With James Ramsey out as UofL president...who's next? -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

RAMSEY'S REIGN EQUALED GROWTH

The University of Louisville executive board met yesterday in a marathon session to address the the resolution of President James Ramsey's resignation. Ramsey is out. Immediately. Offered a two-year package, thanked for his leadership and will receive a $690,000 buyout to avoid the expense and delay of litigation.  

During his 14 year tenure, the University grew, grew and grew. It will be hard to find a replacement that is more involved, interested and pro-active toward UofL sports that Ramsey was. All UofL sports, not just the holy trio of football, basketball and baseball. Yes, there were mis-appropriations and there was scandal during his tenure. There was also a change from being a commuter-based place of learning to joining the ACC and numerous dorms, facilities and a downtown arena. Never underestimate how essential Ramsey was in helping UofL get to the ACC.  I hope to still see him at Louisville sporting events. 

Neville G. Pinto, the University provost, is the top guy now...until the board interviews and hires a replacement for Ramsey. He was a chemical engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati. He came to Louisville's Speed School of Engineering, eventually became Dean of the Speed School and then moved on to interim and then permanent provost of UofL. According to University by-laws, he's the guy until the 18th president in UofL history is appointed. 

Petrino, Pitino and Pinto. It has the ring of a law firm title, medical practice or sixties pop group. 

So...the search begins. Junior Bridgeman, perhaps the most recognizable of the board members, indicates that the board "must be quick but not hurry" in selecting a replacement for Ramsey. Sage advice. I hope Jeff Walz adapts the phrase to UofL WBB guards this upcoming season.  

Is Bridgeman a candidate to become President of UofL? It is an interesting question. The man knows a lot about success and leadership. He parlayed a basketball scholarship to UofL in the early seventies into a NBA career, successful fast food franchisee owner and now soft drink bottler. Is Louisville ready for a African-American university president. Oh, yeah. Very ready. The question is, will he submit his application and would he accept the job? Honestly, he's probably made enough money in his lifetime to sustain him and his family quite well if he were to retire tomorrow. The challenge of leading a academic institution doesn't come along every day. 

I'll toss another name out there as a candidate. Jerry Abramson. He was Louisville's "mayor for life" for 25 years. Another guy who knows a thing or two about the University of Louisville's interaction with the city and Commonwealth of Kentucky. A former lieutenant-governor and successful attorney. He was also a candidate for the UofL Presidency fourteen years ago when Ramsey was selected. Would governor Matt Bevin veto any such move? Would the board consider him? Is Jerry interested? I love the guy. He'd be my top pick. 

And then there's still that whole issue of...is any of this positioning and maneuvering legal?  Kentucky's attorney general Andy Beshear is suing...saying that all of Bevin's actions in this reorganization are not constitutionally legal. 

This isn't some county ambulance-chaser trying to create a name for himself. This is the attorney general. One who has the power, knowledge and backing to keep this thing tied up in legality issues for quite some time. 

" UofL WANTS WHAT FOR CHRISTMAS? " 

Lastly, how will all of this affect UofL sports? We know of Bridgeman and Abramson's love for UofL athletics. Can we ensure the new president will give Tom Jurich the same 
'green light' to building, progress and continued growth of the sports programs we so dearly love in this community? I remember in the early eighties...there was a movement on to drop Louisville out of Division I football. Thank goodness Donald Swain came to his senses and Bill Olsen hired Howard Schnellenberger. 

Interesting times ahead...

paulie
xxxxx

President Ramsey offers resignation/retirement to Governor -- SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

PRESIDENT RAMSEY A HUGE SUPPORTER OF UOFL WOMEN'S SPORTS

When the news broke yesterday that UofL President James Ramsey had offered his resignation/retirement to Kntucky governor Matt Bevin...after Bevin had disbanded the board of trustees at UofL...my first thoughts went to the James Ramsey I got to know over the many years at Louisville and before.

You see, the Ramsey's lived around the block from me when I was a kid. They never minded you running through their front yard. James is several years older than I, so us kids didn't see much of him...but his mom would always buy Scout-O-Rama tickets from the assortment of Cub Scouts that would make the trek to the front door. Later on in his life, the Boy Scouts would award him the prestigious Silver Beaver Award. 

