Springer delivers the goods to UofL...What is a fan?

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CARDINAL COUPLE WEDNESDAY EDITION

-Biggest Fan of the Big East gives UofL big check

-The Sportsman's Creed

Steve Springer recently received the honor of being selected "Biggest Fan of The BIG EAST". For his efforts, he got a brand new Volvo S60. Another honor, a check for $10,000 for the University of Louisville.

Steve presents the check to Jeff Walz.

You can read all about it and see pictures of the event over at http://www.uoflcardgame.com/ . Steve is the son of UofL Card Game's owner Charlie Springer. Charlie was basically responsible for getting CARDINAL COUPLE started...suggesting that more attention needed to be paid to UofL Women's Sports. Sonja, who was writing for Charlie at Card Game at the time, pestered Paul into looking into creating a web site. Although Sonja writes very little for the site(s) anymore...preferring to assume a managerial role..she did comment on Springer's achievements:

"What Steve did is more than just getting a nice car and check for UofL. It's a testimony to love and dedication for a passion. There are "Steve Springer's" supporting every D1 program out there. The fan aspect of college athletics doesn't receive the press and popularity that the players and coaches do...but it is still a major part of any sports program at any University. Steve's efforts show us that if you dream it and believe it...you can achieve it." 

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A fan is one element of four distinct elements in any athletic event...joining the players, coaches and officials. We give you today the Sportsman's Creed...a short but very true look into the ideals and guidelines that ideally surround the thing we know as collegiate sporting events...

THE PLAYERS

-They live clean and play hard. They play for the love of the game.
-They win without boasting, they lose without excuses. They never quit
-They respect officials and coaches. They accept decisions without question.
They never forget that they represent their school and organization.

THE COACHES

-They inspire in their players a love for the game and the desire to compete and win.

-They teach that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.

-They lead by example...showing the players and fans to respect the officials and the game.


-They are the type of people that they want their players to be.

THE OFFICIALS

-They know the rules

-They are fair and firm in all decisions. They call them as they see them.

-They treat the players and coaches courteously and demand the same treatment for themselves.

-They know the game is for the players and let them have the spotlight.

THE FANS


Fans support the program. In good or bad times.



-They respect the players, the coaches and the officials.
-They appreciate a good play, no matter who makes it.
-They know that ultimately...the school gets the praise or blame for their conduct.
-They support the program...in good times or bad...and recognize the need for more 'sportsmen' and fewer 'sports'.

Most of you reading this column fall into one of the four categories above. Do you fit the criteria for your category?

One of the hardest things that we have encountered as the co-owners of CARDINAL COUPLE is to look objectively at sporting events as "the fan's voice". It's easy to get caught up in rumors, hearsay, self-perceived issues and negativity. It's tough to adhere to some of the guidelines when a call goes against your team, a player fails to live up to the expected performance or your team is in the midst of a losing streak. Still, it's important to remember that what we discuss and cover here is SPORTS...There are much more serious things going on in our world.  

We invite you to join us in trying to be an objective and rational fan in the upcoming season. Be ready to deliver praise where-ever it is due and slow to heap criticism on the opposing coaches and players. Try to refrain from blaming officials for setbacks. It's a tough thing to do, no doubt...but it's a challenge that can be accomplished if you try. Steve Springer overcame many obstacles and setbacks in his own and family's life to dedicate himself to supporting his team, his fan status. You can be just as productive. Cheer proudly!