Fan wear...what is over the top? -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WHAT IS UNACCEPTABLE ON A FAN SHIRT? 

If you're like me and a fan of a particular sports program, you probably have several shirts that profess your fandom.

At last count, I have in my wardrobe eight UofL polo style shirts and too-many-to-count t-shirts with some reference to UofL. I have a hard time "retiring" t-shirts due to age or wear. I still have a Red Rage t-shirt from the Vince Gibson days and a UofL men's basketball t-shirt that extolled the game Samaki Walker had against Kentucky back in 1995. 

The only shirt that has gotten negative comments is a shirt I acquired back in early 2007 that has "Hell In the Hall" on the back of it. It referred to UofL's basketball fury in Freedom Hall. I still drag it out from time-to-time. It fits well and the front-wording is simply "Louisville".  

The shirt question arises on a recent furor of Chicago Cubs fans wearing t-shirts that read "Try not to Suck". The reference goes back to a incident several years ago when a minor leaguer was called up to the "Big Time" and asked a coach for any advice he might have minutes before his first start. The coach replied..."Try not to suck." The player responded well...with a three-run homer in the game. 

The phrase "the damn ball" is another I've seen pop up. 

What is over the top in wording on shirt wear? Are obscene or profane words or phrases going too far? 

Over the years, I've seen some pretty controversial wording. The "F" word before an opponent's name or nickname. A long-time St. Louis baseball Cardinal player named Pujoles (pronounced poo-hole) epitomized in print and photo:


How far would you go on wording on a shirt? What offends you and should be covered up? 

One of my favorite stories involves a high school rivalry a few years back when one of the teams had a player out because of injury. Fans of the other team had shirts printed out:

Coach (name with-held) has No Johnson.

There is a myriad of creativity out there when it comes to wording and phrases that don sports wear. One I saw a few years ago had the inscription:

"Beating you is almost as good as a win over Notre Dame". 

And, does the security or administration of a university or organization have the right to either ban or make a fan cover up wording on a shirt? 

Here's my stance...I'm OK with a bit of profanity on shirt-wear but against obscenity. I'd prefer not to see either...but I'm guilty of owning a shirt that has profanity. When I make my next clothes-drawer cleaning for donations, that one may be added to the pile. 

(If any of the words or references in today's article have offended you, as a reader, I extend my apologies...just an article on a day where their isn't a whole lot going on in Louisville women's sports...) Think about how many times a day you see a t-shirt or sweat-shirt with a logo or phrase on it and how many times you are offended by one. Also, think of all that free advertising going on there. We had a limited issue of CARDINAL COUPLE T-shirts a few years ago that we sold or gave away for prizes. To this day, I've seen less than five people actually wearing them in public. 

Maybe it's time to go back to the days of a plain red t-shirt with a pocket on it. I like the pocket t-shirts (in case you're doing any early Christmas shopping for me). It makes it real easy to find an ink pen...

paulie
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Softball has home final vs. WKU tonight -- Wednesday Cardinal Couple

DANGEROUS TOPPERS TO FACE LOUISVILLE

Forget that the Cards swept the doubleheader last year when the two teams faced in Bowling Green. Set aside the fact that Louisville leads the overall series between the two foes 14-3 and has won the last six meetings. This year's version of WKU Softball is no pushover. 

Western (29-10) will take on the Cards in a 6 p.m. in-state rival match after getting the second no-hitter of the season from superlative pitcher Miranda Kramer over the weekend against Charlotte. If she's in the circle tonight, it could be a long night at the bat for Sandy Pearsall's squad. 

Kramer has a 20-7 record and a microscopic 0.80 ERA. That's second best in the nation. She also has 346 strikeouts...which is numero uno in D1 Softball. If she's selected to throw against Louisville...we could have another pitcher's duel on our hands if Maryssa Becker enters the circle for Sandy Pearsall.

