By Catherine Laroche
University of Louisville fans will get a chance to show the nation why Louisville is “the best college sports town in America” this Saturday, as ESPN’s Rece Davis hosts College GameDay at Freedom Hall.
“It’s an honor to have them come to your school, because they don’t go everywhere,” said U of L Associate Athletic Director/Marketing Representative Kyle Moats. “So, they feel like this game against Georgetown [University] is a big game. They’re two of the best teams in the Big East. They chose Freedom Hall because our fans are crazy.”
Davis will bring along ESPN analysts Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Hubert Davis to help host College GameDay in preparation for the Cardinals anticipated match-up with the Hoyas.
“I’m pumped they are coming,” senior sociology major Amanda James said about the GameDay crew. “I really hope the fans, especially the students, rally together and have a great showing in front of the national audience.”
College GameDay hasn’t always been about basketball. The program began strictly for football in 1987, but spun-off into a basketball version in 2005.
Since its premiere, College GameDay, the show, has had a diverse line-up. Davis has been the host for every show except for the last four weeks in the 2005 season; in which, Christ Fowler was the host. College basketball experts Dick Vitale and Andy Katz have contributed, while Dan Shulman and Erin Andrews also help.
The Cardinals will make their fourth College GameDay appearance. The first time U of L was featured was when the then-No.11 ranked Cardinals took on the University of Memphis Tigers in 2005.
In 2006, the Cards appeared on GameDay twice: once on a road game against Syracuse University and the other when the University of Connecticut came to Louisville to kick-off the GameDay tour.
U of L has teamed up with the Student Government Association in an attempt to make this season’s College GameDay experience much better than the last.
Students can begin entering Freedom Hall at 9:15 a.m., but are encouraged to line up much earlier.
Free entertainment will be provided, along with donuts and beverages inside the arena from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. During that time frame, students can participate in the best banner and best dressed contests.
State Farm will be giving out 2,000 rollabannas. One student will be given the chance to make a half-court shot to win $7,500.
“The free parking and transportation is a great idea,” sophomore economics major David Henry said. “If Athletics wants this kind of thing to be more successful, the more they can accommodate the students the better. I think if they did the free shuttles for all (men’s and women’s) basketball games it would help increase attendance; especially when they finish the downtown arena.”
Many students think College GameDay will benefit the university as a whole.
“I think it’s a great way for students to show their school spirit,” senior psychological and brain sciences and early elementary education major Ryan Logsdon said.
