CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE
We report on the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports here. Thanks for checking us out! Click the picture of Louie to hear the latest Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast!!

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Thursday Cardinal Couple - Fall Sports Day and Sad News




Fall Sports Day




UofL will host a Fall Sports day on August 16th from 3-5pm at Cardinal Arena.  All of the fall sports will be represented with the exception of Women's Soccer as they will be on the road for an exhibition match at Indiana University.  Of women's sports, that means Volleyball and Field Hockey will be in attendance.

This event is an expansion of the annual Football Fan Day and will have the usual fare for a UofL Fan event, with inflatables for kids (and kids at heart), photo booths, face painting and other activities will be available.  There will also be autograph and picture opportunities with some players and coaches.  Concessions will also be available in the lobby along with Cardinal Authentic merchandise.

If you haven't yet purchased tickets for Women's Soccer and Volleyball, the ticket windows at Cardinal Arena will be open to fulfill your needs.

This sounds like a fun event and it sounds like they're expecting quite a crowd.  RSVP at http://www.gocards.com/FanDay.

Sad News From the Spirit Squads

The UofL Athletic Department is reeling from the loss of one of the senior cheerleaders this week.  If you've
been following the Louisville area news you may have heard that Danielle "Dani" Cogswell was found dead in her apartment at Cardinal Towne just of the UofL campus Monday morning.  No foul play is believed to be involved, but her death is being investigated by the Louisville Metro Police Department as a potential overdose.

Obviously a death in a person so young is always tragic and this is no exception.  The Spirit Squads have a similar sort of esprit de corp as we see in the varsity sports teams, and indeed there are many friendships the cross over the Spirit Squad/Varsity Sport boundary.

Our sympathies to the Cogswell family and all who knew Dani.

Pauley Pavilion Damage is Extensive

Paulie referenced the water main break near the UCLA campus yesterday and the flooding of Pauley Pavilion yesterday.  News from the initial assessment from the facility are not good.  The wood floor is already showing signs of expanding and buckling and will likely have to be completely replaced.  Other facilities in the building such as locker rooms, and facilities in nearby buildings including the UCLA Hall of Fame and Athletic Department offices have also sustained heavy damage.  Repairs to the facilities are expected to run into the millions of dollars.

UofL, of course, has had experience with similar sorts of calamities, with flooding on Floyd Street after a water main broke in the vicinity of the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center in July of 2011.  Fortunately very little damage was sustained to UofL facilities in that failure.  Flash flooding from rain occurred in May of 2012, again with only minimal damage to UofL facilities.  The largest damage was sustained from a flash flood event in August of 2009, with damage estimates in the $15 million range.

jmca

..

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Mariya Moore ready for more.


WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Mariya ready for more

- Pauley Pavillion floods


( WE SHARE THIS GREAT READ TODAY FROM USAB ABOUT INCOMING FRESHMAN MARIYA MOORE...WHO IS CURRENTLY IN COLORADO SPRINGS WITH COACH WALZ PREPARING FOR THE FIBA AMERICAS U 18 CHAMPIONSHIP



As an applicant athlete back in 2011, Mariya Moore (Salesian H.S./Richmond, Calif.) made her way to USA Basketball’s Women’s U16 National Team trials on her own, with the hope many young girls had-- to make the national team.


Being an applicant athlete is tough, as you are competing against the most talented girls around the nation, some of whom were invited by the USA Basketball Developmental National Team Committee to participate, however, this does not mean any one player has a greater or lesser chance of making the team.


In fact, several applicant athletes have made a USA Basketball team and gone on to win gold medals. In 2011, that wasn’t the case for Moore.


It would be easy to give up and refuse to try again, and Moore said she sometimes felt like that, but she refused to let that attitude overtake her.


“Not making it definitely changed my outlook on things,” Moore said. “When I first came and paid my own way, I worked really hard to try to make the team, but I didn’t, and sometimes for me personally, that could bring me down.


“It also just pushed me to work harder so that I would never again have that same feeling,” she continued.


In 2014, she was no longer an applicant, but was instead invited to participate in the USA Women’s
U18 National Team trials, and this time, she made the 12-member roster.


“Coming from being an applicant before lets me know that anyone can make this team; they just have to work hard.”


Back in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this week for the 2014 USA Basketball Women’s U18 National Team training camp, Moore is appreciative of the opportunity and ready to take on the challenge of playing for a gold medal. The USA will begin play at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship on Aug. 6.


