College
The Louisville Cardinals (affectionately referred to as "the Cards") joined the Big East Conference on July 1, 2005 after spending the previous 10 years as a member of Conference USA. U of L is traditionally known for its men's basketball and volleyball teams. However, in recent years the football team has gained national prominence, with a 32-5 record since 2004 and two of three seasons finishing Top 5 in the final BCS poll. The Cardinals won the 2006 Big East title and the 2007 Orange Bowl.
In addition to U of L's traditionally strong fan in Louisville, Southern Indiana, and Western Kentucky (particularly in the cities of Bowling Green, Paducah, and Owensboro), U of L's fan base is now expanding into other parts of the state, especially in the Northern Kentucky and the Lexington/Frankfort areas. U of L currently has radio affiliates throughout the state, and since 2004 all U of L games and coach's shows on WHAS-TV Louisville is televised on every cable provider in Kentucky.
The total sales of U of L merchandise has tripled since 2001, now ranking 32nd nationally in sales, second highest in the Big East Conference and the 3rd Highest among all urban universities (beneath Southern California and Miami). Since 1997, the school has spent over $150 million dollars (all from private funding) in upgrading its sports facilities. Since 2004, U of L has won conference titles in eight sports. U of L currently fields 11 women's teams and eight men's teams.
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