CARDINAL COUPLE...Parts I and II Today -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PART I -- Radio and Anthems

We'll be coming at you in two parts today. 

I have an interview with Coach Kellie Young (Lacrosse) later this morning. I'll be posting that later...check back.


For the now, I'm readying myself for my Tuesday Morning chat with Howie Lindsey. WE review the weekend in sports....mostly, but not limited to, women's sports. Howie brings me on each week and it's worth getting up a little early for.

We air around 7:40 something and I get anywhere from 5-10 minutes. It's always a fun time and I'm glad that we can get a little information out there about how the UofL women are doing. You can listen at 790 WKRD or on the IHeart app. 

He may bring up the National Anthem controversy. I have mixed feelings about it. How do you feel about it? Give us your take in the comments section. Would you "take a knee"? How do you feel about that? 

We'll be back later this morning. Go out and get something done. Make breakfast. Go to work. Hit the gym or go to class in the meantime. Be productive...but if you need that extra rest or sleep, don't deprive your body. After all, it's the only one you'll get issued.

Listen here!   Louisville First with Howie Lindsey


PART II -- THE KELLIE YOUNG INTERVIEW

(THERE IS A LINK TO THE FULL INTERVIEW AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ARTICLE) 

PRE-PRESS BOX LOOK

One of the most beautiful sites on the Belknap Campus is the view from Kellie Young's office. On a bright, sunny Tuesday morning I entered that office a little before 9 a.m. and just had to stop and revel in it a few seconds before Coach and I "got down to it". 

A sun splashed green, artificial turf...illuminated and the unmistakable Louie the Cardinal Bird logo at midfield. A new turf, and new Bird. Absolutely beautiful. In the distance, the South Side of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium and the renovation cranes and stark, steel beams.

I have seen some wonderful things out of this window. On a cold and blustery day...former LAX great Nikki Boltja, by herself in an inch or two of snow...shooting a bag of Lacrosse ball at the north net. Going to gather those shots and repeating the process. The construction of the Press Box and spoofingly suggesting they name it The Cardinal Couple Memorial Press Box...since, prior to it, it seemed like Worldwide and I were the only two media representatives that regularly followed the squad. Sitting in the bleachers wth parents and Jeff's mom. I saw in my mind's eye Hannah Koloski running the field and taking passes from whomever she could get to go out there with her and firing them on the run at that north net first and then sprinting the length of the field to shoot and the south net. 

These eyes have seen many great, and a few tragic, things on that field. Upset wins. Faye Brust going down, in obvious knee pain and trying to return in the second half but unable.

I hope to see many more things there...and Faye's back! (We'll get to that....yes, the interview. Pardon me for waxing nostalgic a few paragraphs.)

Coach Young and I began our interview talking about fall practice. The squad, with nine freshmen, has been working very hard the last couple of weeks and she is seeing some great things from the newbies and the returnees. Of particular note...Lexie Ball at goalie and the freshmen Blalock twins. Seems they know a thing or two about face-off control at midfield. 

It's a big weekend for LAX. They'll face Marquette, Vandy and the alums on Saturday the 30th. Maybe a chance to hop over and see how they look while your tailgating at Football. Coach is excited about the chance to see the girls go up against some very talented competition. 

Nine freshmen in all out there. We also caught up on last year's standouts Hannah Koloski and Steph McNamara. Both are still on campus and pursuing academic and career training. We saw Steph at the recent Field Hockey game. Coach says she's seen her once, that Steph still has a hard time going back into the complex without getting quite emotional. That blur that flew past me as I walked from the lot to the Little Yum must have been Hannah. I can only assume she is preparing for the race against Jaz Jones, Jordan McNary and Minnie Mink to determine "the Queen of Speed" title. 

She's back! Cardinal lacrosse great Faye Brust is an assistant coach for Lacrosse. She embodies the spirit and culture that Young has for the program and she knows a couple of things about scoring as well. I chatted with "Fabian" very briefly after my interview with Kellie. Same ol' Faye...big grin and ready to roll. She was at Furman as an assistant when she got the call...and even brought a couple of grads from the Palladins program who have a year of eligibility left and are working in quite well with the chemistry of the squad. 

Kellie and I also touched on Sarah Blaylock's nice award during her senior year of high school and Elise Koehl's unique summer experience in Vietnam. Coach also provided her view on the National Anthem current controversy and....we have to add her to the list of those coaches without a GOLF CART! We discussed that, although she did mention that WBB has been nice enough to take her a few places in theirs. 

