CARDINAL COUPLE

CARDINAL COUPLE
We report on the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports here. Thanks for checking us out! Click the picture of Louie to hear the latest Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast!!

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Meet The Managers -- Julie Sullivan Looks at Louisville WBB student managers -- TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


MEET THE MANAGERS


(CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO HOUR REGULAR GUEST JULIE SULLIVAN TAKES A TURN IN THE DAILY ARTICLE ROTATION TODAY WITH A LOOK AT THE MANAGERS FOR LOUISVILLE WBB. WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY THIS WRITE UP!) 

-- Paulie


SOME BACKGROUND

Adrienne Johnson, Executive Director of Player Relations at UofL, who is tasked with the responsibility of choosing and supervising the student managers will tell you that a practice can't go smoothly without the managers working tirelessly in the background getting things done. 

"They really set the tone for the environment before practice, before games, prepping the floor, making sure it is clean, towels available, water. When things go smoothly, you'd never know they were there." 

This year the women's basketball team has five managers. A.J. gives them the responsibility to organize themselves. They each have specific tasks they gravitate to but are all responsible for every aspect of preparation and clean up. The one task that everyone mentions being responsible for is that old household favorite. Laundry. I need to try and sneak some of mine into their rotation. Apparently, they are very good at it and do so much of it that they may not notice a little extra UofL swag.   

Associate Head Coach Stephanie Norman appreciates their dedication: 

"They stay ahead of the game. They get everything ready for practice so we don't have any worries. We can just coach basketball. We don't have to handle any logistics with this important group." 

So -- what's in it for the managers? Why would they give up so much of their social life, nights, weekends and school breaks? While they don't get any financial benefits, some do get to travel with the team, but the biggest payoff is the experience and contacts. Most are looking to make a career in the sports world, whether it be coaching, front office, media or support. What they are learning is invaluable. A.J. encourages the managers to seek out each of the coaches, learn from them, help with video and learn how to do "cutouts" for social media. It pays off. Last year's senior manager Jimmy Yu is now the Video Coordinator and Associate Director of Operations at Wake Forest.

MEET THE MANAGERS


Keigan Fetz, a native of Jeffersonville, IN has been with the team since his freshman year at UofL. Now a senior majoring in History, he never paid much attention to women's basketball in high school. You could think it might be an odd match. But, he played ball in high school and wants to coach on some level in the future. He thought it sounded like a good opportunity, this managing possibility. He says, four years later:

"I watch more women's hoops now than men's hoops." 

As a senior, he is helping the new managers learn the ropes. 

A.J. comments: 

"When you have a young man like Keigan on board, he anticipates the needs already. I'll go down and say 'We need' and Keigan is like ' Already done.' We need to get that set up'...and Keigan says 'Already got it'." 

During the practices I visited, "Keig" was quietly on the sidelines, observing and studying the plays and the coaches. It was obvious he was a student of the game. If something was needed he was there before a coach could even call out. 

Brenda Hackett, a junior from Louisville Central high school, played basketball for the Yellow Jackets and wanted to stay involved with basketball, so she joined as a manager her freshman year at UofL. While they all share in all duties, her main task during practice is to run the clock, keeping everything on schedule. She is studying Sports Administration with a minor in Communications. 

Brenda has big aspirations and wants to be a head coach in a college men's program. She feels her personality would fit well in a men's program. She wants to be a barrier breaker like her father, Wilbur Hackett, Jr. who helped integrate the UK football team and was the first African-American team captain in SEC history. With inspiration like that and the work ethic she is learning at UofL, I wouldn't bet against her. 

T.J. Durr, a sophomore from Atlanta, GA., is beginning his second year with the team.  T.J. played both football and basketball but decided that his future off the playing surfaces. He chose Louisville because of the Sports Administration Program and liked the school and the city because " it's not too small." If his name sounds familiar it's because his sister is no other than Asia Durr, who lit up Ohio State on Sunday. She inspired him to get involved with the team. As someone that is inspired to become a coach or an administrator, probably at the high school level, he appreciates being around great people and knowing what they are doing, so he can learn from them. T.J likes that he can often travel with the team. During practices, he stealthily moves water bottles as the activity from one part of the floor to the other so the team and action doesn't miss a beat. 

Zach Rohling from Crescent Springs, KY is a freshman. He grew up a UK fan but saw the light and joined the ranks of the Cardinal faithful while serving as a manager for his high school boys team. He is currently undecided on a major (as many freshmen are) he is leaning toward business. He also hopes to get into coaching, probably on a high school level. He joined the managers because the experience will help prepare him for that. The day I visited, Zach's main responsibility was taping practice, but he, like every other manager, mentioned laundry as another of his major tasks. 


Nick Newman is a sophomore and was only on his second day as a manager when I visited. Nick, a native of Oldham County, attended  South Oldham high school and was brought on because of his video experience. He is a Sports Administration major and thinks this experience will give him a leg up in the business. Being so new, he was doing more observation of the flow of things than participating. Nick has been a lifelong Cards fan and is confident he'll like being a part of the managers. 

The team behind the team. The ones that work daily with the process. They are held to standards, responsibilities and learn...just like the players we love on the court. Work hard, student managers...your success mirrors the squads. Do well. 

Julie Sullivan 


NOVEMBER IS CARDINAL COUPLE DONATION MONTH


Today's author. The Bird Lady. Julie JC Sullivan
Did you enjoy today's article? It's an example of what you're getting here each and every day at CARDINAL COUPLE. Whether it's our regular rotation of Case, Paulie, Jeff and Jared...or our outstanding guest writers like David Watson and Julie...we strive to keep you up on the joy and excitement of UofL women's athletics and Cardinal sports. 

