(Louisville, KY) - Legendary Louisville basketball player Darrell Griffith will serve as an ambassador for the university.

The University of Louisville made the announcement Thursday, saying Griffith will work closely with school President Dr. Neeli Bendapudi to increase the profile of the university, and expand relationships in support of the university's strategic plan.

The Louisville native will also help advance the school's Cardinal Anti-Racism Agenda.

The announcement follows recent comments made by former UofL star Butch Beard, who asked to be disassociated from the school saying it wasn't doing enough for young black men.

Here is the full press release from the university:

Cardinal legend returns to the nest

Former basketball star Darrell Griffith rejoins UofL as university ambassador

LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Darrell Griffith is back.

Griffith, the all-American basketball star and one of the University of Louisville’s favorite sons, has returned to UofL as a university ambassador. Griffith will work closely with President Neeli Bendapudi to increase the profile of the university and expand relationships in support of the university’s strategic plan and its Cardinal Anti-Racism Agenda. His start date was Nov. 16.

Griffith also will work with the University Advancement office on development and fundraising efforts and as a guest speaker at institutional outreach initiatives and programs throughout the country.

“It feels so great to be working again with the university I love,” Griffith said. “I look forward to reconnecting with so many people in the community and working closely with President Bendapudi to continue to tell UofL’s story and to build relationships on campus and throughout the community.”

Griffith is perhaps best known as “Dr. Dunkenstein,” leader of the 1980 national championship Cardinal basketball team, first-team All-American and national collegiate player of the year. After graduating as an academic All-Americanthat year, he joined the National Basketball Association’s Utah Jazz, earning NBA rookie of the year honors during a 10-year career that culminated with the team retiring his jersey in 1993.

Griffith returned to Louisville, where he established a successful business career before joining the university as a special assistant to the president from 2006 to 2017.

“Darrell has instant name recognition among the UofL family, the Louisville community and throughout the nation,” Bendapudi said. “More importantly, he has been an outstanding student, dedicated alumnus, successful business leader and mentor to young people here and beyond. He is a shining example of success, and I am so excited he has returned to help share the UofL story.”

Photo Credit: University of Louisville

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