football|Football]]
| 1988
| [[Mid Continental Football League]]
| Various
|-
| Louisville Kings
| [[Australian rules football]]
| 1996
| [[United States Australian Football League|USAFL]] (USFOOTY)
| Hays-Kennedy Park
|-
| [[Louisville Fire]]
| [[Arena football]]
| 2001
| [[af2]]
| [[Freedom Hall]]
|-
| [[Louisville Bats]]
| [[Baseball]]
| 2002
| [[International League]]
| [[Louisville Slugger Field]]
|-
| [[Kentucky Colonels]]
| [[Basketball]]
| 2004
| [[American Basketball Association]]
| [[Freedom Hall]] 
|-
|}

==Infrastructure==
===Education===
''See also: [[List of schools in Louisville]], [[Louisville Free Public Library]]''

According to the [[United States Census|U.S. Census]], of Louisville's population over twenty-five, 21.3% (vs. a national average of 24%) hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 76.1% (vs. 80% nationally) have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The public school system, [[Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky)|Jefferson County Public Schools]], consists of more than 98,000 students in [[Kindergarten]] through 12th Grade. The system consists of 87 [[elementary school]]s, 23 [[middle school]]s, 20 [[high school]]s and 23 other learning centers. Louisville has a large number of private schools, particularly unusual for a city of this size. Due to its large [[Catholic]] population, there are 27 Catholic schools in the city, as well as several [[Protestant]] schools, the largest Protestant school system in the country in terms of student population.

Louisville is home to the [[University of Louisville]], [[Bellarmine University]], [[Spalding University]], [[Sullivan University]] and [[Jefferson Community College (Kentucky)|Jefferson Community College]] (part of the ''[[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]''), as well as the [[Southern Baptist Theological Seminary]] and the [[Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary]]. [[Indiana University Southeast]] is also located across the [[Ohio River]] in nearby [[New Albany, Indiana]].

===Transportation===
[[Image:Louisville_4thStreet_trolley.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The Toonerville II Trolleys provide transportation throughout Louisville's downtown and Bardstown Road districts.]]
Louisville's main airport is the centrally located [[Louisville International Airport]], whose [[IATA Airport Code]] (SDF) reflects its former name of Standiford Field. The airport is also home to the [[United Parcel Service|UPS]] Worldport. Well over 3.5 million passengers and over 3 billion pounds (1,400,000 t) of cargo pass through the airport each year. The airport, having recently completed major terminal renovations, has three operational runways. The two parallel main runways run north/south and allow for simultaneous takeoffs and landings. The east/west runway is shorter and generally only used in adverse weather conditions.

The much smaller [[Bowman Field Airport|Bowman Field]] is used mainly for [[general aviation]]. Some business aviation, as well as flight instruction and other private flying primarily operate out of this field.

The [[McAlpine Locks and Dam]] is located on the [[Kentucky]] side of the Ohio River, near the downtown area. The locks were constructed to allow shipping past the [[Falls of the Ohio National Wildlife Conservation Area|Falls of the Ohio]]. In 2001 over 55 million tons of commodities passed through the locks. A new lock is currently being constructed to replace two of the auxiliary locks, with a projected completion date of 2008.

[[Public transportation]] includes buses and chartered vans run by the [[Transit Authority of River City]] (TARC). The city buses serve all parts of downtown Louisville and [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]], as well as Kentucky suburbs in [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham County]], [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], and the [[Indiana]] suburbs of [[Jeffersonville, Indiana|Jeffersonville]], [[Clarksville, Indiana|Clarksville]] and [[New Albany, Indiana|New Albany]]. In addition to regular city buses, transit throughout the downtown hotel and shopping districts as well as to the Bardstown Road entertainment and shopping district is served by a series of motorized trolleys (see right) known as the ''Toonerville II Trolley''.

The city's road system is arranged in a fairly typical system common to many cities in the [[United States]]. Streets in the downtown business district are arranged as a grid, with several alternating one-way streets. Many major roads begin at or near the downtown area and travel outwards from the city like the spokes of a wheel. There are also several roads, such as Bardstown Road and Shelbyville Road, which lead outwards from Louisville to the outlying Kentucky towns of [[Bardstown, Kentucky|Bardstown]] and [[Shelbyville, Kentucky|Shelbyville]], respectively. (See [[#External links|External links]] for links to several online maps.)

[[Interstate Highway System|Interstate]]s [[Interstate 64|I-64]], [[Interstate 65|I-65]] and [[Interstate 71|I-71]] pass through Louisville. Since all three of these highways intersect at virtually the same location in the city, this spot has become known as "[[Kennedy Interchange|Spaghetti Junction]]", as the large mass of highways and exits resembles a bowl of spaghetti when viewed from the air. [[Interstate 264 (Kentucky)|I-264]] (''Henry Watterson Expressway'' east of US 31W and ''Shawnee Expressway'' west of US 31W) and [[Interstate 265|I-265]] (''Gene Snyder Freeway'') form loops around the city on the Kentucky side. [[Ohio River Bridges Project|Plans for two more bridges]] to connect Louisville to Indiana are nearing completion. One bridge will be located downtown for relief of I-65 traffic. The other will connect the Indiana and Kentucky I-265's (via KY-841). Interestingly enough, Louisville is the only city in the nation to contain two consecutively-numbered, three-digit Interstate highways.

Louisville also has an extensive system of [[bicycle]] trails, which connect with many of the city's [[parks]]. Many of these bicycle trails lie parallel to major roads, further enhancing one's ability to get around the city by bicycle.

Louisville has historically been a major center for [[railway]] traffic{{fact}}. The [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] was once headquartered here, before it was purchased by [[CSX Transportation]]. Today the city is served by two major freight railroads, [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] (with a major classification yard in the southern part of the metro area) and [[Norfolk Southern]]. Five major main lines connect Louisville to the rest of the region. Two regional railroads, the [[Paducah and Louisville Railway]] and the [[Louisville and Indiana Railroad]], also serve the city. With the discontinuance of the short-lived ''Kentucky Cardinal'' in 2003, [[Amtrak]] passenger trains no longer serve Louisville; it is thus the third-largest city in the country (behind [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]] and [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]) with no passenger rail service{{fact}}.

