A brief history and the rivalries
The vintage rivalries
Other rivalries, though not as intense, include Memphis, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Marquette
The history of Louisville athletics
UofL and UK had played each other on and off in basketball from the beginning through the 1980's, but the rivalry cemented itself when in 1983, the two teams met in the Elite Eight, and the Cardinals won the epic battle in overtime. The game would soon be known to every Kentuckian as The Dream Game. The rivalry has obviously intensified even more with Kentucky's recent title win. the match-up is called The battle of the Bluegess and is the most heated in basketball and football. Don't be surprised when you hear about lot of Kentuckians taking off work for the yearly Bluegrass football and basketball games. The state bragging rights and smack talk are on line for a year.
Fans within the university have carried on and passed down many traditions over the years. A few of them include the 'L' hand gesture (which was developed by combining how you form the letters U and L in sign language), the C-A-R-D-S chant (which dates back since at least to the 1970's), and wearing red and black to every game (a staple since the early 1900's). A much more recent tradition that is that is hit or miss within the fanbase is to write or say 'L1C4', which means "Louisville first, Cardinals Forever."
While the University started back as early as 1798, University of Louisville athletics didn't get on its feet until 1909, when the baseball team formed. From then on, several other sports teams began to take shape in the next several decades such as football, basketball, field hockey, and women's basketball. The Cardinal Bird became the mascot of the university in 1913, taken from the state bird of Kentucky. The men's basketball team is constantly in the top three in attendance
Since 1980, UofL athletics has garnered to its name two men's basketball titles, six football bowl wins, and seven Dance Team championships.
Since 1980, UofL athletics has garnered to its name two men's basketball titles, six football bowl wins, and seven Dance Team championships.
L1C4 logo. Note: Copyright twibbon.com, 2012
'L' hand gesture. Note: Copyight uoflhandbook.com, 2010
UofL VS. UK sign. Note: Copyright mitchellandness.com, 2012
University of Louisville logo. Note: Copyright examiner.com, 2009
The Rivalry Teaser video. Note: Copyright TheRivalryKY, 2011
Louisville Superman. Note: Image created by Madeline Hack, 2011
