The question is not about Hermann...

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

- Rutgers stands behind Hermann.

Julie Hermann isn't backing down and Rutgers isn't either 

I keep hoping to wake up and see that the media firestorm over Julie Hermann has died down.   Not the case today as a new story emerges marring our beloved Hermann.

The latest media revelation is that Hermann was at the center of a sex discrimination lawsuit at U of L as recently as 2008. See the story here:
 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1654420-rutgers-ad-julie-hermann-was-reportedly-at-center-of-sex-discrimination-lawsuit#comments

 Under the lawsuit a former track and field assistant coach took concerns of sexist behavior and discriminatory treatment at the hands of the track and field coach to Hermann.  After taking the concerns to the Human Resources Department at the University, the assistant was fired 3 weeks later. 

The then assistant won the wrongful termination suit, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals later overturned it.  Her attorney now states they are taking the case to the Kentucky Supreme Court. 

As a lifelong Louisvillian, and a fan of Louisville Athletics in general, and the women’s programs specifically, it is so hard to reconcile the media reports with the woman we have known at Louisville over the last 15 years. 

The Hermann I know, the kind of “know” that comes from being a passionate observer on the outside, just does not mesh with the one in the media reports.  Those following U of L athletics know her to be passionate, witty, knowledgeable, dedicated and a “silent” partner alongside one of the best A.D.’s in the country.   This powerful duo has completely reshaped the landscape of Louisville Athletics, has attracted, and retained I might add, many highly sought out, top-notch coaches in the country.  Together they have rebuilt what was a decaying Louisville Athletic program.  Whether it be facilities, coaches, academic success in the classroom, gender equity, Louisville Athletics has soared under the leadership of Jurich and Hermann.

While I have never been in a boardroom, business meeting, conference call or any such business related scenarios with Hermann, I know people who have.  The resounding opinion of those she interacted with and oversaw give Hermann nothing but glowing praise. 

Hermann's popularity among UofL fans is off the charts.

How can one reconcile the person that the media is portraying her to be (or was) to who she is now,  It is so hard to wrap one’s head around.  I get whiplash watching this unfold in the media, as these two scenarios could not be further apart. 
and how beloved she is at Louisville?

Cardinal Couple founders and owners Paulie and Sonja are on record in supporting Hermann.  I, too, knowing the depth of which she has touched and changed Louisville Athletics, cannot imagine anything other than support for her.   All indications are that being a senior administrator at Louisville has undoubtedly prepared her for the enormous task that awaits her at Rutgers.  Rebuilding.  Recovering.  Rebranding a marred program.  I cannot help but think she will be excellent at this job, if given the chance. 

That being the case, I also cannot imagine how Rutgers decided to choose Hermann.  While I think she seems tailor made for this job, how could they possibly make the choice they made, given the allegations they had to uncover when vetting Hermann? 

Given the very recent goings on at Rutgers, how do you choose a new AD with abuse allegations in their past?   They had to know this would be a firestorm.  They also had to know that the public scrutiny would be at an all time high, and no stone would be unturned.  How do you make this decision, under such microscopic scrutiny, and expect your supporters to move forward and heal? 

C. Vivian Stringer one of the questions at Rutgers/

Rutgers is trying to shut the door on a disastrous PR nightmare, and yet they walk open-eyed into a scenario that the media is portraying as similar?  Assuming all of the aforementioned allegations by every media outlet are false, this hire by Rutgers is nothing short of shocking to me.  This is coming from someone who supports Hermann!  I can only imagine the outrage of Rutgers fans. 

To me, this decision is not about whether or not Hermann is capable of doing the job she was hired to do.  I absolutely believe is she is more than capable and qualified.  It is about understanding how Rutgers can make this particular decision in the face of (albeit long ago) allegations similar to those behaviors of a coach the Athletic Program is trying to heal from. 

Please, let there be no doubt, I support the Julie Hermann that Louisville has known for the last 15 years, but I cannot for the life of me understand Rutgers.  

-Jenny O'Bryan

(Jenny O'Bryan is a regular columnist for CARDINAL COUPLE and also one of the co-hosts on CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO. Her columns can be read on Wednesdays each week here at Cardinal Couple. The radio show can be heard at www.crescenthillradio.com and covers the joy and excitement that is UofL women's sports. It is Saturdays @ 11 a.m. and archived broadcasts can be found on the SoundCloud at the site. )

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Hermann will not resign

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Despite allegations, Hermann not considering resigning

No quit in Julie.

