Louisville's Big East Celebration Today at 4:30!

[Apis Bull]

August 24, 2004

Louisville's Big East Celebration Today at 4:30!

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Howie Lindsey

CardinalSports.com Editor    

In a move to both thank the fans of the program and increase the community involvement, the Louisville Athletic Department will hold a "Big East Block party" today, August 24, at 4:30.

 

Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino at the Big East announcement.

The event, scheduled for the new Fourth Street Live Complex downtown will be free for all fans and will include appearances by commissioner Mike Trabghese, U of L coach Rick Pitino and others.

"This is going to be big for the city and big for U of L," said Jason Buckner, U of L's assistant director for the Cardinal Athletic Fund. "You've got the city excited about moving into the BCS and into the Big East and you combine that with what's hot right now, which is Fourth Street Live. It should be a great time."

The Fourth Street Live entertainment district has already proven its ability to draw large crowds special events, including the public workouts for boxers Mike Tyson and Danny Williams. The entertainment district includes shops, bars and nightclubs in an upscale atmosphere that has been drawing thousands of patrons each weekend to downtown Louisville.

Despite accepting an invitation to the new Big East earlier this year, U of L has one final year in Conference USA. Louisville's last season in C-USA begins in late August with a strong fall sports lineup that includes several chances for the Cardinals to win league championship titles, including coach Leonid Yelin's powerhouse women's volleyball program and coach Bobby Petrino's football Cardinals, who were recently picked by league coaches as the favorite to win the league.

Come join your fellow Cardinal fans this afternoon at Forth Street Live! for the Cardinals' Big East Block Party. The festivities begin at 4:30, but are scheduled to last long enough for people to stop by after work.

The Louisville SportsReport and CardinalSports.com will be there to cover all of the days events, including fan pictures and interviews with Jurich and commissioner Tranghese.

[Apis Bull]

Cardinal Fans Pack Fourth Street Live For Big East Block Party

Nearly 2,500 U of L supporters turn out for event in downtown Louisville

Aug. 25, 2004

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A crowd of nearly 2,500 Cardinal fans packed Fourth Street Live in downtown Louisville on Tuesday evening for the "Big East Block Party" to celebrate the University of Louisville's move to the Big East Conference in the 2005-06 season.

Big East Commissioner Michael Tranghese was on-hand for the festivities and addressed the U of L fans on the Cardinals' move into the Big East. U of L President James Ramsey, Vice President for Athletics Tom Jurich, Men's Basketball Coach Rick Pitino and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson also spoke at the event following entertainment by the U of L Marching Band, cheerleaders and Cardinal Bird.

BIG EAST BLOCK PARTY COMMENTS

Mike Tranghese, Big East Conference Commissioner

"When I went to our university presidents and I talked to them about the University of Louisville athletically, and then began to talk about the vision that Dr. Ramsey has, it took only a very, very short time to make the decision to extend an invitation to Louisville. It wasn't something we had to sell to our members because the University of Louisville was the epitome of what we wanted to bring into our league, and I can't wait until the 2005-06 season is upon us."

Tom Jurich, U of L Vice President for Athletics

"When it came time to sell Mike (Tranghese) on taking a hard look at the University of Louisville, the first thing we talked about was our fan base. Not only do our fans show up for home events, but they travel like crazy. Our fans enjoy making bowl trips. They enjoy going to the NCAA Tournament and they enjoy being good across the board and supporting everybody."

Rick Pitino, U of L Men's Basketball Head Coach

"For all of our coaches (at U of L), whether it's volleyball, women's field hockey or soccer, we're going to be part of something special in the Big East...And I'm proud to say that we're also going to be a part of the greatest basketball conference in the history of the game, from top to bottom."

[E.T.]

Commish visits L'ville ... when is he visiting us ?

http://pittsburgh.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=324194

[smazza]

petrino and pitino