Louisville women's basketball -- Championship Memories

CAPTAIN'S LOG -- THE GREENSBORO MISSION

Below is an account of two "old guys" making the trek to go see the Louisville women's basketball team play in the final two games of the ACC Tournament. A combination of "Dumb and Dumber" and "Grumpiest Old Men" maybe. Or a James Bond action-thriller? You decide. The accounts and references here did happen, unless it's been this crazy dream and I'm still asleep. 

Friday, 5:00 p.m.

Louisville's women's basketball squad won their first game of the ACC Tournament. Bye-bye Va Tech. I am lamenting I am not in Greensboro, but my wife and dog are not sympathetic. Almost on cue, the phone rings. It is my friend Joe Hill in Naples. We talk about the win. We both wish we were there. He says we should do something about that. We devise a plan to drive to Greensboro and catch the Saturday (and hopefully Sunday) Louisville games. He says it's about a 11 hour trip. I say I'll pay the gas and hotel if he'll drive. He says he'll "clear it with the wife" and call me back. He calls back 30 minutes later. It is a go. When I approached my wife about it, she told me to go, instead of moping around the house about it. Destination: Greensboro

Friday, 8:00 p.m.

Joe has arrived from Naples. His 2016 Chevrolet Impala pulls up in the driveway. I have been packed and ready to go since 6 p.m. As I go out to greet him, my wife tells me to "drink plenty of water, you know how you are on trips". Joe comes in, says "Hi" and we are off. Our mission is clear. Only we can accomplish what must be done. And we'll be back with a championship. Oh, yes. 

Friday, 10:30 p.m.

Our first stop. A rest area. (You know how old guys are and bathroom trips, right?) There is a van in the rest area that at least eight people, youngsters, pile out of. They are all pretty much dressed the same. I ask the adult (thankfully) driving some general questions. They are going to Atlanta for a youth mission or something like that. I tell the driver we are on a mission as well. He looks at me and hurries the kids back into the van as they return from the facilities. All I needed was dark sunglasses and a black suit. Joe tells me that he's getting hungry. I produce a big bag of Fritos from the bag I put in the back seat. Driving and Fritoing, oh yeah. He puts a Neil Diamond CD into the player. We roll on with "Sweet Caroline" and "Cracklin' Rosie" as companions. 

Saturday, 4:30 a.m. 

We have reached Darlington, SC and it's time for gas and maybe a little breakfast. We have solved just about all the current world problems, and heard from Neil Diamond, the Guess Who, Peter Frampton, The Beatles and a few other stars from the past and the sight of the Waffle House beckons us. Our waitress is named Doris and she's about to become a grand-mother again and about to end her shift. Joe goes for the All-Star breakfast, or something like that. I stick with a waffle and oatmeal with sausage, my "go-to" at Waffle House. Gotta stay heart-healthy and consistent, ya know. There is a couple in the corner that are arguing about his actions the night before. We were driving, honest, and had no part in his shenanigans. Joe's car takes $40+ in gas. On the road again! 

Saturday, 7:29 a.m.

Greensboro, we have landed! We hit the Red Roof Inn near the Coliseum. The desk clerk tells us check-in is not until the afternoon. We plead our case. We desperately need a few hours of shut-eye before the game. She's sympathetic and relents for a room. We are (or at least I am) asleep by 8 a.m. The plan is, up at noon, clean up and to the Coliseum, about a mile away. We have parked next to a SUV with Kentucky plates. Good luck is with us! 

Saturday, 10:23 a.m.

Rise and shine, travelers! We go about it and hit the car and head to grab a bite and hit the coliseum. There is a Hooters near us but we avoid the temptations of wings and girls and settle for the Olive Garden. They open at 11 a.m. and we're the first one's in. I text Paulie and tell him of our decision to make the trek. He's already at the Coliseum, just finished doing radio and wishes us good luck and great seats. Maybe we'll get together later. 

