THE YEAR IN PHOTOS: 2023 Sports moments
-
Eric Crawford
Sports Reporter
- Updated
Jockey Javier Castellano celebrates in the Churchill Downs Winner's Circle after winning Kentucky Derby 149 aboard Mage.
Louisville coach Kenny Payne and Kentucky's John Calipari greet each other before their teams meet in the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 21, 2023.
Louisville running back Isaac Guerendo celebrates after scoring a touchdown in a victory over Virginia at L&N Stadium.
Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham eyes the rim for a dunk in a victory over Louisville in the KFC Yum! Center.
Bellarmine basketball player Juston Betz embraces Knights' coach Scott Davenport during the program's Senior Day ceremony in Freedom Hall.
Kentucky Derby contender Wild On Ice outside his barn on April 25, 2023. Two days later, he died on the track at Churchill Downs after a routine workout.
Christian Academy senior lineman David Holloway celebrates with students after the Centurions won the Class 3A State Championship at Kroger Field in Lexington.
Kentucky coach John Calipari shoots a half-court shot during the team's NCAA Tournament shootaround on March 16, 2023 in Greensboro Coliseum.
Kentucky Derby contender Disarm rounds the first turn during a morning gallop at Churchill Downs on April 28, 2023.
Kentucky and Louisville football players scuffle during the first quarter of their game on Nov. 25, 2023 in L&N Stadium.
Russ Smith drives by former Louisville teammate Chris Jones during a game in the TBT Tournament in Freedom Hall on July 27, 2023.
Racing Louisville players Wang Shuang and Nadia Nadim enjoy postgame fireworks in Lynn Family Stadium on August 19, 2023.
Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm, flanked by his son, Brady, arrives at L&N Stadium for his first game as Cardinals coach on Sept. 7, 2023.
Louisville women's basketball player Olivia Cochran waves to the crowd after being honored for scoring her 1,000th career point in a victory over Kentucky on Dec. 10, 2023.
Louisville volleyball players celebrate near the end of an NCAA Tournament victory in the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 1, 2023.
Kentucky running back Ray Davis stiff-arms Florida safety Miguel Mitchell during a victory over the Gators in Kroger Field on Sept. 30, 2023.
Louisville guard El Ellis leaves the court in frustration near the end of final loss of the 2022-23 season in the ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.
A horse and rider approach the Thurby Day crowd at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2023.
A chair with a signed basketball, red blazer and rolled up program in the KFC Yum! Center after the Celebration of Life for longtime Louisville coach Denny Crum on May 15, 2023.
The baseball team from Whitley County High School celebrates a state championship victory over Shelby County in Kentucky Proud Park on June 10, 2023.
Louisville guard Peyton Siva looks to drive during the TBT Tournament in Freedom Hall on July 29, 2023.
Fans took advantage of a reconfigured Churchill Downs paddock to snap photos of the famed Twin Spires from a different angle on Kentucky Oaks Day, 2023.
Louisville quarterbacks coach Brian Brohm, once a freshman phenom quarterback himself for the Cardinals, works with freshman QB Pierce Clarkson on the U of L practice fields on August 1, 2023.
Javier Castellano pumps his fist after winning the Kentucky Derby aboard Mage at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2023.
Virginia running back Perris Jones, who required spine surgery and a weeks-long rehab after a frightening hit left him temporarily paralyzed in a game against Louisville in L&N Stadium, hugs one of his caregivers when leaving the U of L Health Frazier Rehab Center on Nov. 28, 2023.
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear holds up his betting slip after placing the first legal sports wager in the state at the Churchill Downs Racing and Sports Book on Sept. 7, 2023.
Racing Louisville FC's Savannah DeMelo drives the ball up the field in a game in Lynn Family Stadium ahead of her participation in the 2023 World Cup for the U.S. Women's National Team.
ESPN announcer Katie George, a former volleyball All-American at Louisville, prepares for a match broadcast before Louisville plays host to Kentucky in the KFC Yum! Center on Sept. 13, 2023.
Kentucky All-American center reacts with disappointment near the end of an NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State on March 19, 2023 in Greensboro, N.C.
Kentucky Derby favorite Forte, who was scratched from the Run For the Roses the morning of the race, outside his barn on April 21, 2023.