The Cards' Oregonian sophomore has built a 13-5 record and sports an impressive 2.23 ERA. She also backs up her tosses at the bat...driving in the only run in Louisville's 1-0 win over Boston College over the weekend. 

Look for the Cards Kelsi Jones and Jordan McNary to try and wreck Kramer's party. Jones (.392) and "Mac" (.390) lead Louisville in hitting and Jones leads the ACC in doubles (17).

After last night's exciting 2-1 Louisville walk-off win against UK in Jim Patterson Stadium...which was primarily a pitcher's duel...we could be in for a similar treat on the northeast border of the Belknap Campus when "Big Red" brings the Toppers off The Hill to take on Louie's Birds. 

We'll recap it tomorrow.

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THE BEST IN THE CONTEST

In our April Contest, which was to pick the total number of runs Louisville would score in the final 11 games of April, Joe Hill and Nick O. are battling it out for the win. 

Tonight's game is the final chance to score. We realize that a few got rained out in the contest...and did think about extending it through the Pittsburgh series this weekend...but decided that the spirit of the event was April-oriented and that it will still finish in April. 

Nick O. picked 10 runs and the Cards have scored 16. Joe Hill selected 23. If Louisville can score seven tonight, Joe would win a $25 gift card in addition to the Absolutely Fabulous CARDINAL COUPLE T-Shirt. If the Cards get blanked on the scoreboard...Nick O. wins the shirt.

Holding down 3rd place is our "steamed columnist" Worldwide Jeff McAdams...who would need the Cards to erupt for 10 runs tonight to hit his guess of 26. 

We're going to change it up a bit for the May Contest. 

We'd like you to tell us which of the UofL women's sports teams is your favorite and why. Entries should be 100 words or less. It can be a current or past squad. We'll run a few of them as the month goes on and then select our favorite. Judging the entries will be our dutiful operations manager Sonja and yours truly...the Paulster. 

We are not entering. Neither is Worldwide. We'll be truly objective here and may have a third-party not associated with the site look over our favorite entries and help decide.

There's a $25 Gift Card to a dining establishment in it for you if you win. Our second favorite submission gets a new car, Johnny!!!  an ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS CARDINAL COUPLE T-Shirt! 

You've got all month to get them in. It's free, of course, and you can put your thoughts into any of the daily comments sections or send them to us via e-mail.

cardinalcouple@twc.com

We'll judge based on creativity, content and your heart-felt emotions. Then, we'll slow dance and take a walk down a moon-lit beach while...

OK, you get the idea. Send 'em!!

paulie 
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Tuesday Cardinal Couple

Golf in Second in Miami

Some familiar names leading the Cardinals club swingers into second place at the Hurricane Invitational in Miami, FL.  Senior Emily Haas and junior Katie Mitchell ended the day tied for fifth with 1-under par on the individual leaderboard, but the Cardinals continue to play consistently across the whole team resulting in a second place team score at the end of the first day of play.

With an even par 71, junior Laura Restrepo lands in 11th place in the individual scoring, and senior Katie Petrino finished with a 1 over which is good for 21st position on the leaderboard.

Molly Skapik, a freshman, will start play off tomorrow for the Cards at 7:30am, and starts from 30th position and a 3-over par.

We wish the Cardinal club swingers well, and hope they bring some of the warm weather back with them to the Derby City.  The Hurricane Invitational is a three day event, wrapping up Wednesday.

Speaking of Wednesday...and Weather

The Louisville Lacrosse game Wednesday afternoon against Duquesne has been moved forward to a one eleven o'clock start from the original start time of 3pm at the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium.

The change in start time is in anticipation of unpleasant weather for Wednesday which is forecast to be a pretty disgusting mix of rain, sleet, snow, and probably just about every other type of precipitation that none of us really wants to deal with at this point in the winter.  Switching over to just snow after about two or three o'clock.

About the only weather condition that will cancel a game

for Lacrosse would be if there we enough accumulation of snow that the field couldn't be cleared, and that doesn't look to be the case.  For safety reasons, I imagine a temporary stoppage would happen for lightning, but that also doesn't look to be a factor on Wed.

