Cardinal Bird

{{Short description|Mascot of the University of Louisville}}

{{about|the mascot of the University of Louisville|cardinals, birds|cardinal (disambiguation)}}

Image:LouisvilleMascot.jpg]]

Louie the Cardinal is the mascot of the University of Louisville. The Cardinal was chosen as the mascot after 1913, selected because the northern cardinal is the state bird of Kentucky.{{cite web|url=http://www.gocards.com/sports/2015/3/26/GEN_20140101180.aspx |title=Louisville Athletics - Louie the Cardinal |publisher=Gocards.com |access-date=March 18, 2017}} The school colors of black and red were adopted later.{{When?|date=October 2022}}

The Cardinal appears at university sporting events, notably skydiving into Cardinal Stadium for each home football game. He also attends other community events during the year. He is considered a part of the "Spirit Groups" and is a member of the cheerleading team. In 2004, the Cardinal Bird was presented with the National Cheerleaders Association's Most Collegiate Mascot award.[https://archive.today/20110714001222/http://media.www.louisvillecardinal.com/media/storage/paper964/news/2006/02/21/Features/Cardinal.Mascot.Pulls.Out.The.Feathers-2225971.shtml www.louisvillecardinal.com Cardinal Mascot] On occasion, the Cardinal will travel over to the school marching band's section to conduct the players from the band's podium.

The Cardinal is nicknamed "Louie". This is an homage to the name of both its school and city, as they are sometimes pronounced "Louie-ville." Others choose to abbreviate his name, nicknaming him "C.B."

His costume weighs over 50 pounds.[https://archive.today/20130120053028/http://uoflsports.cstv.com/genrel/021901aad.html A Testimonial From the Cardinal Bird :: ]{{cite news|last=Lowe|first=Kathleen|url=http://www.louisvillecardinal.com/2010/11/u-of-l-mascot-pulls-fan-from-wrecked-car/ |title=U of L mascot pulls fan from wrecked car |work=The Louisville Cardinal |date=November 29, 2010 |access-date=March 18, 2017}}

The Louisville Cardinal costume was first constructed in 1953 by Frances Goldsmith. The first person documented to wear said costume at an athletics event was Townsel Adams.[https://library.louisville.edu/archives/cardinal-bird/costume/first-birds History of the Cardinal Bird: The First Birds]