I learned (with a sigh of relief) that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

I'll have to double my efforts to get these nice ladies rides. I may take a knee in front of Kenny or Jurich's office. A short one...my tendinitis and bursitis won't let me stay down there long. The "GET WHEELS FOR THE COACHES" appeal is now gaining momentum.  

We learned with a sigh of relief that it was WBB assistant Coach Steph Norman driving and not Walz....

Name this coach for an entry in our $20 Panera
giveaway. Leave answer in comments section.

All too soon, our time was over. We said our goodbyes, lamented the fact that we didn't put asst. S.I.D. Nick Evans asleep during the eight minutes (he sat in with us) and let coach get to her 9:30 meeting. Nick showed me where the stairwell by Kellie's lobby went...it's a nice shortcut to the first floor that bypasses the basketball offices and puts you by the entrance to the practice court. You go through a few hallways and twists and turns...but it's functional.



They probably never should have given me a new route to plot and consider...

LINK to interview



FINALLY...

This result in from Paulie vs. the D.P.S. 

FINAL
D.P.S. 1
Paulie 0

I stopped by the D.P.S. office today after the interview and plunked down my $100 for a four-year handicap sticker. (They didn't know how much it would cost next year). IT DID NOT COME OUT OF CARDINAL COUPLE FUNDING...I shouldered the expense my-own-damn-self. 

After speaking with a few people who are paying $300 a year, I figured it was maybe my best option. 

Gotta hand it those those friendly robots in the D.P.S. office. No emotion, thank you or chatter....just give me your name, your show me your driver's license and fork over the $100. 

Or...as the late, great Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd sang...

"I got your drinkin' money...tune up your dobro." 

Guess I'll do THE SAFETY DANCE

PAULIE INTERVIEW WITH KELLIE YOUNG.


Paulie
xxxxx

LOUISVILLE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL...Jazmine Jones...Catch her if you can -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

TALLAHASSEE TRIPLE THREAT TAKING ON TASKS


We thought we'd take a look at one of the members of University of Louisville's freshman class in today's article. We'll preview the Louisville vs. Maryland match tomorrow...today, we'll take you down south to panhandle Florida and look at the Cardinals version of the popular cartoon character The Roadrunner. 

Look quickly, you just might miss her.

Jazmine Jones flew onto the UofL campus this summer and hasn't slowed down since arriving.

After a stellar, multiple championship-winning high school career at Florida A&M Developmental Research School (and why does the image of lab-coats, test tubes and scientists come to mind?) where "J.J." totaled over 2,000 points, 1000 rebounds, 500 assists and 500 steals...plus 2015-16 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year honors...Jones joined a freshmen class that featured five McDonald's All-American nominees and was ranked as one of the best ever in Louisville WBB history. 

She joined a roster that returned all five starters from the season before and got to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In cases like this, it's not uncommon to see incoming freshmen spend time watching on the sidelines. Although she hasn't cracked the starting line-up, Jones has seen a good share of playing time in the Cards first seven games...much of it sprinting down the court with the ball ahead of the other nine players...and produced some impressive numbers. 

• 109 minutes (15.6 a game) - 8th best on team and 3rd for the freshmen
• 31 points (4.4 a game) - 7th best on team and 3rd for the freshmen
• 10 steals...which is 2nd best on the team and leads the freshmen.
• 17 rebounds --7th best on the team and third best for the freshmen
• 11 turnovers (third highest on team)

The turnover stat, although high...comes with the high risk/high reward style of hoops J.J. plays. We'd like to see that diminish. We expect she would, too... 

The rest of the numbers are quite impressive on a roster that returns a potential bunch of "time-share" opportunities with eight letter-winners from last year and a four-year starter/transfer. She even has to share her last name on the roster (with wing Brianna Jones). 

As one of two players from Florida (Briahanna Jackson being the other) we'll see if the sometimes chilly Louisville winter weather slows her down any. My guess is the only thing that can stop her is an icy sidewalk. 

We get the question...yes, she's good but what position is she best at? And, it is a good question. She was at point-guard at times in high school...but is on a roster that has four of those. Probably best suited as a #2 guard...a spot that Asia Durr currently lays claim to. She can shoot the three (although we haven't seen it yet) and rebound well...which could make her a driving "3" or a smallish "4"...(positions the M&M girls currently occupy.) 