The forecast for Saturday, however, doesn't look too awful...sunny and a high of 46...for the next home game, against William and Mary.  That will be a bit chilly to be sitting on open bleachers, but at least it should be dry and sunny to warm spectators a bit.

jmca

MARCH CONTEST...GET THOSE PICKS IN !

Our March Contest gives you the chance to win a $25 Gift Card to Cracker Barrel and an absolutely fabulous Cardinal Couple T-Shirt! Give us who you think will play in the finals of the ACC WBB Tournament, who will win and how many total points will be scored. If you have the
winning entry...you win the gift card and the T-Shirt!!!

We've got a March Contest you can enter...pick the two teams who will play for the ACC Tournament Championship and total points scored. 

Sonja says:  Louisville beats Notre Dame and 123 total points are scored.

Leave your picks in the comments sections leading up to Wednesday or e-mail them to cardinalcouple@twc.com

WE got a CC T-Shirt and a $25 gift card from Cracker Barrel waiting for the winner.  

Friday Cardinal Couple -- Roz Ellis joins Field Hockey Coaching Staff

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Sowry adds Roz Ellis to UofL Field Hockey coaches

- We preview the Justine Sowry interview

- Mid-year donation drive continues


Former UMass assistant coach Roz Ellis has joined the UofL Field Hockey coaching staff. Roz will serve as director of recruiting, assist with game day and practice preparation and contribute to the team's relationships in the field hockey community. Head Coach Justine Sowry broke the news Thursday:

" I am excited with the addition of Roz Ellis to our coaching staff. She brings a wealth of experience...with proficiency in both the technical and tactical elements of the game. There is no doubt that Roz brings passion and enthusiasm to the coaching profession and the sport. She has a spirit for the overall development and experience of the student-athlete. I couldn't be more thrilled that she accepted the position."

Ellis was an assistant at UMass from 2011-13 and the Minutewomen won two A-10 titles and made two NCAA appearance during her time there. She previously served as an assistant at Wake Forest, Appalachian State and played in Dublin, Ireland for the Old Alexandra Field Hockey Club.

She spent her college years playing for Iowa where she was a part of three BIG 10 championship teams and NCAA appearances as well as making the All-Big 10 first team twice. She was a midfielder and back for the Hawkeyes and hails from Lewisburg, PA.

Welcome to the flock, Roz!

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Paulie had an absolutely fabulous interview with head Field Hockey coach Justine Sowry Thursday and will play it in its entirety on our Saturday morning Cardinal Couple Radio Show. Be sure to tune in at 11 a.m. to Crescent Hill Radio to hear Coach and Paulie discuss:

- Where is it that Coach Justine really wants to be?

- Why Coach has trouble telling two of the players apart?

- Which player has the moniker of "Chile" on the squad?

- What Coach Sowry thinks of Duke's "rebuilding year" ?


It's a great time and quite informative look into the upcoming plans, schedule, players and ACC...so make sure and hear our exclusive interview with Coach!

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We continue with the mid-year donation drive for CARDINAL COUPLE. Thanks to those who have already generously donated and thanks in advance to those about to do so.

Cardinal Couple LLC is a 501C-3 limited liability corporation. We are non-profit. Actually, those are kind words...we have lost money every year.

Where do your dollars go? Your donations go to help me cover the costs associated with having a weekly radio show, running a daily website and providing coverage of University of Louisville women's athletic events. Not much in this world is free....and when you add up the engineering, domain, technical safety and support fees, licensing, governmental and legal costs that we incur as a registered non-profit LLC...quite frankly, the incoming dollars don't match the output.



Please help make it possible for us to report on softballs
flying over this fence from Cardinal bats.

Where does the rest of the funding come from to cover the costs? Out of my pocket.

A pocket that already has holes in it.