===Utilities===
[[Electric power|Electricity]] is provided to the Louisville Metro area by ''LG&E'', a subsidiary of [[E.ON]] U.S. and traces its roots back to 1838 as ''Louisville Gas''. ''Louisville Gas and Electric'' was formed in 1913 by the merger of ''Louisville Gas'', ''Louisville Lighting'' (founded in 1903) and ''Kentucky Heating''. In 1998, LG&E merged with ''Kentucky Utilities'' (KU) to form ''LG&E Energy''. In 2000, LG&E Energy was bought by British utility company [[Powergen]]. In 2002,
Powergen was bought by the German company E.ON. Finally, on December 1, 2005, LG&E Energy changed its name to E.ON U.S. Today, ''LG&E'' serves over 350,000 electric and over 300,000 natural gas customers, covers an area of 700 square miles (1800 km²), and has a total regulated electric generation capacity of 3,514 [[megawatts]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.eon-us.com/ E.ON U.S. (formerly LG&E Energy)]</ref>

The current electric generating stations serving the city include three [[coal]]-fired plants (Trimble County, Mill Creek and Cane Run Stations), one [[natural gas]]/[[fuel oil]] combustion turbine, one [[hydroelectric]] plant ([[McAlpine Locks and Dam|Ohio Falls Station]]), and two [[natural gas]] facilities (Muldraugh and Magnolia Compressor Stations).

[[Water]] is provided by the [[Louisville Water Company]], which provides water to the more than 800,000 people in Greater Louisville as well as parts of [[Oldham County, Kentucky|Oldham]] and [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt]] counties. Additionally, they provide wholesale water to the outlying counties of [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby]], [[Spencer County, Kentucky|Spencer]] and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson]]. <ref>Data from [http://www.lwcky.com/ Louisville Water]</ref>

The [[Ohio River]] provides for most of the city's source of [[drinking water]]. Water is drawn from the river at two points: the raw water pump station at Zorn and River Road, and the B.E. Payne Pump Station northeast of Harrods Creek. Water is also obtained from a riverbank infiltration well at the Payne Plant. There are also two [[water purification|water treatment plants]] serving the Louisville Metro area: The Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the B.E. Payne Treatment Plant.

==Sister cities==
[[Image:louisville_sistercities.jpg|right|250px|thumb|The distances to each of Louisville's sister cities are represented on this [[Downtown Louisville|downtown]] lightpost.]]
Louisville has seven [[town twinning|sister cities]]:<ref>Sister cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)]. Retrieved [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Jiujiang]], [[China]]
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[La Plata]], [[Argentina]]
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Mainz]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Montpellier]], [[France]]
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Perm]], [[Russia]]
*{{flagicon|ECU}} [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]]
*{{flagicon|GHA}} [[Tamale, Ghana|Tamale]], [[Ghana]]
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Leeds, West Yorkshire|Leeds]], [[United Kingdom]]

[[Leeds]], [[England]] is also considered a "Friendship City." The two cities have engaged in many cultural exchange programs, particularly in the fields of [[nursing]] and [[law]], and cooperated in several private business developments, including the [[Frazier International History Museum]].<ref>"[http://www.sclou.org/index.php?id=114 Friendship City Status]." ''[http://www.sclou.org/ Sister Cities of Louisville].'' [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[June 1]], [[2006]].</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[List of famous Louisvillians]]

==References==

<references/>

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| first = Dennis
| last = Domer
| coauthors = Gregory A. Luhan, and David Mohney
| year = 2004
| title = The Louisville Guide
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = John E., et al. (editor)
| last = Kleber
| year = 2000
| title = The Encyclopedia of Louisville
| publisher = University Press of Kentucky
| id = ISBN 1-56898-451-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = Chip
| last = Nold
| coauthors = and Bob Bahr
| year = 1997
| title = Insiders' Guide to Louisville, Kentucky & Southern Indiana
| publisher = Globe Pequot
| id = ISBN 1-57380-043-0
}}
*{{cite book
| first = David
| last = Sanders
| coauthors = and Glen Conner
| year = 2000
| title = Fact Sheet: Ohio River Floods
| publisher = Kentucky Climate Center
| url = http://kyclim.wku.edu/factsheets/ohio_river_floods/
}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Louisville, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|38.254|-85.760}}
*[http://www.louisvilleky.gov/ Official Website of Louisville, Kentucky]
*[http://www.lojic.org/ Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium]
*[http://www.gotolouisville.com/ Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau]
*[http://www.metromapper.org/ Interactive Maps for the Louisville Metro Area]
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Kentucky/Localities/L/Louisville/ Louisville, Kentucky] in the [[Open Directory Project]]
*[http://wikitravel.org/en/Louisville Louisville in Wikitravel]

{{Kentucky}}
{{USLargestCities}}

[[Category:1778 establishments]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Jefferson County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Louisville, Kentucky| ]]

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[[io:Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[la:Ludovicopolis, Kentukiae]]
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Parapsychology

2006-08-30T03:33:30Z

70.35.237.67:

{{NPOV}}
{{Primarysources}}

'''Parapsychology''' is the study of mental awareness or influence of external objects without interaction from known physical means{{fact}}. Most objects of study fall within the realm of "mind-to-mind" influence (such as [[extra-sensory perception]], [[folie a deux]] and [[telepathy]]), "mind-to-environment" influence (such as [[psychokinesis]]) and "environment-to-mind" (such as [[ghost|hauntings]]). Collectively, these abilities are often referred to as "[[psionics]]". Another definition of parapsychology is the scientific study of [[paranormal]] phenomena.

The scientific validity of parapsychology research is a matter of frequent dispute and criticism. It is widely regarded as a [[pseudoscience]], but, obviously, supporters of parapsychology reject this term. A number of academic institutions now conduct research on the topic employing the scientific method, and the field of psi research is not without high level support, with a number of eminent scientists being of the belief that the field is worthy of analysis, such as [[Wolfgang Pauli]] {{fact}}, [[Hans Eysenck]] <ref>Eysenck, H. J. (1998). Intelligence: A new look. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.</ref>, [[Robert G Jahn]]{{fact}} , and [[Rupert Sheldrake]] <ref>Sheldrake, R. (2003). The sense of being stared at: And other unexplained powers of the human mind. New York: Random House.</ref>.

== History, claims, and evaluation ==
{{main|History of parapsychology|Claims of parapsychology}}

== Status of the field ==
The standing of the field of parapsychology has always been controversial within the scientific community.

