I met Tom Jurich for the first time at a Cardinal Caravan event four years ago at the fairgrounds in Shelby County. I walked up and introduced myself and he treated me like he had known me for years. Every interaction since has been the same way. Sure Mr Jurich has transformed the Louisville athletic program into a juggernaut, and he is probably the best athletic director in the country, but it is how he treats people that makes me appreciate him the most. And if you’ve ever had a chance to talk to him for just a minute you understand what I’m talking about. And I don’t doubt for a minute that his ability to communicate has led him to the success he’s had.
His recent success and hard work at landing the University of Louisville a spot at the ACC table could very well end up being one of his biggest accomplishments. For years Louisville has been gaining momentum with top coaches, new football stadium, new basketball arena, new corporate partners but all of that means less without a platform to showcase it. “All dressed up and nowhere to go” would best describe Louisville’s past 5 or 6 years. But that all changed on July 1st when the Cardinals joined the ACC. Talk about a platform.
Here at the University of Louisville they don’t put you on a Makers Mark bottle for useless hype. Here it means that you have done great things and that you have etched your name forever in Cardinal lore. What Tom Jurich has built at the University of Louisville will be enjoyed by many generations to come. His legacy and now his Makers Mark bottle will last forever. Unless we win a National Championship in Football then I’m drinking mine.
8500 of these Tom Jurich commemorative Maker’s Mark bottles will go on sale on retail store shelves Friday, July 25. And you will also want to get a ticket for a special signing event to be held next month. You don’t want to miss your chance to have a moment to say hello to Tom Jurich and to thank him for his contributions to our beloved Cardinals. Beginning at 10 a.m. on July 30, 700 tickets for the autograph session will go on sale for $1 each at this link: get them here!
Here is the press conference from this morning: