< PreviousL ouisville women’s basketball strength and conditioning coach Rhen Vail and the Lou- isville sports performance team are focused on delivering the finest training program to reduce injury risk, enhance athletic performance and increase competitive success. The primary vision of the sports performance team is to create an integrated health and perfor- mance ecosystem, and to develop the next genera- tion of elite performance professionals. To accomplish this, we abide by the Louis- ville Sports Performance CODE – (C)ulture, (O) perating System, (D)ata Science, (E)xecution. Culture is defined as a commitment to shared values, attitudes, standards, traditions and practices. At Louisville, we are committed to creating and sustaining a championship culture through our environment, coaches, and approach. It’s about the name on the front, not the name on the back. Our athletes believe in leaving the jersey better than they found it. Our operating system aligns with our mis- sion, vision, and values. It organizes our people and standardizes our processes across the teams we serve, allowing for a consistent and seamless delivery of service. We are committed to optimizing injury pre- vention and performance. We use key tools and technologies to quantify training and moni- tor athlete risk and readiness. This data drives insights and decisions, allowing us to train smarter, not just harder. Our Performance Ana- lytics Division provides specialized expertise unmatched in collegiate athletics. We educate, motivate, inspire and empower. The best laid plans fail without effective execution. We deliver our training focused on the ‘art of the science’- coaching the person, not just the program. At Louisville Sports Performance, the mission is “building athletes and preparing champions, for sports and life.” I njuries are a part of sports - they come with every aspect of the game. Dealing with athletic injuries falls into the capable hands of head athletic trainer Gabrielle Ball and the University of Louisville Sports Medicine Staff. The Department of Sports Medicine at the University of Louisville is a team of health care professionals dedicated to athlete care, research and education. The goal of the Louisville Sports Medicine Department is to provide state of the art comprehensive medical care services to the intercollegiate student athletes at the University of Louis- ville. These services will be provided using these four domains: n Prevention of athletic injuries n Recognition, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries n Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries n Professional development and responsibility Our philosophy is that the medical needs of the student athlete are the first consideration for all members of our sports medicine staff. The sports medicine staff at the Uni- versity of Louisville will be determined to utilize the most current technologies available, therefore allowing the sports medicine staff the ability to provide the most state of the art medical care in the nation. 28 University of Louisville n gocards.comMission Statement Our mission is to provide comprehensive academic support, coun- seling, guidance, services, and programming to all University of Louisville student-athletes while pro- moting self-responsibility, personal growth, and aca- demic development. Academic Counseling Student-athletes are required to meet with their academic counselor on a regular basis. Counselors provide academic support to assure student-athletes are utilizing available resources and maintaining satisfactory academic progress to stay on track for graduation. They monitor academic progress throughout the semester and communicate with coaches concerning student performance and academic issues. Learning Concerns Student-athletes with specific learning chal- lenges may require increased support in addition to our academic counselors. Our staff includes three learning specialists with years of special education experience to work with these students on enhancing note taking, test taking, study, time management, and organizational skills. They also work with the University’s Disability Resource Center to coordinate services for our students with diagnosed learning challenges. Tutoring Tutoring is one of the most utilized resources for our student-athletes. The Tutorial Coordina- tor currently manages a group of approximately 65 tutors across all subject areas. She works with our Compliance office to assure all tutors are staying within NCAA regulations and coordinates with the University’s Resources for Academic Achievement (REACH) center to make sure our tutors are College Reading & Learning Associa- tion (CRLA) certified. Career Services Our Cardinal Athletic Career Center provides career guidance and planning for all student- athletes. The Director of Career Services assists in resume development, job shadows, and intern- ships throughout their college experience with the long-term goal of admission into graduate school or job placement upon graduation. Objective Based Study Hall All incoming student-athletes are required to participate in objective based study hall. The program is built upon