James was a Fern Creeker back in those days. Went to Fern Creek High School with my older brother. Later on, he would be enshrined in the Fern Creek Hall of Fame. Some of the times I've spoken with him, he'd reflect on Fern Creek Road and the neighbors back in those days...almost wistfully. Those good ol' days in a sleepy suburb of Louisville. Fern Creek. One stop-light, two drugstores and a feed and hardware store. 

They say you can never go home again...but he never really left the hearts and minds of many Fern Creekers. You could point to him and say with pride...'that's one of our guys'. 

Local.

Dr. Ramsey is also a huge UofL women's sports fan. I picture him at Ulmer Stadium, there with Jane, his wife. Sitting in the bleachers...always ready to cheer. Willing to turn his ballcap into 'rally mode' if needed. You could find them in the KFC YUM! Center (and before that in Freedom Hall) sitting near half-court. Cheering on Angel, Tia, Shoni...Sara.

Sports weren't the reason that Ramsey has offered to sit down and the sports program will not suffer without him.... with Tom Jurich sitting in that A.D. chair. But...one of the women's sports program's biggest fans would be greatly missed and I hope he and Jane still attend games and events. 

If that happens...

Ramsey's resignation/retirement offer could be turned down. Probably unlikely, but a possibility. Yes, the words 'dysfunctional', 'an academic nightmare', 'situation out of control', 'golden parachutes', and 'non-disclosure agreements' were symptomatic with the Ramsey reign over the past 3-4 years...but when you take a look at the whole body of work during President Jim Ramsey's time at Louisville the good things that were accomplished while he was president far out-weight the questionable and disgruntling. 

Yeah, the sombreros were a mistake. The new center of Academics coming to Floyd Street is not. The growth of the UofL Campus in his 14 years is evident. 

Some media will bash James Ramsey. And Matt Bevin. I'll just be content with remembering the James Ramsey I knew from softball banquets and chats in the KFC YUM! Center hallway. I'll wonder if Bevin actually has the authority to fire an entire board of trustees. And watch the legal and political circus take over center stage. 

James Ramsey supported UofL women's sports. That's good enough for me...he gave Tom Jurich full reign and said...'give it your best'. And, to paraphrase an old song...written by Hazel Miller back in 1982..."look what we can do Louisville."

LINK TO SONG: LOOK WHAT WE CAN DO, LOUISVILLE!  

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We'll be back on the radio this morning for another exciting edition of The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour at 11 a.m. on WCHQ 100,9 and on the internet and at www.crescenthillradio.com

Join Worldwide Jeff McAdams and I for the Justine Sowry Interview, a quiz, Ramsey discussion and the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. 

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/chradio/cardinal-couple-20160618

And, be sure to stay on WCHQ 100.9 for HANDICAPPING HEROES...a look at local Thoroughbred horse racing at Churchill Downs. Hosted by Paulie and featuring noted handicappers Scott Harris and Archie Karel. 

These guys have been on fire lately and providing some great winners. Hey, they're handing out advice...at no charge...to make you money. Listen, learn and profit. 

paulie
xxxxx

Lacrosse Stadium to get permanent press box -- Thursday Cardinal Couple

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON LACROSSE PRESS BOX

THE REMOVAL OF THE BLEACHERS HAS STARTED
FOR THE NEW PRESS BOX FACILITY'S HOME.

The Louisville Lacrosse program is getting a permanent press box facility. This may not be hold-the-presses, get out another special edition news...but to the SID's, reporters, official scorekeepers and staff associated with the dozen or so home lacrosse matches per season...it is a cause for celebration. Another reason to smile when we think ahead to the 2016 lacrosse season.

It will replace the "two story, state fair concession stand" type structure that has served as the official scoring and limited staff housing on the player's side of the field and provide a permanent setting for the statistics-gathering, media venue location and video-taping of games.

Every time I'd saunter across the field to gather halftime or post game stats and wait for the sheets to be handed down to me (when the printer was actually working)...I'd think about jokingly asking:

"And can I get two dogs with mustard and a large lemonade with that, please?" 

Over the past several years, Worldwide and I have covered lacrosse matches...along with the Cards TV and ESPN3 crews...from the bleachers. In every imaginable type of weather. Rain...below- freezing blustery winds, steaming-hot and humid scorchers and absolutely-perfect spring afternoons. 

