By Sammie Hill–
During Saturday’s game, to honor two of the biggest contributors to University of Louisville athletics, the members of the football team donned two stickers on the back of their helmets displaying the initials of the late Owsley Brown Frazier and Bernard Trager.
“Bernard Trager and Owsley Brown Frazier were so important to the growth of our department and were instrumental in building this football program to where it stands today,” said Tom Jurich, the Vice President of Athletics. “They are two of the most iconic figures in Louisville athletics, and this is a great way for our football team to emphasize their immense contributions.”
Owsley Brown Frazier, founder of the Frazier International History Museum, passed away in August of this year. His impact on the city of Louisville not only includes but also exceeds U of L, as Louisville mayor Greg Fischer reveals.
“Frazier’s profound legacy is evident across our city,” Fischer stated following Frazier’s death, “from his leadership at Brown-Forman to the scholarships he created and the programs he endowed at the University of Louisville.”
Bernard Trager, for whom Trager Stadium is named, passed away in February. Both men contributed immensely to the University of Louisville, specifically in the area of athletics.
“This is a great way to honor two of the biggest supporters of our football program and our athletic department,” Jurich added.
Despite knowing the two men for a short time, football head coach Charlie Strong recognized the impact Frazier and Trager had on Cardinal athletics and the University of Louisville as a whole.
“In the small amount of time I had the opportunity to get to know them,” said Strong, “it was apparent that they were two of our strongest advocates in raising this program and the university to a higher level. They were very valuable to the advancement of our athletic facilities and wanted only the best for our student-athletes.”
Strong hopes that Saturday’s tribute to the two men demonstrated some of the gratitude that the Louisville community feels towards Frazier and Trager’s contributions.
“We could never thank Owsley Brown Frazier or Bernard Trager enough for their support and generosity,” Strong stated. “This honor is only a small way to show our deep appreciation for all the contributions they have made throughout the years. We will continue to honor them by succeeding and making them proud of our achievements.”
The University of Louisville football team’s next game will take place against Florida International University on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. in Miami, Florida.
