Agents of Change -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

CONTINUING THE LEARNING PROCESS

The student-athletes at the University of Louisville began returning to campus on Monday. A chance for them to reconnect with their teammates, their coaches and staff and other student-athletes. 

A different return than in other years. A return that is affected by two major changes in the world we used to know. The COVID-19 Pandemic and the social unrest present over changes needed in our society. 

Teams are taught to "rise as one" and be a united unit when they take to their various venues of activity in sporting events. That unity needs to be nurtured and applied in our current situation. An understanding the things that are needed to be done to stay safe, healthy and to battle this deadly virus. Also, the unity in creating an example of how people of all walks of life, socioeconomic status, heritage and upbringing can be brought together as a solid, unified base for the way our society now needs to be. 

An acceptance, understanding, respect and practice of all being created equal. 

The University of Louisville has received numerous awards for public service, community involvement and academic excellence. These awards must continue to be employed by the student-athletes. No resting on one's laurels. College is a learning experience, use it and benefit from it for the betterment of all. Life is a learning experience. The late Sam Cooke song -- "A Change Is Going To Come" is worth a listen.   Our work is not done.  Hear the words, act on the words. 

LINK: A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

Being agents of change is a task that requires dedication and commitment. Doing the right thing. Working with others to affect a change. Teaching by example and having open, frank, honest and meaningful dialogue and discussions. Being the change that you want others to learn from and follow. 

Learning. 

Sporting events will eventually return. So will fan support and attendance of these events. Let them be examples to all that, despite the rivalries and regional differences, at the end of the contest, there is unity. 

A coach told me years ago that giving one's all in a contest was all he could ask of an athlete. If my best effort didn't produce a victory, there was no reason to hang my head. As long as I knew that I had "left it all out there on the field of competition" then there was no reason for sorrow. My best that day simply wasn't as good as those who competed against me if we lost. There was a chance to learn from the defeat. To grow. 

As a player, these are simple rules to follow: 

-- Living clean and playing hard. Playing for the love for game. 

-- Winning without boasting, losing without excuses and never quitting

-- Respect for coaching and official's decisions. Accepting them with the knowledge that they were designed for the betterment of the event. 

-- Never forgetting that you represent a school or organization and acting accordingly.

These are guidelines than can easily be applied to the world outside of sports. 

Living clean, doing the right things and showing love, compassion and understanding. Being complimentary and humble in life's victories, not making up excuses for failures and learning from those defeats. Never quitting. Respect for the proper authority. Not blindly following authority but realizing that if change is needed in authority, that change will come. Representing your cause or idea in a peaceful, non-violent fashion. Being quick to praise, slow to blame and learning from mistakes. Seeing all sides objectively. Doing the right thing. It's time to listen and respond. It's far overdue, but it is never too late. 

Authority figures must learn that it is their role to serve, protect and set the right examples. Authority figures must not taunt and belittle. They must see their responsibility of leadership and perform it correctly and effectively. 

It is time to stop being a self-sacrificing "me first" society and work toward equality and improvement. It will be a tough battle.

It is long overdue. 

 We must stay dedicated toward it, though. Don't quit. A player may miss a shot, a block, a pass or assignment...but they do not quit. They learn from the mistake and learn to do better. The five year-old doesn't not make every shot he attempts, but, if the hard work and dedication is there....that five-year old could become an Angel McCoughtry or Asia Durr. Two examples of never quitting. Follow their example. Don't quit on making a change. Don't quit on becoming better. And don't quit on learning and understanding. 

I strive to become a little better each day. There are days I win, there are days I lose -- but in my losses, I learn. Will you take that challenge? Will you be an agent of change? 

I will not quit. Will you join me ? 

As our student-athletes return, so does the learning process. Remember, they are our future. They will be the decision-makers, leaders, agents of changes.

Let us believe in them, support them and understand that there will be good and bad days for them. They will not quit. Support them, support your friends, neighbors and learn how to look at all sides of an issue and grow from your observations. 

It takes a much bigger person to admit they were wrong and want to change than being a person who boasts about their accomplishments. Acceptance is the first step in learning. In betterment. 

