The year 2013 will always be the Year of the Cardinal as far as University of Louisville fans are concerned. The Cardinals were clicking on all cylinders in all sports that year. Everything was going right, with UofL on a rapidly rising trajectory in all important facets of the school’s development.
Rick Pitino’s men’s basketball team defeated Michigan for the NCAA national championship. Charlie Strong’s’ football team defeated second-ranked Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Dan McDonnell’s baseball team competed in the College World Series. Jeff Walz’ women’s basketball team competed in the NCAA championship against UConn. President Jim Ramsey and Athletic Director Tom Jurich had landed a spot for Louisville in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference starting in 2014.