LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 2023 inductees of the University of Louisville’s Athletics Hall of Fame are fan favorites.
The eight athletes and coach will be inducted Friday, Oct. 27 at the Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club at L&N Stadium.
The 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame class are:
- Carlos Almeida (Swimming, 2008-12)
- Ibn Green (Football, 1995-99)
- Matt Hughes (Track and Field, 2008-11)
- Justin Marks (Baseball, 2007-09)
- Sandy Pearsall (Softball, 2000-18)
- Monique Reid (Women’s Basketball, 2008-13)
- Felton Spencer (Men’s Basketball, 1986-90)
- Lena Sokolowski (Volleyball, 2002-05)
Carlos Almeida (Swimming, 2008-12)
Carlos Almeida was UofL’s first NCAA champion in 2012 when he won the 200 breaststroke in 1:51:88. Almeida was a 13-time All-American and a 13-time conference champion and helped the Cards and coach Arthur Albiero win a pair of conference championships.
Ibn Green (Football, 1995-99)
Ibn Green is the best tight end in Louisville history. He holds school records for most receptions by a tight end (217), most receiving yards by a tight end (2,830) and most touchdown receptions by a tight end (33).
A member of the Male High School Hall of Fame, Green, an undrafted free agent, played four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts from 2000 to 2003.
Matt Hughes (Track and Field, 2008-11)
Matt Hughes was a two-time NCAA champion and the first UofL athlete to win an indoor national title. The native of Ontario was a two-time All-American, three-time BIG EAST champion and earned back-to-back NCAA titles in the 3,000m steeplechase during his time as a Cardinal from 2008 to 2011.
He currently holds the Canadian 3000-meter steeplechase record of 8:11.64, which he set in the 2013 World Athletics Championships. He earned gold at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Justin Marks (Baseball, 2007-09)
Justin Marks was a three-year starter for coach Dan McDonnell and the Louisville baseball team. Marks helped the Cards to three NCAA Tournament appearances and the school’s first appearance in the College World Series in 2007.
He ranks third all-time at UofL with 29 wins.
Marks was drafted in the third round by the Oakland As in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut with Kansas City in 2014.
Sandy Pearsall (Softball, 2000-18)
Coach Sandy Pearsall started the softball program at UofL in 1999 and helped christen Ulmer Stadium with a winning season. She was named 2000 Conference USA Coach of the Year.
In her 19 seasons, Pearsall took the Cards to 718 wins, six conference championships, 13 NCAA regional appearances and four regional finals and served as a host site in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Pearsall and her staff were named the 2012 Big East Coaching Staff of the Year.
Monique Reid (Women’s Basketball, 2008-13)
Louisville native, Monique Reid helped the Louisville women’s basketball team to the national title games in 2009 and 2013.
Reid, a forward, finished her Cardinal career with 1,725 points, the eight-best in school history. She appeared in 141 career games and is one of the best free throw shooters to take the court. Having made 430 free throws, she ranks second at UofL and stands seventh in field goals made with 643.
A two-time first-team All-Big East performer, Reid led the Cardinals in scoring in 2010 and 2011, when she averaged 18.4 and 15.5 points per game, respectively.
Felton Spencer (Men’s Basketball, 1986-90)
Louisville calls Felton Spencer was one of the top big men to ever wear a UofL uniform. Spencer, or “Chief” as he was nicknamed, played four seasons for the Cards, finishing his career with 1,189 points and 694 rebounds. He also holds the school record for career field goal percentage at 62.8%. Spencer’s 93 dunks are the ninth most by a UofL player.
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Spencer No. 6 in the 1990 National Basketball Association Draft. He would play 12 seasons in the NBA totaling 3,354 points, 3,436 rebounds and 534 blocks.
Spencer died on March 12, 2023. He was 55.
Lena Sokolowski (Volleyball, 2002-05)
Lena Sokolowski lettered from 2002 to 2005. The outside hitter still holds the record for in kills in a season, aces in a season and is second in both career total attacks and career kills (1861). The three-time Conference Tournament MVP led the Cards to four NCAA Appearances, four Conference Championships and two Sweet Sixteens. Sokolowski was a three-time member of the Ukraine National Team and played professionally in Turkey and led her team to World Club Championship.
If you go
The induction ceremony kicks off with a reception at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 for a table of 10 and can be bought online or by calling 502-852-2015.
The inductees will also be honored at the Oct. 28 Louisville homecoming football game against Duke.