Former Cardinal Leads Racing Louisville -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Racing Louisville GM a WSOC Alum

With Racing Louisville knocking off the team currently in second place in the table last night as part of their best start to the season since the team began, it's worth taking a look at the new face turning the knobs and pulling the levers. Racing announced in mid-May that their interim general manager, Caitlyn Flores Milby, would have the interim tag removed and serve as the permanent general manager. Flores Milby's contract goes through the 2026 season with an option for 2027. At the time of the announcement, Racing was 3-2-3 (W/D/L), which was already the team's best start through eight games. Since then, they've continued their good run of form, going 3-0-2 and scoring fewer than two goals in just one game over the last five. Racing is currently fifth in the league, with the top eight making the playoffs. The team has not made the NWSL playoffs since the team's inception in 2019. 

Photo via Racing Louisville Communications

But let's look back at who is driving this. Obviously the players on the field and head coach Bev Yanez are playing huge roles, but it's important to remember the issues the team was having under previous administrations. With Flores Milby taking over, she brings excitement and joy to the program, while still being a home grown talent. Flores Milby attended the University of Louisville, rostering for the women's soccer program as a freshman in 2014. After only seeing action in one game that season, Caitlyn (then just Flores) transitioned into a role as team manager. She received her bachelor's degree in sports administration from UofL before returning to her home state to pursue a master's degree in sports leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Flores Milby remained tied to Louisville, coming back after her master's to begin work with Soccer Holdings (the ownership group of Racing and Louisville City) to intern as an operations and Merchandise intern in 2017. During that time, she continued her relationship with Karen Ferguson-Dayes and the UofL program. Since that first season with the organization, Flores Milby says it has "been [her] goal to make professional soccer successful in Louisville." In her own words, she's been willing to do whatever it took, including "setting up on-field signage at Louisville Slugger Field on game day, selling merchandise, bringing thousands of people to our state-of-the-art facilities through our recreational leagues, or ensuring Racing Louisville’s players received the support they needed." Her rise through the organization saw her hold roles as Event and Selection Program Coordinator for ECNL, League Manager for LouCity and Racing Academy, and Racing Louisville Director of Operations starting in 2022. 

Flores Milby wants everyone to be able to see that anyone can have a role in professional sports. The team and UofL put together a video celebrating her that was released yesterday. 

"Cardinal Forever. General Manager. Mother" on Instagram

We wish the very best for this Cardinal Forever in what is hopefully the beginning of a long and successful career at the helm. 

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast

We're back this week, and it'll be Paulie, Daryl, and me putting the show together. Who knows what we'll talk about. It's the summer slump and some of the news that we've gotten so far this summer isn't quite so joyful. We'll do our best to keep it all about the joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics, though, so be sure to tune in! Check out the show after it posts around 1PM, and be sure to subscribe so that it comes to your feed automatically. 

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Until next time, Go Cards!

Case