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Cardinals to Host 2005 Kickoff Dinner on Aug. 13
July 14, 2005 | Women's Soccer
July 14, 2005
2005 U of L Kickoff Dinner Registration
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's soccer program will host its 2005 Kickoff Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. ET at the Brown & Williamson Club at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and U.S. National Team members Kristine Lilly and Kate Markgraf will serve as keynote speakers for the event. The Cards will open their exhibition season the following day at 2 p.m. ET against Nebraska in the Jenna Cooper Memorial Match at Cardinal Park which will include an autograph session with Lilly, current U.S. team captain, and Markgraf prior to the game.
The 2005 Kickoff Dinner will include a meal, messages from Lilly and Markgraf and an autograph session with the two players. The cost of the event is $25 per person while tables of eight are also available for a discounted rate of $180. Anyone planning to attend must RSVP (with payment included) by July 29th and is limited to the first 500 respondents. If you have any questions, please call (502) 852-0104 or email wglile2@yahoo.com. To reserve your spot, click on the registration link above, print and complete the form and then return to the address listed.
"We're thrilled to have both Kristine and Kate coming to `The `Ville' to help kick off our 2005 season," said U of L women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson. "This is a very special year for us as we move into the BIG EAST, so it was only fitting that we open the season with these two world class athletes."
Lilly not only is the first soccer player, male or female, ever to play in more than 200 international games but is also the all-time leader in minutes played. She is regarded by many as the best flank midfielder in the world. Among her many accomplishments, Lilly helped the U.S. Women's National team and U.S. World Cup team capture two gold medals in the 1996 and 2004 Olympic Games, a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games and two World Cup titles.
Markgraf entered the international soccer scene in 1998 and just a year later became the youngest member on the U.S. Women's National team which won the 1999 World Cup title. Markgraf also won silver and gold Olympic medals as a member of the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic teams respectively. As a graduate of Notre Dame, Markgraf has experience playing soccer in the BIG EAST Conference where she was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection and was the 1997 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year.
"We're excited to have these women on our campus to help us open our 2005 women's soccer season," said U of L Vice President for Athletics Tom Jurich. "They've served as wonderful role models and I'm sure will add excitement to this preseason event."
U of L will open the 2005 regular season at home against Butler on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Park.
