For the first time in what feels like ages, Louisville athletics is coming off a calendar year which feels overwhelmingly positive and not just a “mixed bag.” As a result, the competition for the highest-honor in the Derby City appears to be quite fierce.
Please remember that the person of the year does not have to be an actual person (Touchdown Squirrel was a finalist a few years ago). This isn’t Sports Illustrated, it’s much, much more serious.
Here’s a rundown of the winners from previous years:
2007 - Tom Jurich
2008 - David Padgett
2009 - Vacant (we forgot to do it)
2010 - Charlie Strong
2011 - Charlie Strong and Preston Knowles (tie)
2012 - Tom Jurich
2013 - Teddy Bridgewater
2014 - Russ Smith
2015 - Kelsi Worrell
2016 - Lamar Jackson
2017 - Brendan McKay
2018 - Vince Tyra
Can Vince go back-to-back?