We have had a great 14 days of donations so far. WE NEED 16 more just like them to make it an excellent month. That's where you come in. Send us a check, use PayPal. Walk up to Worldwide and hand him a wad of cash. We'll send a staff chimp out in the Cardinal Couple golf cart to pick up your offering if that's what it takes. 

IF you have donated already, we thank you. If you are considering or in the process of donating, we thank you, too. Please help us to continue the work we do here and the articles we publish. 

YOU are Cardinal Couple and WE never forget that. 

Send to: 

Cardinal Couple
c/o Paul Sykes
P.O. BOX 91521
Louisville, KY   40291



THE "A" team with Sonja (LtoR) Jared, Worldwide Jeff
Paulie, Sonya and Case. 
We are a non-profit, 501C organization, so your donation is most likely tax deductible.  Consult with you tax-preparer to make sure. No amount is too large or too small. 

What we do is for love of game, love of our readers and love for UofL sports. We are lucky to have these opportunities and appreciate whatever you can do to help us continue it. 

YOU are CARDINAL COUPLE and WE never forget that. 


Thank you,

Paulie



16 comments:

  1. The Bird Lady11/14/2017 6:41 AM

    Nick is Nick Newman. Not sure how I changed that to Norman. I apologize to Nick for the error.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great article, Julie.

    We fans go to the games, watch on TV, read the game summaries, watch the interviews, etc. but we don't get much of an opportunity to see how things work behind the scenes. I really enjoyed learning about what the managers do.

    In that vein, I listened to CJW's radio show last night and got to hear Beth Burns for the first time. She gave some interesting insights into the program. I want to hear more from her if the opportunity arises.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Bird Lady11/14/2017 7:51 AM

      I agree. She has great insights. A fantastic addition. The players seem to really like her too. Ran into some of the players at a men's game and Myisha was singing her praises and lamenting that she would only have 1 season with Burns.

      Delete
    2. One has to wonder about a couple of things with Walz bringing her in. Is one of the current assistants/associates in line for a head coaching job? My guess would be Purcell if that's the case. Another question is Walz leaving at the end of the year? After all, Jurich brought him in. I would like to think that Walz is not leaving. He is always saying he wants to be here until he retires or his fired.

      With this board currently in place, one never knows. Personally I wouldn't blame Walz for seeking greener pastures.

      Delete
  3. Corrected it JC. Great write today!

    Paulie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Bird Lady11/14/2017 7:54 AM

      Thanks for fixing it and thanks for allowing me to be part of Cardinal Couple!

      Delete
    2. An excellent look at the team behind the team, Julie. Go Cards and cheer them on tonight!

      -- The Real Joe Hill --

      Delete
  4. This is a very informative and easy to read and comprehensive article today. Hats off to you Julie!

    Paulie, you've gone and found another excellent writer to fill these pages. Will Julie be a regular writer or just the occasional column?

    Dave-O
    David Watson

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a great question (and compliment) Dave-O. It took awhile for Julie to get this one together and even longer for me to find a day to run it.

      It would pretty much be up to her on whether she wants to contribute weekly or just occasionally. I'd give her one of my days if interested and we'll use her as a fill-in if one of the guys can't get a column in.

      Only, though, if she's up to it.

      Paulie

      Delete
  5. The Bird Lady11/14/2017 11:19 AM

    Wow. I am blushing. Thank you for the kind words. I would love to write more. How Paulie can use me to complement the wonderful stable of writers he already has is up to him. I promise to be more timely. Deadlines are a good thing for a procrastinator like me. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. C'mon Paulie. Give her a day a week. You got four writers on a site that promotes the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports and they are all guys.

      Delete
    2. As they say in horse-racing...it's under stewards review and we'll have a result shortly. I have offered her my writing spot next Tuesday and she has accepted.

      Paulie

      Delete
    3. I'm going to disagree Paulie u started this site and people came here for years to read your thoughts now you backing down to one day a week and i think someone else that is newer should back down but this is just my thoughts and all u write good maybe add an eighth day to the week

      Delete
  6. The Bird Lady11/14/2017 1:46 PM

    This is Paulie's gig. I love participating and contributing, but only to the point it complements not creates issues for him. I think Case, Jeff, and Jared do a great job and I learn from all of them. My role will develop the way it is suppose to, under Paulie's wise tutelage.

    Now get your behinds out to Yum tonight and support these wonderful Cardinal women and give a nod and a wave to the hardworking managers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll add again. Paulie has put in a lot of work since he started this site. Did any of you think that he might WANT to back off a little on writing these days> I can't speak for him but I know that if I had been putting up at least 3 or more columns a week for 9 years or so, I would not mind taking a bit of a breather and just writing once a week.

      Dave-O
      David Watson

      Delete
  7. Nice write up. Sad to hear the local paper doesn't cover the team much. Out here the SF Chronicle print copy makes it a point to cover the Cal Bears and sometimes the Stanford Cards. I think one reason the attendance is down for L'ville is the ladies just haven't been interesting to watch the last few years even when they've won. Games weren't exciting and the execution on offense was inconsistent. Not fun basketball to watch. It just wasn't good basketball so I understand why some fans wouldn't want to fork out the money. This year hopefully will be different. Couldn't ask for more than the OSU game . That was great for WCBB.

    ReplyDelete

Please leave your comments here. We ask you be respectful of other posts, no matter how ridiculous they may seem to you. After all, it is CARDINAL COUPLE.

Any attempts to advertise a product or other website here in the comments section without the prior consent of CARDINAL COUPLE will result in a bill rendered for advertising services and possible legal action. We're serious. No more bots.

Now, have your take...