“Training camp has been competitive; intense,” she admitted. “We’re teammates, and off the court we’re cool, but we know when we’re on the court and the ball goes up, we’re going hard every time. And then after it, we’ll be cool again.”


Playing under the instruction of head mentor Dawn Staley (University of South Carolina) and assistant coaches Kim Barnes Arico (University of Michigan) and Jeff Walz (University of Louisville), Moore is trying to absorb and take advantage of every moment, especially when it comes to her interactions with coach Walz, who also will be her college mentor this fall.


As an incoming Louisville freshman, Moore has been on campus for almost two months now, and though being away could result in her having a few things to catch up on, she is happy to be with USA Basketball this summer on a journey she will share with the person who will guide her for the next four years of her life.


“College is definitely treating me well, I’m enjoying it. But being here with coach Walz this summer is special,” Moore shared.

Link to story

http://bit.ly/1o9OUAJ



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WE parodied the failed attempts of Don Paulie to get his own pavillion established at UofL women's home events several weeks ago on our radio show. Could The Don maybe delivered some payback?


                      Flooding from ruptured water main threatens UCLA's Pauley Pavilion




CARDINAL COUPLE did ask The Don if he had any knowledge of the wet goings-on out at UCLA.

His response:

" I don't know nothin' about that or any other supposed activities in
California. Me and Johnny were in Louisville and we got plenty of witnesses.

We was feeding the ducks down by the lake at Cave Hill Cemetery when this happened.

A place of business has to be careful about things, though...you never know when a pipe
might burst, toilet back up or a couple of "collection" guys stop in and leave a
gentle reminder about who IS the real Paulie...and that he shouldn't be messed with...

Going forward...we'd like to extend our hopes and desires that this new aquatic facility
in Los Angeles becomes a success...and that our security and protection services are
available if needed..."

paulie

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Tuesday Cardinal Couple -- Women's Soccer faces early opening tests



TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Women's Soccer faces early road tests

- Who was your UofL women's sports Player of the Year?



It isn't easy being UofL women's soccer head coach Karen Ferguson Dayes these days...

Beside preparing for the home season's opener against Ole Miss on Aug. 29th. as part of a opening stadium debut in Lynn Stadium...her squad faces two exhibition games on the road the the first two regular season games as the visiting squad also.

Soccer "kicks off" on 8/13 with the season opening exhibition in Knoxville against SEC power Tennessee. Three days later they head north to face BIG 10 foe Indiana for an exhibition match. 

The regular season begins six days later at Wright State.

Two days later, the "kickin" Cards head to Champaign, IL. to take on the Fighting Illini. 

It is a season that will test Louisville women's soccer...especially since scoring machines Charlyn Corral and Christine Exeter have graduated. 


Stylish Casey Whitfield is one of the leading returning
scorers for Louisville women's soccer.
In fact, over half the goals scored by Louisville women's Soccer in 2013 have graduated...so to speak. Coach Karen will look to senior Angelika Uremovich...returning from a year off due to injury...Shannon Dennehey and Casey Whitfield to find the back of the net.

The Cards do return goalie Paige Brown to shore up a defense that also took some major hits due to graduation.

Louisville's 12-5-2 record and NCAA Tournament selection may be a hard feat to accomplish in 2014...to say the least.
The 7-1 AAC conference record will also be a major challenge to repeat in talent-laden ACC conference play.. .

Seven ACC schools were ranked in the top 25 at the end of the NCAA Tournament in 2013. Florida State lost to UCLA in the championship game. The Cards will go there on Sept. 25th.

This 1-2 scoring punch for the 2013 squad will be greatly missed.
10 ACC conference games  await in addition to the rival match against UK and two other in-state challenges from Morehead State University and NKU.

No official 2014 women's soccer roster has been released yet and CARDINAL COUPLE is still trying to get in for a pre-season interview with Coach Ferguson-Dayes. 

Higher stakes, better opponents and challenging away games await in the next three months before ACC Tournament play starts on 11/7. A state of the art stadium to host 10 visitors as well.

A transition season in several aspects for women's soccer.

The challenge awaits. 

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We've posted a poll over on the Right Side of the Site asking you who was your UofL women's sports Player of the Year in the 2013-14 season.

