Moth Steps Down; W Returns to Action -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Sean Moth Leaves UofL PA Position

A familiar fixture at UofL home games will no longer bring his dulcet tones to the ears of UofL fans of football, men's and women's basketball, and volleyball as Sean Moth announced his resignation from the University of Louisville's athletic staff yesterday afternoon. With a thank you video from UofL Athletics going out exactly at 12:30 on Friday, it seems this was a planned move, and reading a bit into it seems budget related, but that doesn't make it sting any less. Moth has been the PA for UofL since 1999, and his game calls and regular chants have become second nature to Cardinal fans.

On the football side, Moth has reportedly already given his blessing for the beloved "CARDS FIRST DOWN" tradition to continue. Who it is that will be continuing that tradition, though, is up in the air, and the University has put themselves behind the 8-ball a bit. In UofL's release, they mentioned that they are looking for PAs to replace Moth, but not to fulfill his full time position. That is part of the evidence that this is budget related. However, Louisville's football home opener is in two weeks. They're going to have to get someone on board fast, and that person will have to get up to speed quickly.

For the arena sports, it is tough to say what Louisville home games and matches will feel like now. Moth was a major part of the environment, not just someone calling substitutions and points. Filling that void will take someone special, and I'm not sure UofL will find their next 20 year person right off the bat. Whoever comes next, however good they are, it will still feel off for a bit.

For radio baseball fans, you need not fear. Moth has announced that his play-by-play duties for the radio broadcast of UofL baseball will continue. This is a major win for the area and UofL baseball fans as the man calls a fantastic baseball game. I'm not sure if just that is enough for us to keep him close forever, but we should enjoy it while it lasts.

Once we are able to get back into Louisville home games, it's very clear that things will be different. Not just because of the changes brought on by the pandemic or by other goings on in the country and the world, but because a constant will be gone. I think everyone was looking forward to getting back to some sense of normalcy when they began returning to life, and this is one more blow to those hopes. We wish Sean Moth the best, and we hope that we continue to hear his unmistakable voice around these parts for many years to come.

Washington's Slide Continues

After beating the Dream last Wednesday, it seemed like the Mystics would have a chance to get back on track and return to their good start to the season. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as they have lost all three games since. We talked about the Wings loss last week, and they've twice played the Phoenix Mercury since then. Sunday's game saw Washington fall by just a point. Yesterday's game was not so close. The Mystics took an 8 point lead into half time before being drubbed by 15 in each of the final two quarters. Myisha Hines-Allen played only 24+ minutes putting up 14 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a steal. She was only 4-10 from two point land, but made her only three and went 3-4 from the free throw line. Her +/- was the best of the starting five, but it was still -9 as the Mystics fell 94-72. Washington is now 4-10, and just two games ahead of the last place Liberty.

Speaking of the Liberty, they're coming off of a win over the Chicago Sky, their second of the season, and will go up against the Las Vegas Aces today at noon. The game will be a battle of former Cards, with Jones and Shook taking on Angel McCoughtry. It'll be on CBS Sports Network.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

We may not be Sean Moth, but we do still like to hear ourselves talk. Tune in at 11AM to the Cardinal Couple Youtube Channel for this week's installment of the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast. We still don't have any results, so despite the fact that the calendar is about to flip to September, we may still have our "Summer" Quiz. You'll just have to join us to find out as we work to bring you the joy and excitement of Louisville women's athletics each and every week.

Until next time, Go Cards!

-CH-