As its name indicates, parapsychology is sometimes considered a sub-branch of [[psychology]], and this has arisen historically since it involved the study of apparent mental faculties. In its modern form, parapsychology is an interdisciplinary field, which has attracted physicists, engineers, and biologists, as well as psychologists and those from other sciences. (For an argument that parapsychological phenomena may not in fact be psychological, see [[Peter J. King]]'s [http://users.ox.ac.uk/~shil0124/papers/parapsychology.pdf "Parapsychology without the 'Para' (or the 'Psychology')"] (''Think'' 3, 2003, pp 43 53).)

Parapsychology often involves the use of new and untested technologies and methods such as [[neurofeedback]], [[Neuro-linguistic programming]], [[past life regression]] and so on.

Many people are not satisfied with the term, and have proposed alternatives, such as "psi research" (similar to the older term "psychical research"), but "parapsychology" is the term that has gained the greatest acceptance today.

One organization involved in the field, the [[Parapsychological Association]] is an affiliate of the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]] (AAAS). [http://www.aaas.org/aboutaaas/affiliates/#P]. At present (2006) there are about two hundred and seventy five members in the Parapsychological Association.

===Parapsychology in the scientific community===
In the scientific disciplines, there is a belief that all claims should be treated with [[scientific skepticism]] and that they must conform to [[empirical]], [[repeatable]] experiments.

Some observers of the field believe that some parapsychologists knowingly commit [[fraud]]; that some are incompetent or misled by their own hopes or desires; and that some are naïve and therefore easily deceived by fraudulent participants; or perhaps some combination of the above. One of the most famous cases in psychology that illustrates being misled by one's hopes is that of [[Clever Hans]]. Mr. Wilhelm von Osten, who promoted the horse, did not intend to defraud anyone, but he fooled himself and large audiences nevertheless. [http://acp.eugraph.com/about/hans.html]

Parapsychologists disagree with this assessment. Some have been formally trained in science, and are familiar with the scientific method.

The precise percentage of scientists holding negative views about parapsychology is unclear, since surveys targeting this group are far less common than those targeting the general population. In his article [http://www.unice.fr/zetetique/anglais/a_zetetique.html Save Our Science: Paranormal Phenomena and Zetetics], [[Henri Broch]] notes:

:"These data are based on an investigation on the belief in parasciences among Frenchmen (published in 1986). [...] Contrary to what might have been thought, the level of belief in the paranormal is directly proportional to the level of education, whatever the religious persuasion may be. Those with higher scientific degrees fare slightly better, although their level of belief is superior to [greater than] the average!"

Some believe that there is a tendency for parapsychology researchers to select "good days" and discard "bad days" for the people in the test samples. But the "Theory of Runs" shows that the chance of a long run of successes (or failures) increases drastically when the periods of success or failure are selected as part of a larger sample. See: Feller, William (1968), ''An Introduction to Probability Theory and Its Applications, vol. I,'' John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, p. 86. For a more recent discussion of the theory and the "arcsine law" see
[http://almira.math.u-bordeaux.fr/jtnb/1996-1/manstavicius.ps] or
[http://stat-www.berkeley.edu/users/peres/teach/lecture-21.ps]

Andrew Greeley, a Catholic priest and a sociologist from the [[University of Arizona]], studied surveys on belief in ESP from 1978 through 1987, and studied the mental health of believers in ESP. The surveys he studied showed that from 1978 through 1987, the number of American adults who reported psychic experiences rose from 58% to 67% (clairvoyance and contacts with the dead were reported by 25% of his respondents). According to Greeley, the elderly, women, widows and widowers, and the conventionally religious report a higher incidence of such experiences. He also tested the psychological well-being of people reporting mystical experiences with the "Affect Balance Scale" and found that people reporting mystical experiences received top scores. Greeley summarized his findings by writing:

:''People who've tasted the paranormal, whether they accept it intellectually or not, are anything but religious nuts or psychiatric cases. They are, for the most part, ordinary Americans, somewhat above the norm in education and intelligence and somewhat less than average in religious involvement.'' [http://www.skepticalinvestigations.org/guide/field_guide.htm]

A few parapsychologists are [[skepticism|skeptics]], for example [[Chris French]] and his colleagues at the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at [[Goldsmiths College|Goldsmiths College in London]], and [[Richard Wiseman]] and his colleagues at the Perrott-Warrick Research Unit in the [[Psychology]] Department of the [[University of Hertfordshire]], both of which units include individuals who are members of the Parapsychological Association. These researchers do not approach the field with a belief in the paranormal, but are rather interested in the purely psychological aspects of those who report paranormal experiences, along with the study of the psychology of deception, hallucination, etc. These researchers also have provided their own guidelines and input to other parapsychologists for the design of experiments and how to properly test those who claim psychic abilities. While some of these guidelines have been useful, many have suffered from a naive understanding of scientific practice in general and in parapsychology in particular, from a distorted view of the methodology actually in use in the field, and the unfortunate habit of some skeptics to make sweeping statements about the applicability of counter-hypotheses to lines of research without actually investigating the appropriateness of those counter-hypotheses to the details at hand. (See, for example a mostly-positive review of one of these guidelines written by skeptics[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2320/is_3_63/ai_60054226].)

The most important point that both proponents and skeptics raise is the need to be critical of the theory, methods, and conclusions of any one who investigates or comments on parapsychology as a science, no matter what point of view they represent. In order to be an objective professional, one must have a first-hand knowledge of the vast past and present published scientific literature in the field, primary and scholarly sources of its age whenever possible, and -- even more important -- have first-hand experience as an experimenter or investigator and a respect for the art of conjuring and its masters. The hands-on approach is essential to scientific progress in the field, whether one approaches it from a "paranormalist" or a "conventional theorist" point of view. Selective and historically uninformed armchair cheerleading and armchair skepticism are equally useless in all fields of inquiry and science.

=== Interpretation of the evidence ===
{{Unreferencedsect}}
Scientists skeptical of parapsychology hold that the entire body of evidence to date is of poor quality and not properly controlled; in their view, the entire field of parapsychology has produced no results whatsoever. Frequently, however, proponents argue that those who hold this view have not had sufficient contact with the published literature of the field such as that which can be found in the Journal of Parapsychology, the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, the Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, or in the proceedings of the annual convention of the Parapsychological Association (see for example, ''The Conscious Universe'' by Dr Dean Radin). Instead, they have relied on the analyses made by members of the skeptical community who, wrongly, assume that all parapsychological experiments suffer from flaws and therefore no parapsychological experiment may be considered evidential even in the weak sense of the term. Working psi researchers welcome criticisms that are based on knowledge of the peer-reviewed, published literature of the field. Criticism and blanket statements based on hearsay are not productive and not encouraged in any area of science.