It was tough to narrow it down to four players...and someone will undoubtedly gripe about us leaving their choice off the list...but we selected:

- Shoni Schimmel  (if you have to ask why...welcome back from your four year trip to Mars)

- Charlyn Corral (senior soccer star led UofL in goals)

- Nikki Boltja (lacrosse forward was the leading scorer)

- Catlin Welch (volleyball's best Libero ever )

paulie 

Monday, July 28, 2014

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Can sputtering Dream finish atop WNBA East?



MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Losers of last four...is the Dream fading?




For the first 20 games of the WNBA season, the Atlanta Dream arguably looked to be the best team in the WNBA.

After Sunday's loss to Washington (Atlanta's fourth loss in a row) they now resemble one of the worst in the pro basketball conference...only Seattle has lost more in a row.

Atlanta still has a three game lead in the East with ten games to go and they are the only team in the East over .500 at 15-9. The recent trend is disturbing, though. 

After a breakout performance in the WNBA All-Star Game, it's back to normal for Shoni Schimmel...17 minutes a game, no double figure performances and sharing guard duties with Dumeric and Thomas. 

Heading into the playoffs around the .500 mark is nothing new for Atlanta...they have been only a few games over a losing record the last couple of years that they made it into the WNBA Playoff and to the finals. 

In 2009, Angel's first season, Atlanta went 18-16. They finished 2nd in the East but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

2010 produced a 19-15 record but a 4th place finish in the East. Atlanta caught on fire in the playoffs and went to the WNBA finals...losing to Seattle.

2011 brought a 20-14 regular season total and a 3rd place East finish. It also produced their second straight trip to the finals...losing to Minnesota.

2012 was quite similar...19-15 and another 3rd place East finish. Indiana knocked the Dream out of the WNBA Playoffs in the semifinals

Last year, Atlanta struggled to a 17-17 mark in regular season play...good for 2nd in the East...but caught fire in the playoffs....getting to the finals and losing to the Lynx.


Here's the remainder of the schedule:

TUES 7/29 VS CONNECTICUT 
THURS 7/31 @ TULSA  
SUN 8/3 VS NEW YORK  
TUES 8/5 @ PHOENIX
THURS 8/7 @ SEATTLE
FRI 8/8 @ LA
SUN 8/10 @ CHICAGO
WEDS 8/13 VS PHOENIX
FRI 8/15 VS TULSA
SUN 8/17 @ CONNECTICUT

The road trip in August with four games in six days looks particularly challenging...the Dream covering a staggering 7,127 miles in 144 hours.



Flights, hotel beds, road meals...all can play a continuing role in a team's well-being and success. Let's hope the huge Shoni fanbase that Atlanta will have greet them in opponents' arenas can counter-effect the fatigue of travel. 




And...maybe a few more minutes for #23 wouldn't hurt either...

paulie







Sunday, July 27, 2014

Sunday Cardinal Couple -- Whatever happened to ??



SUNDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Whatever happened to...


We had an inquiry a couple of weeks ago on whatever happened to a UofL WBB player that left the program. We decided to revive the "Whatever Happened To?" segment we used to do here.  Here ya go with our first installment:

POLLY HARRINGTON   5'11"  WING 


Harrington was a part of the 2010 incoming class after a year of junior college. Her 2010-11 stats as a Card were 16 games played, 5.1 minutes per game, 1.8 ppg. She decided to transfer in April of 2011...looking for more playing time...and she found it at South Dakota. She started every game in her two years there and was the Summit League Conference Tournament MVP as a senior in 2014. SD lost the Stanford in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Harrington averaged 12.4 ppg and 5.6 rebounds her senior season. 

The Summit League has an interesting makeup...


Summit Conference Standings

TEAMCONF W-LTOTAL W-L
North Dakota State2-126-24
Nebraska-Omaha4-1012-16
Denver5-99-23
Western Illinoishe 6-814-16
IPFW8-615-14
South Dakota7-719-13
IUPUI11-322-9
South Dakota State13-122-9

Harrington also received a fair share of national attention when her fiancee proposed to her during the season...

VERMILLION, SD

South Dakota senior wing Polly Harrington will remember her final game at the Dakota Dome for the rest of her life, and it has nothing to do with the 16 points she scored in USD's 99-88 loss to rival SD State. 

