Essential vs. Non-Essential -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WILL, WHEN AND HOW

I had a prolonged discussion with a long-time Cardinal women's sports fan (via phone) yesterday that I hadn't been in contact with in awhile. Although we covered a wide variety of topics and subjects, the most interesting part of our chat evolved around the slow restart of events and athletics in our world. 

This fan is a firm believer that we need to "proceed as normal" this fall with sports on the UofL campus. That was an area of dissension between us. I don't know when we'll be able to go back to the "old normal". I fear that this fall may be too soon to go to that "old normal". Especially with the prospects of a virus vaccine not being envisioned until the end of 2020. 

The "old normal" seems a bit unattainable right now. I'll lay that out for you. 

Let's say that I'm headed to campus to cover a UofL women's athletic sporting event as a media representative. It starts with parking. Will I be able to "socially distance" my parking? My next step is getting out of my vehicle. In addition to gathering the things I need to cover the event as a media representative, I'll need to add to the list a couple of things.

 A mask and hand sanitizer.

The rules may eventually stipulate that I can't bring anything in the venue, as well. Will photographers be allowed cameras? Will I be allowed a laptop and recording device? The virus can live on surfaces for varying times, you know. 

So, I'm walking to the venue. I'll normally go to the designed area I enter, go through a security "bag check" and chat a bit with the security personnel. How do we "social distance" that activity? And, with proper spacing, how long will that procedure take? I usually walk right up to the security checkpoint. At six-feet distancing, it might take a lot longer to get in. 

After getting clearance, it's to the press box. I'll normally see a few people I know on the way to the coverage area. A stop to chat in close proximity, maybe shake hands or exchange a quick hug or mutual pat on the back.

As our governor is fond of saying these days: 

"You can't do that."



Then, it's the dilemma of seating and spacing inside the press box. Press boxes can be crowded venues with the sports information director, timekeeper, stat keeper, shot clock operator, various student-interns performing various tasks, a public address announcer and members of the media. That's just to begin with, in terms of personnel. How do you socially distance all of those people in a limited area? 

We're still an hour before game time, dear friends. 

I do believe it's going to take quite some time to get back to the "old normal" and I haven't even got to, by far, the most important topic in "game day" procedures. 

The health and safety of the student-athletes that will be performing. 

How do your socially distance game action? The huddles, the player-on-player competition for control of the ball, defensive strategies, gatherings on the sidelines and other player interactions? Taking care of our student-athletes is job #1, but how can you have them compete in masks? After all, they have to breathe.  How do you socially distance multiple post-game interviews? 

The "old normal" is a ways down the path, I fear. Just how the "new normal" will look is anyone's guess.

Essential vs. Non-essential. Health and safety vs fan enjoyment. What are the rules ahead going to be? 

I watched horse racing on TV yesterday. No, the horses aren't wearing masks and neither are the jockeys -- but all the other people involved are. The trainers, hot walkers, paddock staff, out-riders and the other essential people getting a horse ready to run in a race are in masks. No, they aren't having a jockey reaching for hand-sanitizer or washing his (or her) hands in hot water in the winner's circle immediately after winning a race...but I'm confident the staging area for the jockeys before and after races are well-sanitized and spaced. I'm confident the massive barn areas where the horses are brought from and returned to on race day -- plus all the other days where they are taken care of -- are protecting the personnel involved in conducting the care and training of the horses. 

So...

Player A scores. There is no team, group celebration/hugging and high-fiving afterwards Do the teams on the field run over to the sidelines for hand sanitizer squirts from a bottle or immediately wash their hands in hot water and soap? Is there a nose swab and temperature check?

I haven't even got into the fan aspect of attending games yet. That's a completely different and complicated subject that I don't have the time, knowledge or guidance on to discuss properly here yet. How many fans are let in and who get to ( or wants to) attend?  If any at all? 

I have football season tickets. I'm not sure I'm ready to give hugs, exchange high-fives and scream in joy with my friends
sitting around me just yet. 

Interesting times ahead, readers. Yes, indeed. 

Our political leaders, NCAA and conference directors and personnel will come up with something. Whether it'll be effective first time out of the gate remains to be seen. 

