Why did Louisville's Pat Kelsey wade into the crowd after Saturday's home win?

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- At previous coaching stops, Pat Kelsey was known to wade up into the stands after the game, mostly to glad-hand with the student section. But a close observer noticed recently that he hadn't done that yet at Louisville.

The question was why? And given the source, Kelsey felt compelled to answer.

That's why, after Louisville beat Miami 88-78 on Saturday, he went straight from the handshake line at the end of the Miami bench up into the stands at the KFC Yum! Center to slap hands with students and longtime fans alike.

"My mom was at my house the other day, and we were celebrating my daughter's 16th birthday," Kelsey said after the game. "And my mom said 'Why haven't you gone up and thanked the students like you used to you? Need to do that.'"

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey went into the crowd to show his appreciation after Louisville's 88-78 win over Miami in the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday.
ERIC CRAWFORD

His answer: "Yes ma'am."

In a wider sense, Kelsey said he appreciates the support that is coming from the Louisville fan base. The crowds at the KFC Yum! Center in recent games haven't been just loud and large but loud at the right times.

"We say never delay gratitude, and I've delayed gratitude a little bit too much," Kelsey said. "They've been awesome. The crowd today was phenomenal. I think the ceremony for the 2005 team Coach Pitino's video energized the arena, and the Yum!, I think, was even more electric in the second half. The student body is the heart and soul of a basketball program. I say all the time 'It's not my program. It's not our players' program.' Great college basketball programs happen when the student body has ownership of the program, and they were a factor today. They've been coming in big numbers. They've been loud. They're not just sitting there enjoying the game on their phones. I mean, they are making a difference and they deserve to be thanked."

Louisville has averaged just a tick under 16,000 per game in its past five home dates. It's a marked change from recent seasons and has been noticed not just by those inside the program but by downtown businesses.

Kelsey and the Cardinals have four more home games. Their next one is Feb. 22 against Florida State before finishing the season with three straight home games against Pittsburgh on March 1, Cal on March 5 and Stanford on March 8.