students working with their counselors to create and complete weekly objective sheets in a structured environment. Specific stipu- lations such as the number of hours and upper- classmen requirements vary from team to team. Progress Reports Progress reports for all student-athletes are sent out to instructors twice each semester via email. Their feedback is an invaluable tool in assessing academic progress and formulating aca- demic recovery strategies for students that may be struggling. Travel Letters All in-season student-athletes will be given official University travel letters at the beginning of the semester. Travel letters will detail all the classes that are expected to be missed that semester due to athletic competition. They provide student- athletes an opportunity to engage their instruc- tors early in the semester regarding any potential issues with missed assignments or exams, allowing ample time to make appropriate arrangements. Priority Registration All student-athletes meet with their athletic academic counselor and University advisor for major advising, course selection, and to discuss degree program requirements. It is imperative that students understand how the classes they take impact their progress toward degree and deter- mine whether they stay on track for graduation. Facilities The Thorntons Academic Center for Excel- lence serves as the main location of Aca- demic Services for Athletics. We also have academic centers located in the Howard Schnellenberger Football Complex (Woodruff Academic Cen- ter), Yum! Center, Jim Patterson Sta- dium, women’s basketball lounge, and golf offices (Dow Huffman Academic Center) to more con- veniently serve the needs of those student-athletes. The Thron- tons Academic Center opened in 2016 at the south end of the football stadium. Technology All of our academic facilities are equipped with computer labs and printers to meet student- athlete needs. We also have a full time Computer Specialist who works to ensure that all labs are operational and assists with diagnosing issues on student’s personal laptops as they arise. Due to travel demands and the increased amount of online work, we provide laptops for our students to check out as needed. Aid, Awards, and Scholarships Academic counselors assist our student-athletes on completing nominations for University, Atlantic Coast Conference, and NCAA awards and scholar- ships. They work with our compliance office on financial aid issues as well as awarding summer and fifth-year aid. We also coordinate the Hous- ton-Bridgeman Fellows Cardinal Degree Comple- tion program to assist returning student-athletes in graduating. Organizations Academic Services for Athlet- ics advises several Registered Student Organizations exclusive to our student- athletes. Student-Athletes of Color Com- bining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence (SCORE) and Louisville International Family Enrichment (LIFE) help serve the needs of our minor- ity and international students. These groups provide pro- gramming and opportu- nities to get involved on campus and in the community. We also oversee the University of Louisville chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Col- lege Athlete Honor Society. Chris May gocards.com n University of Louisville 29 gocards.com n University of Louisville 33 LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL Denny Crum Hall D enny Crum Hall made possible by L&N Federal Credit Union, a new residence hall on campus, officially opened for the Fall 2022 semester. The residence hall houses student-athletes from men’s basketball, wom- en’s basketball and women’s lacrosse, as well as other UofL students. Named for the Cardinals’ former Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach, the facility is located directly across Floyd Street from the Planet Fitness Kueber Center, the training home of the three sports housed in the new residence hall. The five-story, 67-unit facility includes 128 beds, of which UofL Athlet- ics will guarantee occupancy for 63 to remain within the NCAA requirement of no more than 50% of the beds being occupied by student-athletes. UofL Athletics will also guarantee an additional 10 beds to be used by team man- agers and graduate assistants. The residence hall will also serve as a Living Learning Community (LLC) to bolster its sports administration program and others that involve athletic excellence from a business and operations standpoint. With the LLC including many athletes in action, it offers unparalleled opportunities for athletes and students to work together to innovate in the field of sports. Each apartment features a full kitchen with cabinets, island, solid surface counters, refrigerator, kitchen sink, cooking range, dishwasher, and micro- wave. Additional features include a single stack-style washer and dryer in each apartment, furnished common living space, and access to a private bedroom, restroom and closet for every occupant. Shared amenities on the first floor include: n A common kitchen and dining area adjacent to the lobby n A common area in the lobby with a 164-inch video wall capable of showing up to four screens n Another media lounge with