Statistics sheets being blown out of reach by sudden gusts of wind. Watching Don Russell and Patty Norton construct a cardboard shield over the laptop screens to block the sun for viewing purposes. Seeing water cascade off of the tarp overhead onto the color commentary and play-by-play announcers underneath. 

Those days are gone.

Lacrosse deserves the upgrade. 

In their eight seasons of existing as a UofL women's sport , they've had but one less than .500 win/loss record. Over the past three years...they've made the NCAA Tournament, won the BIG EAST Conference and complied a 38-17 record. They now compete in the best lacrosse conference in college athletics and have had an All-American for the second year in a row....starting with Nikki Boltja and continuing with Kaylin Morissette. The program is nationally recognized and so is their head coach Kellie Young. 

The other outdoor women's sports we cover here at

CARDINAL COUPLE have press boxes for the most part. Softball just got a press box upgrade. Field Hockey and Soccer have nice game coverage permanent facilities. So does Track and Field. Golf, Tennis, Rowing and Cross Country really don't need press boxes (although the idea of a floating and self-propelled press box to cover rowing would be a novel concept...) 

We see Lacrosse continuing their successes and becoming a relevant competitor in the ACC. A conference that has three of the final four teams in the NCAA Lacrosse semifinals in Syracuse, Duke and North Carolina. The fourth team (Maryland) was a ACC member for many years. 

Although the advent of a press box will not affect player recruitment to any major degree...we see it as a commitment from Tom Jurich and UofL President James Ramsey to the continued excellence of all UofL sports. Best teams, state-of-the art facilities.  

And, it will be nice to cover this excellence in a facility that offers shelter from the elements. Players, obviously, play in all kinds of conditions. Fans attend and watch in all types of weather.

When it comes to the actual coverage and administration of an event, though, a permanent facility with dedicated electrical outlets and capabilities, accessible and convenient viewing venues and working Internet, communication and information gathering ports is mandatory.   

Thanks for the upgrade, Cards! 

paulie 

Monday Cardinal Couple -- Watson's farewell

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MONDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-USA Womens Olympic Basketball cruises by 52.


-The final Watson column (for awhile)


-Chicken Sandwiches: To eat or not to eat. 


Angel with 10 points and three steals as USA rolls past Angola 90-38. After a slow first quarter and only a 22-12 lead, Angel and company kicked it in gear and took  a 41-18 lead at the half. 69-29 after three and a balanced scoring attack for Geno's ballers.


Three-point shooting still needs work, but an easy-as-expected romp to go to 2-0 in pool play.


Undefeated Turkey next on Wednesday. 


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(David Watson is a special columnist for CARDINAL COUPLE. He'll be taking leave of us for awhile...as he explains in today's column.)


All good things come to an end. 

I've had a great time writing for CARDINAL COUPLE over the last couple of years, but other things are calling...so, this will be the last chance you have to shake your head and wonder what this boy is thinking for awhile. 


My oldest daughter Abby is enrolling in college this fall. Actually, she's already on campus and taking summer classes -- so she's already technically a freshman. 


One down, two to go. 

She fortunate enough to be attending on a couple of partial scholarships -- one for academics and one for field hockey. From what side of the family she got these special talents from to earn these honors is still up to debate -- but we're all proud of her. 


Since it isn't UofL where she's matriculating, I have decided to follow the university where she's attending.

Might even start a website/blog about the trials and tribulations of her athletic and academic pursuits through the eyes of her father. Her mother and I plan on being active parents in any way we can toward the college and have already met several of the field hockey mom and dads. 


If I do start a site, I'll insist Paul put me on the "Sites We Recommend" on the left side of the site. After all, the tremendous growth CARDINAL COUPLE has experienced was certainly spurred by my ground-breaking and thought-provoking articles, right? 


I'll leave with a couple of parting comments. 

First, I'll still be following the pursuits of the University of Louisville sports teams. Louisville looks to be very strong in quite a few different sports this upcoming season and I expect nothing less than conference titles from them in football, both basketball teams, volleyball and softball. 


Tom Jurich has done a great job with facility building, coaching hires and creating excitement for the fans  University of Louisville athletics. The University of Louisville seems committed to raising the academic bar as well. I truly hope that the recruits continue to be top-flight for the sports teams at UofL.


