Louisville basketball will have a new addition to the KFC Yum! Center this season when the Cards debut a new court design.
When Chris Mack took over as Louisville basketball head coach in 2018, the culture change with the 49-year-old head coach at the helm was palpable.
Ther feeling around the program has changed significantly in a not-so-smooth transition from Rick Pitino to scandal to David Padgett to Mack. Somewhere in between, the swagger and intensity that was lost has not only been picked back up, but amplified, and aimed in the right directions.
Mack does things the right way. Meetings with former players and coaches, current students, directors, donors, and more. He has somewhat of an open door policy. Though they don’t openly allow media and boosters into practice, if you ask, Mack and the new coaching staff are always happy to oblige.
From a student and fanbase perspective, Mack has not only reenergized but rejuvenated a fanbase and program that felt flat for a period of time. The anxiety around campus during this period of transition was noticeable, but it was also something Mack aimed to change right away. He invited students to his office to have chats about their expectations and vision for the program. He listened on social media and in fan encounters on campus and around town.
The results? A lot of really cool stuff.
For instance, social media interaction with fans has been phenomenal. Constance give-aways and promotions have sparked a lot of fan interest, and theme nights and fun deals at games feel more intentional than just gimmicks. Louisville will put on their second “Louisville Live” event at Fourth Street Live!, something fans had clamored for for years.
In May, we saw the view from Mack’s office completely change when the university pulled out a new design for the Kueber Center practice facility floor.
https://twitter.com/LouisvilleMBB/status/1125535717235388417?s=20
This sparked a lot of debate about what Louisville basketball may do next to take the KFC Yum! Center to the next level. The Dunking Bird homage was something that Cards fans had been clamoring for years ago after the reveal of the “ugly wing bird” (I think that was the official name).
We wanted dunking bird back, dammit, and we promised to be in our seats on time and to not do the C-A-R-D-S cheer too fast anymore if we could just. get. dunking. bird.
https://twitter.com/GoCards/status/1156942663104565250?s=20
Okay. Quit playing, guys.
You know...retro is all the rage lately...#GoCards pic.twitter.com/xzTGjJWtEK
— Louisville Women’s Basketball (@LouisvilleWBB) August 1, 2019
Ohhhhhhhh my gosh….
https://twitter.com/LouisvilleMBB/status/1156950241574359041?s=20
Instant reaction: Mack and the marketing department just get it. Less than two years after Pitino’s departure, and only five years after the court saw it’s last remodel changes were made to reflect what current players and fans wanted to see.
The dunking Cardinal is a perfect size. The Fleur de Lis Louisville city logo is awesome. The retro vibes are perfect.
Louisville basketball fans are getting everything they wanted.