Rob Bennett Joins Golf Coaching Staff -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

Between the lack of news among UofL sports and my focus and attention having been entirely on the Olympics, today's article will be rather short and sweet.

As we have seen all throughout the first week in the Olympics, Team USA continues to be in contention for the gold medal race and overall medal race, but Japan and China continue to be thorns for the Americans.

The big news in the Olympics continues to be centered on Simone Biles and the Norwegian Beach Handball Team. The two topics are unrelated. I'll save my thoughts for Saturday's radio-podcast, which can be heard live through YouTube, but I do stand in support of both Biles and Norway.

Rob Bennett Joins Golf Coaching Staff

UofL women's golf announced that Rob Bennett will join the team as an assistant coach. Bennett comes to Louisville after spending the last three seasons with Abilene Christian.

"We're excited to welcome Coach Rob Bennett to our coaching staff," said head coach Whitney Young. "His vision, passion, and experience will help us continue taking steps towards future success. We look forward to him making a positive impact on our student-athletes with his dedication, work ethic, and competitive nature."

During his time with Abilene Christian, the Wildcats rose over 60 spots in the national rankings. ACU set school records in scoring average, low single round score, and low tournament score under Bennett's guidance.

UofL women's golf is no stranger to the national rankings and competing in the postseason. Bennett could be the key into helping Coach Young continue to build this program and advance them further.

Daryl is out for our Cardinal Couple Radio Hour Podcast this weekend, but is expected to have tomorrow's write so tune in. Like myself, she has been following all sorts of Olympics happenings when she's not pushing buttons and running the camera crew at Louisville Slugger Field.

Happy Friday and Go Cards!

Jared

Random News and Notes -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 Happy Thursday, Cards fans! We've been switching writing assignments this week like musical chairs with Daryl and I taking some of the heavier labor with assistance from Case on Monday. Things still remain fairly quiet in terms of UofL news.

Many student-athletes have started making their way back to campus to begin training and conditioning. The commitment of being a DI student-athlete comes with much sacrifice including a condensed summer. I usually wake up at 6:40 to get ready for work and even many of these student-athletes have already been awake for quite some time for their morning workouts.

Katy and I had to plan out what was going to be on tv with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics having started. The lady of the house enjoys her time watching Big Brother and the Bachelor/Bachelorette (whichever is currently in season), but I gave her the talk that we'll be watching the Olympics on the big tv in the living room. Being the nice fiancé I am, I went out to buy an HDMI cable to hook up the second cable box to the tv in the bedroom so she could watch her show while I enjoy rooting for Team USA.

Courtesy of US Soccer

Speaking of the Olympics and Team USA, it was an ugly start for the Team USA women's soccer, who dropped their opening match in group play to Sweden 3-0. We do have to look at many of the members of the USWNT have been on the roster for the last two FIBA World Cups, if not longer, and may not have the same fresh legs as some of their opponents. Europe has really beefed up their women's soccer teams in recent years. But one loss doesn't knock them out.

Only 12 teams compete in the Olympics for women's soccer. There are three groups of four teams, labeled Group E, F, G. They received those three group names to avoid confusion with the men's Groups A-D. The top two finishes in each group advance to the next portion. The next top two finishers also advance, giving the next round a total of eight teams. Thankfully, Team USA still has Australia (ranked 9th in the FIBA rankings) and New Zealand (ranked 22nd). Sweden is currently ranked 6th with the Americans continuing to hold the top ranking.

Monica Abbott, courtesy of NCAA.com

Team USA softball also started the Olympics already. In fact, they're two games in already. In their opening game, Team USA (ranked 1st in the WBSC rankings) took down Italy (ranked 9th) 2-0. Then, at 8:00 p.m., ET, last night, the Americans went up against Canada (ranked 3rd). It was a close one as Team USA walked away with a 1-0 win.

Like the Team USA women's soccer, the softball squad features some veteran players. 38-year-old Cat Osterman and 35-year-old Monica Abbott are on the team this year. Both players pitched in the 2008 silver medal finish with Osterman also playing in the 2004 gold medal finish.

For softball, just six teams will compete in the Olympics this year: USA (ranked 1st), Japan (ranked 2nd), Canada (ranked 3rd), Mexico (ranked 5th), Australia (ranked 8th), and Italy (ranked 9th). The third and fourth place finishers in the round robin pool play compete in the bronze medal game will the top two finishers will battle it out for the gold.

I have no plans to stay up until 2:00 or 4:00 and I'm certainly not going to bed at 8:00 and trying to get up for some of the listed game times, but I will gladly watch games when and where I can.

Believe it or not, I have photographed MBB

On one last note and semi-tied to UofL, congratulations to former Card and current Bucks player Jordan Nwora on becoming a world champion as the Milwaukee Bucks won the NBA Finals Tuesday night.

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared

Summer thoughts & opinions; FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

FRIDAYS WITH DARYL 

Preface

I thought about something the last time I checked in that I think it would be a great opportunity to talk about some random things going on around us.  ...maybe not even necessarily about the Cards.. or sports even..  to get back to my roots of journalism and do a feature article.

When I started writing, it was mostly opinion and review based.  Never thought I would be a 'reporter' of any kind but I think it's safe to say I have done close to only that in recent years.   And I 100% came into this evening thinking what the heck am I going to write about tonight so I'm thinking now is the time to use my flex option on topics of discussion.  Think of it as a diary by Daryl. so here we go...

Hello again fans, 

It's Friday... there was a beautiful sunset last night after a very long stormy day in Louisville.  We opened the month of July with a day long storm clouding the city skies before opening to a gorgeous sunset of pink orange and yellows.  It woulda made a great backdrop for one of Jared's photo sessions!  

