Thankful -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WE ARE THANKFUL

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we take time to recollect and reminisce the things we are thankful for. We are thankful for these things each and every day and try to be good stewards of the many things we are a part of and have thanks for here at CARDINAL COUPLE and THE CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR. We wish you a wonderful holiday, safe travels if your headed to visit with relatives or friends and hope that you are able to enjoy your time. Like me, you may eat a bit too much...it is, of course, in loving respect and tribute to those who prepared the feast. 

We are thankful for so very much. 

We're fortunate to have an athletic program to follow each day that is never boring, quite successful and works so free and easy with us. Sometimes, in the "slow" months of summer...when there is not a lot of sports activity going on for the Cardinals...we may tease that "absolutely nothing happened" in the world of UofL women's sports...but that is far from true. Student-athletes are preparing themselves for the games that lay ahead. Coaches are working on strategies, recruiting future Cardinal and the staffs and administrations of these sports are busy planning and consulting on the games and events that lay ahead. 

We thank all of them for making possible the activities we delight in. 

The school. As we cover the joy and excitement of UofL athletics, we would be remiss in saying what we do is just go to events, watch them and write or talk about what we see. There is so much more to it than that. The information provided to us by the various sports information departments, Athletic directors and staffers. The access to players and coaches for interviews and accessibility to press areas and timely responses to questions and requests we have. We love the UofL campus layout and the wonderful arenas, fields and venues to watch Cardinal Athletics. It is such a far cry from my undergraduate days there...a sleepy, little campus that had Crawford Gym, Parkway Field and a patch of grass used for everything from field hockey, soccer to intra-murals and fraternity parties...and not much else. 

We are thankful for those who are prepared to help us inform and for those who had the vision to create the places we love to go. 

The athletes...ah, yes...the brave and gallant warriors who go out and create the news we report. The multitudes of emotions, feelings and reactions we have been privy to over the years sometimes stuns me. Ranging from absolute ecstasy and stunned response from major victories to the utter disbelief and shocked disappointment from near-misses and losses. All of it, never planned or organized...but created by circumstance and events. Seeing efforts of almost super-human strength, skill and desire from college kids...rejoicing when they are successful and lamenting when they fall short. 

We give thanks to the young men and women for striving to win and the efforts and training...successful or not...that they provide for school, squad and fans.

The coaches. Such a wide and vast array of personalities, styles, strategies and emotions. So fortunate are we to have access to them and the opportunity to discuss their squads, their hopes, their successes and failures. We have had the fantastic opportunity to interview some top-notch and heroic people. We have received those middle-of-the-night, early morning and afternoon phone calls which enlighten us, sometimes take us to task and occasionally...someone just reaching out to see how we were doing and to offer assistance. We are grateful and we are always here to portray you in the best possible and positive light. 

We cannot think of a better coaching community to cover and communicate with and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for letting us portray them in a human, caring, sometimes frank and critical...but always "real" and heartfelt light. 

Crescent Hill Radio. Several years ago, I embarked upon a theory that a radio show about the joy and excitement of UofL women's sport might have a niche in this town somewhere. I knew right after talking with station owner Kathy Weisbach that WCHQ and Crescent Hill Radio was the place for this to happen...and they graciously put us on the air. She and the staff, D.J.'s and colorful characters associates with this non-profit, community radio station have been there for us every step of the way...and without their backing, encouragement and planning...none of this could been as fun and successful.

Thank you, Crescent Hill...for giving us the access to pontificate our passion.   

My compatriots in crime. I feel that I am one of the luckiest guys around to have...and to have had...such wonderful associates and friends to do CARDINAL COUPLE with. Like me, they do what they do for love of sport. To see what this little website has grown into makes me all that much more thankful that they have walked down, at times, a rocky and challenging...but never discouraging path in our quest to discuss and report on UofL athletics.

Whether it's the almost daily interaction with Case or Jeff, the contact and communication of other sports and media journalists or the mentors who helped turn me into a actual writer...those who were with us in the early days. Those wonderful guests and occasional appearances on radio with us. It is hard to believe that I know so many wonderful, intelligent and insightful people. (You'd think some of it might rub off on me, right?)  From the beginnings...with Jenny, Sandy, Mark "The Commish" and Jeff. Today...with Case and Jeff. The wonderful "members of the Club"...Sam, Paige and Jared who have brightened our broadcasts and given us such intelligent and fun insights and commentary.  

Thank you. You know what you mean to me...to us.

My wife. The co-founder of CARDINAL COUPLE with me and early writer, Sonja chose to concentrate on the things that don't grab headlines or bylines. The administrative tasks...seeing the bills get paid, the advertisers are in line and the thank you cards get sent. When someone para-sails, someone else drives the boat...and that is her. Her love for women's basketball and dis-satisfaction that there wasn't enough coverage of it (and other women's sports) out there led to the formation of CARDINAL COUPLE. 

She's my best friend, my soulmate and one love and my guiding light. I can never thank her enough for what she means to me and what she is.  

Our readers and listeners. YOU ARE CARDINAL COUPLE and we never forget that. You give us your ideas, thoughts, comments, criticisms, donations and you inspire us each and every day to put out the best article or radio we can. The wonderful friendships we have made, the kind and thoughtful cards, e-mails, messages and conversations we receive and take part in...it still gives me an immense feeling of thankfulness and a bit of "aw-shucks, did I do that" when one of you mentions a column, a broadcast or engages me in conversation.

YOU ARE CARDINAL COUPLE. We thank you for that and appreciate everything you do. You've stepped up to the plate in so many ways. We wouldn't be here without you. We look forward to many more days with you and the many things to come. We are thankful for you and what we have. We are thankful that we have the chance to "give back" as well. 

All in all, not a bad ride for the "knucklehead" from Fern Creek that surmised maybe someone out there might be interested in reading about UofL women's sports from a non-mainstream media source. Maybe people would like news every day about some aspect of women's sports at UofL. It turns out, they did. It is hard to believe, at times, that we've been at this for as long as we have. Even more incredible is the aspect of it never getting tedious, a chore or "something I have to do." Love of game, participants and program make this a very easy thing.

My mom and dad never got to see this effort or hear our radio show. I like to think they would have liked it. 

Now...we also talk football and a couple of other men's sports....we've come to realize that you enjoy those also and want to hear or read our take on them. We see these guys cheering on the women. We see the women's at the guys' events cheering them on. We're proud of them, as well. Our main focal point here at the site and on radio will always be about the joy and excitement of Louisville women's sports -- but, adding a little dressing to our plate full of turkey -- and covering the Lamarvelous Jackson's, Petrino's and Pitino's out there...yeah, we're good with that. 

We're here for you and happy to oblige. Got something to say, something you'd like us to cover or address? Need more chimp photos? Let us know. You are CARDINAL COUPLE.  We are thankful. Always have been and always will be.  



Happy Thanksgiving...

paulie, sonja (and the guys)


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ACTION TONIGHT AT THE YUM

Louisville Volleyball starts their final home-stand of the year with a 7 p.m. match against Syracuse down at the KFC YUM Center. The Cards (10-18, 5-13) are coming off a road win at Clemson. Syracuse has lost their last four matches and is 6-12 in the ACC. 


The two met earlier this year in Syracuse...the Orange taking a 5 set win. It also marks the return of former UofL head coach Leonid Yelin to town. 

It could be a fun pre-Thanksgiving for you and your family/friends! C'mon down to the river tonight!