Vote for the 2018 Card Chronicle Person of the Year

Based on your nominations, here are the five finalists for the 2018 Card Chronicle Person of the Year award:

VINCE TYRA

Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images

—Was officially named Louisville’s new athletic director on March 26.

—Hired Chris Mack to guide the men’s basketball program, and Scott Satterfield to take over the football program.

—Extended Dan McDonnell’s contract after McDonnell was approached by Mississippi State.

—Engaged with fans on social media and actively attempted to address their concerns.

JEFF WALZ

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

—Is a finalist for a second straight year.

—Actually messaged me to say that he didn’t want to be a finalist, but wanted the entire 2017-18 team to be recognized as a finalist.

—Led Louisville to the 2018 ACC regular season and tournament championships.

—Helped the Cards earn their first NCAA tournament No. 1 seed in program history.

—The team wound up making it to the Final Four for the third time in program history. All three appearances have come under Walz’s direction.

—Currently has Louisville at 12-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country (the highest ranking in program history) as we head into 2019.

—Defeated Kentucky 80-75 on Dec. 9, his third straight victory over the Wildcats.

CHRIS MACK

—Was named the new head coach of the men’s basketball program on March 27.

—Signed a top five recruiting class featuring six players on the first day of the early signing period.

—Has overachieved in his first season on the job so far, guiding Louisville to a 9-3 start that includes wins over Michigan State and Seton Hall.

DAVID PADGETT

AP

—Was the Card Chronicle Person of the Year for 2008 following his senior season as a player for U of L.

—Made the most out of a tough situation as Louisville’s interim coach in 2017-18.

—Led Louisville to a 9-9 mark in the ACC and produced the program’s first victory in the ACC tournament.

—Consistently handled difficult questions with poise and grace.

—Is set to begin work as an in-game analyst for ESPN.

DR. NEELI BENDAPUDI

—Was named the University of Louisville’s new president on April 3.

—Made the swift decision to remove Papa John’s name from Cardinal Stadium.

—Has brought equal levels of enthusiasm and eloquence during all of her public appearances.

—Seems to be providing the stability both the school and the athletic program have desperately needed.

The polls are officially open and will remain so until Saturday morning. It’s time to pick the next Card Chronicle Person of the Year.