July makes me think of the Olympics.  I am excited for the Olympic games to start.  Got to watch a little bit of the gymnastics trials the other night. Your 2020 USA gymnastics team consists of :

Jamie Squire—Getty Images

Simone Biles, 24; Spring, Texas.

Sunisa Lee, 18; St. Paul, Minn. 

Jordan Chiles, 20; Spring, Texas. 

Grace McCallum, 18; Isanti, Minn. 

MyKayla Skinner, 24; Gilbert, Ariz.

Jade Carey, 21; Phoenix, Ariz.

Of course Simone Biles made the cut even though she did fall on her beam routine.. and while were on the subject, I'd like to thank Simone for falling off of the balance beam and making a mistake.  She was obviously upset for the misstep, (I do not believe her qualifying for the squad was ever in doubt) but she proved she is human.  There is so much pressure on athletes and Simone has been under that spotlight since she was about 16 years old.. it has been an incredible journey to witness and I look forward to her and the rest of team USA 2020 campaign in Tokyo.  

I think it will be interesting to explain to future generations about the 2020 Olympics held in July of 2021... like it will be some trick trivia question in a couple decades or something.  I don't know why the thought crossed my mind but I do look forward to reading about this part of the history books.  Also shout-out Spring, Texas on producing two Olympic gymnasts in that year(s).  Population about 61,000, getting two on the same squad seems like a pretty significant production. 

Moving on... 

In other big news of the week.. College athletes making cash for image.  AKA... NIL.

I admit I have been on pretty much one side of the fence of this argument for as far back as I can remember.. it was a topic in a couple of my college classes at UofL over 7 years ago and obviously a topic among anyone involved with college athletics for some time.  

If you've followed me long enough I'm sure I've voiced that opinion here and there... but I have never publicly said how I have moved closer to the fence and even crossed over on certain aspects of the proposal.  My agreements and concerns closely mirror what the others at Cardinal Couple have already expressed but I do want to mention the fact since we are here... Players are allowed to profit for their name and image and I just hope it doesn't get out of control. 

You know some people say that money is the root of all evil...  it can and does make murky water.  I can't pretend to know how to make it run smoothly and not spiral out of control.  But lets not forget what a crap-bag the NCAA is at governing student athletics... I did a lot of reading in the library at UofL surrounding athletics and the origins of them and how we got to where we are today and I do believe the original intention of the NCAA was in a good place..  but I think the once 'non-profit' organization with 'the best interest of the student athletes' has gotten far away from it's mission and a new governing body needs to be established but we are far from a day where that dream can be realized... this is MY diary, not yours! 

 
So to that I say screw the NCAA and let these athletes benefit off their own game since everyone else seems to be.  Hell, the reason I have certain well-paying button pushing jobs is because 11-12 women spend every single day practicing, working out and making sure to keep good grades, get enough sleep, drink enough water AND making special appearances around town to boost local morale all the while giving me memories of a lifetime while winning ballgames.  It truly is more than just a game...Its a lifestyle.  It IS life! 

It has become my life.  When people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had no idea! I had zero idea of the field I wanted to be in or the way I wanted to make money to navigate life with.  My mom did always say to 'do what you love, the money will follow'.. and I read a book expressing just as much.  So I think today I can say I have done that so far!  Going to and talking about games is what I always did and wanted to do and now I do that as 'work'.  I know how lucky I am to have the opportunity to do so and I believe the thousands of athletes who have given me that opportunity should benefit from that. 

Have a great start to the holiday weekend out there, Cardnation and cheers to the RED WHITE (&blue) :)

Go Cards
~Daryl 

McFerran to Olympics -- YMNC -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

 McFerran to Compete in 2020 Olympics

Anyone familiar with the Louisville field hockey program from recent years will recognize the name Ayeisha McFerran. McFerran was the program's first four-time All-American. The goalkeeper  graduated from UofL ranking near the top in wins, shutouts, and goals against average.

McFerran was selected to be a part of the 16-person field hockey roster for Ireland.  The Louisville alum has been a member of the Irish National Team, but this is the first time the INT has qualified to compete in the Olympics.

McFerran is the first former UofL field hockey player to compete in the Olympics on a field hockey roster. Cardinal alum Jessica Javelet competed in the 2016 Olympics, but with the US Rugby Team.

As someone who loves sports and loves the Olympics, I wish I could take off work for those few weeks and watch the events around the clock. But work and sleep and life say otherwise, but I will certainly find time to tune into watch Ireland compete and cheer on Ayeisha McFerran.

Four Cards Participate in YMNC

Sticking to the topic of field hockey, we turn our attention to the USA Field Hockey 2021 Young Women's National Championship, which was held at Virginia Beach June 15-20.

Katie Schneider, Sofia Pendolino, Mia Duchars, and Carter Ayars all competed in the event on different teams.

Schneider's squad, the Courage, took the gold with a 3-0 record and winning the title game 3-1. Duchars was on the Freedom, who fell in the title game and took the silver.

Ayars' squad, the Spirit, finished fifth while Pendolino's team, the Patriots, placed 10th. A total of 10 teams consisting of 16 players each competed.

Only one person from the state of Kentucky was on any of the rosters. 16-year-old and rising junior Mia Schoenbeck from Christian Academy of Louisville played on the Patriots. Schoenbeck is currently uncommitted and MAX Field Hockey ranks her as one of the best in her class around the country. She is sure to be on Justine Sowry's radar.

On a Personal Note

Digging into my personal life some, Katy and I are back to wedding planning, which is mostly me saying "Sure, whatever you want." I learned that trick already. We're still a couple years out from our date range, but we are all ears if anyone has any tips for wedding planning, especially since we both live in Louisville and we are looking at venues in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

Happy Thursday and Go Cards!

Jared