I can't help but wish my daughter had been talented enough to receive a scholarship offer from Louisville...but that's the way it goes and she's happy where she is. 

Finally, I want to thank Paul and Sonja for letting me be a part of the CARDINAL COUPLE world. I know there have been times when readers have disagreed with me and taken a different viewpoint. The way I see it is that if everyone share the same viewpoint, it would be a pretty boring world. Several people can look at the same event and have a different viewpoint on it. I've tried to express my views with you, the CARDINAL COUPLE readers, and I appreciate the chance to do so. 

Not to worry, you've still got quite a few excellent writers here at CARDINAL COUPLE to keep you informed on the joy and excitement that is UofL women's sports. I've enjoyed reading articles by Jenny, Sandy, Mark and the co-owners of the site -- Paul and Sonja. I never got to meet the first three mentioned above, but feel like I know them from their writings. 


Paul has encouraged me to pop in from time-to-time with a column and I've promised him I'll try, so maybe this isn't a final farewell, but a "till we meet again" goodbye. 


Anyway -- it's been fun and I'll be reading, so keep the bar high in your coverage, comments and details of one of the best sports programs in college athletics.


-- David.


(We wish David all the best and thank him for his coverage these past couple of years! We know he and Cheryl will be great college parents.)


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The Chick-Fil-A drama is heating up on the UofL campus and we've received several e-mails about it so we'll take a little time today to discuss it. 

We'll go on record by saying that we like the tasty Chick-Fil-A sandwich and UofL was supplying these to the media earlier this year during the softball tournament. I suppose they were donated by the restuarant or maybe purchased...we're not sure, but they seemed to disappear pretty quickly.


I remember eating mine next to Courier-Journal sports writer C.L. Brown a few innings before Louisville won the game against Valparaiso in dramatic fashion when Alicja Wolny cleared the right-field fence with a base clearer. If I knew she was going to provide such a dramatic ending to the game, I might have asked for two sandwiches and saved one for her.
I don't know if this would have been considered an NCAA violation or whether she likes chicken sandwiches or not. I might have even eaten both sandwiches. I'll ask her at the start of softball season.

The recent statements by the owner of Chick-Fil-A have drawn considerable scrutiny because of the content. Seems he's in favor of traditional marriage and some other situations that have angered the gay and lesbian community. Thus, a boycott has been called and UofL's president James Ramsey and other UofL administration personnel have stated that they'll no longer eat at the campus location. 


I'm trying to cut down on fast food, too. It's worked, I'm now at 192 lbs. and two summers ago I tipped the scales at 240. 

I don't attribute all the weight loss to cutting back on fast food. But, I've stopped drinking soft drinks also. Switched to a low carb, light beer. Started walking more. Ride my bicycle 3-4 times a week. I can tell you my knees feel a whole lot better without the extra 48 pounds.


I still crave fast food, I just don't indulge in it as much. I'm guessing Teena Murray, Director of Sports Performance at UofL would be proud. I've never talked at length with her, but we did an article on her awhile back and I know she tries to get the players to eat healthy. 


I do like the Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwich, though, so the moral dilemma begins. Do I join the UofL boycott of the restaurant or give in to my taste buds and still occasionally treat myself to one of their sandwiches? 

I may still get a sandwich occasionally but I will try not to be happy about it. Until that first bite. Then again, I've heard Zaxby's and Wendy's have a pretty good chicken sandwich also. I may have to investigate.


Maybe one of our sponsors, Panera Bread, will invite me over to sample their chicken offerings. I'm about out of cinnamon raisin bread, so that would work...


We live in a country that gives us religious and social freedoms. We live in a country that protects us from oppression. We live in a country that allows entrepreneurial opportunities. We also live in a country where the media can make a big deal over chicken franchises. 


Somewhere, Col. Sanders is rolling over in his grave, clutching his secret spices recipe tightly. 


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USA Womens Olympic basketball tonight against Angola. Go, Angel go! 5:15 EDT time. MSNBC with the live action. Rachel Maddow and Larry the Cable guy with the play-by-play. (Just kidding.) 


We're pretty sure Angel will see some significant minutes. Unless she and LeBron James have decided to enlist in the French Foreign Legion. 




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