Let's create a spot for her...we'll call her a "guardward". The "Guardward" had six points and two rebounds against South Carolina last time out

On the court, her quickness grabs your eye right off the bat. Her jumping abilities follow next...at 6'0", we pretty sure she could dunk...and her penchant for stripping the ball from an opposing player and starting the charge of the light brigade to the other basket. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again. You could enter her, B.J., Arica Carter (when healthy) and Bionca Dunham in the ACC Track and Field Championships for the 4 X 100 dash and maybe win it.  

Athleticism isn't something new to the Tallahassee Joneses. Her dad, Reginald, played football at Florida A&M and for the Dallas Cowboys. Her brother played at FIU. Her sister GiGi at App. State and Jacksonville. It would not surprise me if the family dog participated in the Florida Canine Olympics and won the 100 meter dash. (Is there such a thing? 😊) 

She's got her values in order, too...3.3 grade-point average in high school, respect for her grand-parents and family and listing God as her hero. 

She comes from a tradition of winning. A strong family support system (the Joneses were in town for the three-game Hall of Fame stretch. You probably heard them if you were there.) She's fit in well to the team concept at Louisville.

She'll be in action tomorrow when #7 Louisville hosts Maryland. A Maryland team that loves to get the ball up and down the court in a hurry. A Maryland team that is undefeated in six games, has four players averaging in double figures and is averaging 95 points a game. A Maryland team now ranked #5 in the nation. 

We'll look more closely at that one on Thursday. 


😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕


PAULIE ON LOUISVILLE FIRST

I was pleased to join Howie Lindsey on his excellent morning show...LOUISVILLE FIRST...Tuesday morning. We discussed (what else?) Louisville Athletics. 

We owe a lot to Howie for graciously giving us a platform to discuss the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports...plus other Cardinal Athletics...once a week at CARDS RADIO 790...WKRD 790AM. 

LINK BELOW...Paulie comes on at the 1:09:58 mark: 

LOUISVILLE FIRST...PAULIE SEGMENT




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WHERE TO GO TO LET 'EM KNOW




In case you ever wanted to e-mail some of the sports media and associates aligned with Cardinal Athletics...here ya go...this is a "master list" UofL uses to get information out:  