With the team apparently honoring her on the court after the game, Harrington's boyfriend snuck up behind her, dropped to a knee and proposed to her. A stunned Harrington said "Yes!" to the delight of the crowd and her teammates. 


Is there a former WBB Card you'd like an update on? Just let us know either by e-mail or drop a request in the comments section. We'll research your request for our next "Whatever Happened To?"



Saturday, July 26, 2014

Saturday Cardinal Couple -- Starting Ms. Schimmel ??



SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- What role is best for Shoni Schimmel?

- Fat Friday Trolley Hop a rollicking good time


( WEST COAST READER AND OCCASIONAL COLUMNIST GARY WITHERSPOON TREATS
US TODAY WITH A VERY INTERESTING  AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING ARTICLE ON THE WNBA AND SHONI SCHIMMEL. REMEMBER, CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO TODAY AT 11 A.M.
WITH JUSTINE SOWRY, VIC STRATTON, WBB, SOFTBALL AND MUCH MORE !!)



LISTEN LIVE AT 11 A.M. THIS MORNING ON CRESCENT HILL RADIO AT THE LINK BELOW:

ANOTHER REASON TO REGULATE INTERNET BROADCASTS




Does the All-Star MVP Deserve to Start?

There has been a lot written in the media and discussed on line about the
appropriateness of Shoni Schimmel coming off the bench for her Atlanta Dream
team.  Facing Atlanta coming to play the Lynx, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve was
asked whether she thought there might be a change in Atlanta’s starting lineup. 
Coach Reeve said, “I expect to see a change.  How can you not start the MVP of the
All-Star Game?”  That is a good question that many people are asking.  To add to
the irony of the situation, the Lynx were having a celebration of NA heritage at
the game, and they had thousands of Native American fans coming to the game to
see Shoni play, not to see her sit on the bench.

Women's basketball has been struggling in many places to put fans in the seats,
and does not have the dynamic slams to entertain like the NBA has.  Therefore,
it has to value the entertaining nature of Shoni's game and not dismiss it as
showboating.  Anyone who has watched her play knows she plays to win first and
foremost, but she also enjoys being creative and entertaining, and she uses her
play to inspire her teammates and help them win games.  You do not have to play
boring basketball to win. 

It was nice to hear Jeff Walz note the entertainment value of Shoni’s game in an
article in Slam Magazine about Shoni Schimmel by Mirin Fader.  The article was
titled “Dream Big.”

 (http://www.slamonline.com/other-ballers/womens/shoni-schim mel-atlanta-dream/). 


People have to remember that sports are first and foremost entertainment.  If
the WNBA is to survive and prosper economically, it has to value what is
entertaining and what is exciting for the fans.  The fans voted Shoni on the
All-Star team, not because she is Native American, but because she is one of the
most exciting and entertaining players to watch in the WNBA. 

Off and on I have played and coached BB since the 1950s.  I can remember back in
the 1950s when the mostly White establishment outlawed the slam dunk in college
and high school BB.  That misguided rule held BB back more than a decade until
the fans eventually demanded the dunk be allowed.  To me, those media people who
demean and dismiss Shoni’s game are similar to those who wanted to keep the
men’s game in the conservative dark ages back in the 1950s and 60s. 

Believe it or not, the dunk is still banned in warmups in college games.  The
ban was not because of the fear of bending the rim or breaking the glass;  it
was because excessive flamboyance offended the conservative establishment.  This
is also why we still have that stupid rule about excessive celebration in
college football.  And it is why the conservative media and establishment in
women’s basketball is still uncomfortable with the free-wheeling, creative and
flamboyant nature of Shoni’s entertaining style of basketball, better known to
Native Americans as Rez Ball.

I have gotten frustrated with commentators on ESPN being critical of her game
every time a pass or shot goes array, but then in another article lament the
attendance problem at women's basketball games.  Why do they insist the game be
played so conservatively, and then at the same lament the lack of fans in the
stands.  Shoni and the WNBA All Star game showcased how entertaining women's
basketball can be, and how creative and high risk plays and shots can contribute
to excellent play and to winning as well as be entertaining.