Scientists who support parapsychology research hold that there is at least a small amount of data from properly controlled experiments that can be trusted for a small number of psi phenomena. Some of these scientists hold that this evidence is not definitive, but suggestive enough to warrant further research. [http://moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/Text/FAQ_Nonsense.html] Others believe that a great deal of evidence has been collected, which, if it addressed more conventional phenomena, would be sufficient to provide proof.

====Criticisms of parapsychological research====
{{Unreferencedsect}}
* [[Anecdotal evidence]] is inherently unreliable. Anecdotes may have natural, non-anomalous explanations such as random [[coincidence]], [[fraud in parapsychology|fraud]], [[imagination]], or [[auto-suggestion]]. Therefore any parapsychology research (or any scientific research) relying purely on anecdotal evidence is worthless.

* If an [[experiment]] is not controlled to prevent fraud, then the results may not be trusted. This is especially so given the fact that a number of people who claimed to possess [[psi]] abilities were later proven to be frauds.

* Skeptics claim that parapsychology experiments are poorly designed and have a lack of proper controls, allowing paths of intentional or unintentional information leakage through normal means, etc.

* Parapsychology experiments require replication with positive results at more independent laboratories than is currently occurring.

* Positive results in psi experiments are so statistically insignificant as to be negligible, i.e. indistinguishable from [[chance]]. For example, parapsychology may have a "file drawer" problem where a large percentage of negative results are never published, making positive results appear more significant than they actually are.

* Currently inexplicable positive results of apparently sound experiments do not prove the existence of psi phenomena, i.e., normal explanations may yet be found.

* Psi phenomena cannot be accepted as explanation of positive results until there is a widely acceptable theory of how they operate.

* Parapsychologists may prefer and write selective history. The whole story may be avoided.

* Parapsychology spends too much time simply trying to show that certain phenomena occur, and too little time trying to explain them — yet it is explanation that constitutes the heart of scientific enquiry, and wider, scientific acceptance of parapsychological phenomena would come only with the provision of explanation. (See King (2003) cited above.)

* People who are considered noteworthy psychics could make a lot of money predicting or even controlling (via PK) the outcomes of boxing matches, football games, roulette wheel spins, individual stock price changes, and so on, but none of them seem to do so. Why not?

*Parapsychology has chosen to pursue its future chasing bent spoons, quantum physics, immortality and high technologies, giving only minor inquiries into [[emotional contagion]], abnormal psychology and [[psychotic disorders]], such as [[folie a deux]], [[schizophrenia]], etc. Perhaps because a connection of psi to severe mental illness and anxiety lacks grandeur and public approval. There has been no inquiry into the shared hallucinations reported in connection with [[Ayahuasca]] and the [[incapacitating agent]] [[BZ]].

====Responses from parapsychologists to criticisms====
{{Unreferencedsect}}
* The hard evidence for psi phenomena today is founded on repeatable experiments and not anecdotal evidence.

* Anecdotal evidence is considered valid in law and many other fields. The validity of anecdotal evidence does not depend upon the opinion of those listening to it. Memory studies by [[Elisabeth Loftus]] show that while memory can be capricious, a majority of people are not affected by many controlled memory manipulations. (See [http://faculty.washington.edu/eloftus/Articles/sciam.htm] for data.)

* There is no such thing as a completely foolproof [[experiment]] in any field of [[science]], and it is unreasonable to hold parapsychology to a higher standard of [[epistemology]] than the other sciences. [http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg15721171.700.html][[Fraud in parapsychology|Fraud]] and incompetence in parapsychology is addressed in the same way it is addressed in any other field of science: repeating experiments at multiple independent laboratories; publishing methods and results in order to receive critical feedback and design better protocols, etc.

* Experimental protocols have been continually improved over time, sometimes with the direct assistance of noted [[skeptic]]s. Meta-analyses show that the significance of the positive results have not declined over time, but instead have remained fairly constant.

* There are certain phenomena which have been replicated with [[odds]] against [[chance]] far beyond that required for acceptance in any other science. Meta-analyses show that these cannot be accounted for by any file drawer problem. Dr Dean Radin, in his book ''Entangled Minds'', discusses methods of detecting 'file drawer' errors using a funnel plot.

* [[Anomalous phenomena]] do not disappear for lack of a [[theory]]. There have been many instances in the history of science where the observation of an anomalous phenomenon came before an explanatory theory, and some commonly accepted non-psi phenomena (e.g. [[gravity]]) today still lack a perfectly satisfactory, undisputed theory. Isaac Newton, when formulating his theory of gravity, stated that he could not hypothesize a mechanism for it - but it still became a foundation of physics.

* Theories abound in parapsychology for aspects of psi phenomena, though there is not any one that is comprehensive and widely accepted within parapsychology.

* It is not necessary to be a licensed [[psychiatrist]] or acquainted with [[clinical psychology]] to test the validity of psi. The field of parapsychology overlaps many disciplines, including [[physics]] and [[biology]], and often physicists, engineers and others trained in the [[hard science]]s, in conjunction with [[magic (illusion)|stage magicians]] and other experts in deception, are in a better position to design experiments for certain types of phenomena than are psychiatrists or psychologists.

* Concluding inexplicability from lack of existing explanation constitutes the well-known fallacy [[Argument from Ignorance]].

The opinion of parapsychologists regarding the overall evaluation of the body of evidence to date is divided. As noted above, some parapsychologists are [[skeptic]] and do not believe that there is anything observed so far which cannot ultimately be explained within the existing framework of known science. Probably a majority of parapsychologists believe in the likelihood, or at least the possibility, of actual psi phenomena, though there is a range of attitudes toward the evidence.

Regarding the evidence, the rule of the thumb of the skeptical community is that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. Since skeptics may consider paranormal claims extraordinary, they may think that the evidence needs to be better than what normally would be required. However, this puts the responsibility for investigating seemingly paranormal phenomena squarely on the shoulders of proponents and "internal" skeptics. Not only is research conducted by "external" critics and skeptics useful to the field as a whole, but it also imparts a kind of craft knowledge to critics and skeptics that makes their criticism and counter-hypotheses more productive and more useful. Further many of the counter-hypotheses proposed by skeptics are so unparsimonious as to be extraordinary claims as well, and in that case, those counter-hypothesis, also require extraordinary evidence.

