UofL Head Coach Pat Kelsey to Speak at Luncheon
March 19, 2025. Louisville, KY. – The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual kick-off luncheon is set to be a slam dunk! Fresh off being crowned ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Coach of the Year and leading the Louisville Cardinals to the ACC Championship for the first time in program history, University of Louisville Head Men’s Basketball Coach Pat Kelsey will be the featured speaker at the Derby Festival’s They’re Off! Luncheon Presented by BAE Systems. Kelsey, who coined the term “ReviVILLE” to signify a new era of Louisville Basketball and a reenergizing of Cardinal fans, has broken the record for the most wins by a first-year UofL head coach.
“We’ve scored one of Louisville’s most recognizable names to help us kick off the Derby Festival,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO. “Pat Kelsey has one of the most inspiring storylines in college basketball this season. We can already see L’s up in the crowd!”
A proven program builder who’s won nearly 70 percent of his career games, Kelsey was named UofL’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach in March 2024. He’s also a Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year semifinalist for his outstanding coaching performance.
The Cincinnati native has been a dominant winner throughout his 13 seasons as a head coach. Before coming to the University of Louisville, he coached at the College of Charleston for three seasons and Winthrop University for nine seasons. Kelsey is the 24th head coach in Louisville’s 110-year history.
The They’re Off! Luncheon, first held in 1957, serves as the time-honored kick-off to each year’s Kentucky Derby Festival. It’s the second-oldest event on the Festival’s schedule. The luncheon begins at 11 a.m. on April 11 in the Grand Ballroom of the Galt House Hotel – site of the festive event since 1974. This year’s event will also feature the presentation of the Volunteer of the Year Award and the Silver Horseshoe Award for service to the community. Louisville Tourism will also present a new community award at this year’s Luncheon. Tickets are $130 each or $1,040 for a table of eight. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (502) 584-FEST or visit KDF.org.
Kelsey joins other sports legends, including the late Denny Crum, Rick Pitino, Magic Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Archie Manning, Sugar Ray Leonard, “Dr. J” Julius Erving, Boomer Esiason, Dick Vitale, Terrell Davis and the late Howard Schnellenberger in a long list of luminaries who have entertained They’re Off! Luncheon audiences for nearly 70 years.
BAE Systems is the Presenting Sponsor of the Luncheon. Contributing Sponsors: The Galt House Hotel and Kentucky Proud. Official Luxury Vehicle: Cadillac/Courtesy Cadillac. VIP Sponsors: Davis Jewelers and Park DuValle Community Health Centers. Supporting Sponsors: Cerity Partners, East & Westbrook Construction and Jeff’s Donuts. Media Sponsor: Louisville Business First.