Nevertheless, I am not as critical of Atlanta coaches as some others I have
read.  The Dream have other guards who are very good players.  Tiffany Hayes has
been phenomenal, and has been very entertaining in her own right this season. 
Jasmine Thomas is a very good guard who plays excellent defense, can hit the
open shot and can drive to the basket.  But she is not an ideal point guard. 
She does not see the court well, does not feed the post well and is not
particularly good at leading the fast break. The Dream added the French PG
Celine Dumerc, and she is still adjusting to the WNBA. But she can play and
deserves playing time as well.  Shoni is the only one of the guards who can be
both a good PG and a good shooting guard. 

People have been writing articles as though Shoni has been a rarely used reserve
all season, but that has only been true of the last four games just prior to the
All-Star game.  In the first 17 games, she averaged 24 minutes per game, which
was the fourth most minutes on the team.  From the time she was announced as an
All-Star on July 8, her minutes were immediately diminished to an average of
only 10 minutes per game, even though her team was up a +16 during those ten
minutes when she was on the floor.   Despite barely playing in the four games
after she was announced as an All-Star, she is still fifth on the team in
scoring, second in assists, and first in free throw percentage.  And she leads
the team in three point shots made. 

From an external perspective, it appears she was punished severely for having
the audacity to be elected an All-Star, even though it was the Dream that put on
her name on the ballot.  Not playing in those four games after being elected an
All-Star made her stats at the All-Star Game look bad, and virtually everyone in
the media has made a big deal of her poor stats going into the All-Star game.

I have no problem with Shoni not starting, but letting her play 10 minutes or
less is not good for her, not good for her team and not good for the WNBA. 
Bringing her off the bench gives the reserves an extra explosive offensive
player who can create for herself and others.  It does not necessarily mean the
coach thinks she is not one of the five best players on the team.  Many teams
bring off the bench a talented sixth player to help their reserves and put
pressure on the other team's reserves.  Shoni’s sister, Jude, essentially played
that role for Louisville last year.

In the end, Coach Reeve was indeed surprised at the start of the
Minnesota/Atlanta game because Shoni did not start, but Shoni did get 31 minutes
in a double OT, 50 minute game.  In the game. Shoni hit five threes, scored 17
points, had 8 assists, 2 steals, 3 rebounds while making only one turnover.. 
She also literally grabbed the ball and wrestled it away from Minnesota’s
All-Star PG Lindsay Whalen while both players had both hands on the ball. 
Lindsay is bigger and supposed to be a lot stronger than Shoni, but Shoni
fearlessly grabbed the ball while in Lindsay’s hands and wrestled it away from
her.  Then Shoni dribbled the ball to the hoop and made a no-look pass to a
teammate for an easy layup. 

While the game was tied at the end of the fourth quarter with less than ten
seconds to play, Shoni went for the steal against Maya Moore, the WNBA’s leading
scorer; and, with a teammate’s help, Shoni got the steal.  Shoni then took the
ball to the Dream’s hoop where she attempted a highly contested short hook shot
to win the game.  It bounced off the rim and a teammate’s put back also went off
the rim, so the game went to overtime.   Those are the kind of surprising and
exciting plays Shoni’s fearless and flamboyant play brings to the game. 

The Lynx won the game 112-108 in double OT.  Five All-Stars played in this game. 
Maya Moore scored 48 points in the game, and seven  players scored 17 or more
points in the game.  The game certainly followed the pattern of the All-Star
game with brilliant, competitive and startling plays on both sides.  All the
fans were entertained.

GW


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The end of the month Friday Night Fat Friday Trolley Hop on Frankfort Ave. in Crescent Hill had absolutely perfect weather and a great entertainment lineup last evening. CARDINAL COUPLE crew Paulie, Sonja and Worldwide were on hand to see the country-rock, up and coming stars Ben Knight and the Welldiggers and the legendary Juggernaut Jug Band.

It was four hours of fun and great music! The electic Juggernaut Guys (Roscoe Goose, Slim Chance and Skip Tracer) were buoyed and inspired by the large, appreciative crowd to put on one of the best shows I've seen the boys do in a long time. That, without a bass player...(Nick O' Time has left the band)...the trio roared through classics like "Waiting For That Chicken Pie To Cool" and an absolutely hilarious tribute to Led Zeppelin while keeping the crowd enertained with their snappy dialouge.

They'll be at Joe Huber's in Starlite, IN tonight. Go if you have a chance.

 paulie
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..
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Friday, July 25, 2014

Friday Cardinal Couple -- Field Hockey Interview and Miller hired as Softball assistant



FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- CARDINAL COUPLE exclusive with Justine Sowry and Victoria Stratton

-Jay Miller named Louisville Softball assistant

- Trolley Hop Concert series tonight at Crescent Hill !!