In addition, we support other charitable causes....either by donation or by providing free space on our site and show to provide awareness of their causes.

Whatever comes in, goes back out to cover the costs we incur. There are no paid employees. Our writers volunteer their services.

Your support is needed...and appreciated. 

I'm not looking to get rich. I'd just like to break even for once.

paulie
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Friday Cardinal Couple -- ACC: New logo, new challenges

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


- ACC reveals new logo

- Cards rowing starts NCAA Tourney today

- Crescent Hill Radio Trolley Hop Concert Tonight!

The ACC has revealed their new logo, website address and twitter info. Louisville has unveiled their version of it also.

In case you wondered, here's the old one:

 

 

Wasn't it nice of the ACC to do all that just because we're joining? After all, there were no logo changes when Pitt, Syracuse and Notre Dame opted in, right? Cards rule! 

 

So...what's the thinking here? We'll get past all the flowery words and kudos that the ACC Commissioner pontificates in his introduction of the new brand. That's what he's paid to do. The real question is...are you...the UofL fans cool with the design and look? After all, we are recently invited guests to this party. How are the appetizers and snack food?

 

Keep in mind, this is something you'll be staring at when Bria breaks loose and cans a jumper from mid-range. Or when Brittany Duncan sends one over the right field fence. An image Kaylin Morissette will be winning her draw controls on top of and a design that Katie George will be celebrating on after a Cardinal kill or point.

It's bolder, underlined and has a background behind it.

 

Does it matter?

 

One thing we can all be glad of...there will be no confusion anymore about which conference a particular UofL sports team is in anymore. (Something we're wildly happy about for live Cardinal Couple Radio broadcasts)

 

Paulie: "And with the win, Jeff...that moves the Cards into second place in the AAC."

 

Jeff: "Actually...no. Remember, we're in the BIG EAST in that sport."

 

Paulie: "What? Did I do it again? BIG EAST, my bad. "

 

Jeff: "Until July 1st."

 

The league will face challenges. TV broadcasts for Cardinal sporting events will be one of them...since the ACC basically owns all conference member games broadcasting rights. Are the days of Drew Deener and Bob Valvano (or even Sean Moth and Patty Norton Dennison) calling games on the Accuweather channel @ Time-Warner Cable TV done?

 

Your thoughts? Shoot us an e-mail or leave a comment.

 

 

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Row, row, row you Cards..

 

 

Earning their first NCAA Championship berth as an automatic qualifier with last

Sunday’s dominating win at the American Athletic Conference Championship, the
Cardinals will compete in the three-day event scheduled for May 30-June 1 at
Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis, Ind. Overall, the 22 teams in this year’s
championship are comprised of 11 automatic qualifiers and 11 at-large
selections.

 

Louisville’s varsity eight boat was seeded 16th overall and will compete in Heat
1 against San Diego, USC, Ohio State and Michigan. The Cardinals’ second varsity
eight crew was seeded No. 15 and will open the event in Heat 2 against Oklahoma,
Notre Dame, Stanford and Princeton. Louisville’s varsity four boat was seeded
No. 14 and race in Heat 3 against Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Wisconsin
and Jacksonville.

 

More information on the 2014 NCAA Rowing Championship is available online at
http://www.ncaa.com/sports/rowing/d1 .

 

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At the Hop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, hey, hey!  Tonight is the first of the five Crescent Hill Radio Trolley Hop Concerts. This is big family fun associated with the Frankfort Ave/Crescent Hill Neighborhood Fat Friday Trolley Hop gala affair.

 

The concerts are free. Bring the kids, lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of great music and with John Gage and The Bottom Sop.  J. Gumbo's will be onsite with their food selections. Celebrate the last Friday of the month with us at Crescent Hill Radio!!

 

 

( UNFORTUNATELY, WE COULDN'T BOOK THE LEGENDARY HUMBLE PIE FOR THE EVENT. MAYBE WE COULD ALL SING " I DON'T NEED NO DOCTOR", THOUGH...)

