How Louisville football is adjusting to heat wave in Kentucky, effects of climate change

Cardinals Brave the Heat as Fall Camp Kicks Off

Louisville's Football Team Adjusts Practices Amid Record-Breaking Temperatures

Louisville football took to the field Wednesday for their first day of fall camp, but scorching temperatures forced head coach Jeff Brohm to make an unexpected adjustment.

Originally scheduled for a 2:45 p.m. start, practice was moved up to 9:45 a.m. due to a heat wave gripping the city, with the heat index soaring into triple digits. While the earlier time provided some relief from the peak afternoon heat, Brohm described conditions as "good and humid and hot."

"That's always important, to be out there for a while, to learn how to control your body and keep it hydrated and not cramp up and not have to miss practice and learn how to do those things," Brohm emphasized. "Until you're out there, and until you’re out there for a long period of time, you don't really get a test at that."

Moving forward, most preseason practices will be held in the morning hours. However, once classes begin on August 18th, the team will shift to afternoon workouts and full pads, raising additional concerns about the impact of heat on players.

The Growing Threat of Heat Waves

Louisville's experience highlights a pressing issue exacerbated by climate change: increasing frequency and severity of heat waves. Industrial activity, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation contribute to this environmental phenomenon.

The city’s Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability, in a 2020 report, identified heat waves as one of the most significant health risks facing Louisville residents. The number of days exceeding 90 degrees has nearly doubled since the period from 1961-1990, with projections suggesting between 50 and 100 days above 100 degrees annually by midcentury.

A History of Heat-Related Concerns in Football

Tragic incidents underscore the dangers of extreme heat in football. In recent years, Kentucky has witnessed several fatalities and serious illnesses linked to exertional heat illness during practices. In 2006, 16-year-old Ryan Owens suffered a heat stroke during practice, while Max Gilpin, a 15-year-old sophomore, died after collapsing during a 94-degree practice in 2008. Further emphasizing the issue, University of the Cumberlands wrestler Grant Brace died in 2020 following a grueling "punishment practice" with restricted access to water.

Prioritizing Player Safety

Brohm emphasizes player safety as paramount, stressing that health remains a top priority throughout the season. He acknowledges the challenges posed by heat and aims to strike a balance between pushing players and ensuring their well-being.

“I think getting out in the heat is important,” Brohm stated. "... When you put the pads on, it gets a little hot, a little different. And we just want to make sure that we're smart, but yet we're still pushing the envelope on that.”