University of Louisville pays tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali's hometown university paid tribute to the three-time heavyweight champion boxer after his death Friday night. Ali was 74.

Ali was not only proud of his hometown, he was proud of the university as well. Ali did the coin toss wearing a Louisville jersey before the Cardinals played (and beat) Florida in the 2013 Sugar Bowl and regularly attended Louisville sporting events. His son Asaad played baseball at the school from 2009-2012.

"All of us in the Cardinal Athletics family are deeply, deeply saddened with the passing of an absolute worldwide legend in Muhammad," Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said in a statement. "While he was undoubtedly one of the greatest athletes in history, the Champ made a difference in the lives of so many around the world. His generosity with his time for anything we asked of him -€” or things he offered to do without us asking -€” was incredible, as was the financial commitment he and Lonnie made to our baseball program at U of L. It was a true honor for me to know him, and he will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Lonnie and the entire family."

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Ali was given the school's Grawemeyer Spirit Award in 2015. He and his wife Lonnie donated half of the money back to the school's scholarship fund to start a scholarship in Ali's name.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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