Welcome back, student-athletes. Be that shining example we need in today's world. 


paulie
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paulie
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More Coaches Add Their Comments -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

More Coaches and Their Thoughts


Paulie mentioned yesterday that a few coaches added some statements to what's going on in our city and around the country right now.  We saw more statements made by coaches yesterday.

Dan McDonnell was one of the coaches adding their comments.  The Louisville head baseball coach McDonnell focused his comments towards love and non-violence including adding Bible quote Matthew 22:37-40.

Caerdinals head football coach Scott Satterfield also took a route focused on his religious beliefs including everyone being created in God's image and wanting unity.  He closed his comments with 1st john 2:9.

John Michael Hayden , Louisville head men's soccer coach, had a similar message with different verbage.  His comments emphasized accountability.  He talked about standing up for the injustices currently happening.

Our Louisville head women's soccer coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes took a slightly different approaching, retweeting and liking posts by other coaches while posting a "Stop Racism" picture.

Jutine Sowry, Cardinal head Field Hockey coach, added a post with her thoughts headed into the early evening.  She talked about her time being an Australian citizen while also coaching in the United States.  She mentioned her experiences and how it is her, plus and her players' responsibility to speak up and take a stand against discrimination and racism while protecting each other.

Louisville head Volleyball coach Dani Busboom Kelly typed her messages on the Notes app on her iPhone and posted the screenshot on Twitter.  She prayed for strength and courage while also bringing up the socio-economic backgrounds among student-athletes.

An ample amount of current and former student-athletes have voiced their support in the protests through various social media platforms and how they have their teammates' backs through-and-through.

One of the bigger pieces of news was the arrest of men's basketball assistant coach Kahil Fennel.  Fennel was at the protests downtown but was arrested when he remained outside past the 9:00 p.m., curfew and did not leave.  He has not released a comment on the matter but Chris Mack, UofL men's basketball head coach, voiced his support for Fennel.

Our coaches see student-athletes of all sorts of backgrounds with hundreds of different stories.  Our coaches would do anything for any single one of their players.  They have listened to their players and their concerns on what's going on right now.

I'm glad to have coaches at Louisville who have their players' backs and will stand up alongside them to do what's right, even if it means putting themselves at risk.

I have voiced my opinion on the matter on my social media and will keep the opinions there while reporting facts and statements here.

I do fear that things are going to start getting violent beyond vandalism to buildings as tensions continue to rise.

The term "No justice, no peace" has been a popular rallying cry among protesters. Basically, it means that as long as injustice prevails, acting peacefully is an impossibility.

The t-shirt you see me pictured in we're the words that George Floyd spoke as he slowly died due to police restraint in Minneapolis. Those words have, as well, become a term used by protesters.

 Please make sure to take any needed precautions whether you go out to participate or stay home behind locked doors.  Remember, we are all in this together and as UofL says "We Rise As One."

Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!

Jared

Our coaches speak -- Return to Campus -- MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

OUR COACHES SPEAK

It has been an eventful last four days here in our city. With the protests and demonstrations capturing the news, we are all seeing things that most of us have never experienced before. In the sports world, when student-athletes experience situations they haven't seen before, it is normal to turn to the coaches on  your squads and discuss the situations and freely engage in dialogue to assess the next step.

Several UofL coaches and student-athletes have come out with thoughts and statements. Let's share them today. 

Jeff Walz

@CoachJeffWalz

Our captains, Dana and Kianna, and I wanted to release the following statement on behalf of our team: Our team had a great discussion on our Zoom call this week. We believe in communication. We address issues, large and small. We don’t think what’s going on is right. We can’t accept a world that isn’t safe for all. We stand with the black community.We will be getting back to campus soon, and we are committed to working together to better our Louisville community with empathy, compassion, and respect for all people. We plan to make a difference through our actions.

@UofLWBB

will be part of the solution. #ONE

We also saw these words from UofL head softball coach Holly Aprile: 

Holly Aprile

@UofL_CoachHolly

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12h

As a leader of young women it is part of my responsibility to teach love and respect for all people; but “all” people don’t need me right now, our black community does; our athletes and their families do, and I stand with them and vehemently against anyone that condones racism.

