By Chris O’Grady

This time of year can be uncomfortable for college sports fans in the Bluegrass State. As football season swiftly glides into basketball season, they may find themselves overwhelmed by the number of games at which fans are called on to attend to support their team.

At the University of Louisville this fall, the problem is compounded by playoff games from Big East champions such as volleyball and men’s soccer – also ranked first in the nation.

But Cardinal fans – and especially student fans – have responded admirably, showing why this community is a special place for college sports.

Among the accomplishments over the past two weeks by Cardinal student fans:

1. A rowdy welcome to the KFC Yum! Center for the national runner-up Butler University Bulldogs from the new and improved student section. The team that looked calm and collected while running past basketball’s elite in the NCAA tournament looked out-of-control and unprepared for the environment at the Yum! Center. Though no one should ever condone the wearing of used KFC buckets as headwear, the students rocked all night, something long overdue. The students were so impressive that head coach Rick Pitino posted a video on the Cardinal sports’ Facebook page, thanking students for their support and likening the environment to the Cameron Crazies at Duke University or the Pittsburgh Zoo at the University of Pittsburgh. This was an impressive start to a promising season.

2. The double-header. Students arrived for the football season finale – and were about the only fans in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium early enough to cheer loudly for their favorite seniors in the pre-game ceremony. Though they left disappointed, most did not skip the nightcap basketball game against Jackson State University. Fans were forced to persevere through two sloppy games. But sticking it out says volumes about the character of the fans.

3. Soccer playoffs. Whether it was knowing the game would not end in a tie – as regular season games have the tendency to – or because the team was the top seed, student fans came out in droves for the two men’s soccer matches in the NCAA tournament, setting state records for soccer matches. Head coach Ken Lolla has evidently instilled belief in his team. And the last few weeks that has spread on campus. Many students who are typically apathetic to a game that is not especially popular in America have jumped on the bandwagon – and that’s a good thing. Both the College of Charleston and Ohio State University’s coaches and players were impressed with the atmosphere that is truly rare in the sport. Ohio State senior Matt Gold even called the crowd one of the classiest in college sports, pointing out the positivity of the fans’ support.

4. Rodney Purvis. Here’s the point: Having great student support at games is not just important to say, “Hey, we’re the best fans in the country.” It brings people here. When you make something exciting, people want to be a part of it. And that’s what makes athletic programs great. When Rodney Purvis, a highly recruited guard in basketball from North Carolina, attended U of L’s game in the Yum! Center on Nov. 22 against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he heard students chanting his name. It did way more than provide a good evening. It left an impression. Purvis posted on his Twitter, “Shouts out to all Cardinal fans and their amazing student section!!” He knows what Louisville fans are: fans who are passionate, thoughtful and knowledgeable enough to know who he was and let him know he was welcome.

U of L isn’t built on great coaches or even great players. It’s built on the fans’ classy and unwavering support. Here’s to you Cards fans.