- WBB releases non-conference schedule




I got a nice surprise today when stopping by the UofL Field Hockey Offices to interview Justine Sowry. Also available for our exclusive interview was junior back Victoria "Vic" Stratton. 

We'll have the full interview on the Saturday morning CARDINAL COUPLE Radio Hour that airs weekly at 11 a.m. but here are some teasers from the delightful 15 minutes.

- What brought a New Zealand girl to Louisville? Hear Vic tell about the influences and that first visit!

- How Vic thinks the Cards will do in their first ACC season.

- What is Coach Sowry is prepared to do after each home ACC win this season?

- How did a former UofL Field Hockey great play an integral role in getting Vic to campus?

Join us Saturday morning on CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR
at 11 a.m. to hear these questions answered and much more!  An Australian, New Zealander and Paulie...this is "can't miss" radio...

Cardinal Couple Radio is a proud show affiliate with Crescent Hill Radio. To listen to the station or hear any of our archived broadcasts...go to:

CRESCENT HILL RADIO


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Turns out Coach Pearsall didn't have to go too far to find her newest assistant coach. Actually, right down the hallway...as two-year volunteer assistant Jay Miller is now the newest full-time assistant for the Hit 'n Pitch Cards.

Miller came to Louisville in 2011 after a successful coaching stint as head coach of the Miss. St. Bulldogs.  His wife, Lacy Lee Baker, is the executive director of the NFCA...headquartered here in Louisville.


Miller's expertise in working with pitchers and catchers will serve the Cards well...Pearsall looks to replace stalwart Maggie Ruckenbrod behind the plate and will have two freshmen and two sophomore pitchers when play begin in the spring of 2015. 

His extensive head coaching experience and knowledge will be an asset to the Cards as they prepare for season one in the ACC.

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Looking for a little fun tonite? Why not head over to Frankfort Ave. and hang out at the Crescent Hill Radio Trolley Hop Concert? It's live music on the lawn in front of Crescent Hill Radio and...it's free! 

J. Gumbo's will also have food and beverage available for purchase. 

Tonight's show is an excellent one...with Ben Knight & The Welldiggers opening at 6:30 p.m. and the legendary Juggernaut Jug Band taking the stage at 8:30 p.m.



Crescent Hill Radio is located at 2520 Frankfort Ave (between Galt and Peterson Avenues). Bring a lawnchair, your own food and beverage if you like and sit under the stars and enjoy great local music. 

You might even see the infamous Worldwide Jeff McAdams prowling the premises...in addition to sweet Sonja and cantankerous Paulie...yelling at people to get off the station's front yard. 

It's fun, it's free and it's pet friendly. See y'all there!! LINKIE below: 

Hop, Hop...hop to the HOP !!!


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OK, here it is....fire away with your comments and observations. 10 home games...four on Sunday, two on Friday and Thursday and one each on Monday and Tuesday.


-paulie
-  

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Yes, they are watching...



THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- EX CARDS GETTING NATIONWIDE WNBA ATTENTION





The nationwide attention being bestowed on UofL WBB ex-stars Shoni Schimmel and Angel McCoughtry is undoubtedly the most attention ever paid to former Cardinal athletes in any professional venue in Cardinal sports history.

Name me two ex-Cards that are grabbing headlines for an entire season like #35 and #23 are gathering.

Pro football? Teddy will get press...but he isn't even guaranteed a starting job yet...much less being a starter in the All-Star game. And...name me (3) UofL football graduates that are grabbing headlines in the NFL.

NBA? I'll propose the same question. How many Pitino
alumni were starters in the All-Star game and how many have gone the to NBA Finals or led the league in scoring? 

So...why the overwhelming success for Walz's prodigies?

The talent level is your first key. Shoni and Angel are two completely different types of basketball players...but get it done in their own unique way and have a fan base that gravitates to them. 

Coaching is the second reason. Would have either Angel or Shoni reached the platitudes they now are bestowed if they had gone to Georgetown? Or Oregon? 


Let's face it. Both are strong-willed, determined women. Not many coaches in college hoops could have handled the task of developing their game skills, dealing with their drive and desire and balanced their skills with their idiosyncrasies. 