"I never considered withdrawing because I feel very qualified to lead Rutgers into the future and into the transition into the BIG TEN," Hermann stated in a conference call yesterday with reporters.

She also denied having knowledge of a letter written by the 15 Tennessee players on the 1996 volleyball team when she was head coach of the Vols.

"My former boss at Tennessee never heard of it and I never heard my former players make the allegation. Rutgers officials have talked to me about it in recent days. I was an intense coach and may have made a few mistakes handling my team. I have matured since then. All of my life has prepared me to lead this organization. Whatever mistakes you make as a young person, you've got to learn from them and go and grow. It is my intent to go to Rutgers with this vast experience of super highs and super lows and lead what I hope is an outstanding program into the BIG TEN."

 Other items she touched on during the 10 minute call:

- Hermann said that the company that vetted her for the Rutgers job did ask about a lawsuit file by one of her assistant coaches over a job termination.

- She believes she can raise funds despite what has happened.

- She denied name calling, specifically when asked about calling the players "whores".

"That's not part of my vocabulary...Here's what I would say. Am I an intense coach? Absolutely an intense coach as many coaches are. But, there is a big canyon between being super intense and abusive, and this was not an abusive environment for these women. Was it challenging? It was incredibly challenging. Was I aware that there were players that were unhappy? I was aware of that at the end of the season and I was unhappy."

Rutgers President Robert Barchi stands behind Hermann, saying she was the best of the 63 candidates interviewed for the job. He commented also that

"We remain confident that we have selected an individual who will work in the best interests of all our student athletes, our athletic teams and the university."

So, there it is. Julie isn't planning on leaving and the head of Rutgers University isn't planning on asking her to. Only the university's board of governors can withdraw Hermann's appointment.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie is touring the New Jersey shore today with Barack Obama to see the rebuilding that's been done in the area after Hurricane Sandy and probably won't turn his attention to Rutgers until tomorrow. Although Christie can't terminate the appointment, he does have several ways of applying pressure. He does appoint six of the boards 11 voting members and can perhaps threaten to cut the school's funding or refuse to renominate a member of the board who doesn't support his view. It is unknown whether Christie would use any of these methods.

We asked for answers yesterday and we got some.



We, too, are satisfied that Hermann can do a great rebuilding job at Rutgers and if the Julie Hermann we saw at Louisville is allowed a chance to "do work"...it will be good work and will help restore Rutgers as a viable and powerful athletic program.

To paraphrase the song written by the Staple Singers back in 1971:

"Get out the way and let the gentle(woman) do her thing."

RESPECT YOURSELF


Respect. It begins with the respect and confidence in your own abilities and accomplishments. Ms. Hermann has that.


Hermann has shown the nation (and UofL) that she deserves and has earned the respect for her accomplishments. Sure, there are battle scars. The difference is that she has picked herself up off the mat and is still willing to fight...and win.

We're in her corner and think that she'll take the contest.

( Parts of today's column are from lehighvalleylive.com)


( Editor's note:  It should be clearly noted here that the opinions in this column may not necessarily reflect those of all the writers and staff at CARDINAL COUPLE. They are Paulie and Sonja views in this article. We have received different viewpoints from readers, former CARDINAL COUPLE contributors and writers and anonymous e-mails and commenters. )


-Paulie


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Monday Cardinal Couple -- Memorial Day

MONDAY MEMORIAL DAY

-Please remember those who have served

-Hermann abuse allegations heating up.

Amidst the picnics, family get-togethers, events and day off from work happenings on Memorial Day, let us not forget the reason why this day exists.

Today is a day for a memorial tribute and rememberance to those who have served our country in our armed forces. We should thank them 365 days a year. Today is one of them.

I am proud of my wife, father, father-in-law, friends and all who defended our country so that we may be free from oppression, tyranny and dictatorship rule. I remain a solid believer in our freedoms and rights and will defend them also, even though my days of standing at the ready to serve and protect were many years ago.

Once in, always in.

If you see a current, soon-to-be or former member of our
armed forces...today or anyday...just simply say "thank you"...please.


