Among the rowdiest fans attending the University of Louisville-UConn football game in Hartford last season were a couple of guys having an exceptional amount of fun, bringing their own cheering section with them from M

assachusetts.

Turns out they were Breno Giacomini’s brothers, younger but both about as big as the 6-foot-7, 305-pound lineman. They, along with mom and dad and all their friends, kept the rain-soaked visitors on their feet all night long. One got the distinct impression that the Giacomini family is a family that works hard and plays hard.

Breno , who was drafted by Green Bay on Sunday, is the player who did what a lot of Card fans can only fantasize doing, giving 60,000-plus Cat fans a special salute before U of L took the field at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington.

Giacomini is girding himself for a more subdued lifestyle in Green Bay, Wis., as he told the Wicked Local blog:

“They probably have one of the best traditions in football,” said Giacomini. “I’ve followed [quarterback] Brett Favre for a long time, even when they beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. There is just a tradition up there that you won’t get anywhere else.

“I’ve heard there is nothing to do in Green Bay,” said Giacomini. “So at least another guy from Louisville will be up there. But that might be a good thing that there is nothing to do there, because I’m totally going to concentrate on football and getting better.

“I have a lot to be thankful for and know a lot of hard work is in front of me,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll settle down a little bit, but I’m just going to enjoy the experience right now.”

Green Bay fans have a singular focus, and they will expect that of him. But Breno will, no doubt, manage to have fun.

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Francisco Garcia played in 79 games for the Sacramento Kings this season, averaging 12.3 points and 3.3 rebounds while playing 26.5 minutes per game. During a stretch of 15 games from early March to April, he averaged 27.6 points per game. He shook off an ankle injury while scoring 31 points during a 140-132 loss at Golden State.

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Wiley Brown’s Indiana University Southeast basketball team compiled a 24-9 win-loss record during his first year as head coach. The Grenadiers finished 9-0 in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Yes, they are in a Kentucky conference but IU Southeast is in New Albany.

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Kevin Willard’s Iona basketball team finished with a 12-21 record during his first season as head coach, a marked improvement over the previous season’s 2-28 mark.

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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.