Saturday, 2:15 p.m.

The Cards have put away N.C. State in a hard-fought game. Louisville didn't look especially sharp but got the job done. We are sitting next to a couple from Louisville who have never heard of CARDINAL COUPLE. One of the very few, most likely. He pulls the site up on his phone and he likes it. Gotcha a new couple of readers, Paulie. On the house, pal. How would they have fared against Duke? Thankfully, we didn't have to find out. NC State had a couple of BIG girls who had little trouble scoring inside on the Cards but -- Arica Carter for President! This FSU vs. ND game should be good. We are FINALS BOUND and our mission is halfway accomplished. 

Saturday, 6 p.m.

We now know it will be the Irish and Cards in the Finals. They looked good against FSU. Shakayla Thomas better make the All-Tournament Team, though. She did all she could for the Noles. The couple we're sitting next to tells us about a little pizzeria near their hotel that is pretty good. We decide to go there with them and celebrate. I see Paulie down on media row and he's having a lively discussion with the guy to his left and a security official. Probably trying to talk his way out of being apprehended again. 

Saturday, 10 p.m.

We have dined on some GREAT deep dish pizza at Pizzeria L'Italiano and washed it down with a few "adult" beverages. Then, back to their suite for a few cocktails out of paper cups and a few games of spades and conversation. Joe had never played spades, so naturally, he kicked our tails. We are full, sleepy and content. Game time 2 p.m. Sunday. Time for these two to surrender to the pillow. We say "Goodbye" to our new friends Scott and Donna, who are retired and living well in Anchorage, if that rings a bell, Louisvillians, and it's off to the place with the red roof. Donna, a very attractive lady, about 10 years younger than Scott. He was a supervisor at a Ford Plant in Louisville. They drink Old Forester and we had no problem with that. I drive us back to the hotel, Joe had "a couple more than I" and is happy. Very happy. He hits the sack in his clothes. I, of course, follow proper "preparing for sleep" guidelines and routines and fall asleep watching some movie about the invasion of Japan. We are ready for battle. 

Sunday, 10 a.m.

What a great night of sleep! I am re-freshed, invigorated and ready to cheer on my Cards! Joe is excited also. We hit Biscuitville for a breakfast and text Paulie to join us. He is staying nearby at the Hampton. He invites us over for the buffet at the hotel. He has no car. His trip-mate Tom has taken the car to go to Mass. We pass and make plans to meet up at the game -- the lure of fresh baked biscuits too luring. The rest of the time leading up to game time is spent watching Sunday Morning talk-shows. Joe's a big fan of these. I call the wife, all is well and the family is hoping for a Card win. There is a guy out in the parking lot of the hotel who must think he's entered in a Nascar event -- such loudness on a peaceful but chilly Sunday morning is a party foul. 

Sunday, 1:45 p.m.

We have met with Paulie briefly...he supplied us with "game snacks" from the Media Snack Bar and told us that he hopes, for once, the Louisville bench is in front of him. It is not. We see him down on the court talking to coaches and such and then, his hands are behind his back and a security guard is standing behind him. He is released. We find out later it was a joke he was playing on Sam Purcell -- pretending to be arrested and asking for help. It's time to play ball. The referees are Dee Kanter, Joe Vaszily and Eric Brewton. That's a good crew. The Irish look really big and well-built. We expect a close game. Let's play ball! 