And may we always be safe, secure and set in our principles of being a democracy and land of opportunity, not oppression. America isn't perfect. No country is. But we are the land of the free and the home of the brave. Not just words in our National Anthem, but a way of life. No bombs or missles overhead, no death squads hunting us out because of race, creed, religion, color or national origin. Children playing in parks instead of huddled in fear in bombed out buildings.

I am thankful. And, thank you to those who served, gave their lives and those who still serve today.



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We wrote an article in Sunday's CARDINAL COUPLE about the allegations surrounding incoming Rutgers University Athletic Director and former University of Louisville associate senior athletic director Julie Hermann. It seems there are reports that she allegedly upset a few volleyball players at Tennessee while coaching there in the 1990's.

Now the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, plans to speak to Rutgers officials about a report that Hermann quit as Tennessee's women's volleyball coach 16 years ago after her players complained she ruled through humiliation, fear and emotional abuse.

We know the Julie Hermann of Louisville. Quite honestly, we didn't know Hermann was the volleyball coach at Tennessee until a few years ago. It was something that was obviously of public record.

The Julie Hermann we know has been an excellent administrator and much-loved figure at UofL.

It is time, though...for Ms. Hermann to come out with a statement. Either own it, if all the allegations are true and substantiated...or fight it if it's a set up or overblown out of proportion.

The bottom line, I suppose...is whether the report will make Rutgers to re-consider the appointment of Hermann. It goes deeper than that. It is fuel to the fire for those who want Rutgers University president Robert Barchi to resign because of this potentially severe and additional punch in the gut to a university that has been a punching bag lately.

Question 1: If the allegations are true, why...in heaven's name didn't Rutgers do their homework and eliminate her as a candidate...saving everyone from a whole bunch of embarrassment and pain?

Question 2: Was Hermann really the monster that the former players claim she was?

Question 3: Can Rutgers, if the allegations are factual and she owns up to them, bring her in...based on the good things she did at Louisville? People change. Coaching is different than being an athletic director. Old dogs learn new tricks and second chances (see Bobby Petrino) are granted.

Question 4: If Hermann is not appointed Rutgers AD, does Tom Jurich keep her as second-in-command at UofL?

It would have been quite easy for Rutgers to take her aside and say...we have these questions, these issues from your time at Tennessee and, based on them, we are eliminating you from our job candidate search. Did they do the homework and, if they did, what did they discover?

Hermann has staunch defenders within the UofL ranks, who laud her time here at UofL. We are one of those. She's top-notch and above the board when it comes to her time as a Cardinal and she remains one of our all-time favorites.

But, we do feel that Julie needs to say something besides "Wow".

Many years ago, I took a chance on hiring an employee (when I did stuff like that) who had an incident in her past, but had turned her life around...and she turned out be an invaluable, essential employee to the place where we worked. I knew about her past, though. She brought it out into the open. People change.

Whether or not the allegations against Julie are all true and a cause for terminating her upcoming job at Rutgers is not your or my call. It is something that Rutgers needs to decide.

But...we need to hear Julie's side of the story. Innocent until proven guilty and should the alleged sins of the past destroy the future? Heavy rhetoric and complex questions.

I'm a Julie Hermann fan. The Julie Hermann I know is a good and honest person who cares and produces. If there was a rough patch there in her life, her employment of the past...well, most of us have been there. You move on and try to do better. Hermann has proven her value and worth.  

Weigh in.

-Paulie

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Julie Hermann to Rutgers

THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Columnist extraordinaire Jeff McAdams looks at Julie Hermann's move to
Piscataway and share his thoughts on the new Rutgers A.D. He also gives us
Lacrosse news and reminds you that CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO returns this
Saturday...our attempts to launch CoCo and him into space and do a broadcast
from the moon are proceeding quite nicely...)

WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR RIGHT HAND...

We've been talking about it for about a week, and now its official.  Julie Hermann, the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator was introduced Wednesday afternoon as the new Athletic Director at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Julie has been at Tom Jurich's right hand for his entire tenure at the University of Louisville and has been a big part of the building of the Athletic Department here at UofL from the small, near-afterthought that it was 15 years ago, into one of the most successful programs in the country today.  Part of straightening out what was a Title IX wreck when Tom and Julie started here at UofL, Julie has been instrumental in the success and growth of women's athletics both here at UofL and elsewhere, helping to balance out the investment in the mainstream sports of football and men's basketball, and being a significant part of adding sports such as rowing and lacrosse.