Thank you, Mad Scientist and staff...for possessing those juggling skills and keeping your sanity at the same time.

I was asked the other day...how many more Shoni's and Angel's will Walz turn out in the future?

The answer is....zero.

The two are unique and cannot be duplicated. There is strong chance, though...that the procession to the WNBA will continue for a Jane Smith or Sally Brown or Sandy White. Or choose any name you want. Different players, different skills. There are no clones. 

Think back to how many times you saw Shoni or Angel take over games and bring the Cards back from the abyss and either win or get back into contests.


Desire. Will. Determination. Hungry and driven. 

You must also credit a coach that is willing to overlook one miscue or errant play because he knows he's going to get four or five spectacular ones in return to offset them.  Risk vs. reward. 

Rolling the dice and winning. 

Look to Geno Auriemma as the kingpin for developing WNBA talent. And look at Jeff Walz as a younger, heir apparent to developing and honing the skills of the future WNBA talent.

Walz is confident and correct in his advice to players that if they will just listen to the coaching staff and follow the game strategy, they will be successful and win. 

Yes, these next Shoni's and Angel's...they will come. They may already be on campus. They've probably been to the camps. They know about the tradition and fan support for Louisville women's basketball.

And you can't buy that on the shelf at Food World.  

It's often said...you can lead a horse to water but you can't make the horse drink. 

With Jeff Walz...it's more like catching the wild horse from the pack, using freedom, disciplinary skills, coaching and teaching to turn the horse into a capable thoroughbred that eventually rises to the lead and wins the race by utilizing their own skills, the wise coaching advice and strategy and having that desire to win. 

Keep training, coach.

paulie



  

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- "Moore" points. Atlanta falls to Minn.



WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Minnesota defeats Atlanta 102-98 in double overtime

It had the feel of the WNBA Finals on a hot summer night in Minneapolis...Maya Moore totaling a career and franchise high 48 points against a Dream team that had rallied from a 14-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter.

Heritage Night in the Target Center. A "sho" during the action as well.

Shoni Schimmel continued her hot streak since the WNBA All-Star game, with five threes and 17 points. A chance to win it for Atlanta in regulation...her twisting, behind-the-back, driving layup in the lane through three Lynx defenders resulting in a layup that hung tantalizingly on the rim before dropping off. 

Michael Cooper? Take all the time you need to recover from your surgery. This was fun basketball to watch. The team is in good hands under the observation of assistant coach Karleen Thompson.

Angel McCoughtry, all about the business...saddled with some late foul trouble...but responding by narrowly missing a three at the end of the first overtime. Her back-to-back threes putting Atlanta up by six in the overtime before Minnesota roared back to tie.

Sorry #35. You weren't fouled on the buzzer shot. But...several of the calls on you during the contest were imaginary. Give Angel 21 for the night and some of the best facial expressions and emoting of the season. She wears her heart on her sleeve, like Shoni...and it's great theater. 

In the end, though...the Lynx re-discovered Moore, who had been shut down by Atlanta for nearly fifteen minutes and her two jumpers gave Minnesota a five point lead late. 

Asia Taylor, getting plenty of TV exposure but never getting a chance to take off the warmups and see action. With Rebekkah Brunson back from knee surgery and providing a double-double in her first game back...Asia may have the best seat in the house for the remainder of the Lynx's attempt to capture a third WNBA title.

The WNBA needed to capture this one in a jar and bring it out for national TV games. The Fox Sports North announcers...obviously pro-Lynx and Atlanta ignorant...weren't all that bad in comparison to some of the "Four-letter network" game callers we'll have to endure when women's college hoops returns. Maybe the ACC will take notice and offer the two ladies a gig for conference games.

On a night where Maya Moore demonstrated why she is the best player in the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream showed that they are gunning to face the Lynx and Moore again in the playoffs for the third straight year and have an additional weapon to bring to the fray...a passing, shooting and take-charge rookie by the name of Shoni.

paulie

Monday, July 21, 2014

Tuesday Cardinal Couple - Favorite Fall Venues

Favorite Fall Venues

Saturday, Paulie gave us five of his wishes for fall for UofL athletics...and probably stretched it a bit by talking about Basketball and a catch-all at the end, but hey, its his site, he can do what he wants.

I'd like to riff on that theme a slight bit and talk a bit about the fall venues, with a look at which venues I'm most looking forward to visiting to watch fall sports.

