By Chris Brown
TAMPA, Fla. – For some dedicated Louisville fans, even 900 miles, three states and the tail-end of a hurricane couldn’t keep them from their Cardinals. That dedication showed, at least for a while, as the sea of football fans that flooded Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. this evening filled the stadium corridors of spirit chants rivaling those of the home crowd.
Despite the fact that Rita, now downgraded to a tropical storm spinning over eastern Texas, threatened to wash out the gulf area when many fans were making their travel plans for the away game at the University of South Florida, the faithful flocked near and far to witness the game, that for many was a disappointing match-up.
An effort cosponsored by the Student Government Association and the university president’s office to help boost support for the Cards at the game sent a busload of 38 sleepless yet energetic students and staff members to the Sunshine State just after midnight on Friday morning. The bus left Belknap campus from in front of the Speed Art Museum after the second-annual SGA Homecoming Block Party wrapped up at 11 p.m.
“A lot of students can’t afford to go to away games,” said SGA Service Vice President Sowmya Srinivasan. “[SGA and the president’s office] wanted to give students a chance to go to the game.”
She said, though, that while initial interest was good, several students who planned to go on the trip when it was first announced backed out. SGA extended the travel offer – which cost $89 and covered round-trip bus fare, two nights lodging and game ticket – to faculty and staff who wanted to attend as well.
“This was a test trip,” Srinivasan said. “We’ve never done anything like this before.”
Despite the surprising loss to USF in this, Louisville’s first Big East Conference football game, students who went on the trip didn’t see it as a waste of money, but rather as an exciting opportunity. “I want to go to every game!” said freshman Miguel Sanchez.
“We thought it was going to be a blowout,” said Sarah Pierce, a 2005 U of L graduate who now lives in the Tampa area now.
She and friend Taffanny Haverly, who graduated in 2004, tried to keep a good attitude, even as hope for a Louisville win faded before the half. “We’re a good team,” they insisted.
As for the risk of bad weather on the trip, Sanchez wasn’t deterred by that either. “My mom was a little worried about the hurricane at first,” he said, “but you gotta support your team.”
