They were big men on campus, big men in the community.
Will they ever be replaced? Could they possibly be replaced? Only time will tell.
Two of the biggest supporters of the University of Louisville football program will be honored in a special way during the UofL-North Carolina game on Saturday.
Stickers thanking Owsley Brown Frazier and Bernard Trager for their incredible support will be featured on the helmets worn by the players during the game. The helmets will include the initials OBF and BT. Both gave generously to UofL over many years.
During his lifetime, Frazier gave almost $50 million to the University, at least $2 million for the stadium and expansion and $500,000 to the UofL Marching Band. Trager. He attended almost every home game and made numerous road trips to follow the team. The UofL sports complex on the campus bears his name.
Trager’s donations included funds for the indoor football practice facility and the field hockey stadium, both of which are named for him. Trager Plaza, which includes a statue and fountain, is a popular gathering place on campus.
Tom Jurich knows full well what Frazier and Trager meant to the program.
“Bernard Trager and Owsley Brown Frazier were so important to the growth of our department and were instrumental in building this football program to where it stands today. They are two of the most iconic figures in Louisville athletics and this is a great way for our football team to emphasize their immense contributions.”