Most people use this approach to evidence in everyday life. For instance, if the news reports that the president of the USA has just arrived in South Korea for a state visit, most people will take this at face value. The news is considered a fairly reliable source of information, and the president visiting a country such as South Korea is not an extraordinary claim. However, if the same news broadcast later mentioned that a 92-year-old man has improved the world record time on the [[marathon]] by half an hour, many reasonable people would require more evidence, even despite the assumed reliability of the source, since the claim is extraordinary. This analogy might be flawed, however. In the case of the 92 year old man, we have positive evidence gained from a lifetime of experience and the reassurance of physiologists that this feat is indeed extraordinary (i.e., improbable). When it comes to parapsychology, however, some would argue we have no positive evidence that it is improbable, only our own cultural bias
and a subjective sense that Psionic powers are extraordinary. Hence, some would argue, it is not the sort of extraordinary claim which necessarily needs more evidence than a mundane claim.

Some parapsychologists agree with critics that the field has not yet reached the degree of consistent repeatability of experimental results needed for general consensus. [[John Beloff]], in his book ''Parapsychology: A Concise History'', notes the evanescent – some have said the apparently evasive – nature of psychic phenomena over time, and that the range of phenomena observable in a given era seems to be culturally dependent.

For example, in earlier times, psychic research studied physical phenomena demonstrated by spiritualist mediums that, according to the reports passed down to us in the literature, far surpassed anything that any of today's "psychics" can demonstrate. Skeptics consider this more evidence of the non-existence of psi phenomena. Frequently this particular claim is the result of the proponent community having cut itself off, because of political pressures of conforming to the scientific Zeitgeist, from the community of modern mediums and psychics who operate today. Whether or not the phenomena being exhibited by modern day mediums can provide proof of traditional notions of spirituality or can be attributed to the operation of mundane psychological processes is mostly an open question, due to the lack of research. So it is possible that physical phenomena is being exhibited today, but to what cause the effects may be attributed is an open question, even among parapsychologists.

Many people, especially like [[John Beloff]] and [[Stephen E. Braude]], cannot easily dismiss the entirety of all the positive accounts – many of which came from scientists and conjurors of their day. Many began as skeptics - but then changed their minds to become believers and supporters of psychic phenomena when they encountered the inexplicable; and so believe that continued research is justified. Easily recovered critical historical research reveals these individuals were certainly out of their league when it came to the close up deceptions of fraudulent mediums and adept charlatans. (Podmore, 1910 & Price and Dingwall, 1975)

Other parapsychologists, such as [[Dean Radin]],and supporters such as statistician [[Jessica Utts]], take the stance that the existence of certain psi phenomena has been reasonably well established in recent times through repeatable experiments that have been replicated dozens to hundreds of times at labs around the world. They refer to meta-analyses of psi experiments that conclude that the odds against chance ([[null hypothesis]]) of experimental results far exceeds that commonly required to establish results in other fields, sometime by orders of magnitude. Gifted subjects scored 2% above chance. (Utts and Josephson, 1996)

Skeptics say that this is an old argument (eg. see Rawcliffe 1952, pages 441 & 442). For meta-analyses to be useful, the question of whether or not each of these experiments themselves have been efficiently carried out must be addressed. In the unsophisticated "language of the street" this would be known as "garbage in garbage out". All of the early experiments that were conducted by noted men of science in Italy and Germany with [[Eusapia Palladino]] "proved positive".

Skeptics say that 'enthusiastic' parapsychologists prefer to dismiss proof-oriented research, intended primarily to verify the existence of psi phenomena and, as in the past, jumped to "process-oriented" research, intended to explore the parameters and characteristics of psi phenomena. The past history of repeated psi failures and short comings has given parapsychology a poor reputation.

=== Other objections to parapsychology ===
There are a variety of other objections to parapsychology as well.

* Psi Phenomena as a Violation of the Laws of Physics or Nature
:Some critics claim that the existence of psi phenomena would violate "the known laws of physics", and some of these critics believe that this is reason enough that such phenomena should not be studied. Parapsychologists respond that "laws of nature" are simply summaries of existing scientific knowledge and do get revised from time to time during the course of scientific progress, in addition they are not so well understood that with them one could confidently predict the non existence of Psi (Consider quantum mechanics). If the existence of psi phenomenon were ever proved, explaining how they work might require revising or extending the known laws of physics. Precognition, for example, would challenge commonly held notions about causality and the unidirectional nature of time. However, these commonly held notions are often not physical laws, and are already being challenged by modern physical theories, quite apart from psi phenomena. [[Skepticism|Skeptics]] and parapsychologists alike generally agree that, as per [[Occam's Razor]], simple explanations should be preferred for any resulting theories of psi. Some parapsychologists are critical of skeptics' frequently-uninvestigated claims about fraud, or the application of conventional hypotheses specifically because these claims are unparsimonious. Conventional explanations, many parapsychologists believe, should also conform to Occam's Razor. Then there are others, both skeptics and proponents, who agree that even in mainstream science nature itself is frequently unparsimonious.

* Parapsychology as Taboo
:Some believe that paranormal phenomena ''should not'' be studied, either because they are forbidden by their religious orientation, or because they believe that to do so opens the investigators to some sort of "spiritual attack". Parapsychology is also seen as a taboo subject in science and the academy and individuals who show an interest in studying seemingly psychic phenomena, even from a skeptical point of view, often find themselves losing or being pushed out of employment, or denied funding. Anthropologist of science, David J. Hess, has written on this topic.[http://www.davidjhess.org/DiscHet.pdf]

* Parapsychology as a Danger to Society
:Some believe that parapsychology should not be pursued because it somehow represents a danger to society. As is stated in the Y2000 NSF report ''Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Public Understanding: Belief in the Paranormal or Pseudoscience''<ref>[http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind00/access/c8/c8s5.htm Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Public Understanding: Belief in the Paranormal or Pseudoscience], [[National Science Foundation]], 2000.</ref>:
:Even "insiders" in the parapsychological community worry about the possible harm that naive belief in paranormal phenomena can have on individuals, on culture and on societies. A great deal of effort has been put into the notion of developing expertise in dealing with reported experiences both in a clinical sense, and as a topic of investigation. Unfortunately organized skepticism and the "taboo" that exists against serious research on such phenomena has impeded the ability of many researchers -- both skeptics and proponents -- from doing the kinds of research that would allow evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

* Parapsychology as a Waste of Resources
:Some believe that parapsychology should not be funded because it is a waste of resources that would be better spent on other activities. Some of these critics feel so strongly about this that they engage in activism to try to prevent or remove funding from psi research. [[Psychic detective]]s may waste valuable police resources. Parapsychology proponents contend that because of this belief, there are few parapsychologists and little scientific knowledge in the field. Thus, 400 million people{{cn}} may experience what they believe are psychic phenomena, and may suffer in their daily lives from psychological problems caused by their experiences. While even most parapsychologists would agree there are more urgent problems to solve, they argue that ignoring these reported experiences does a grave disservice to people everywhere.

