LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An All-American Cardinal has returned to Louisville: Cards legend Darrell "Dr. Dunkenstein" Griffith is now at UofL serving as a university ambassador.

Griffith will work with President Neeli Bendapudi to improve the university's profile and support its Cardinal Anti-Racism Agenda, according to a press release. Griffith started on Nov. 16, 2020.

“It feels so great to be working again with the university I love,” Griffith said. “I look forward to reconnecting with so many people in the community and working closely with President Bendapudi to continue to tell UofL’s story and to build relationships on campus and throughout the community.”

Griffith also will work closely with the University Advancement office on development and fundraising efforts. He'll also serve as a guest speaker at institutional outreach initiatives throughout the country.

Better known as “Dr. Dunkenstein,” Griffith was a leader of the 1980 national championship Cardinal basketball team, first-team All-American, and national collegiate player of the year.

After graduating as an academic All-American that year, he joined the NBA’s Utah Jazz, earning rookie of the year honors during a 10-year career that culminated with the team retiring his jersey in 1993.

Griffith returned to Louisville, where he established a successful business career before joining the university as a special assistant to the president from 2006 to 2017.  

“Darrell has instant name recognition among the UofL family, the Louisville community and throughout the nation,” Bendapudi said. “More importantly, he has been an outstanding student, dedicated alumnus, successful business leader and mentor to young people here and beyond. He is a shining example of success, and I am so excited he has returned to help share the UofL story.”