A Pinkie Reader Remembers Freedom Hall

This was sent to us from loyal Pinkie reader Andrew J. Willett. Andrew is a big Louisville fan and wrote to us with his thoughts and memories of Freedom Hall. We appreciate Andrew writing to us and he’s got a couple StraitPinkie.com koozies headed his way.

Goodbye to the Hall

I have not been looking forward to this day, just not ready to say peace to Freedom Hall. It has been a landmark in my life for 20 years now. I started going to Louisville games when I was 6, and my passion would only grow through the years. It’s tough to come up with my fondest memory because I have so many.

To me, Freedom Hall, will always be home to one of the best coaches of all time, my man Denny Crum. I was there when Coach Crum won #500 and #600, and those two experiences will always stand out. My top three favorite games attended at the Hall would be last season when Louisville beat #1 Pittsburgh, Denny Crum’s final regular season game, and Louisville beating UCLA in 1997.

I know they named the All-time Freedom Hall team at the last home game, but I would like to name my own All-Freedom Hall Team. The only stipulation is that to be included on the roster you must have played from 1990-now. My apologies to all players before that time period, but I just never saw them play at Freedom Hall.

G: Dejuan Wheat, Marques Maybin, Reece Gaines, Taquan Dean, Labradford Smith

F: Terrence Williams, Dwayne Morton, Francisco Garcia

PF: Samaki Walker, Pervis Ellison

C: Felton Spencer, Clifford Rozier

Head Coach: Denny Crum

Water boy: Rick Pitino

P.A. announcer: John Tong, not John Ramsey’s idiot brother who impersonated him at a game earlier this season

Unfortunately, I will not be in attendance for the final game against Syracuse, which upsets me. The last home game I attended was the double overtime win over Notre Dame, so at least my last game was a good one. If I would have known then that this would be my last time at the Hall, I would have cherished the game more. All things considered, I’m just glad my first and last game at Freedom Hall was a victory. Hopefully, the Cards leave the Hall on a winning note. Go Cards!