Joe Franklin, the esteemed director of track & field and cross country at the University of Louisville, has unveiled the eagerly anticipated outdoor track & field schedule for the upcoming 2024 season. Following the culmination of the indoor season at the NCAA Indoor Championships in early March, the Cardinals are poised to embark on an exciting outdoor campaign that promises a series of challenging and prestigious competitions.
Key Highlights of the Outdoor Track & Field Schedule:
- Commencement of Outdoor Season:
- The outdoor season kicks off over the last weekend of March, with the team splitting between four distinguished meets.
- Texas Relays and Beyond:
- Louisville’s athletes will participate in the 96th annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin, Texas, showcasing their prowess from Mar. 27-30.
- Simultaneously, the Cardinals will be represented at Texas State’s Bobcat Invite in San Marcos, Texas.
- Additional competitions during the first weekend of the outdoor season include the Stanford Invitational and San Francisco State’s Mike Fanelli Track Classic.
- April Showcases:
- The team will engage in a series of meets in early April, with the schedule featuring Bellarmine’s Jim Vargo Invitational, Arizona’s Jim Click Shoot Out and Multis, and the Tennessee Invite.
- A noteworthy highlight includes the Bryan Clay Invitational in California, one of the most prestigious outdoor meets in the country.
- Kentucky’s Jim Green Invitational:
- Louisville will head to Lexington, Ky., on Apr. 19-20 for Kentucky’s Jim Green Invitational, continuing their pursuit of excellence.
- Home Meet – Clark Wood Invitational:
- On Apr. 26-27, the Cardinals will host the Clark Wood Invitational, marking the sole home meet of the outdoor season. This event provides an exciting opportunity for local fans to support the team.
- Postseason Aspirations:
- The regular season culminates with Indiana’s Billy Hayes Invitational on May 3, paving the way for the postseason.
- ACC Outdoor Championships:
- From May 9-11, Louisville’s athletes will compete in the ACC Outdoor Championships in Atlanta, Ga.
- NCAA East Regional and Outdoor Championships:
- Qualifying athletes will then vie for supremacy at the NCAA East Regional in Lexington from May 22-25.
- The pinnacle of the collegiate season, the NCAA Outdoor Championships, is scheduled to take place in Eugene, Ore., from June 5-8.
- Road to the Olympics:
- Following the conclusion of the collegiate season, individuals with qualifying marks will return to Eugene for the United States Olympic Trials at historic Hayward Field from June 21-30.
- Successful contenders will earn the chance to represent the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics in early August.
As the Cardinals prepare to make their mark in the outdoor track & field season, the schedule reflects a commitment to excellence, providing ample opportunities for athletes to showcase their talents and pursue championship glory. Louisville’s track & field enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling season filled with memorable moments and outstanding performances.
2024 Outdoor Schedule
March 27-30
Texas Relays
Mike A. Myers Stadium & Soccer Field – Austin, Texas
March 27-30
Bobcat Invite
Texas State University Track & Field Complex – San Marcos, Texas
March 29-30
Stanford Invitational
Cobb Track & Angell Field – Stanford, Calif.
March 29-30
Mike Fanelli Track Classic
Chabot College Track – Hayward, Calif.
April 5
Jim Vargo Invitational
Owsley B. Frazier Stadium – Louisville, Ky.
April 5-6
Jim Click Shoot Out and Multis
Roy P. Drachman Track & Field Stadium – Tucson, Ariz.
April 5-6
Tennessee Invite
Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium – Knoxville, Tenn.
April 11-13
Bryan Clay Invitational
Cougar Athletic Stadium – Azusa, Calif.
April 13-15
Beach Invitational
Jack Rose Track – Long Beach, Calif.
April 19-20
Jim Green Invitational
University of Kentucky Track & Field Complex – Lexington, Ky.
April 24-27
Drake Relays
Drake Stadium – Des Moines, Iowa
April 26
Payton Jordan Invitational
Cobb Track & Angell Field – Stanford, Calif.
April 26-27
Clark Wood Invitational
Owsley B. Frazier Cardinal Park – Louisville, Ky.
May 3
Billy Hayes Invitational
Robert C. Haugh Complex – Bloomington, Ind.
May 9-11
ACC Outdoor Championships
George C. Griffin Track – Atlanta, Ga.
May 22-25
NCAA East Regional
University of Kentucky Track & Field Complex – Lexington, Ky.
June 5-8
NCAA Outdoor Championships
Hayward Field – Eugene, Ore.
June 21-30
U.S. Olympic Trials
Hayward Field – Eugene, Ore.
