Been a while since checking into Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, the expanding home of the University of Louisville football team. So the observer was trudging up and down the stadium steps Tuesday, marveling about how steep they had become after still another birthday. [For super effects, click on the photos twice.]
For some reason, the Johnny Unitas statue against the dramatic new upper deck makes one remember the bare bones facilities Johnny U had to work with while quarterbacking at U of L in the Fifties. Johnny U would be amazed by how far the program has advanced.
The installation of the new seats, approximately 75% complete, is apparently like working a jigsaw puzzle for the installers. A bunch of seats here, a few seats there, anywhere the seats seem to fit. Must be all the red pieces.
The braces for the new video scoreboard are being put into place. The guess here is that the scoreboard will be in place before all the new chair backs are installed.
The new terrace is tying both sides of the stadium together in a quality way. One structure on the walkway, for concessions and restrooms, has been completed and another is going up on the opposite end.
The exterior of the newly expanded east side of the stadium is already impressive, but will be even more so after Cardinal murals are added to the glass enclosed areas in which the pedestrian ramps are located. Â The walk to the top is approximately one-third of a mile.
It’s unbelievable how different the stadium looks. I loved the old look, like a bowl stuck in the ground. But I like the new one more; legit!
Great stuff Charlie. Thanks!