a 198-inch video wall capable of showing two screens n A study lounge with a private tutoring area n A gaming wing with billiards, Pop-A-Shot, arcade games and other games Each floor of the residence hall includes multi-purpose rooms, including a Muhammad Ali-themed space on the sec- ond floor, as well as an outdoor patio deck on the fifth level. There’s also an outdoor deck attached to the Ali room that wraps around with a great view of the Kueber Center and Cardinal Stadium.Louisville Coaching Staff 2023-24 LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL36 University of Louisville n gocards.com LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL Coaching Staff L ightning speed. That’s the only rate at which Jeff Walz operates. It’s also the pace at which University of Louisville women’s basketball burst into the national spotlight under his tutelage as one of the most competitive and successful pro- grams. On March 18, 2022, it was announced that his contract with the University of Louisville had been extended through 2028-29. Walz and the Cardinals boast quite an astound- ing resumé that includes 12 trips to the NCAA Sweet 16, eight trips to the Elite Eight, four trips to the final four and two trips to the national title game. Overall, he has compiled a 40-14 record in NCAA Tournament games and ranks eighth all-time and fifth among active coaches with a 74.1 NCAA Tournament winning percentage. All of this for a program that had just four NCAA Tournament wins and had never reached a Sweet 16 prior to Walz being named head coach. Walz is the all-time winningest coach in pro- gram history with a record of 441-124 and averag- es 27.6 victories per season. He directed Louisville to a program-record 36 victories in 2017-18 en route to being named ACC Coach of the Year, 34 victories in 2008-09, 33 wins in 2013-14, 32 wins in 2018-19 and 29 wins in 2021-22. The Cardinals have reached 20 wins 13-con- secutive times and they have won at least 20 games in 15 of Walz’s 16 seasons. The longest run previ- ously was three, achieved twice, and UofL had just 10 20-win seasons in its 32 previous years. Walz led Louisville to four consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and over that four-year span, the Cardinals went a combined 122-15, which marks the fewest losses and best winning percentage over a four-year period in program history. He also coached the ACC Player of the Year in five of six seasons as Myisha Hines-Allen won the award in 2016, Asia Durr in 2018 and 2019, and Dana Evans in 2020 and 2021. He also coached Angel McCoughtry to Big East Player of the Year honors in 2007. After being hired as the Cardinals’ head coach on March 27, 2007, the Bluegrass State native used little time to make a splash. His first year featured the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 and it culminated with Louisville earning the No. 12 ranking in the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll. For his efforts, Walz was named the WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year. Prior to taking the reins at Louisville, Walz spent five seasons at Maryland, including his final season as the associate head coach in 2006-07. The season prior, he helped lead the Terrapins to a school-record 34 wins and the program’s first national title. His tenure in the collegiate ranks consists of stops previously at Minnesota, Nebraska, and Western Kentucky. Walz received a basketball scholarship to Northern Kentucky, where he graduated from with a bachelor of science in secondary education in May of 1995. He earned his master’s degree in education in August of 1997 from Western Kentucky. Walz has four children: daughter Kaeley, son Jacob, and daughters Lola and Lucy. He married the former Lauren Lueders in September of 2012, and the couple resides in Louisville. Head Coach | 17th Seasongocards.com n University of Louisville 37 LOUISVILLE BASKETBALL Coaching Staff Coaching Responsibility: Head Coach Year At Louisville: 17th Louisville Coaching Record: 441-125 (16 seasons) International Coaching Record: 19-1 Combined Coaching Record: 460-126 Birthday: October 27 Education: Bachelor’s Degree (NKU, ’95); Master’s Degree (WKU, ’97) Hometown: Fort Thomas, Ky. Family: Wife – Lauren; Son – Jacob; Daughters – Kaeley, Lola, Lucy Athletic Career Two-year letterwinner on the men’s basketball team at Northern Kentucky Collegiate Coaching Career 2007-Present: Louisville (head coach) 2006-07: Maryland (associate head coach) 2002-06: Maryland (assistant coach) 2001-02: Minnesota (assistant coach) 1997-01: Nebraska (assistant coach) 1996-97: Western Kentucky (assistant coach) Coaching Highlights LOUISVILLE n Is the winningest coach in program history with a 441-124 record in 16 seasons, boasting a 202-62 mark in league play; Louisville is averaging 27.6 victories per year. n In 16 years, he has directed Louisville to a pair of national runner-up finishes (2009, 2013), four Final Four appearances (2009, 2013, 2018, 2022), eight Elite Eight appearances (2009, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), 12 trips to the Sweet 16, and 14 NCAA Tournament appear- ances. At the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season, the