I don't think any of us want to see the "curve go back up" again. Proceed cautiously. These days of having our cake and eating it, too are gone. Get used to it for awhile. 


paulie
xxxxx

     

What's New? -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

New Thoughts on the Ongoing Events

As the SARS-CoV2 virus spreads and the ensuing Covid-19 disease runs it's course, the news surrounding college athletics is ever-evolving. Go back and reread that sentence and replace "college athletics" with literally anything and the statement remains true. It's weird, it's unknown, it's at least a little bit scary, and it's not going to pass for a little while. Here at Cardinal Couple we seek to provide you with coverage of University of Louisville women's athletics. No one really expects that subject matter such as that would just up and disappear. Fortunately, as I mentioned at the top, the news is ever-evolving.

Yesterday, the NCAA turned at least one rumor into fact. The organization announced the following via Twitter:

This announcement came on the heels of the announcement that all recruiting activities were to be immediately suspended until at least April 15th. That's a completely different conversation and will probably have impacts with a ripple effect many years into the future (spoiler alert: less recruiting benefits bigger name programs). Back to the relief announcement. Obviously, there is still a lot to learn about what this means for players and teams, so we'll keep up on this story as more information is available.

Relief being granted for spring athletes has some people arguing that some exception should be made for winter athletes as well. I am not one of those people. While it is incredibly unfortunate that postseasons were canceled, granting relief to athletes who have just completed an entire season (except for the postseason) is not logical. My first thought when that concept comes up is players like Damion Lee and Trey Lewis. They transferred into a program that took punishment for something they had nothing to do with and missed a postseason for something that was completely out of their control. They would not have been granted an additional year of eligibility had they appealed for it. Obviously a global pandemic is not the same as NCAA sanctions but the concept is similar. The postseason is not the season. It's right there in the name. 

The other wrinkle that gets thrown into the NCAA's plan is an announcement that came from a league yesterday. On Thursday, the Big Ten joined the laundry list of leagues that canceled spring sports entirely. This was on the heels of the announcement from the NCAA that the championships for all spring sports had been canceled, and it was a rather unpopular decision. Yesterday, the Big Ten changed course, announcing that they would only be suspending spring sports until April 6th, at which point the league would reevaluate the situation. This is what many believed should have been the response from all leagues on Thursday. 

However, it wasn't. Now, the NCAA has announced cancellation of tournaments and eligibility relief for all spring-sports athletes, but leagues are considering ways to continue play this season. How do these two things go together? Will the NCAA have to sort through who will be granted waivers now? Will they have to walk back the decision to cancel championships? What about the leagues who do not change their stance? The Ivy League made their decision quite clear when they were the first to announce such a measure long before everyone followed suit. Will they just be out of luck if the tournaments go on? What about leagues deciding to open at inconsistent times? Some teams could get significantly more practice and game time. How would that be fair? 

The cracks in the NCAA have been growing for quite some time, but this is a situation in which the organization would most need to have the cooperation of its members. It doesn't appear to have that, so what now? Will we see the ACC or any other league make a similar announcement? Will this epidemic situation even present the opportunity to continue play? We don't know the answers, but as far as college athletics go, we're being presented with more questions every day.

That's all I have for sports talk today, but I want to give a reminder to everyone: follow the advice of healthcare professionals. Avoid large crowds, try to maintain separation when in occupied environments, work from home if you are able, do not go out if you are sick. I'll go a step farther. It is currently challenging to get tested for the presence of the coronavirus. If you have symptoms, please try to rule it out. Call your doctor to set up tests for other potential ailments. If you need to go in, wear a mask to protect others from whatever it is that you may have. Even if you are not diagnosed with covid-19 due to an inability to test but other illnesses are ruled out, inform those that you may have come into contact with of your symptoms so that they can be aware of potential exposure. We are all in this together. Check on your friends and loved ones regularly, particularly if they are at higher risk. Stay safe y'all. We'll get through it one day at a time.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

As Paulie mentioned yesterday, we've been shut out of the library as Louisville Metro takes steps to enforce social distancing. Jeff and I have figured out the wonders of remote communication and are prepared to bring you a show today. Our topic is probably obvious, so we'll see how long we riff on it. We are working to see if we can get Paulie in on the fun, but if not today, we hope to be able to do so by next week. Check out the link to the live stream at 11AM for the show, or find it anytime after on the Cardinal Couple YouTube channel. We are working to get the show pushed to podcast so it can be added to your preferred podcast player, so hopefully that is up and running soon as well.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-

Where Do We Go From Here? -- FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

IT LOOKS LIKE THINGS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL APRIL

Things are changing rapidly.