 "Adam Creech (adamhcreech@gmail.com)" <adamhcreech@gmail.com>, "Allar, Bruce" <ballar@loumag.com>, "Andy Sweeney (AndyS@espnlouisville.com)" <AndyS@espnlouisville.com>, AP Louisvile <aplouisville@ap.org>, Bob Domine <bddoesit@bellsouth.net>, "Bob Valvano (BobV@espnlouisville.com)" <BobV@espnlouisville.com>, "Bozich, Rick" <bozichra@aol.com>, "Brian Winner (bwinner@wave3.com)" <bwinner@wave3.com>, "Brown, Russ" <rbrown928@peoplepc.com>, "Bryan, Nathaniel" <nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com>, "Charlie Springer (csworks1@twc.com)" <csworks1@twc.com>, "Chris Humphreys (chumphreys@voice-tribune.com)" <chumphreys@voice-tribune.com>, Chris Resor <isportswebchrisresor@yahoo.com>, "Clemente,Laura F" <lfclem02@exchange.louisville.edu>, Connie Leonard <cleonard@wave3.com>, "Courier-Journal Photo (photo@courier-journal.com)" <photo@courier-journal.com>, Courier-Journal Sports <sports@courier-journal.com>, "Cowgill, Fred" <fcowgill@hearst.com>, "Crawford, Eric" <ECRAWF@aol.com>, dalton ray <dray@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Dan Koob (dkoob@hearst.com)" <dkoob@hearst.com>, "David Harrison (dharrison@courier-journal.com)" <dharrison@courier-journal.com>, "Denny, Stan" <standenny@earthlink.net>, "Doolittle, Bill" <BDoolittle@aol.com>, Drew Deener <drewdeener@hotmail.com>, "E. Marcel Pourtout (mpourtout@gmail.com)" <mpourtout@gmail.com>, "Editor, Louisville Cardinal" <editor@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Eric Crawford (ecrawford@wdrb.com)" <ecrawford@wdrb.com>, "Forde, Pat" <pfeaglebeak@aol.com>, "Forrest, Derek (dforrest@hearst.com)" <dforrest@hearst.com>, "Garrett Moore (garrett1.moore@twcnews.com)" <garrett1.moore@twcnews.com>, "Gary Graves (GBGraves@ap.org)" <GBGraves@ap.org>, Gates <rgates@courier-journal.com>, "Glenn Osborne (glenn@kyforward.com)" <glenn@kyforward.com>, Haven Harrington <hharrington@maineventsports101.com>, "Howlett, Rick" <rhowlett@wfpl.org>, "Hughes, Mike" <mikehughes1986@yahoo.com>, "Jason Anderson (jason@espnlouisville.com)" <jason@espnlouisville.com>, "Jeff Greer (jgreer@louisvil.gannett.com)" <jgreer@louisvil.gannett.com>, "Jennings, Dave (davejennings@iheartmedia.com)" <davejennings@iheartmedia.com>, "Jody Demling (jodydemling@gmail.com)" <jodydemling@gmail.com>, "John Lewis (jlewis@wdrb.com)" <jlewis@wdrb.com>, "John Ramsey (johneramsey@aol.com)" <johneramsey@aol.com>, "John Wise (jwise@wave3.com)" <jwise@wave3.com>, "Jones, Chuck" <cjones@thenewsenterprise.com>, "Jones, Garry" <GarryLJ@aol.com>, "Jones, Rob" <robjones.lyes@gmail.com>, "Josh Abner (jdabner@gmail.com)" <jdabner@gmail.com>, "Joshua McKinney - ClearChannel - 102.3 (joshuamckinney@iheartmedia.com)" <joshuamckinney@iheartmedia.com>, "jshelton@voice-tribune.com" <Jshelton@voice-tribune.com>, "Kaplan, C.D." <cdk@culturemaven.com>, Kendrick Haskins <khaskins@wave3.com>, Kenneth E Klein <kenneth.klein@louisville.edu>, "Kent Spencer (kspencer@whas11.com)" <kspencer@whas11.com>, Kent Taylor <ktaylor@wave3.com>, "Klasskin, Beth (beth.klasskin@twcnews.com)" <beth.klasskin@twcnews.com>, "Korte, Lori J" <ljkort01@louisville.edu>, "KySportsTV (info@kysports.tv)" <info@kysports.tv>, "Lane, Tom" <tlane@fox41.com>, "Lee DeJarlais (ldejarlais@hearst.com)" <ldejarlais@hearst.com>, "Lindsey, Howie" <howielindsey@gmail.com>, "Mark Blankenbaker (cardsandcats2011@gmail.com)" <cardsandcats2011@gmail.com>, "Mark Hebert (mark.hebert@louisville.edu)" <mark.hebert@louisville.edu>, "Marty Finley (mfinley@bizjournals.com)" <mfinley@bizjournals.com>, "Matt Willinger (mwillinger@bisigimpactgroup.com)" <mwillinger@bisigimpactgroup.com>, "McGee, Kerry" <news@fox41.com>, "Michael Grant (virgiltibbs@hotmail.com)" <virgiltibbs@hotmail.com>, "Michael McCammon (michael.mccammon@gmail.com)" <michael.mccammon@gmail.com>, "Mike Lacett (mlacett@wdrb.com)" <mlacett@wdrb.com>, "Natalie Grise (NGrise@hearst.com)" <NGrise@hearst.com>, "Nick Coffey (NickCoffey@iheartmedia.com)" <NickCoffey@iheartmedia.com>, "Ormay, Doug" <dougormay@gmail.com>, "Paul Miles (whasnews@iheartmedia.com)" <whasnews@iheartmedia.com>, "'Peak, Ed' (ed.peak@twc.com)" <ed.peak@twc.com>, "Pemberton, Kimberli A" <kapemb01@louisville.edu>, remy sisk <rsisk@blue-pub.com>, "Rick Bozich (rbozich@wdrb.com)" <rbozich@wdrb.com>, "Rogers, Paul" <paulr@whas.com>, "Sam Draut (sdraut@louisvillecardinal.com)" <sdraut@louisvillecardinal.com>, "Scott Wilson (swilson@glasgowdailytimes.com)" <swilson@glasgowdailytimes.com>, "Slim Vollinger (svollinger@theacc.org)" <svollinger@theacc.org>, "Spencer Kietzman (spencer@espnlouisville.com)" <spencer@espnlouisville.com>, "Stephen George (stephen@insiderlouisville.com)" <stephen@insiderlouisville.com>, "Steve Jones (swjones1@courier-journal.com)" <swjones1@courier-journal.com>, "Story, Mark" <mstory@herald-leader.com>, "Taylor, Kent" <ktaylor@wave3tv.com>, The Cardinal Sports <sports@louisvillecardinal.com>, "TheSportsInquirer (sportsinquirer@gmail.com)" <sportsinquirer@gmail.com>, "Tim Meredith - CN|2 (Timothy.Meredith@charter.com)" <Timothy.Meredith@charter.com>, "Timothy Easley (tdeasley@mac.com)" <tdeasley@mac.com>, "Tony Vanetti (tonyvanetti@iheartmedia.com)" <tonyvanetti@iheartmedia.com>, "Valvano, Bob" <elcoche@yahoo.com>, "WAVE3 (newsrelease@wave3.com)" <newsrelease@wave3.com>, WBKO <sports@wbko.com>, "WDRB News (news@wdrb.com)" <news@wdrb.com>, WHAS-TV assignment desk <assign@whas11.com>, "Whitney Harding (wharding@whas11.com)" <wharding@whas11.com>, "Will Clark - 84 WHAS (WillClark@iheartmedia.com)" <WillClark@iheartmedia.com>, "Wise, Anita" <awise@hearst.com>, "WLKY News (newstips@wlky.com)" <newstips@wlky.com>, "Worley, Nancy A" <nasmit01@louisville.edu>