Sunday, 4:40 p.m.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

The Cards take a thriller 74-72 and we watch the celebrations down on the court with pride and much cheering. I am full of emotion, Joe is, too. We are the winners! Just looking put on the court, The dancing, the ballons and confetti, the madness. I love this team so. They made Myisha Hines-Allen the MVP of the tournament. I might have gone in Arica Carter's direction, but it's still a good call. CARDS! Asia Durr and her clutch free throws. The Irish roaring back only to be denied at the end. That's basketball, folks. We leave the arena babbling non-stop about what we saw. the plan is to eat, go back to the hotel, take a nap and hit the road for Florida. We stop for dinner at a Mexican restaurant next the hotel. Not bad, really. Our waiter is a blonde cutie and is a Duke fan. But she's happy for us and we tip her well. Our work is done here. We didn't notice the so-called icy exchange between Jeff and Muffet -- too busy jumping around "high-fiving" and hugging those around us. Her name is ASIA DURR, though, Ms. McGraw and how you can stay balanced in a squat in those 12-inch thin heels has to be one of the seven wonders of the world. Jeff Walz has to be exhausted. He worked the sidelines just as hard as the players did on the court. Cut down that net, CJW! 

Sunday, 8:30 p.m.  

After a short nap, we load the Impala and we're off! Traffic is light and we are anticipating an arrival in Bradenton around 7 a.m. or so. We can't find anything about the game on local radio, so it's back to CD's. CCR is singing about not being a fortunate son. We feel very lucky and fortunate. Sorry about your luck, John Fogarty. I start answering the texts I received all day. Phone was off. I had serious business to attend to. Paulie had texted and invited us over for some Jefferson Reserve and dialogue after the game. I reply that we are on the road home. He is, too, as it turns out. My wife informs me that she wishes she had gone with us. Barry, from the next street over and a huge Cardinal fan, says he fell over his coffee table in front of the couch, while dancing and celebrating the win. Way to take one for the team, Bear! 

Monday, 7:50 a.m.

(Seems like Paulie got himself a new "crush"...) 

We pull into my driveway in Bradenton. I drove the last 300 miles...Joe was getting sleepy and I had napped in the car. I gotta get one of these Impala's. Great road car. I invite him in for breakfast and the wife is up and makes us eggs, pancakes and bacon. I invite Joe to nap a bit on the couch but he feels fine and is ready to return to Deloris and Naples. My buddy Joe and I have had a great time, made a couple of new friends and seen two great basketball games. Some great memories and excellent hoops we witnessed. CARDS! Our 58 hour adventure has ended and I hope you enjoyed the recap! Onto the NCAA! We were Cardinal Strong and saw some things we'll remember for a long time. I hope that couple in Darlington finally "made-up" and Scott, Donna and Paulie got home safely. 

I hope Paulie didn't try to bring Ms. Wuf home with him. 

Your friend, 

Dave-O
David Watson. 
  

Irma took it easy on us -- David Watson reports on his Sarasota home -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've been in touch with my pal David Watson since he left the Sarasota area last week...fleeing Hurricane Irma. He returned home late Tuesday night and offered to give us a report on what he sees in his city.  It's a long read...but a darn fine one. Enjoy. 

Hi, my name is David Watson and if you aren't familiar with me, then you don't visit this site often or you're a new reader. It matters not, I suppose. Welcome and thanks to your ubiquitous and fearless leader for letting me grace these pages all these years. I was one of the original writers here back in the days of Angel McCoughtry and Candyce Bingham. I retired from regular columns to become a Bucknell fan. Don't ask. 

I've been a Cardinal fan since the days of Darrell Griffith and the Doctors of Dunk and Paulie and my oldest daughter completed the cycle by getting me hooked on women's sports. I'm still a Notre Dame fan, too. Don't hold that against me -- they wrote me a lot of checks when I was teaching undergrads introductory psychiatry. They still call me in from time to time -- for comic relief I suppose or if they're looking for a patsy to give a lecture no one else wants to handle. As long as they pay the airfare and lodging, I'm game. It gets me out of the house and fall in South Bend can be pretty special. 

I live in Sarasota, FL. I moved here a couple of years ago from Bradenton, FL. Before that, it was Muncie, IN and, if you want to go way back into the time machine, South Bend, IN. I was born in Kansas and my mother's name was Dorothy. Go ahead and snicker, everyone does. We did not have a dog named Toto, though, and no farm hands.

