By Catherine Laroche

With only a couple more weeks left until I graduate, I’ve found myself reflecting quite often on my years at the University of Louisville. I’ve taken a large variety of classes and have met so many people along the way, yet the memories that stick out the most to me are the ones that involve U of L sports.
As a senior taking a victory lap, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience five years of Cardinal athletics. I’ve narrowed it down to my top five most memorable moments throughout my college career.
No. 5- Men’s basketball vs. Georgetown white-out game in 2008.  I attended the game as a fan in disguise as a media member. I remember walking in and seeing my name on the table and to the right of me were table reservations for Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas, Reece Davis and Hubert Davis. A lot of great things happened that night. I met Dick Vitale for the first time. ESPN’s College Gameday crew pumped up the crowd. Rick Pitino wore his off-white suit. And Louisville took down No. 6 Georgetown 59-51.
No. 4- Louisville baseball makes it to the College World Series in 2007. I remember taking summer classes at U of L and driving passed Jim Patterson Stadium to see cars and fans everywhere. U of L athletics had to add extra bleachers. The Cards didn’t win it all, but they definitely gained respect and a bigger fan base.
No. 3- The men’s basketball team make it to the 2005 Final Four during my freshman year. My name didn’t get drawn out of the Final Four student ticket lottery and I wasn’t daring enough to travel to St. Louis and buy a ticket from a scalper. I did however experience the excitement from campus. The atmosphere around campus was amazing, even after the Cards lost to Illinois in the semi-finals.
No. 2- The football team accepts a BCS bid to the Orange Bowl in 2007. The Cards defeated Wake Forest 24-13, but  even more impressingly was the support from students and the entire community. Everyone expressed their Cardinal pride in any way possible.
No. 1- The entire 2008-2009 U of L athletics season. I couldn’t just pick out a single game from this season. I’ve been a Cards fan for as long as I can remember, but I’ve never been so proud to be a fan now. I got to experience Edgar Sosa hit the 3 against Kentucky, Louisville defeat No. 1 Pitt and other ranked teams from press row. I followed the team to Dayton and Indianapolis, as well as the women’s team in St. Louis. The U of L spirit groups swept Nationals this year and added four more titles. Several U of L teams have either been ranked among the top 25 or beaten a highly ranked opponent this year.
I am excited and sad at the same time. I’ve experienced Cardinal athletics through the eyes of the media and may never get this opportunity ever again. Back in high school, I only applied for the newspaper because one of my best friends didn’t want to apply alone. Seven years later, I’m leaving the world of journalism as a passionate sports writer and it’s hard to imagine my life without sports journalism.