Thirty years ago this Saturday a young fan at Freedom Hall was unable to sit still any longer, jumping to his feet, standing on his seat, hopping down, running around, waving his arms.
People seated around him weren’t sure what to think at first, someone from their midst getting emotionally involved. Using his arms and hands to spell out C-A-R-D-S. Who is that guy anyway?
The crowd was energized like never before. A tradition was born.
Rob Hickerson was the fan and the game was against South Alabama, the first game of the season that would wind up with the University of Louisville basketball team cutting down the nets at Indianapolis with the first NCAA championship.
Hickerson, now in the mortgage department at Fifth Third Bank, plans to observe the 30th anniversary this Saturday. The opponent is the same school, South Alabama.
He will celebrate from his new location in Section 311 by doing what he does best, leading the C-A-R-D-S cheer.
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Don’t look now but it’s already time for the University of Louisville-Kentucky rivalry to be renewed in basketball. The women’s teams will play Sunday at 2 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. It’s “Pack The House” day, and a capacity crowd is expected.
UK is 5-0, including a win over Notre Dame, but the Lady Cards (4-3) have a score to settle after a humiliating 101-67 loss in Lexington last season.