Cards History
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The Archive
On this day in 2025, the Cards retired Ulysses 'Junior' Bridgeman's No. 10 during a home game against Memphis, honoring the 1975 Final Four star as the sixth number retired in program history.
On this day in 2024, the Cards hired Pat Kelsey to lead the men's basketball program, kicking off a fast-paced rebuild of Cards basketball.
On this day in 2022, Louisville named Louisville native and alum Jeff Brohm its 24th head football coach, bringing him home from Purdue.
On this day in 2022, the Cards women reached the national semifinal, falling to No. 1 South Carolina 72-59 in another deep NCAA Tournament run under Jeff Walz.
On this day in 2021, the Cards' Henry Davis became the first Louisville player ever taken No. 1 overall in the MLB Draft, selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates — the highest draft honor in program history.
On this day in 2019, the Cards returned to No. 1 in the AP poll, earning 48 of 64 first-place votes in a signature moment for Chris Mack's Cardinals.
On this day in 2019, the Cards blanked East Carolina 12-0 to sweep the Louisville Super Regional and reach the College World Series for the fifth time under Dan McDonnell.
On this day in 2018, the Cards hired Appalachian State's Scott Satterfield as head football coach.
On this day in 2018, Lamar Jackson was selected No. 32 overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL Draft — the Cards' Heisman winner heading to the pros.
On this day in 2018, the Cards women reached the national semifinal in Columbus, falling to Mississippi State 73-63 in overtime after a hard-fought Final Four battle.
On this day in 2017, Lamar Jackson accounted for 372 yards as the Cards reclaimed the Governor's Cup with a 44-17 rout of rival Kentucky.
On this day in 2017, the Cards' two-way star Brendan McKay was selected fourth overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the MLB Draft, capping one of the most decorated careers in Louisville baseball history.
On this day in 2017, the Cards finished a Super Regional sweep of Kentucky to reach the College World Series — dispatching the in-state rival on the way to Omaha. Doesn't get much sweeter than that.
On this day in 2016, Lamar Jackson became the first Heisman Trophy winner in Louisville history, named the 82nd recipient and the youngest ever to win the award at the time.
On this day in 2016, No. 10 Louisville obliterated No. 2 Florida State 63-20 as Lamar Jackson piled up five touchdowns — the signature performance of his Heisman season.
On this day in 2016, Lamar Jackson accounted for a school-record eight touchdowns in a 70-14 season-opening rout of Charlotte, hitting 405 total yards by halftime and igniting his Heisman campaign.
On this day in 2016, Cards swimmer Kelsi Worrell (Dahlia) earned Olympic gold with Team USA in the women's 4x100 medley relay at the Rio Games — a Cards champion on the world's biggest stage.
On this day in 2016, the Cards saw two players taken in the first round of the MLB Draft — outfielder Corey Ray (No. 5, Brewers) and catcher Will Smith (No. 32, Dodgers), a testament to Louisville's talent pipeline.
On this day in 2015, the Cards beat Texas A&M 27-21 in the Music City Bowl, with Lamar Jackson running for a bowl-record 226 yards and accounting for four touchdowns as MVP.
On this day in 2014, No. 24 Louisville outlasted Kentucky 44-40, with Gerod Holliman sealing it on an NCAA record-tying 14th interception to keep the Governor's Cup in Louisville.
On this day in 2014, Cards icon Darrell Griffith was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, honoring the 1980 Wooden Award winner who delivered Louisville's first national title.
On this day in 2014, the Cards officially became members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, cementing Louisville's place among the nation's premier athletic programs.
On this day in 2014, the Cards knocked off Kennesaw State 7-4 to win the Louisville Super Regional and earn a second straight trip to the College World Series — their third in eight years.
On this day in 2014, Teddy Bridgewater was drafted No. 32 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round, capping a decorated Cards career.
On this day in 2013, the Cards drilled Miami 36-9 in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, with Teddy Bridgewater throwing for a career-high 447 yards and earning MVP in his final college game.
On this day in 2013, the Cards beat Kentucky 27-13 for a third straight Governor's Cup win, with Teddy Bridgewater throwing for 250 yards and Senorise Perry running for two scores.
