It’s a great day, Louisville. Acknowledge it, Kentuckians. The University of Louisville is in the Athletic Coast Conference today, a full-fledged member of the club.

Monday night was like Christmas Eve as a kid for the observer, unable to sleep, unable to keep his mind off the goodies that awaited him under the Christmas tree. None of the sleep-inducing techniques working — the sheep counting, the backwards countdown from 400, the holding the breath for 50 seconds — none of them.

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Somehow getting to sleep who know when, waking up to former UofL football coaches John L. Smith and Howard Schnellenberger on the Early Birds, both coaches who left for “greener pastures” and other jobs as Louisville struggled for football respectability and decent conference affiliations. Both wanting the best for UofL, but naturally putting their careers first. Both happy on Tuesday morning, happy to accept any credit coming their way for the school’s eventual success.

A full day of celebrating. First item on the agenda for the observer is to hang the 3 x 5-foot ACC flag on the front porch, reminding the UK, Western Kentucky and Indiana neighbors that a seismic shift has occurred in the local landscape. The flag will go up after a quick trip to MacDonald’s for the sausage biscuit.

Next, turn attention to a post for Card Game, congratulating fellow UofL fans who have waited for this day for so long. Congratulations, UofL fans, you have arrived, you helped make it happen. You’ve always been a big-time fan base, none more deserving of such great recognition.

Then on to the ACC press conference and later to the official community celebration at Fourth Street Live. Sometime during the day the observer will light up a cigar and chug down some champagne. July 1, 2014 has been a long time coming, and he’s going to savor every minute of one of the biggest days in Louisville’s history.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

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