NCAA Tournament was canceled. n One of five active coaches to reach at least four Final Fours. n Ranks eighth all-time in NCAA Tour- nament winning percentage (minimum of 20 games), boasting a 40-14 mark (74.1 winning percentage). n Became just the second coach in NCAA history to take a team to the national champion- ship game (2009) after just two seasons as a head coach. n In 2013, orchestrated the biggest upset in women’s basketball history with the defeat of No. 1 overall seed Baylor in the NCAA Sweet 16; Louisville then defeated No. 2 seed Tennessee to reach their second Final Four in four years before beating Cal to advance to the national title game. n Led Cards to 34 victories in 2009; after knocking off a pair of No. 1 seeds (Maryland, Oklahoma) and a No. 2 seed (Baylor), the Cardi- nals advanced to the championship game; Louis- ville defeated Maryland for its first NCAA Final Four appearance. n Named ACC Coach of the Year after pro- ducing a program-best 36-3 record in 2017-18 as Louisville reached its third Final Four. Reached as high as No. 2 in Associated Press poll, which marked highest rating in school history. Opened season with a 20-0 record, which marked best start and longest winning streak in program history. n Directed Cardinals to 32-4 record and its second straight ACC regular season championship in 2018-19, which marked the first time in pro- gram history that Louisville has won back-to-back regular season conference titles. Advanced to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season. n Led Louisville to a 28-4 record and its third straight ACC regular season championship in 2019-20. It marked the program’s first ever outright ACC regular season title. Prior to this stretch, Louisville had never won consecutive regular season conference titles. It also marked UofL’s first outright regular season conference title since they won the Conference USA regular season championship in 2000-01. It marked their 8th conference title. n Led the Cardinals to a 26-4 record and its fourth straight ACC regular season title in 2020- 21. Longest stretch of conference titles in program history. Reached No. 1 in Associated Press and USA Today polls following 16-0 start, which marked the first time in program history being ranked No. 1 in the country. Advanced to the Elite Eight for the third consecutive season. n Led Louisville to a 29-5 record and a trip to the program’s fourth ever Final Four in 2021-22. UofL went 10-4 against AP Top 25 teams, which is the most AP Top 25 wins in program history. Their 16-2 mark in ACC play ties the most wins ever in conference play and they finished 17-0 at home marking the first time they have went unde- feated at the KFC Yum! Center. n Directed the Cardinals to a 26-12 during the 2022-23 season and guided the Cardinals to their fifth-straight Elite Eight appearance. They are the only team in the country to appear in each of the last five Elite Eights. The Cardinals have been to six-straight Sweet 16’s, the third-longest active streak in the country. The Cardinals eclipsed the 20-win mark for the 13th-straight season. The Cardinals also made the ACC Tournament Cham- pionship for the fourth time in program history. n Named WBCA Regional Coach of the Year, Naismith National Coach of the Year finalist in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalist in 2019-20. n Has directed the Cardinals to 13 consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories. n Recorded his 400th win with a 63-53 vic- tory over Boston College on Jan. 16, 2022. n Surpassed 200 career wins in just 272 games, becoming the 21st-fastest active coach to reach the plateau and achieving it nine games quicker than Connecticut head coach Geno Auriermma. n 14 players have been drafted in the WNBA under the tutelage of Walz. Eight players have been selected over the past five drafts (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), which ranks second in the country. Emily Engstler was selected by the Indiana Fever with the fourth pick and Kianna Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with Year School Overall Home Away/Neutral Conf. Postseason 2007-08 Louisville 26-10 10-2 16-8 10-6 NCAA Sweet 16 2008-09 Louisville 34-15 14-1 20-4 14-2 NCAA Runner-Up 2009-10 Louisville 14-18 7-7 7-11 5-11 WBI 2010-11 Louisville 22-13 13-2 9-11 10-6 NCAA Sweet 16 2011-12 Louisville 23-10 11-2 12-8 10-6 NCAA 2nd Rd. 2012-13 Louisville 29-9 16-2 13-7 11-5 NCAA Runner-Up 2013-14 Louisville 33-5 18-2 15-3 16-2 NCAA Elite Eight 2014-15 Louisville 27-7 16-1 11-6 12-4 NCAA Sweet 16 2015-16 Louisville 26-8 13-3 13-5 15-1 NCAA 2nd Rd. 2016-17 Louisville 29-8 18-2 11-6 12-4 NCAA Sweet 16 2017-18 Louisville 36-3 18-1 18-2 15-1 NCAA Final Four 2018-19 Louisville 32-4 16-1 16-3 14-2 NCAA Elite Eight 2019-20 Louisville 28-4 13-1 15-3 16-2 No NCAA Tournament 2020-21 Louisville 26-4 13-1 13-3 14-2 NCAA Elite Eight 2021-22 Louisville 29-5 16-0 13-5 16-2 NCAA Final Four 2022-23 Louisville 26-12 11-3 15-9 12-6 NCAA Elite Eight Louisville Totals 16 seasons 441-125 223-31 217-94 202-62 International Record 4 gold medals 19-1 Combined Record 460-126 Jeff Walz’s Career Coaching RecordNext >