LOUISVILLE, Ky. — University of Louisville (UofL) fans and former coaches gathered for a night of celebration to honor late coach Denny Crum at the team's season opener Monday.
"He would sit in that chair and just watch, I mean he would clap when there was a good play but he mostly watched," Susan Sweeney Crum, Denny's wife, said.
He quietly followed everything that happened during the game. She said her late husband enjoyed being a spectator like most fans in the stands.
"I'm grateful for the love they have for Denny, I'm grateful for the friendships I made because of him, and the people that we'd gotten to know coming to the games," Susan said.
To honor the beloved coach, UofL revealed the changes they made to one specific seat in section 106. The university had it changed from red to black, and put Denny's name on it.
Fans like Joe Pat Lee and Gary Spence will never forget watching how Denny coached UofL men’s basketball.
"Just to know what he meant to the city of Louisville and all his fans," Lee said. "It was nice to see this," he said in reference to the reveal.
It's also an honor for Michael Caldwell Jr. who has watched UofL since he was a baby; he sat just feet away from the special seat.
"I'm glad that we can always look at this and feel like he's here and he's always watching over us," he said.
Caldwell said now is the time to stand behind coach Kenny Payne and the entire team.
"We been through a lot of trying times with a lot of different coaches but you know, still come out and support," said Caldwell.
He and other fans remain hopeful this season will be better than last year.
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