A fan looks down on the new temporary paddock in Churchill Downs on the track's opening night of the 2023 Spring Meet.
Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace (32) and defensive back Jordan Lovett (25) celebrate a pass-break up in the end zone near the end of a victory over the University of Louisville in L&N Stadium.
Louisville basketball coach Jeff Walz sneaks a peek at his watch during a victory over Bellarmine on Nov. 16, 2023.
Louisville volleyball player Charitie Luper skies for a serve during the Cardinals' victory over Kentucky in the KFC Yum ! Center on Sept. 13, 2023.
Louisville's Brandon Huntley-Hatfield leaps into a Chattanooga player during a loss in the KFC Yum! Center on Nov. 10, 2023.
A portrait of Bellarmine basketball coach Scott Davenport during the team's 2023 Media Day in Knights' Hall on campus.
Together Again: Louisville basketball greats Peyton Siva and Russ Smith reunite for The Ville's TBT team in Freedom Hall on July 27, 2023.
Louisville's Isaac Guerendo prepares to spike the ball after a touchdown run in the Cardinals' victory over Virginia in L&N Stadium on Nov. 10, 2023.
Kentucky center Eli Cox, quarterback Devin Leary and running back Ray Davis in formation before a goal-line play against Florida on Sept. 30, 2023.
Scenes from Thurby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2023.
Jockey Javier Castellano throws a handful of roses into the air after winning Kentucky Derby 149.
Louisville All-American Anna DeBeer delivers a dig in an NCAA Tournament victory in the KFC Yum! Center.
Racing Louisville FC's Naida Nadim, a medical doctor who was in her comeback game from an ACL injury in Lynn Family Stadium, slips back into physician mode after a teammate is struck in the head during a game on July 9, 2023.
Louisville coach Jeff Brohm dons the old fashioned leather helmet trophy after his team won the Aflac Kickoff Game against Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Sept. 1, 2023.
Kentucky defensive lineman Deone Walker, 6-6 and 350 pounds, towers over the Florida linemen during a game on Sept. 30, 2023.
Former Louisville great Chane Behanan reacts to a put-back in a TBT game in Freedom Hall on July 29, 2023.
Louisville women's basketball player Jayda Curry during the starting lineup introduction before a game on Nov. 16, 2023.
Louisville fans storm the L&N Stadium field after the Cardinals upset No. 10-ranked Notre Dame on Oct. 7, 2023.
Christian Academy students react at the chance to touch the state championship trophy after the Centurions beat Bell County on Dec. 2 in Kroger Field.
Louisville guard Ty-Laur Johnson drives into contact in a loss to Chattanooga on Nov. 15, 2023 in the KFC Yum! Center.
The morning after winning the Kentucky Derby, Mage enjoys a snack in his stall on the Churchill Downs backside.
Kentucky defensive back Andru Phillips breaks up a pass intended for Louisville's Jamari Thrash in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats victory over Louisville in L&N Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023.
Louisville guard Skyy Clark reacts after a dunk during a game in the KFC Yum! Center on Nov. 6, 2023.
A pensive Kenny Payne watches his Louisville team during a loss to Arkansas State on Dec. 13, 2023.
Louisville coach Jeff Brohm takes issue with an official during a loss at Pittsburgh on Oct. 14, 2023.
Louisville football fans cheer during a timeout while the Cardinals beat Notre Dame in L&N Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.
Rich Strike, winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby, in his stall at Mercury Training Center outside Lexington, Ky., on April 27, 2023.
Louisville football fans storm the field after an upset of No. 10 Notre Dame in L&N Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.
Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz works the crowd during the program's annual Tipoff Luncheon at the Galt House on Oct. 23, 2023.
A Shelby County player is tagged out at third in the team's state championship loss to Whitley County in Kentucky Proud Park on June 10, 2023.
Louisville center Bryan Hudson, winner of the ACC's Jacobs Blocking Trophy, prepares to snap the ball in a win over Notre Dame on Oct. 7, 2023 in L&N Stadium.
Milt Wagner, a former championship player for Louisville basketball and a current member of the program's staff, hugs his grandson, DJ Wagner of Kentucky, after the Wildcats' win over Louisville in the KFC Yum! Center on Dec. 21, 2023.
Eric Crawford
Sports Reporter