As a boy, my best friend was a blind kid named Darrell. I read to him a lot. Most of it was "G-rated". We smoked our first cigarette together and went on our first dates together. His was a blind date. (Is that wrong to say that?). I was a Gopher for eight years also. (UofM, not the burrowing kind). Maybe you'd like to know my favorite color and fruit now. 

Now that we've gotten our geographical perspective and biographical resume in order, let's move on, shall we, to the mean lady named Irma who visited my new state with varying degrees of nastiness. 

We fled about a week ago. We were hearing bad things about what might happen and I figured it was time to visit my wife's brother in Muncie again, anyway -- so we loaded up the SUV with a bunch of stuff we probably didn't need -- including my youngest daughter (just kidding) and "got the hell out of Dodge" or, in this case, Florida.

My daughter didn't want to go. 

"Where's your spirit of adventure, Dad? The neighbors are staying."

"Shut up and pack a bag, Kelly." I replied, doing my best Clint Eastwood imitation. The young Clint, not the current one. 

At my age, I'm lucky to have any spirit whatsoever, much less adventure, and so we took our latest born back to a state she really wasn't so fond of to begin with. Being a dad can be a crazy tumultuous roller coaster at times. One of your fine writers here, Mr. Jared, can probably relate to that amusement park sequitur.  

The absolutely wonderful news is that we suffered very little damage at all. Irma had de-escalated to a Category I by the time she came meandering our way. Partied out, needing a nap and pretty much just a nasty tropical depression. We had a few branches in the back yard from the palm trees, I lost a tomato plant, but no water or wind damage whatsoever in the house. In fact, we even had power when we got back home. 

My sarcastic but well-meaning neighbor to my right (Don) who had surreptitiously not answered his land-line (he has no cell) while we were gone -- but promised me he'd watch my property if the worst hit -- (remember, Hitler promised Chamberlain he didn't want any conflicts) came over minutes after we pulled into the driveway. 

"See, that wall I talked you into building was a good idea, right"?

What he was referring to is a 4 foot concrete-block wall that surrounds my property. He had one when we moved in and continuously sung its praises. So, I had one built last fall. I only had to have three sides done, since there was already one to my right. Before we left, we stacked sand bags four feet high in front of the sidewalk gate. Also put a few in front of the front door and garage doors. I may leave them until Christmas. They are a great deterrent for door-to-door salesmen and snot-nosed kids selling school project candy and cookie dough.

"Why didn't you answer the phone, Don?" I asked. 

Don doesn't believe in voice mail either. I'm living next to a character from the Andy Griffith Show. Don's the kind of guy who will come over and brag about how right he was when his stinking Packers win a game. If they lose, he becomes Howard Hughes. Wisconsin guys. I've heard tortured screams of pain over there before. Don't ask, don't tell, right? 

"Didn't recognize the number". he blithely replied.

I need this man to buy a laptop, tablet or smart phone. Or even a flip phone. Goober says "Hey!". I bet he could get a good deal on a Commodore or Gateway. 

We have a detached garage that was spared from water as well. It's a concrete block garage with a strong storm/security side door and sealed garage door. Why is this important, you might ask? Because, in addition to housing my wife's Prius, various gardening and lawn maintenance tools of destruction and my beer fridge -- it is also home to my 17,500 eight-track tapes and three eight-track players.  

Go ahead and Google eight-track, dear Millennials that might be reading. Some guys collect golf balls. coffee mugs or wives. I collect eight-tracks. Eight tracks had their heyday from the mid-sixties to the late seventies before God created cassettes and Ronald Reagan. From Aardvark to ZZ Top, I got tunes. 

The house on my other side is up for sale and unoccupied -- but everything looks fine over there as well. Except for the hideous light green color the former occupants painted it. Years ago. I told the realtor a few weeks back she could increase the selling price by $5,000 if she had someone slap a few coats of white paint on it. She took a big slurp from her diet soft drink and stared through me like I was a bay window. 

