Coach Kelsey,
Back in early June, you addressed the fan base with a letter to Card Nation thanking us for “the level and passion that you have received us with”. I say with the utmost confidence that I serve as a mere proxy for Card Nation in our collective response.
First and foremost, thank you for the level of excitement and passion that you have poured into this program since you were hired just over four months ago. It would be impossible to describe the energy and emotion we will have when we think about 22,000 rabid fans the KFC Yum! Center come November.
You talk about “25 STRONG” and we have our role. Many of us felt like we had to use our attendance, or lack thereof, and money, to play our role in forcing a much-needed change in the direction, or lack thereof, of the men’s basketball program.
Our voices were heard, and you were chosen to return the program back to its rightful place amongst the hierarchy of college basketball. One would be hard-pressed to find anyone that is not blown away by the reinvigoration that you have coined “The ReviVille”, a extremely fitting phrase to describe the spiritual reawakening happening before our eyes these last few weeks.
From just your presence anywhere and everywhere in the community, on social media, in the press, in gymnasiums all across the state, country and everywhere in between, you have abolished the permeating apathy run rampant, uplifted an entire city and given hope for excellent basketball once again on Denny Crum Court.
One of the things we’ve found ourselves repeating over and over to fellow red-and-black donned brethren, is your vitality in every essence of how you approached the first four months on Floyd Street, reminds us of a young, Hall of Fame Coach Rick Pitino, minus the ego and hyperbole. We knew for UofL to climb back up the mountain, it would take a similar, matchless work ethic and vivacity that paralleled the former Cardinal coach. We didn’t think that was possible, however. How wrong we were, thank God.
We had a very-tempered expectations for each one of the aspirants that got the call before you. Then the moment your name started rising to the top, you took that torch and stoked the excitement to levels not seen in years, maybe longer. It was just simply meant to be or like an unanswered prayer.
The product that took to the court in the Bahamas recently was a culmination of your hard work since you, your staff and your players have arrived, is indescribable compared to the depths to be climbed out of. But you have no doubt ignited the fuse for the journey back up.
The recent competitive-level was hard to completely assess, but there is a unanimity among the fans right now that we haven’t seen before, maybe ever. Even in the magical run just over 10 years ago, there was still bickering and embroilment. The toxic divisiveness and derision is now gone. The buzz on the street for this season is palpable and contagious.
Yes, 25 Strong. We all have our roles to play, as mentioned in said letter. But in order to get to 25, you first have to start at number one.
Well done, Coach.
L’s Up and Go Cards!
