NCAA Seeds Marketing: What We Could Learn from #9 Louisville

We're in search of inspiration- things that all of us can take and apply into our worlds. Then we will apply a "Plus One" method to make each inspiring thing even better. Thus far, we've looked at top seeded Duke, #2Villanova, #3 Baylor, #4 Purdue, #5 Texas A&M, #6 Notre Dame, #7 Richmond, and #8 California.

Let's go.

South Region #9 Seed Louisville: What's Inspiring about Louisville Athletics Marketing? (Link Here)

1. A Basketball Museum

History. Sometimes we see it as a less than glamourous topic. But sometimes it can be a difference maker. When you dive into the Louisville athletics site, here, you will quickly note the "Recruits" button. That page gives access to a lot of info on the University, but to be honest nothing beyond the ordinary. Then you notice it -- a little hidden gem shown below. This gem tells you there's access to a basketball hall of fame. Which I had to check out...

That hall of fame contained a photo gallery on this section that gives you access to a visual look into the history of the Cardinals. It's fantastic stuff, but really it's just a starting point.


Plus One: Where could we take this? We have the visuals. Now give us the insights. Add in text, quotes, interviews, or bonus content. Why are these teams and athletes honored? What are the criteria for making it to the Hall of Fame? Right now we are recording history. But this could become an inspiration and a reason to push that next HOF member into Louisville Red.

2. Kuric Blog

The summer doesn't mean you can't keep an audience coming back. Louisville has access to their student athletes year-round and is taking advantage of it. They have identified a pretty cool idea -- following basketball player Kyle Kuric and his sister (soccer player Katie) as they travel to Egypt, here. It's simple, but a powerful reminder of the human connection and of the connection that exists between student athletes across sports. Being a former student athlete myself, I think this is a forgotten thing -- that there is a bond that happens across sports. You are all putting on the team jersey and doing that puts you into a unique circle that's often left off.

Plus One: How can we keep the concept going through the season? Could you tell of the basketball team through the eyes of the soccer (or volleyball) team? And vice versa? These individuals have a bond and Louisville has uncovered a way to do this that needs to be amplified!

3. NCAA Tournament Blog, in pictures

Pictures. Oh how I love the power they offer. Linked here, you will see that Louisville offered a simple photo recap of their NCAA tourney loss to Cal in photos, both color and black & white. The result is touching and powerful.

It's powerful because of the intimacy. No one else gets this level of access. It's powerful because of the simplicity. These are big, powerful images, without words. You draw your own conclusions. And it's powerful because of the storytelling. These images, in succession, tell you the story of what happened. So emotional, and that's what connects us to you.

Plus One: Do this, always. Could we get a photo recap of every practice? Of every game day? It doesn't take 30 pictures a day -- the strip above (3 pictures) can do it. The U of L has opened up my eyes to the power pictures can offer over the course of a season.

What's next?

We'll continue our journey Wednesday with a breakdown of #10 seed Saint Mary's.

As always, you can follow along on Twitter - I'm @pawlow34.