On this day in 2013, Cards head coach Rick Pitino was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.
On this day in 2013, the Cards clinched their second College World Series berth, closing out the Super Regional at Vanderbilt's Hawkins Field to send Louisville back to Omaha.
On this day in 2013, the Cards women reached the national title game in New Orleans, falling to UConn after a magical tournament run that included stunning No. 1 Baylor.
On this day in 2013, the Cards beat Michigan 82-76 in Atlanta to win the national championship — Louisville’s third. Luke Hancock became the first bench player ever named Final Four Most Outstanding Player, capping the ‘Win it for Kevin’ run behind Russ Smith and Peyton Siva after Kevin Ware’s injury against Duke. The NCAA later vacated the banner in the scandal, but Card Nation counts all three titles and always will. Go Cards.
On this day in 2013, the Cards women advanced to the national championship game, defeating California in the national semifinal in New Orleans.
On this day in 2013, the Cards survived a scare from Cinderella Wichita State 72-68 in the national semifinal in Atlanta, with Luke Hancock and Tim Henderson igniting a second-half comeback to reach the title game.
On this day in 2013, the fifth-seeded Cards women stunned No. 1 Baylor and Brittney Griner 82-81 in one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, shooting the lights out from three to knock off the defending champs.
On this day in 2013, the Cards rallied around teammate Kevin Ware after his gruesome leg injury to demolish Duke 85-63 in the Midwest Regional final, punching their ticket to the Final Four.
On this day in 2012, Cards great Angel McCoughtry helped Team USA rout France 86-50 for women's basketball gold at the London Olympics — a golden moment for a Louisville legend.
On this day in 2012, the Cards reached the Final Four in New Orleans, a gritty season under Rick Pitino ending in a 69-61 national-semifinal loss.
On this day in 2010, the Cards opened their new downtown home, the KFC Yum! Center, with an 88-73 win over No. 16 Butler in the first regular-season game at the arena.
On this day in 2010, Angel McCoughtry became the first women's basketball player in Louisville history to have her jersey (No. 35) retired.
On this day in 2009, the Cards women played for their first national title in St. Louis, falling to unbeaten UConn 76-54 — the deepest run in program history to that point.
On this day in 2007, the Cards demolished Oklahoma State 20-2 to sweep the Louisville Super Regional and punch the program's first-ever ticket to the College World Series in Dan McDonnell's debut season.
On this day in 2006, the No. 5 Cards knocked off No. 3 West Virginia 44-34 on Thursday night in one of the biggest wins in program history, snapping the Mountaineers' 14-game win streak behind Brian Brohm's 354 passing yards.
On this day in 2006, the Cards named Dan McDonnell their head baseball coach — the hire that transformed Louisville into a national powerhouse and produced five trips to Omaha.
On this day in 2005, the Cards officially joined the Big East Conference, a major step up in competition that raised the profile of Louisville athletics across the board.
On this day in 2005, the Cards christened Jim Patterson Stadium — the crown jewel of Cards baseball — before a then-record crowd of 3,213. The ballpark has hosted five College World Series teams since.
On this day in 2005, the Cards played in the national semifinal in St. Louis, their run ending against Illinois 72-57 in a memorable Final Four appearance.
On this day in 2002, the Cards introduced Bobby Petrino as head football coach, launching a first stint that would produce the 2007 Orange Bowl team.
On this day in 1998, the Cards played the first football game at their new on-campus stadium. The house that Cards football built has anchored fall Saturdays in Louisville ever since.
On this day in 1986, the Cards cut down the nets in Dallas, beating Duke 72-69 at Reunion Arena to win the program's second national title under Denny Crum, with freshman Pervis 'Never Nervous' Ellison named Most Outstanding Player.
On this day in 1979, Cards legend Johnny Unitas was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. His No. 16 was the first jersey ever retired by Louisville football.
On this day in 1956, the Cards christened Freedom Hall with an 85-75 win over Notre Dame before 13,756 fans, as Charlie Tyra poured in 40 points to open the arena that would house Cards basketball for over 50 years.