Native American basketball fans head to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – More than 1,500 Native Americans from across the United States are heading to Louisville to cheer on Cardinal basketball star Shoni Schimmel as she plays her final home game at the KFC Yum! Center March 3 at 7 p.m.

Schimmel, a senior, and her sister, Jude, a junior, have become Native American sports icons and their popularity has bolstered interest in UofL.

More than 120 people representing five different tribes will take campus tours March 3 and 4 as part of their visit to Louisville. They’ll visit places such as academic buildings, the new student recreation center and Grawemeyer Hall and have lunch at the Ville Grille.

The March 3 UofL game against University of Connecticut is Native American Appreciation Night and will feature entertainment from various tribal groups including Elk Soldier, a South Dakota-based drum group. After the game, the entire women’s basketball team will sign autographs.

Shoni and Jude Schimmel are Oregon natives and members of the Umatilla tribe.

For more information about the campus tours, contact Tammy Lawson at tammy.lawson@louisville.edu and 502-852-6573. For details about the Schimmel sisters and the March 3 game, contact Kim Pemberton at kimp@gocards.com