April 20, 2006

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville coaches and athletics staff members will make six stops within about two weeks in late May and June with the "Cardinal Caravan" in an effort to reach out to U of L fans. The Cardinal Caravan is sponsored by Blue Equity, El Enlace Latino, L-Club, U of L Alumni Association and L & D Mailmasters with inflatables for kids provided by Astroevents.

"We always look forward to this annual tour to have the opportunity to personally greet our fans who continually give us with so much support," said Tom Jurich, Vice President and Director of Athletics at U of L. "I get such positive feedback from everywhere I travel about the passion and loyalty of our fans. They made such a wonderful impression around the BIG EAST Conference in our first year in the league. This Caravan is a chance for us to reach out beyond our campus so we may thank, face-to-face, our long-time supporters and new fans who show their enthusiasm for Cardinal Athletics."

The Cardinal Caravan will kick off on May 31 in southern Indiana at Huber's Farm and Winery in Starlight, Ind. from 7-8:30 p.m. Selected members of the U of L coaching and support staff will also visit Texas Roadhouse in Elizabethtown, Ky. on June 5 from 6-8 p.m.; Captain's Quarters in Louisville on June 7 from 6-8 p.m.; the Executive Inn Pavilion in Owensboro, Ky. on June 9 from 5:30-7 p.m.; the Old Stone Inn in Shelby County, Ky. on June 12 from 6-8 p.m.; and Republic Bank in Ft. Wright, Ky. on June 14 from 6-8 p.m.

Among those scheduled to appear at selected stops at the free events are Jurich, men's basketball coach Rick Pitino, football coach Bobby Petrino, women's basketball coach Tom Collen and the national champion U of L cheerleaders, Ladybirds and Cardinal Bird. All stops are free to the public and will include food, beverages, music, commemorative T-shirt giveaways, a special Caravan issue of the Louisville SportsReport and drawings for Cardinal prizes. For further information on the Cardinal Caravan, contact Jason Buckner at (502) 852-0706.

2006 Cardinal Caravan Sites
Date    Site                      City               Time (EST)
May 31  Huber's Farm and Winery   Starlight, Ind.    7-8:30 p.m.
June 5  Texas Roadhouse           Elizabethtown, Ky. 6-8 p.m.
June 7  Captain's Quarters        Louisville, Ky.    6-8 p.m.
June 9  Executive Inn Pavilion    Owensboro, Ky.     5:30-7 p.m.
June 12 Old Stone Inn             Shelby County, Ky.   6-8 p.m.
June 14 Republic Bank             Ft. Wright, Ky.    6-8 p.m.