== Other facts ==
* German psychiatrist [[Hans Berger]] originally used the [[electroencephalograph]] (EEG) on humans in 1929 as a tool to study whether telepathy might be explained by brain waves. (Beyerstein, B. L. [http://www.sfu.ca/psyc/faculty/beyerstein/research/articles/06Pseudoscience-and-Brain.pdf] 1999)
* The first and only Ph.D. in Parapsychology awarded by any American university, was the [[University of California, Berkeley]] awarding the [[PhD]] to Dr [[Jeffrey Mishlove]] in 1980. Subsequently some activists unsuccessfully lobbied the Berkeley administration to revoke the degree. [http://www.psi-researchcentre.co.uk/biography.html Reportedly,] as many as 46 people in the UK have doctorates in parapsychology. However, with the exception of Dr. Mishlove, mentioned above, the so-called "46 people in the UK" have doctorates in other disciplines, principally in psychology, but completed doctoral thesis work which included or were devoted to research projects in parapsychology. Such individuals are also expected to be competent in the disciplines in which they received their degrees. Examples of these individuals include: Dr. [[Susan Blackmore]] (it says "PhD in Parapsychology, University of Surrey, 1980" on her webpage CV [http://www.susanblackmore.co.uk/curricul.htm], though), Dr. [[Richard Broughton]], Dr. Deborah Delanoy, Dr. Serena-Roney Dougall, Dr. Chris Roe, Dr. Simon Sherwood, Dr. Christine Simmonds, Dr. Matthew Smith, Dr. Carl Williams, Dr. [[Richard Wiseman]], among others. [http://moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/Text/FAQ_PhD_HowTo.html]
* Patent #5830064, "Apparatus and method for distinguishing events which collectively exceed chance expectations and thereby controlling an output," was granted by the US Patent Office on Nov 3rd, 1998 to inventors including several researchers from the Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) center. The patent in no way relies on the existence of psi phenomena, but in the description the inventors do suggest that "One application of the present invention is the investigation of anomalous interaction between an operator and random physical systems, whether by serious scientists or curious members of the public who would like to conduct experiments on their own."
*Throughout the history of the investigations of physical mediums there seems to be no record of simply applying wet paint to a medium's hands and feet to ensure control and eliminate fraud. However, it is naive to think one control would cover all cases.
*[[Joseph B. Rhine]] began examining psychic abilities after hearing, and being deeply impressed, by a lecture given by Sir [[Arthur Conan Doyle]], about the scientific reality of having established contact with the dead. (Rinn 1950)
*In reviewing the [[history of parapsychology]] from the present back to its birth from 19th century spiritism it becomes apparent that there was a preconceived belief in the existence of psychic phenomena by members of science that led to poor testing conditions, and loosening of controls, so phenomena would be produced and validated, rather than a genuine curious search to discover whether or not psychic phenomena existed at all. (Rawcliffe 1952, Podmore 1963, Christopher 1979)
*In early psychic research the advice of master conjurors, such as the sterling case of [[Houdini]], on establishing control has been very valuable, but not appreciated by scientific investigators who had become close and fond of their subjects and their produced phenomena. There are many past examples where serious mistakes were made. (Christopher 1970, Rinn 1950, Hyman 1989, Podmore 1975, Price & Dingwall 1975) As long as this breach continues between master conjurors and scientific parapsychologists, parapsychologists are likely to repeat the same mistakes. The success of [[James Randi]]'s [[Project Alpha]] is a prime example.
*Some early and mid 20th century psychologists concluded Psychical research represents a reversion to occult beliefs which have had their origins in the earliest of human cultures.(Rawcliffe 1952)
*In the 1984 fictional film [[Ghostbusters]] Dr. [[Peter Venkman]] claims to have Ph.D.'s in both Psychology and Parapsychology when asked by overzealous EPA inspector, Walter Peck.
* In the city of Eastpointe, Michigan, a person claiming to be a psychic, astrologer, palm reader, and other metaphysical readers may soon be required to have a business license. Anyone with a criminal history of pandering, extortion or fraud would not be accepted. (Detroit News, page 4B, 22 May 06)
* Peter Lamont, a Research Fellow at Koestler Parapsychology Unit, University of Edinburgh, magician, psychic and former president of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, writes so far the evidence for a paranormal ability amounts to no more than a significant deviation from what one would expect by chance. (Lamont, 2005)
=== Critics of parapsychology ===
* [[Banachek]]: Tricked scientists for 2 years, logging 120 laboratory hours and convinced others that he could bend metal with his mind in the much touted [[Project Alpha]] experiment.
* [[Susan Blackmore]]: Abandoned parapsychology; see her book ''Adventures of a Parapsychologist''.
* [[Derren Brown]]: Has a television show that debunks people's self beliefs.
* [[Milbourne Christopher]]: Noted historian and master conjuror.
* [[Martin Gardner]]: A noted rationalist, puzzler, science writer, and master conjuror, he has written many exposés.
* [[Ray Hyman]]: Conjuror and noted research psychologist.
* [[James Randi]]: Conjuror and author.
* [[Ehrich Weiss]] ([[Houdini|Harry Houdini]]): Early 20th century master conjuror and author. In his will Houdini offered his great library to the American Society for Psychical Research on the condition that research officer and editor of the ASPR Journal, J. Malcolm Bird, resigned. Bird refused. Houdini's collection went to the [[Library of Congress]].
* [[Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal]] (CSICOP): An advocacy group of professional (stage) magicians, scientists and rationalist writers arguing for the anti-paranormal point of view.

