Louisville Cardinals

The Louisville Cardinals (also known as the Cards) are the athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. A member of the Big East Conference since 2005, they are known nationally for its men's basketball. In recent years, the football team has gone 80-44 record since 2001, but have only gone 21-27 since the 2006 season culminated in playing Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl. On November 28, 2012, Louisville received and accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference and will become a participating member in all sports at a future date.

Since 2000 the Cardinals are the only NCAA team to win a BCS bowl game; to appear in the men's basketball Final Four, the College Baseball World Series, and the women's basketball Final Four, and finish as runner-up in the men's soccer College Cup.

The total sales of U of L merchandise has tripled since 2001, now ranking 32nd nationally in sales. Since 1997, the school has spent more than $150 million in upgrading its sports facilities. Since 2004, U of L has won conference titles in eight sports. U of L currently fields 13 women's teams and 10 men's teams.

U of L finished the 2010-11 year ranked 34th in the NACDA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. The 2011-12 season began with Louisville ranked 11th through the final fall standings.