LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A trip to camp, weeks of training and hours of workouts are all necessary to prepare for a new season. Nearly fifty team members must combine to live up to a high standard and a reputation that includes more than 20 national titles. It is the reputation of the Louisville Ladybirds that has hundreds of young women and men trying out for this elite squad every year. Not everyone makes it. This year close to 50 are on the team and it is the job of head coach Sheryl Knight to help them come together as one and try again to bring home another national win.
Spectrum News 1 spent the afternoon with the team as they were getting ready for the home opener at Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals football team will play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Monday, September 2. The football team isn't the only squad under pressure to perform well.
Knight tells the team if they don't have their sideline routines down, if they aren't sharp, they won't be on the field for the game. Team members know this isn't an idle threat. Also practicing on the field with the Ladybirds, the UofL Marching Band. The Ladybirds perform to the music played by the band so the two teams must come together to practice to make sure the entertainment is set for Monday night.
The UofL Ladybirds are more than just sideline and halftime performers; they are ambassadors for the university. Before the game, you will see them meeting with fans and taking pictures. The squad is also on hand to welcome the football team into the stadium as part of Card March.
Like all student-athletes at the University of Louisville, Ladybirds must maintain their grades and adhere to team and university rules. They attend classes and often will have practice, workout or other functions they are required to attend later in the day.
Each year the Ladybirds and the cheer teams offer fans a chance to experience game day. The squads host Spirit Day during football and basketball season. Fans who want to dance or cheer with the spirit groups sign up online. On Spirit Day, fans are taught routines based on their age and skill level and at halftime, they come on to the field with the Ladybirds and cheer squads to perform in front of thousands of cheering football fans.
This year, Spirit Day will be Saturday, September 7 for the Eastern Kentucky game. Sign-ups are still being taken. Everyone who participates will receive:
- Mini pom pom
- Spirit Day T-shirt
- Pizza dinner
- Admission to the game with special seating
- Mini clinic and halftime performance
The Ladybirds hold tryouts every year and everyone must tryout, even veterans. No one is guaranteed a spot, it must be earned. The team for this year is set, but tryouts for the 2020-21 team are already set for May, 7, 8 and 9, 2020.