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Over the past ten years the University of Louisville athletic programs have grown under the direction of Athletic Director Tom Jurich, and a renaissance of sorts has been appearing on Belknap campus along with the city of Louisville.

Since Tom Jurich took over the position in fall 1997, more than 11 new venues have sprouted up throughout Louisville, with the largest projects, being Cardinal Park, Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium (not including the impending expansion) and the new Louisville basketball arena.

“I think we have been able to stabilize this athletic department. My goal was to make it a comprehensive department,” said Jurich. “We certainly had to clean up our image, and from a compliance standpoint I wanted this program to be squeaky-clean. I think it was a great way to initiate tradition.”

Jurich called Cardinal Park the most visible expansion for on campus students adding that it was one of the only places that students, athletes and the public get to use and enjoy. Cardinal Park is home to the soccer, track and field, softball and field hockey.

Ulmer Stadium serves as the home to the softball team. The stadium, which was the first venue to open in Cardinal Park, seats 700 and can host night games, which is unique for many college ballparks.

“[Ulmer Stadium is] one of the top five stadiums in the country. When we were able to get the stadium, it really transformed the program,” Jurich said.

Trager Stadium in Cardinal Park is home to the field hockey team. The facility hosted the 2002 NCAA field hockey national championship. The state-of-the art-field is a damp turf that is perfect for field hockey. The stadium is capable of seating up to 2,500 with removable stands for the event, Cardinal Athletics would like to host the NCAA’s again.

“[Trager Stadium has] been great for us because it is a terrific surface,” said Jurich. “We are just ready to bid [on expansion plans] 9,000 square feet weight room or wellness center and to expand the stadium to 2500 seats.”

Beyond Cardinal Park is the largest story line of the year, the growth of Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. PJCS will expand to 63,600 seats and become a Louisville landmark, according to Jurich. He said he would like to see the stadium rival some of the tallest buildings in Louisville.

“Everybody will be able to see it for just about anywhere,” Jurich said.

PJCS was built on reclaimed land and has spurred a resurgence of the Central Avenue corridor, with a new shopping center and baseball park going in across the street.

Jim Patterson Stadium plays host to the men’s baseball team, and is widely considered to be one of the best college ballparks in the nation. With the new addition of field turf, it is as nice as a lot of professional fields.

“It gives the university a southwest anchor. It was a Brownfield site so it was difficult to develop because of contamination. It is a stadium that we are extremely proud of and I doubt there are 10 nicer stadiums in the country,” Jurich said.

Other additions to the Cardinal family include the Ralph Wright Natatorium, the Cardinal Club, the Lacrosse Stadium, the Trager Center and the soon-to-be built Cardinal Arena in the heart of downtown Louisville.

“I only feel like we are halfway through,” said Jurich. “Our fanbase has grown so much in the time I have been here that we try to accommodate everyone. We want to excel on and off the field to make this community very proud.”