Counting down the greatest Louisville Cardinals sports traditions

Muhammad Ali Uniforms

One recently started tradition that is close to everyone’s heart is the athletic teams wearing uniform renditions if Muhammad Ali’s famous white boxing trunks.

It goes something like this: they are posted on social media, fans go ballistic, the hype amplifies, and then the players get to wear the swaggy new unis on gameday.

It has become a feel-good tradition the past couple years, giving fans and players alike a chance to pay homage to Louisville-born and raised Ali.

Though some coaches may elaborate on how distracting themes like this can be, in all honesty, this is quite possibly the most Louisville thing the university could ever possibly put on a player.

Ville’ns Banner

Long have we waited for there to be a rowdy student section at home games here in Louisville. So so long.

The time has finally come. Led by Louisville student Ethan Sprowles, The Ville’ns have begun to assert themselves into the modern Cardinal games’ folklore.

At the beginning of each home contest, Sprowles and the gang unveil a gigantic red banner with The Ville’ns namesake and logo on it that spans row after row of the student section.

The crowd reacts to this as if it’s seen the finale of Thunder Over Louisville’s fireworks display. It really sets the tone.

“(The banner) shows people who we are and where we are”, Sprowles explained.

It adds to the in-game spice of the university’s event production. I mean we will always have the low-bowl sitters that rarely stand and shout, but The Ville’ns banner really seems to have staying power, and this Louisville fan loves to see it.

Joker & the Thief

Every Card fan waits for it, every opponent that hears it begins to feel the walls closing in, and Louisville event coordinators always know exactly when to play it.

Rock band Wolfmother’s masterpiece “Joker and The Thief” is a catchy, tightly rhythmic tune that induces head-banging from everyone in the building. Perhaps the most vital wrinkle to this tradition is the crowd’s participation while the song plays.

As soon as you hear that first guitar riff, you know it’s coming. There’s a buzz permeating the crowd. And then the drums drop out completely for a moment, allowing the guitar and the attendees’ claps to serve as time measurements.

I get chills every single time as I peruse the crowd with a grin, but I always take a few seconds to observe the demeanor and disposition of the opposing team. More often then not, they seem a little apprehensive.

Louisville Live

Friday night. 4th Street Live! Potential incoming basketball recruits. No charge to get in. Standing room only. Now, that’s Louisville if you ask me.

Cardinal fans converge on an Autumn evening to kick off the basketball season unofficially in this must-see, can’t-miss ordeal that has not disappointed yet.

And it’s only been around for TWO YEARS!

https://twitter.com/LouisvilleMBB/status/1046199163522822144

This bulging snowball of a tradition will only get bigger and better over time. It features three-pointer and dunk contests (judged by Louisville-known celebrities), t-shirt and hat giveaways, dance teams, player and coach introductions, etc. all right in the heart of downtown Louisville.

It’s one of those events where everyone plans way ahead to get down there and settled before the space fills up too quickly. I think it’s safe to say that this is the best idea that the Louisville Athletic Department has come up with in ages. Kudos!