#1 Lynn Stadium

OK, this one really can't be much of a surprise.  There's definitely a novelty factor here, but I truly am looking forward to watching UofL Soccer compete at the spiffy new Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Soccer Stadium.  The towering roof over the primary seating area teased me all through Lacrosse season.  With seating for approximately 5,300, this will be a significant upgrade for watching soccer from the Cardinal Park Stadium.  2,300 chairback seats more than equals the total built-in bench seating capacity in Cardinal Park.  Bleacher seating behind the east end-zone increases the capacity another 900, the rest is berm seating.  At Cardinal Park I've enjoyed both sitting in the bleachers and standing in the end-zones equally.  I can't wait to see what its like to do the same at Lynn Stadium.  I also get the privilege of experiencing press-box hospitality, and with the upgrade that happened at Ulmer Stadium for Softball, I can't wait to see what they've done for Soccer.

#2 Brown Rowing Center

For two years now, I've gone to Waterfront Park in October to the G. Garvin Brown III Rowing Center for the Red and Black Regatta.  The only real chance to see the UofL Rowing team in action, even if it is only a scrimmage, it also serves as an open house for UofL fans to see the amazing waterfront facility where the second largest team in the UofL Athletic Department practices.  The Brown Rowing Center is spectacular, and I don't want to pass up the opportunity to show my support for the UofL team that probably gets the least support from the fan base with the complete lack of home competitions.  Derek Copeland proved himself an excellent host last year with food for all, and of course with the various rowers around to answer questions and provide impromptu tours of the boathouse, its all a fan could ask for.

#3 Cardinal Arena

Sure, you knew Volleyball was going to make the list, but you probably figured I'd list the KFC Yum! Center, but to tell you the truth, despite it being an older facility...perhaps the least recently updated athletic facility at the University...I really relish the chances to watch Volleyball at Cardinal Arena.  There's a very definite charm to watching events at Cardinal Arena, obviously seating capacity is limited...too limited for UofL Volleyball, honestly...but that just makes the atmosphere electric.  Volleyball has drawn nearly 1,300, for a big match (Kentucky, in September of 2009), in a facility that officially seats 840, and you can imagine how loud a crowd like that was in an arena of that size.  You're right on top of the action at Cardinal Arena...enough so that you need to stay alert for volleyballs flying into the stands and if you're lucky enough to have a first-row seat in the west-side seating, maybe a player or two!  (Team benches and officials tables block the path to the east-side stands.)  Of course, any visit to the KFC Yum! Center is a treat and being able to have crowd sizes for Volleyball well upwards of 2,000 is a privilege that only a few teams have, but do yourself a favor and catch a match or two...or all six this year...at Cardinal Arena.

#4 Ralph Wright Natatorium

I've only ever been to one Swimming and Diving meet, and alas my visit got cut short by a crisis at my place of work.  Coming off of an amazing year, I hope to lend some more support to another team that doesn't typically get a lot of attention at UofL.  Free admission, concessions, and a typically great UofL facility to be proud of.  I didn't get the opportunity to see any of the diving competition in my previous visit, I plan to remedy that.

#5 Trager Stadium

Field Hockey is a sport that I'm still learning about, so every visit to Trager Stadium, in the Marshall Center/Field Hockey Complex is a fascinating experience.  Field Hockey, much like Lacrosse, is really a thrilling sport to watch, and Justine Sowry's rapid-fire substitution patterns only add to the excitement.  Whether you like to be right on top of the action, or elevated above to have a better view of the overall field, there's turf level bleachers, as well as elevated stands to accommodate your desires.  If you get excited enough that you prefer to stand, there's even some limited space for standing at mid-field.  Field Hockey is another sport that has free admission, along with a concession stand including a beer license, and fans that will gladly help you learn about the sport.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

I heartily agree with Worldwide Jeff's choices and it only takes your veteran Paulie a few minutes to remember all the Volleyball matches at one time were at Cardinal Arena, women's soccer was at Cardinal Park, when there was no rowing facility,  swimming meets were held in the pool in the basement of Crawford Gym and Field Hockey was battling it out in the MAC Conference and playing matches on the intramural football field.

UofL has come so far... it's hard to imagine what else Tom Jurich & crew can expand on. Stay tuned, though, and trust in Tom....if there is a will and a way, he will get it done. 

-Paulie 


-jeffmca