Derby Festival 'They're Off' lunch to feature UofL coach Pat Kelsey. How to get tickets
The Kentucky Derby Festival’s annual "They're Off" kick-off luncheon is set to be a slam dunk.
Fresh off being crowned ACC Coach of the Year and leading the Louisville Cardinals to the ACC Championship for the first time in program history, the 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 on April 11.
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,” Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival president & CEO said in a news release. “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% 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.
Scheduled to speak during the annual luncheon, which takes place the day before Thunder Over Louisville, Kelsey joins a distinguished group of past sports legends who have spoken at the event which have included 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.
First held in 1957, the "They're Off!" luncheon 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, 140 N. Fourth St.
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.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KDF 'They're Off!' lunch to feature UofL coach Pat Kelsey as keynote speaker
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