Derby Field

After 149 Kentucky Derbys, Louisville Knows Sports

Louisville Sports Commission Press Releases

Sports provide normalcy in an abnormal time

I remember asking my mom how she and my four oldest siblings coped during World War II with rationing, uncertainty in the war effort and my father away serving in the Navy. She said, “We learned to make do.”

Louisville’s hospitality and travel and tourism industries have been forced to “make do” during the pandemic while operating in fits and starts for much of 2020 due to COVID-19. And while many sports activities also have been affected, our segment of the industry has been fortunate to fill a critical void and provide a sense of normalcy in an abnormal time.

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Urban Bourbon Half Marathon presented by Jim Beam® Again Recognized by BibRave 100

Runner nominations and runner votes decided the Best Races in America for the decade

Louisville, Ky. – December 2, 2020 – BibRave, an online running community that provides race-related information to running race participants worldwide, announced that the Louisville Sports Commission’s Urban Bourbon Half Marathon presented by Jim Beam® (UBHM) was named the number two best half marathon in the country as part of The BibRave 100: A Definitive List of the Best Races in America. The UBHM also was listed among the races with the best bites and bevvies, and best medals and swag.

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College and pro football hall of famer Paul Vernon Hornung passes away at age 84

Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 13, 2020 – Paul Vernon Hornung, one of the all-time great college and pro football players from the 1950s and 60s, passed away today in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., at age 84 after a long battle with dementia.

Hornung is survived by his wife of 41 years, Angela Hornung.

Legendary Green Bay Packer Football Coach Vince Lombardi once called Hornung, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.” Nicknamed “The Golden Boy” due to his blond hair and handsome features, Hornung won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame as a quarterback, then was a star halfback and placekicker for the Green Bay Packers team that ruled the NFL in the 1960s. Hornung is a member of the college and pro football halls of fame and the namesake of the Paul Hornung Award, presented annually to the most versatile player in major college football.

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Date Changes Announced for Selection of Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse

Finalists to be Selected after Conference Championships, Winner Selected after Bowl Games

Louisville, Ky. – Nov. 12, 2020 – Finalists for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse, given annually to the most versatile player in major college football, will be announced on Dec. 23 and the winner will be announced on Jan. 6. The dates were changed from Nov. 11 and Dec. 9, respectively, due to the massive scheduling adjustments in college football, according to Karl F. Schmitt Jr., president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission, owners and operators of the Award.

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19th Annual Live In Lou Cross Country Classic Run Under Strict COVID-19 Guidelines

More Than 1,000 Runners and 1,200 Fans Gather at Sawyer State Park in Louisville

Louisville, Ky. – Oct. 3, 2020 – A total of eight college races, including two open races, were contested during the 19th annual Live in Lou Cross Country Classic at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park under ideal weather and course conditions. More than with 1,000 runners participated, representing 45 colleges from 31 states, with approximately 1,200 fans in attendance.

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