C-A-R-D-S at Volleyball

The University of Louisville (UofL) tradition of doing the C-A-R-D-S cheer at volleyball matches started in the early 2010’s. I lead the crowd in the cheer when the opposing team calls a timeout, and sometimes in the case of media timeouts. I, however, didn’t start the tradition, though many other fans assume I did.

Timeouts in volleyball are almost universally called by a coach when their team is struggling, or to disrupt a scoring run by the opposing team. So, when the opposing team calls a timeout, it’s something of a signal that the Cards “have the momentum”, and it’s a great time for the crowd to cheer and support the team.

So if I didn’t start the tradition, who did?

UofL volleyball has had a long series of very good Libero’s over the years, one of those was Caitlin Welch who played for the Cards from 2010-2013. Her father, Kevin, originated the use of the cheer.

During the 2013 season, I realized that, with Caitlin set to graduate, it was likely that Kevin would no longer consistently be at the matches, though he, Caitlin and other members of their family do still occasionally show up, and they continue to support UofL volleyball.

I thought the tradition was too great to let lapse, so I approached Kevin with the idea of stepping up to lead the cheers after Caitlin’s departure from the program, and he was wholeheartedly in favor of it.

For the rest of the 2013 season, Kevin and I led the cheer in parallel as a sort of transition, and I have led it ever since.

My thanks to Kevin Welch for starting what has apparently has become a cherished tradition at UofL volleyball.