 

 

(You might even see the crazies from Cardinal Couple Radio if you look around. Don't be shy, come up & say "Hiya, pal")

 

A guaranteed good time is assured for all...Peace, Love, Dove.

 

 

paulie

 

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Saturday Cardinal Couple - Field Hockey goes to Carolina

Louisville Field Hockey starts the spring exhibition season in the place James
Taylor wants to be in the song above.

Carolina

The Cards will have 3 games in two days. They'll face North Carolina, Duke
and Wake Forest. All are, of course, future ACC opponents...so it'll give head coach
Justine Sowry a preliminary look at what lies ahead for her 2014 Field Hockey
Squad.

Duke was the national runner up in the NCAA Toruney and is coached by Sowry's
former boss and ex UofL Coach Pam Bustin. They went 17-7
last year and finished ranked fifth in the nation. The Tar Heels were #3 in the final
national rankings and posted a 18-6 record. Wake Forest was 12-9 and ended up
#13 in the final poll.

Louisville had a 15-5 2013 season, going 10-0 at home. They were placed #15
in the final rankings. 

Coach Sowry is ready to go:


"We are excited on many different fronts. We are finally able to play full field
in good conditions after a challenging spring weather-wise and we get an opportunity
to play against quality opponents that we will face in the fall. It will be tough playing
three games in two days, but it will give us an indication on what our strengths are
and where we need to focus our energy moving forward."

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WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER LIVE EDITION OF CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO THIS MORN
AT 11 AM. IT'S THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL WRAP-UP EDITION AND WE
HAVE PLENTY OF GREAT CLIPS TO PLAY FROM THE LAST WEEK.

LISTEN ALONG AT:

www.crescenthillradio.com

paulie
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Thursday Cardinal Couple -- Life goes on

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Final thoughts on Maryland loss

- Shoni in 3-point contest

- Softball falls to Cats

- Keller one of 10 selected

- Buy our wares


END OF WBB SEASON NOT THE END OF THE WORLD



I will share the story with you of Jeff Walz taking the podium after the Maryland loss. He sat down behind the table, looked at the assembled media, observed the somber demeanor on most of the faces and commented: 

"Hey, it's OK. Nobody died."

And with those words, we put to rest the 2013-14 season. He's right...no one died...although we did have a very scary event with Nita in November. 

Nobody has died. The Cardinal spirit and pride is very much alive.

Louisville gave it their best effort against a very good Maryland team on Tuesday night. They fought to the very end. They impressed an entire nation with their efforts and the magic that is Shoni Schimmel. This team lost only five games all season and two of the three teams that beat them are still dancing. The Louisville fanbase for WBB is the most supportive, loyal, enthusiastic and arguably largest in women's college basketball. From sea to shining sea. 

We'll always remember Shelby -- one of the
original "attack" Yorkies for UofL WBB

The Cards are seeing four great, productive and wonderful-to-be-around student athletes graduate and move on. Hard to let go of Asia, Shoni, Tia and Nita...but it's time for them to go out into the world and get on with the next phases of their lives. We will always remember...just like we have with Angel and CB. With Becky and Keisha. With Tise and Dez. With Shelby and Mo. 

They gave us some unforgettable moments. 

Life goes on. Ten incredible women return to pick up the banner and run with it. Five very promising freshmen join them to find their place in what is Louisville WBB. 

As for me, I find myself already anticipating the 2014-15 schedule. The move to the ACC. Being in the KFC YUM! Center again and hearing Al Greener's Pep Band. Hitting the media buffet and pouring over the stats, the reports and seeing the crowds. Feeling that adrenalin rush and surge of excitement when the Cards take the court.

Nobody has died. Life and hope springs eternal for the Red and Black.

And...I can't wait to see an alumni game with Tia, Nita, Asia and Shoni going up against Becky, Tise, Dez, CB and Shelby. Maybe we can even get Angel stateside for one of these eventually...

