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There are numerous reasons to go to the University of Louisville women’s basketball game against the University of Connecticut this Saturday at 4 p.m. at Freedom Hall. To list a few:

1.) UConn is the No. 1 team in the nation

2.) U of L is offering drawstring bags to the first 5,000 fans

3.) The Cardinals will take a 11-3 record into the game, including a 15-point victory at the University of Kentucky

4.) Tickets and parking are free!

The aforementioned should be reason enough for students to head to Freedom Hall on Saturday, but my decision to attend the game was made for me back in the fall semester, oddly enough at a women’s soccer game.

It was just your average soccer game, a slightly chilly night that wrapped up those in attendance in blankets. When senior All-Big East midfielder Monique Gjinji put an early goal in the back of the net, the crowd all raised to their feet in elation.

Just shortly after the goal, a fan went running down the aisle throwing out T-shirts and getting the crowd on their feet.

That fan would be All-American Angel McCoughtry.

It is rare that you see an athlete taking on the role of a marketing intern, let alone one who led Team USA to a gold medal at the Pan American games this summer, their first since 1987.

This game was one of many that I saw McCoughtry at this year. She can also be seen at volleyball, field hockey, men’s soccer, football and men’s basketball games. You can also always find her in the Student Activities Center, or at least the cardboard cut out of her in the bookstore.

Quite possibly the best player in the nation has dedicated herself to the university that I have had the privilege of attending. Now that gets me excited.

As a sports administration major I am convinced by the power of sports to bring people and universities together.

I sit at the men’s basketball games and look up to a student section as diverse as the population the university advertises, coming together for a common cause…getting Terrence Williams to drive to the hole instead of pulling up for three.

Seeing McCoughtry, who is many times flanked by teammate Chauntise Wright, out supporting Cardinal athletics puts the student back in student-athlete for me. Just so happens that this Cardinal Crazy leads the nation in scoring and steals. And to think all I do is go to class.

In an article earlier this year The Louisville Cardinal deemed McCoughtry an ‘ambassador of the game.’

I deem McCoughtry an ambassador of the university. Consider this column her early nomination for 2008 Homecoming queen.

Somewhere President Dr. James R. Ramsey and Tom Jurich are smiling knowing the scholarship given to the McCoughtry was the best investment this school ever made.

In the end it is all about investment.

McCoughtry has fully invested herself in the University of Louisville, and as a tribute, I will invest my Saturday afternoon in supporting her as she and her teammates attempt to take down the No. 1 team in the nation.