Speaking of Sports

Bush returning to Cards

Junior running back Mike Bush made the announcement last week that he will be returning for his senior season at U of L. The Male High School graduate began the year at a torrential pace, tying the school record with 20 rushing touchdowns in a season after just eight games in the Cards’ win against Pitt, but then he left the game with a sprained foot.

Bush returned for the Cards final regular-season game of the year against UConn to break the school record with three against the Huskies. Bush was clearly enough on-pace before the injury to warrant some serious looks from the pros to come out early.

With four high-profile backs in this years draft (Reggie Bush, LenDale White, DeAngelo Williams and Laurence Maroney), the injury may be a blessing in disguise for both Cardinal fans and Bush, whose stock dropped with the injured foot.

College Gameday visits U of L

For the first time in school history, ESPN’s College Gameday crew is coming to Louisville to feature the U of L vs. UConn men’s basketball game on Jan. 21. To celebrate and to prepare students for their new conference rivals and the ESPN crew, the Red Board, an organization comprised of student leaders with interests of getting students involved, has planned a week full of fun activities and free food.

”This will be an excellent opportunity to have fun, build community and support our basketball team,” said SGA Chief of Executive Staff Greg Virgin.

Virgin said the publicity for the basketball team helps the university as a whole. “There are so many times when athletics serves as the face of U of L,” Virgin said. “Potential students watch games and get interested in U of L, visit campus and get more information about U of L, and then soon after they are a student at U of L. College Gameday is a great way to publicize up-and-coming student community.”

Schedule of Events:

Tuesday, Jan. 17 – U of L vs. St. John’s game-watching party at 9 p.m. in Floyd Theater.Thursday, Jan. 19 – Pep rally with the cheerleaders, band and basketball team from 12-1 p.m.Saturday, Jan. 21 – College Gameday and U of L vs. UConn basketball game.

Gates open at 9:15 a.m. First live broadcast of ESPN’s College Gameday starts at 10 a.m. Second Live broadcast from 8-9 p.m.

The following events will be featured after the first live broadcast: sign-making contest, students vs. former basketball greats shooting contest and best-dressed fan award. Shawn Moss will be the MC, Rick Pitino will address the crowd and the cheerleaders, band and Ladybirds will be in attendance.

Everyone must leave by 12:30 p.m. for UConn’s basketball practice. Gates will re-open at 7:30 p.m.

SEC champ Georgia added to U of L football schedule

Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich capped off a big week for the football program by landing a home-and-home agreement with SEC powerhouse Georgia.

”Georgia has a rich tradition in the SEC and will be a great test for our program,” Jurich commented after the deal. Louisville will travel to Athens in early September of 2011 with the Bulldogs coming to Papa Johns on the 15th of September the next season.

Tennis scores

Men’s singles (Saturday versus Northwestern):

No. 1 – Christian Tempke (NW) def. Damar Johnson (UL) 6-1, 7-6
No. 2 – Slavko Radman (UL) def. Willy Lock (NW) 7-6, 6-3
No. 3 – Jakob Gustafsson (UL) def. Marc Dwyer (NW) 6-3, 6-4
No. 4 – Jeremy Clark (UL) def. Juan Gomez (NW) 6-4, 6-4
No. 5 – Matt Christian (NW) def. Robert Rotaru (UL) 6-4, 7-5
No. 6 – Jhonny Berrido (UL) def. Alexey Evstratenkov (NW) 6-0, 6-1

Men’s doubles (Saturday versus Northwestern):

No. 1 – #47 Clark/Gustafsson (UL) def. Adam Schaechterle/Christian 8-4
No. 2 – Johnson/Berrido (UL) def. Tempke/Dwyer (NW) 8-6
No. 3 – Radman/Tony Teufel (UL) def. Lock/Gomez 8-6

Swimming scores

Women’s results (at Miami of Ohio, Jan. 13):

Miami 189
Louisville 167
Cincinnati 101
Kenyon College 79

Men’s results (at Miami of Ohio, Jan. 13):

Miami 159
Cincinnati 139
Kenyon College 116
Louisville 109

Women’s results (at Wright State, Jan. 14):

Louisville 175
Wright State 125

Men’s results (at Wright State, Jan. 14):

Wright State 145
Louisville 135

Track and Field Results

The following individuals finished in the top five of the Kentucky Invitational for U of L (the event, held Jan. 13-14 at the University of Kentucky, was unscored):

Women’s top finishers:

Jennifer Hartig – Pole vault (2nd)
Emily Turland – Weight throw (4th)
Jill Andres – Discus throw (2nd)
Emily Turland – Discus throw (4th)

Men’s top finishers:

Tony Belt – High jump (4th)
Andre Black – Triple jump (1st)
Brandon Cook – Discus throw (4th)
Tony Belt – Long jump (1st)
Andre Black – Long Jump (3rd)