LOUISVILLE, Ky.  – Bellarmine University and the University of Louisville have collaborated to share facilities in early December to allow the Cardinals' No. 1-ranked volleyball team to potentially serve as a host for NCAA regionals.
 
UofL had been seeking a venue to bid on possibly serving as a host for the 2021 NCAA Volleyball Regionals during the second weekend in December.  Because of minimum capacity requirements and limited available facilities, the two schools worked together on a solution to prepare for the anticipation of UofL serving as a host site for the regional event.
 
Bellarmine agreed to allow Louisville to plan to use Freedom Hall as a possible NCAA Volleyball regional site for practices and competition Dec. 8-11, forcing an alternate location for a Bellarmine home men's basketball game.
 
In a game originally game originally scheduled for Dec. 11 in Freedom Hall, Bellarmine will change the date and site to accommodate the move and play Asbury in the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 9.  The Bellarmine basketball court will be moved from Freedom Hall to the KFC Yum! Center so the Knights may play on their home floor in front of their fans.
 
 
"Bellarmine University Athletics is happy to assist the University of Louisville and the NCAA host a quality volleyball regional," said Bellarmine Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt.  "We expect this will be a win-win situation for the student-athletes and the sports fans of our city. Bellarmine basketball fans can enjoy the experience of a home game at the KFC Yum! Center while Louisville Volleyball gets to continue its magical season in a historic venue."
 
 
Bellarmine season ticket holders will still use the original ticket issued for the Bellarmine-Asbury game.  Although reserved seats will not be available, Bellarmine season ticket holders will be given "preferred" general admission seating the KFC Yum! Center's lower bowl. Additionally, parking passes purchased by Bellarmine season ticketholders for use at Freedom Hall will be honored at the Witherspoon Garage. Should UofL not advance or host an NCAA Volleyball Regional, the changes would still remain in place.
 
"We sincerely appreciate Scott Wiegandt, Scott Davenport and the entire Bellarmine Athletics staff working with us to help provide a solution to potentially host a NCAA Volleyball Regional," said Vice President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra.  "Our undefeated and top-ranked volleyball team has earned the opportunity with their exceptional season to play at home in Louisville.  Bellarmine's willingness and cooperation has provided that opportunity should our team advance and our site be chosen."
 
In appreciation of Bellarmine's aid in the move and spirit of cooperation, UofL will has agreed to play Bellarmine in a men's basketball game in the KFC Yum! Center in each of the next two seasons with a home game in both 2022 and 2023, with dates to be determined. 
 
Bellarmine/Louisville Schedule Plans
Dec. 8       Possible NCAA Volleyball Regional practices at Freedom Hall
Dec. 9       Possible NCAA Volleyball Regional matches at Freedom Hall
Dec. 9       Bellarmine men's basketball vs. Asbury University, KFC Yum! Center
                   (this game had been scheduled for Dec. 11 in Freedom Hall)
Dec. 10     Louisville men's basketball vs. DePaul, KFC Yum! Center
Dec. 10     Possible NCAA Volleyball Regional practices at Freedom Hall; convert to basketball after
Dec. 10     Bellarmine men's basketball vs. Midway University at Freedom Hall
Dec. 11     Possible NCAA Volleyball Regional matches at Freedom Hall
(Dec. 11    Pentatonix concert in KFC Yum! Center)
(Dec. 12    Louisville women's basketball vs. Kentucky, KFC Yum! Center)