== See also ==
*[[Clairaudience]]
*[[Clairvoyance]]
*[[List of spirituality-related topics]]
*[[List of parapsychologists]]
*[[Parapsychology basic topics]]
*[[Patapsychology]]
*[[Prophecy]]
*[[Psionics]]
*[[Remote Viewing]]
*[[The Bélmez Faces]]
*[[Transpersonal psychology]]

== References ==
* ''Parapsychology'', by Rene Sudre, Citadel Press, NY, 1960, Library of Congress Catalog 60-13928.
* ''Parapsychology'', by [[Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi]], Al-Kitaab Publication, 1985.
* ''The Conscious Universe'', by [[Dean Radin]], Harper Collins, 1997, ISBN 0-06-251502-0.
* ''Parapsychology: A Concise History'', by [[John Beloff]], St. Martin's Press, 1993, ISBN 0-312-09611-9.
* ''Parapsychology: The Controversial Science'', by [[Richard S. Broughton]] , Ballantine Books, 1991, ISBN 0-345-35638-1.
* ''Our Sixth Sense'', by [[Charles Richet]], Rider & Co., 1937, First English Edition
* ''The Elusive Quarry: A Scientific Appraisal of Psychical Research'', by [[Ray Hyman]], Prometheus Books, 1989, ISBN 0-87975-504-0.
* ''Readings in the Philosophical Problems of Parapsychology'', ed. [[Antony Flew]], Prometheus Books, 1987, ISBN 0-87975-385-4
* ''The First Psychic: The Peculiar Mystery of a Victorian Wizard'', by Peter Lamont, Little, Brown, UK, 2005 ([[Daniel Dunglas Home]] biography)
* ''Sixty Years of Psychical Research : Houdini and I Among the Spirits'', by Joseph Rinn, Truth Seeker, 1950
*''The Newer Spiritualism'', by [[Frank Podmore]], Arno Press, 1975, reprint of 1910 edition
*''Revelations of a Spirit Medium'' by [[Harry Price]] and Eric J. Dingwall, Arno Press, 1975, reprint of 1891 edition by Charles F. Pidgeon. This rare, overlooked, forgotten book gives the "insider's knowledge" of 19th century deceptions.
*''Mediums of the 19th Century Volume Two, Book Four, Chapter One, Some Foreign Investigations'' by Frank Podmore, University Book, 1963, reprint of ''Modern Spiriritualism'', 1902
*''Occult and Supernatural Phenomena'' by D. H. Rawcliffe, Dover Publications, reprint of ''Psychology of the Occult'', Derricke Ridgway Publishing co., 1952
*''The Paranormal: The Evidence and its Implications for Concsciousness'' by Jessica Utts and Brian Josephson'', 1996 [http://www.tcm.phy.cam.ac.uk/~bdj10/psi/tucson.psi]
*'' Edgar Cayce on Atlantis'' by Hugh Lynn Cayce, Castle Books, 1968
<references />

==Further reading==
*[[Milbourne Christopher]], ''ESP, Seers & Psychics : What the Occult Really Is'', Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1970, ISBN 0-690-26815-7
*Milbourne Christopher, ''Mediums, Mystics & the Occult'' by Thomas Y. Crowell Co, 1975
*Milbourne Christopher, ''Search for the Soul'' , Thomas Y. Crowell Publishers, 1979
*[[Georges Charpak]], Henri Broch, and Bart K. Holland (tr), ''Debunked! ESP, Telekinesis, and Other Pseudoscience'', (Johns Hopkins University). 2004, ISBN 0-8018-7867-5
*Hoyt L. Edge, Robert L. Morris, Joseph H. Rush , John Palmer, ''Foundations of Parapsychology: Exploring the Boundaries of Human Capability'', Routledge Kegan Paul, 1986, ISBN 0710-0226-1 {{invalid isbn|0710-0226-1}}
*Paul Kurtz, ''A Skeptic's Handbook of Parapsychology'', Prometheus Books, 1985, ISBN 0-87975-300-5
*[[Jeffrey Mishlove]], ''Roots of Consciousness: Psychic Liberation Through History Science and Experience''. 1st edition, 1975, ISBN 0-394-73115-8, 2 TVOSBN 0-394-73115-8 2ZZnd edition, Marlowe & Co., July 1997, ISBN 1-56924-747-1 There are 2 editions. They are very different. [http://www.williamjames.com/Intro/CONTENTS.htm online]
*John White, ed. ''Psychic Exploration: A Challenge for Science'', published by [[Edgar D. Mitchell]] and G. P. Putman, 1974, ISBN 39911342-8 {{invalid isbn|39911342-8}}
*[[Richard Wiseman]], ''Deception and self-deception: Investigating Psychics''. Amherst, USA: Prometheus Press. 1997
*Benjamin B. Wolman, ed, ''Handbook of Parapsychology'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1977, ISBN 0-442-29576-6

==External links==
===Independent research organizations===
* [[Institute of Noetic Sciences]] (IONS) was founded in 1973 by [[astronaut]] [[Edgar Mitchell]] to explore the frontiers of [[consciousness]] through rigorous scientific research.
* [http://www.princeton.edu/~pear/ The Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research] (PEAR) program was established at Princeton University in 1979 by Robert G. Jahn, then Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
* [http://moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/~spr/ Society for Psychical Research] (SPR). The original scientific society founded in London in 1882.
* [http://www.aspr.com/index.html American Society for Psychical Research] (ASPR).
* [http://www.rhine.org/ Rhine Research Center and Institute for Parapsychology], originally part of [[Duke University]], now an independent research center. The accomplished physicist [[Irving Langmuir]], a founder of many studies in atmospheric electricity and [[plasma physics]], visited Rhine at his laboratory in [[1934]]. Rhine admitted (rather proudly and contentiously) to Langmuir that he had discarded data that was "wrong" because it did not support his belief in [[extrasensory perception]]. See [http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~ken/Langmuir/langC.htm Langmuir's 1953 talk ''Pathological Science'' at [[Princeton University]] ]
* [http://www.parapsychology.org Parapsychology Foundation]
* [http://www.parapsych.org/ Parapsychological Association] This organisation has been a member of the AAAS for over 20 years.