"Yeah, maybe." is what I got out of her. A real orator, that one. Ah, the life of big-chested blondes who have rich hubbies and down Marlboro Lights like they were panaceas for respiratory functionality. 

We were lucky.

My wife Donna, who is not overly religious, prayed for a Category I or, better yet, an avoidance of the whole thing. Someone was listening, maybe. Being a fairly devout Catholic, I did a few signs of the cross and Hail Mary's before we left and a couple of genuflections after we returned. 

Some parts of Sarasota fared worse. A neighbor down the street had a pine tree fall on his wooden workshop and that's a total loss. A couple of blocks over, near the Gulf of Mexico, people are piling up debris on flatbeds, pickup trucks, trailers or by the side of the road. My golfing buddy Joey, who lives in Indian Springs, invited me over to help him and his son clear their property of limbs and other debris earlier today. I snarkingly asked if that meant we wouldn't be playing golf. My neighbor Don must be wearing off on me. Is "snarkingly" a word? If not, I deserve credit for its introduction.

It was a joyous reunion with our basset hound Keith (who my youngest daughter renamed Mc. Farty-Fart). Don offered to keep him while we fled, as he does whenever we take a trip. I think Keith wouldn't mind playing out his contract with us and getting traded to Don or signing as a free agent. He gets along well with Don, his wife Cheri and their beagle Snoopy. Original, right? 

Keith went straight to Mama, then Kelly and proceeded to give me a sideways glance like "What, you came back, too"? How soon they forget who takes them out at all hours of the day and night so they can prowl the premises and soil the lawn. 

You might have been thinking I still had Spanky the Yorkie, Paulie. When my oldest daughter moved to Chicago, she took the little ankle biter with her. That dog was man's best friend. During our NCAA Tournament marathon watches that we had in the Muncie house basement, Spanky was a trooper -- patrolling the floor for wayward snack foods, knocking over partially empty beer cans and bottles on the floor, finishing the remains and barking when the guys would erupt in cheers or boos -- before staggering off to the laundry room to sleep it off. Keith sleeps whenever I'm watching sports. 

Her dog, though. I hope she sent him through the 12 steps program or at least got him qualified counselling. He was a hit on opening NCAA weekend, though.  

Again, we were lucky. So many areas of Florida were damaged badly and still have no power. Donate money to a relief organization. That it the best way to help. Your choice. I like the Red Cross but any will do because there are a lot of people who need it. There's a lot of damage to our south. As Blue Oyster Cult sang many years ago. 

History shows again and again
How nature points out the folly of man.

Our pal Joe Hill got extensive water damage down in Naples and his condo is still without power. He texted me yesterday. One sentence. 

"The condo is still standing but it's waterlogged." 

So, in conclusion, thank you for letting me reveal our Hurricane adventures. I know it's a huge week up there in Cardinalville and I'm sure whoever is up next in Paulie's writing order will fill you in tomorrow on what you need to know for the weekend sports-wise. I wish I could be in Papa John's for this one. I need a huge UofL win. I'm worried about Clemson's defensive line, their ability to hold opponents to just field goals and this maverick freshman quarterback they've got. 

The Cards do have Lamar Jackson, though, and that says a lot. Hopefully, he'll get some blocking, find a few receivers and run like a man with his pants on fire. I'll call this one 24-17 Cards and if I win, Paulie, donate the card to charity or give it to second place. Panera is not a huge favorite in the Watson household. Maybe it's because they wouldn't hire my youngest daughter last summer. Their loss, Kohl's gain. 

I also hope Volleyball can go to Lexington and put a "W" on Big Blue Nation. As for women's soccer and field hockey, I expect wins as well. Sweep the weekend, Cards! 