Yesterday was almost surreal. The cancellations, postponements and suspensions kept rolling in non-stop. Gone is March Madness. Gone are college athletics for a long while. 

Our daily coverage of the joy and excitement of University of Louisville women's sports has run into a huge "stop" sign, as fa as the reporting on daily or future events for hoopers, stick holders, runners, fence swingers, net-guarders and the like. Most everything people-oriented and fan related is on hold until at least April. 

Spring championship are cancelled. 

We get it. We understand it. We may not like it, but, we have to deal with reality. Why endanger the health of our wonderful student-athletes, dedicated coaches and support staff and the loyal fans who follow them? 

So, our main focus and energy here at Cardinal Couple -- the reporting and analysis of UofL women's sporting events -- has been put on hold because of the Coronavirus. If there's nothing being played, there are no words to write about what happened nor picture opportunities to capture.

Where do we go from here? 

I debated closing the site down until things return to normal. But, that quickly left my thought process when I "thought it through" a little more and realized that there was still the past to recall, the future to debate, items to ponder and alternatives to explore. 

I can tell you that I am fortunate to have three writers here that will...like myself, continue to bring you articles about women's sports at UofL. They may be commentary, or wherever their imagination and ideas take them... but we'll continue. 

We will survive. 

Jeff and Case are exploring the options of remote podcasts since the authorities have closed down the Louisville Free Public Library social rooms and podcast facilities. We'll see how it goes. Their biggest obstacle might be teaching the "lacking in internet skills" Paulie how to join in. They've overcome bigger obstacles in their lives, though.


Social distancing.

It's the new buzz word. We can talk, let's just make sure we are six feet from each other and don't have hand or body contract. Avoid crowds, fish fries, church, concerts and gathering of 100 or more.  But, cell phones still work. We'll explore phone interviews with various coaches -- maybe even student-athletes if NCAA regulations allow -- to give you their intake, ideas, commentary and thoughts. They may have closed down "media rooms" and "press conferences" but your friendly cell phone service is still operational. We'll explore that.

Worldwide even teased me that it might be time to bring back the "summer slump" Cardinal Couple quiz we used to run during the slow months of summer on our old radio show. I still have the one-eared-toothpick-holding bear, our prize for the weekly winner. 

And, tell us what you want us to do.

We're here to cover subjects that interest you. Do you want us to arrange and "best of five" three-pointer shooting match between Paulie and Dana Evans? See Jared suit up in lacrosse goalkeeping gear and try to defend the charging Hannah Morris or Ally Hall on the attack? Seriously, give us your ideas on things to cover. We''l entertain all requests (within reason).   

The thing is, as important as sports are to many of us...health issues take priority every time. Health issues will be a tough competitor to beat. But, teamwork can and will provide a victory for our side. Let's throw politics, ideology and "what side of the aisle you are on" onto the trash heap and team up for the cause. 

Avoid doing this for awhile...

Heed the advice of those in the medical profession. Wash with hot water and soap, use hand sanitizer. Stay home if you don't feel well. Avoid large crowds. Prevent the spread of the virus. 

Stay safe, stay healthy, keep the faith and be patient. This thing isn't going to go through a miracle cure scenario. It's going to get worse before it improves. Just do your part and help in the prevention of spreading the virus. 

Coach Walz and many of the other coaches we cover will tell you as a "one" we are not very strong, but if we are a "team" in our actions, we can prosper. Let's be a team, dear readers. 

Teams are adaptable and have to perform in situations that are -- at times -- not the scenario they hoped for. But, you adapt, learn, perform and deal with the situation. 

Now, can any one on our "team" tell me why in the world are stores out of toilet paper? 



paulie
xxxxx