( Don't look for Paulie on there...he doesn't exist...in the "eyes of the master" at UofL.)

paulie
xxxxx

Adam Neft leaving Afternoon Underdogs

Co-host of the Afternoon Underdogs Adam Neft, pictured on the right, is leaving Louisville and WKRD to pursue a job opportunity in Columbus, Ohio. I swear I had nothing to do with his decision...

The popular and occasionally cantankerous Louisville sports talk host revealed yesterday on the WKRD drive time show Afternoon Underdogs that he will be leaving the show and the Louisville area to accept a job in Columbus, Ohio. Neft has been a driving force on the Louisville airways since his arrival after graduating from Indiana University and helped raise the show to the top of the radio ratings in the Louisville area, a position long dominated by WHAS's Terry Meiners. His off the cuff banter with co-host Tony Vanetti and his devotion to Louisville sports coverage made for informative and sometimes hilarious afternoon radio listening.

Neft also hosted the show Cardinal Insider, an hour long look at Louisville athletics and aired many interviews with the players, coaches and staff of the University of Louisville women's athletic teams. Neft provided candid and revealing interviews with Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz, softball skipper Sandy Pearsall and field hockey's Pam Bustin. He offered an unequalled look and access to the efforts and accomplishment of the UofL women's sports teams...something that will hopefully not disappear with his leaving.

Neft related to me this morning that:

"I'm headed to Columbus, Ohio. It really has more to do with a great opportunity that I felt was a good chance for me to take than anything here. I love it here. I really do. The decision was tough. I won't go into the entire story, but I didn't apply for the job. Heck, I haven't applied for a job in years.

The guy called me, the more we talked the more it sounded like maybe it was worth taking a chance. So I decided at 27 years old, may as well take a shot and go for it! I'm sure they'll replace me with someone better, not that that is too tough a task."

Neft's contributions to Cardinal Athletics will be greatly missed. Tenative plans are for Vanetti to go solo on the show until a replacement for Neft can be found.

I'll miss my e-mail buddy and fall afternoons at the Parrish House won't be the same with out his part in the pregame UofL football shows that he and Vanetti did live there.

Opportunity is what you make out of it, though...and Neft will undoubtably continue the groundbreaking and excellent work that he graced the Louisville airwaves with during his way too short time as a popular and intelligent member of the Louisville sports talk show community. Neft was never prejudiced in his opinions, a Louisville fan but never a blatant "homer" and allowed callers to make their points without overriding them or responding too negatively. Many felt the show would be a suitable replacement for WHAS's evening Sports Talk program with controversial host Lachlan McClain but they have done well in the afternoon drive time slot against one of the most popular radio personalities in the history of Louisville radio in Meiners. Low wattage AM radio isn't exactly the giant of media popularity and probably not too many knew of Neft's work outside the Kentuckiana area but there is no doubt that the Louisville experience will be one that will help spring Neft onto bigger and better things, given the accomplishments and popularity he garnered while here.

Best of luck to you, Matman...and thanks for the hard work, brilliance and contributions. At least you're going to a town that has a university with red colors...

Written by Sonja
3/23/10