Here's a nice "happy" clip that chronicles the "sisters" journey:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEirn9qFgAk&index=3&list=FL8N0wbxvGOpasetzV1qSnXw








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SHONI'S COLLEGE CAREER NOT OVER JUST YET

University of Louisville's Shoni Schimmel will compete in the State Farm College 3-Point Championship today in Moody Coliseum on SMU's campus. 

She's the third CARDS WBB participant all-time. Becky Burke and Jill Morton both took part in it and were both runners-up when they did.

Shoni's competition?

Myisha Goodwin-Coleman - NC State
Jordan Hooper - Nebraska
Tricia Liston - Duke
Keena Mays - SMU
Courtney Moses - Purdue
Kara Pollinger - Navy
Kim mulkey  oops...Odyssey Sims - Baylor

Shake 'em, Sho.

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SOFTBALL SHUT OUT IN LEXINGTON

UofL softball travelled to Lexington Wednesday night to face the UK Wildcats. I'm not sure if I can keep dealing with these UofL losses over the past several days...especially to Big Blew...but the Cats prevailed of Sandy Pearsall's players 5-0. 

The Cards gave up runs in the first, third and fifth innings. Louisville managed only three hits against Wildcat hurler Kelsey Nunley. Kelsi Jones had two of those.

The Cards threatened in the visitor half of the third...Jones singling with one out and moving to second on a Whitney Arion fielders choice. Successive walks to Katie Keller and Brittany Duncan loaded the bags for Maryssa Becker (normally a good thing) but she grounded out to end the threat and the inning.

UofL heads to Tampa for three against the USF Bulls this weekend. Maybe the sun and surf will re-energize the Louisville bats. They'll probably run into All-American potential pitcher Sara Nevins down there..whose very, very opposed to giving up hits and runs.

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (April 2, 2014) – The University of Louisville’s Katie Keller was selected as one of ten finalists for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award for softball.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

Keller, a senior second baseman from Livermore, Calif., is the first player in program history to be selected as a finalist for the award. The four-year starter is a 2013 All-America second team, two-time All-Great Lakes Region and three-time all-conference selection. She was named to the 2014 Top 50 Watch List for USA Softball’s Player of the Year and was a Top 25 Finalist last season. 

She leads the team with a .382 batting average and 32 runs and is currently ranked in the top five in career runs, RBI, doubles and walks at UofL.

The communications major has been named to the Athletic Director's honor roll (3.0 or higher for the semester) three times and was a member of the Dean's List. Following her junior season, when she earned All-America honors on the field, she was also selected to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team.

Finalists were chosen by national media from the list of 30 candidates announced in February. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on the Senior CLASS Award Website through May 12. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches’ votes to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2014 NCAA Women’s College World Series^® in Oklahoma City May 29 through June 4.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School^®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. 

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Finally, we DO have the Cardinal Couple T-Shirts in. We are offering these at a mere $12 to help fund the website and radio show. We've been fortunate to sell a few (and thanks for donating to get those !!) but we still have some left. 

We'll send you one if you donate $12 or more to us through. Pay-Pal. We'll do the same if you send us a donation check to CARDINAL COUPLE. Information is on the right-side of the site. 

M. L.XL and XXL available. 

It's a good-looking and comfy, heavy cotton T-shirt and one would look GREAT on you. Cardinal Red Color with impressive black logos and lettering. 

We could use the donations. I took a chance and sunk a sizeable amount of the Cardinal Couple coffers into the design and purchase of these. 

Don't make me look anymore foolish that I usually do. Please donate and let us send you one...

Send your check to:

Cardinal Couple
PO BOX 91521
Louisville, KY 40291

CARDINAL COUPLE IS A NON-PROFIT, 501-C LLC. YOUR DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. YOUR MONEY GOES TO PAY THE BILLS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING CARDINAL COUPLE LLC. WE DRAW NO SALARY AND OUR STAFF IS VOLUNTEER-BASED. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US.

paulie

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