Time for University of Louisville football to assume its proper role in the Louisville landscape. Approval for the expansion of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium was included in the budget passed by the Kentucky Legislature. Unless Governor Steve Beshear does something weird, the legislative hurdle has been cleared.
Expand that baby from 42,000 to 63,600 seats, including 45 luxury suites, 2,000 luxury seats in the loge area, a terrace connecting the east and west sections.
Don’t be surprised if the nervous Nellies rear their ugly heads again, doubting whether U of L will fill the stadium. It’s that kind of thinking that had U of L mired in Fairgrounds Stadium for 20 years too long. According to the NCAA’s official records, the Cards averaged 41,482 in the 2006 season. No records posted for last season yet, but the average had to exceed 40,000 per game, even during a disappointing season.
Tom Jurich, vice president for athletics, estimated that 35,000 and 40,000 fans traveled to Miami for U of L’s victory over Wake Forest in the 2007 Orange Bowl. That should be proof enough of the need to expand the stadium.
A little more success on the field from Steve Kragthorpe would be helpful, too. The bandwagon jumpers will be there when it happens.
Get it going, Tom.
I am so excited about U of L’s upcoming football season. My only anxiety comes from wondering if Coach K gets it – he has GOT to beat U of K this year. It scares me he couldn’t hold a lead for the last 28 seconds of last year’s game…I have to trust TJ (and I do) that Coach K is the man who is able to lead this program. Let’s just say we will know on 9/1 – I sure hope Tom has secured another winning coach for us. As an aside: I don’t know if Tommy Tubberville would still be at Auburn IF he couldn’t beat Alabama. Ahem….enough said. Go CARDS !!!