Until we talk again, good health and happiness to all of you and support this site however you can. I read most every day. Paulie and the boys and gals do a great job here and it gives a 'chasing-kids-out-of-his-driveway old man' the chance to occasionally write something else besides checks for bills, Catholic high school tuition payments and incorrect golf scores.  

Your friend, 

David Watson. 

Thanks again to David for sharing. I gotta meet Don and Mc. Farty-Fart...plus the realtor  -- Paulie 

Friday Cardinal Couple -- Reader Submitted Article Day

.
FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE



*******BREAKING NEWS*******


I'll Have Another has been scratched from the Belmont Stakes. 


Press conference scheduled for 1 p.m.


Doug O'Neill pulls the Belmont odds-on favorite because of tendinitis in left front leg. We'll have more on this tomorrow, along with our revised Belmont picks. 


Tough break. A horse takes millions of steps in a recing career. One bad one and...poof...career over.




-Joe Hill: My love affair with Angel McCoughtry


-An early look at the Belmont


WE will be running reader submitted articles on Friday's for the next couple of months. We had several good ones submitted for today's column that we will probably use down the road; today we bring you Joe Hill's piece on Angel McCoughtry.

Joe resides in Port Charlotte, FL. and is a retired bar/restaurant owner. He has followed Cardinal Sports since his days at UofL during the late sixties. He got interested in UofL women's basketball when Bud Childers coached the program in the 1990's...having met Bud on an airplane and having a long discussion with him on women's basketball and sports in general. 


Some people swear he looks like Jimmy Buffett. WE definitely agree but will also attest to the fact that he can't sing like the legend. 


Here's Joe!


Hello Cardinal Couple!


My name is Joe Hill and I am a UofL women's basketball fan. I am writing today for this fine web-site CARDINAL COUPLE about my favorite women's basketball player of all time. Ms. Angel McCoughtry. Although I have never formally met her, I can tell you that I am in love with her. 
Sometimes, certain athletes just have that effect on you. I hope she reads this article. Angel, I do love you!


A bit of background on me might be in order first. I owned a restaurant and pub in scenic Gatlinburg, TN for many years.  I had a lot of Tennessee and Louisville pictures and memorabilia on the walls of my establishment and UofL fans in the area would gather at my place to watch UofL televised sporting events. I received a very nice offer from some investors a couple of years ago to purchase my business and I sold it, moved to Florida and eventually married the realtor who sold me my condo. How about that? 

I've got to see Angel McCoughtry play live and in person several times. The first was in Murfreesboro, TN at the MTSU Classic back in 2005. It was only her second game as a Louisville Cardinal, she didn't start but played well when she was in the game and the Cards beat EKU pretty badly that night. The next time I saw her play was in Nashville later that year. Louisville was in the NCAA Tournament and was playing Vanderbilt in the first round on the Commodores home court. They lost that night, Angel played well again and that was the first time that CARDINAL COUPLE owners Paul and Sonja watched a game with me. 


They had been regular visitors to my place when they would travel to Gatlinburg and we had stayed in touch. Paul was one of the few that could beat me in darts and I respected that.


I remember that game for another reason also. Paul had talked with sportswriter Howie Lindsey at halftime and came back and told us that Howie wasn't feeling very good. Before the contest ended, Howie was admitted to a Vanderbilt hospital for an emergency appendectomy. 


Paul had extended an open invite to come to Louisville anytime and watch the UofL WBB team play. His treat. I took him up on that a couple of days before New Year's Eve back in 2006. The Cards beat Eastern Illinois that game and Angel was in control of the Cardinal team by then. We had a great time and Paul took me and one of my bartenders to a couple of Louisville nightspots after the game. We crashed on his living room floor and drove back to Gatlinburg the next morning. 

The 2007-2008 season was a great one for Louisville women's basketball. I got to see the Cards play in Chattanooga that year and they handled the Lady Mocs pretty easily. Angel was definitely on her game that night and so was Candyce Bingham. I didn't get up to Louisville that year to watch any games but we were cheering pretty heavily for the Cards. We were hosting the very casual and unofficial Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge Cardinal Fans Club and saw plenty of great Cardinal events that year on TV. 

