The early nineteenth century saw The University of Louisville as a medical and law school. Students sometimes fielded athletic teams, but had no official mascot. In 1913, the University of Louisville adopted the "Cardinals" at the same time the University revived its colleges of arts and science. In 1921, the school's first athletic teams adopted the Fighting Cardinals as their official mascot, along with the colors cardinal and black. Since the cardinal serves as Kentucky's state bird, University of Louisville athletic teams are appropriately named the "Cardinals."