Chris Mack UofL head men's basketball coach has posted these thoughts;

Finally, these important words from Louisville Softball alumnae Jordan McNary:

I would be doing myself, my people, and what I believe in a disservice if I didn’t speak up about the recent events. Innocent men and women were murdered. That’s facts. Don’t ask me do I know the whole story. We all know what happened. I do my research and read several articles before I have any serious conversation. No, I don’t know any of them personally, but someone did. Doesn’t mean I can’t be mad about it. People lost their lives and some of you are worried about the wrong things such as background. I don’t care about that, doesn’t mean they deserved to lose their life. Quit discrediting them. The justice system wasn’t meant for black people. We’ve had enough of police brutality and racist encounters. I get it, not all cops are bad and not all white people are racist. But, where are those good ones when they see harm done to blacks? Don’t recorded me, help me! Many of those who are not black are upset about the protest. What happened a couple of weeks ago when y’all were in police officers faces with guns, pushing and shoving, because you couldn’t get a hair cut and sit down at that Mexican restaurants where you don’t like the people yet love their food. Well, y’all were mad we sat, kneeled, and marched. So what do you recommend? Don’t complain without a solution. I don’t agree with the rioting and destroying your community. But, I understand the people don’t feel like we’re being heard and we’re not. A lot of non-blacks are awfully quiet though and that tells just as much as the loud ones making unintelligent/racist statements. I’m watching to see who and what I don’t need to be associated with. Many have showed their true colors and that’s okay. Folks run to social media with outrage about everything else. Y’all were outraged about your guns, Obama, gay rights, and more. Why aren’t you outraged by murder of innocent black people and posting that on social media? That’s why we say black live matter, not all lives. Blacks are the target. White people, I can’t deny you have the power. Speak up when you see wrong doing. Stop being silent. Have those difficult conversations with your black friends. If you don’t use your voice or take some kind of action, you are part of the problem. That goes for any other race as well. If you claim you love me, a young black woman, you shouldn’t be silent. If you claim you love any black person or the culture, you shouldn’t be silent. I’ve faced racism since I was 5 years old and it hasn’t stopped. I was never taught or thought to treat someone different because they were different in any kind of aspect. I continue to love and pray for everyone. If you know me, there is not a hateful bone in my body, just love and compassion. Last thing, thank you to all my friends and others that have spoken up. You are appreciated. You all stay safe and blessed.

CommentJacob Putman

As we go into June, let's all pay heed to the wise words of this leaders on campus and in our society.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS

Today (June 1st) begins Phase I of the return of student-athletes to the Louisville campus

The first steps are the most obvious and the steps most warranted. Checking the athletes health. Testing for the CoronaVirus and any symptoms. For UofL WBB, the returnees from last year's team will be on campus. By last count, that'll be nine players. Norika Konno, without a doubt, has had the longest journey of these nine, coming in from Sendai, Japan.

After testing comes instruction Not basketball instruction, but..

Under the first phase, a limited group of student-athletes totaling about 30 in football, plus additional for men's and women's basketball, would arrive on campus on June 1, with education on protocols to be employed prior to their arrival.  The group would begin testing on June 2, physical examinations on June 4 and be ready to participate in voluntary physical training, not directed by coaching staffs, on June 8.  Three UofL facilities -- the Schnellenberger Football Complex, Trager Center, and Planet Fitness Kueber Center -- would be open with limited occupancy during the first phase.

UofL Athletics administrators and health officials have been planning a phased return to campus for weeks, with goals to:
•    Provide a phased progression into athletic activity to promote mental and physical well-being;
•    Provide a phased approach of opening and use of athletic facilities;
•    Provide a safe environment that allows student athletes to transition into supervised activity to improve their strength and conditioning;  
•    Implement and adhere to operational guidelines to minimize the risk of virus transmission among student-athletes and staff; and 
•    Create an environment that generates a change in personal hygiene practices so that best practices are being used in individual life.

Along with you, we all hope that things go smoothly and our student-athletes are healthy, remain healthy and have a safe and seccure environment 

paulie

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