Among Tom Jurich’s favorite memories of University of Louisville athletics was the snow storm that preceded the UofL-UCLA soccer game in the NCAA quarterfinals last season.
It was a magical, unforgettable sight.
The UCLA team, in blue and gold, lined up north of the center line, wearing knee length blue rain slickers, many of the Bruins with hoodies over their heads to protect against the dampness and cold, temperatures hovering in the low thirties.
At the other end of the field was the UofL team, all white uniforms, no protection from the weather, short sleeve shirts and shorts, bare heads, arms and legs.
Snow falling so heavily and quickly that the field was quickly turning white. A then-record crowd of 5,400 fans were on hand, about a third of them clustered on the slope beneath I-65.
Could happen all again, Tom, in much the same way.
On Sunday in NCAA action, Ken Lolla’s team defeated Maryland 4-2 and UCLA crushed Rutgers 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. The teams will meet up again Saturday at Cardinal Park, starting at 7 p.m., and the temperature probably in the thirties. Snow? Why not.
U of L won the season opener over UCLA, 2-0, in front of 7,800, setting a new attendance high at Cardinal Park.