===University research organizations===

* [http://moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/ Koestler Parapsychology Unit] at the [[University of Edinburgh]].
* [http://www.hope.ac.uk/ssss/psychology/pages/para/research.htm Parapsychology Research Group] at [[Liverpool Hope University]].
* [http://noosphere.princeton.edu/ Global Consciousness Project] at [[Princeton University|Princeton]]
* [http://veritas.arizona.edu/ The VERITAS Research Program] at the [[University of Arizona]]
* [http://cwis.livjm.ac.uk/hum/ctp/ Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology Research Unit] of the Liverpool John Moores University.
* [http://oldweb.northampton.ac.uk/ass/behav/psych/research/ Psychology Research Cluster] at University College Northampton.
* [http://www.princeton.edu/~pear/ Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research] (PEAR) at [[Princeton University]].
* [http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/personalitystudies/ Division of Personality Studies] (DOPS), a unit of the Department of Psychiatric Medicine at the University of Virginia.
* Bigelow Chair of Consciousness Studies at the [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] (UNLV).
* [http://www.psychology.adelaide.edu.au/research/apru/APRU.html Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit] (APRU) at the University of Adelaide.
* [http://www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/apru/ Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit] at Goldsmiths University of London.
* [http://phoenix.herts.ac.uk/pwru/hmpage.html Perrott-Warrick Research Unit] in the Psychology Department of the University of Hertfordshire.

===Other===
* [http://coasttocoast.fm Alternative Topic / Paranormal Articles]
* [http://www.the-psychic-detective.com Metaphysics and Paranormal topics]
* [http://www.spiritual.com.au/psychics_mediums.htm Articles on Psychics & Mediums]
* [http://www.nsac.org/ National Spiritualist Association of Churches]
* [http://skepdic.com/parapsy.html Entry on parapsychology in the Skeptic's Dictionary]
* [http://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/para/paralink.htm Parapsychology links]
* Dean Radin's [http://www.survivalscience.org/debunk/radin1.shtml A Field Guide to Skepticism] from his book ''The Conscious Universe''.
* [http://www.banachek.org/Articles/Project%20Alpha.htm ''The Project Alpha Experiment'']
* [http://neuro-kinetik.com Neuro-Kinetik.com] Proposes the use of realtime MRI (and related instrumentation) to explore the portions of the brain that relate to parapsychological phenomena.
* The online [http://www.lexscien.org/ Library of Exploratory Science] contains the complete text of many of the major peer reviewed journals in parapsychology and psychical research.
*[http://survivalafterdeath.org/articles/dingwall//responsibility.htm] ''The Need for Responsibility in Parapsychology: My Sixty Years in Psychical Research'' by Eric Dingwall
*[http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9 Parapsychology forum at forteantimes.com]
*[http://www.krischronicles.com The Kris Chronicles] - an entity channeled in Toronto, Canada
* [http://www.aeriagloris.com/PsychicPowers/index.html Psychic Powers] - enabling views
*[http://www.sou.edu/aaaspd/SanDiego2006/Symposia06.html#10 Frontiers of Time: Retrocausation Experiment and Theory]. Symposium at [[American Association for the Advancement of Science|AAAS]] annual meeting, San Diego, June 2006.

[[Category:Parapsychologists]]
[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Spirituality]]


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The Atlantic Paranormal Society

2006-08-30T03:30:57Z

70.35.237.67: /* History */

'''The Atlantic Paranormal Society''' ('''TAPS''') is an organization based in [[Warwick, Rhode Island]], USA that investigates [[paranormal]] activity. It was founded in the mid-1990s by [[Jason Hawes]] and [[Grant Wilson]].


The TAPS website, featuring some of the evidence they have collected in video and audio form has a significant fan base and readership. In 2004, the organization itself became the subject of a weekly reality television series for the [[Sci-Fi Channel]], appropriately titled ''[[Ghost Hunters]]''.

The group publishes a monthly publication called ''TAPS Paramagazine'', which features articles written by group members and information pertaining to the paranormal.

Beginning in July 2006 TAPS began releasing weekly podcasts, ''TAPS Para-Radio'', featuring Hawes and Wilson.

== Objectives and Methods ==

The group attempts to help individuals or groups who feel they have paranormal activity by collecting evidence, which they also use for their own research purposes. They also share information through their website.

TAPS performs an 8-12 hour investigation employing a number of [[infrared]] and digital video cameras, [[thermal camera]] devices, [[EMF Detector]]s, digital [[thermometer]]s and other equipment throughout the site in question. While at a site, the members of the team often find common explanations for the claims of the occupants. In conclusion the team will report on its findings, and express their opinion that a site is '[[haunted]]' or 'not haunted.'

==History==

Hawes began TAPS in 1990; originally it was called Rhode Island Paranormal. RIP soon began investigating cases within the New England area outside of Rhode Island and ended up changing its name to The Atlantic Paranormal Society{{fact}}. Wilson joined the effort about two years later.

==Criticism ==
The groups critics populate forums and web sites around the Internet. Further discussion can be found in the [[Ghost Hunters]] article at Wikipedia.

== Known members (past & present) ==
* Jason Hawes - ''Ghost Hunters'' Show Producer, Lead Investigator/TAPS Founder
* Grant Wilson - ''Ghost Hunters'' Show Producer, Lead Investigator/TAPS Co-founder/Webmaster
* Chris Angelo - Investigator R.I.P. Aug. 7 1981 - Nov. 2 2003
* Steve Gonsalves - Technical Manager/Evidence Analyst
* Brian Harnois - Investigator/Evidence Analyst
* Dustin Pari - Investigator/Evidence Analyst
* Keith Johnson - Demonologist
* Carl Johnson - Demonologist
* Donna LaCroix - Interviewer/Case Manager
* Lisa Dowaliby - Director
* Renee Laverdiere - Field Researcher
* Dave Tango - Investigator
* Andy Andrews - Investigator
* Mike Dion - Investigator
* Bill Lonero - EVP Specialist
* Paula Donovan - R&D Manager
* Kristyn Gartland - Case Coordinator/Investigator
* Ron Milone - R&D Advisor
* Renee Smith - Organizational Advisor

==TAPS Family Networking==

Many [[Paranormal Investigation Groups]] network and assist similar member-groups across the nation and around the world. TAPS invites paranormal research organizations into its own network, and may refer cases to them. Member-organizations put a "TAPS Family Member" link on their websites which link to The Atlantic Paranormal Society's web page. A list of member organizations is available at the TAPS Family website, [http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/linksinvestigators.html TAPS Family]

==Notes==
<references/>

== See also ==
*[[Ghost Hunters]]
*[[Ghost hunting]]
*[[Ghosts]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com/ Official TAPS Web-site]

[[Category:Ghosts]]