Angel's final year was a pretty special one for her and her teammates. They went to the Final Four and were the National Runners Up. It was special for me , too, because I got the chance to see Angel and Louisville play seven times live!


They began the season at Tennessee Tech and I was there with several Fan Club members. They romped that night! Then, the Cards visited MTSU for a game and I was there again. That was the game that Sonja drove down to see with a couple of her friends and Cardinal fans. We sat with her and had a great time watching Louisville beat the Blue Raiders! Ten days later, I was headed to Louisville to watch the Cards face Kentucky in Freedom Hall.  Another great time, another UofL win and another great post-game experience with Paul and Sonja. The five of us who made the trip did it right that time, getting a couple of rooms at the Brown Hotel and visiting the legendary Old Spaghetti Factory the next day before returning home that night. 


As Louisville continued to roll in the post-season we were excited about them maybe getting the chance to play in the Raleigh Regional. We got tickets for the games. We were confident the Cards would get there and they did by beating Liberty and LSU. We took off for Raleigh, had a couple of rooms booked at the Red Roof Inn and went crazy when the Cards downed Baylor and Maryland in pretty easy fashion. 


I got to high-five Angel after the Maryland game when they came over to applaud the fans who were applauding for them. 


It was the FINAL FOUR for the Cards and I was going to be there, no matter what it took. Three of us drove to Knoxville the day before,  flew to St. Louis and ended up with pretty nice seats and Red Roof Inn lodging again. 


The Oklahoma game was a nail-biter but the Cards won it to advance and play UConn. Even though they lost to UConn, it was a heck of an experience and a great time. 


A few months after that, my mother passed away in Florida.  I met with my brothers and sisters down there and discovered I really liked the area, the climate and really wanted to spend more time there. By 2010, I was an ex-owner and looking at Condos up and down the Gulf Coast of Florida.


I have been to one UofL women's basketball game since then. The Cards rolled into Tampa in February 2011 and I was there. No Angel, but a nice UofL win and I fell in love with a whole new group of Cards as I watched them beat the Bulls. We have gone to several Lady Bulls games since I have been down here and, although they're fun to watch and I really like their style of play, I'll always be a Cardinal fan first and foremost. 


Shoni Schimmel, Monique Reid, Tia Gibbs. I could go on and on. I really look forward to this upcoming season and with the "dish" and internet, I look forward to seeing a lot of games. The Cards are also coming back to Tampa to play the Bulls and I'll be there with my lovely bride, dressed in red and cheering on my team. 


I appreciate the chance to tell my story about being an Angel and UofL fan, Paul and Sonja and thanks to those of you who read my article. GO CARDS and L1C4! I hope to get back up to Louisville this season for a game and I'm also planning to go see the Atlanta Dream play a home game. Even though I'm now happily married and the father of a beautiful, eight-month old daughter, I still love you, Angel! 


(Nice job, Joe! If you would like to submit an idea for an article or send an article for Friday consideration, please send it to cardinalcouple@insightbb.com) 


*********************************************************** 


We'll get a little more involved in the Belmont Stakes tomorrow...but we're seeing that Atigun is entered as one of  Ken McPeek's runners. The three year old was quite impressive in winning the first race of the day at Churchill on Derby Day and we're going to use him in the Belmont Stakes race. Especially if it rains. 


Unstoppable U is Ken's other horse, a speed burner who will try to set the early pace. It's a big step up for him but Ken is very confident of both their chances. 


More on that Saturday, when Paulie climbs into the cab and takes the wheel. Thanks again to Joe and have a great Friday, readers! 
.
..
heresaearlytipforyouonthebelmontpaullikesillhaveanotherunionragsdullahanandatiguninanexactaboxhewillhavemuchmoreonthistomorrowbesuretocheckback