I have had the pleasure of speaking with Julie several times of the past year and have found her to possess everything that a major university would want in an Athletics Director.  She is intelligent and insightful, and is adept at making anyone feel comfortable in a conversation.

One of the first times I spoke with Julie was during the 30-day countdown celebration to the
Volleyball Championship that was hosted by Louisville in December.  That November evening, at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium, I approached her and asked her if she and Kaitlynn James (an outside hitter on the Volleyball team and transfer from Nebraska) ever went off in private and did University of Nebraska cheers.  This, of course, alluded to Julie's college volleyball career as an outside hitter at Nebraska.  With perfect comedic timing, and a playful smile, she responded "Occasionally."  Ever the professional, she then took the opportunity to point out that the person in charge of the Volleyball Championship event was also a Nebraska Volleyball alumna.  We spoke for several more minutes about the great success that was coming into focus for UofL in so many sports.  She spoke of "building a portfolio" of sports programs, and not just focusing on success in one or two mainstream sports.  Keep in mind, this conversation was happening in mid-November...the football season was not yet over and we didn't know, yet, that we would be going to, and winning, the Sugar Bowl; the basketball teams were only one or two games into their seasons, and still months away from the magical March and April Championship and Runner-Up finishes.

Jenny wrote last week about talking to Julie in New Orleans, the night of that Championship, and the night before that Runner-Up finish.  The excitement in Julie's eyes at the success of UofL Athletics as a whole was obvious.  She spoke about the UofL Athletic Department in terms of an extended family and the joy that everyone experienced across the department as every team found success in their own sport.

Every family experiences departures, though.  As kids grow up, they launch out on their own and find their own place in the world and their own successes.  Healthy families remain in touch, however, and continue to support each other and cheer on each other's successes from afar.  The time is right for Julie to make her own way in this world and find her own successes out from under the shadow of Tom Jurich.  She's ready for it, and she's unarguably well qualified for the position.

The Rutgers job is a great move for Julie.  Yes, Rutgers's Athletic Department is in near meltdown right now, but Julie came to UofL when our Athletic Department was a mess of a place to be as well, and with Tom Jurich, turned it around.  She can, and I believe will, do the same in New Jersey.

Good luck Julie, you'll do great, and Rutgers is the better for it.  UofL loses a great asset, and I can't say that I'm devoid of sadness to see Julie go, but there is pride in seeing someone go off and do great things and carry on the new Louisville tradition of excellence.

Another Lacrosse Honor

Nikki

Hey, there is other stuff going on in the world of UofL Women's Athletics, though. How about lacrosse's Nikki Boltja?

I don't even have to look up how to spell her name, now, since I've been typing it so much. She picked up IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) third team All-American honors.  This is only the second time in the six year history of Louisville Lacrosse that a player has picked up All-American honors.  Bergan Foley got the third team nod two years ago.

Cardinal Couple Radio Hour

Jeff shares a lacrosse story with Paulie

We'll be back at it this Saturday morning on Crescent Hill Radio for the Cardinal Couple Radio Hour.  As always, we'd love to hear from you via our twitter account, @CardCoupleRadio.  I'm looking forward to hearing the interviews that Paul has recorded with some of the softball players.  As always, comments, questions, links to an astronaut singing David Bowie's "Space Oddity", actually filmed in space, are welcome.

-Jeff McAdams

( Saturday will prove to be a busy day for the slackers of the CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO SHOW.  A full day of softball at Ulmer Stadium after the 11 a.m. broadcast and then the Preakness runs later that afternoon. WE may need an extra golf cart or two to pile up in the bushes and haul us to and from the station to the left field berm and Churchill. If you'd like to attend a live broadcast of CARDINAL COUPLE RADIO @ CRESCENT HILL RADIO...tickets are available from Smilin' Charlie in the alley behind the station between midnight and 2 a.m. Cash only please. Prices vary, depending on what kind of mood Charlie is in and how snappy a dresser you are...)

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Julie Hermann for Rutgers AD?

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


( Jenny looks at the possibility of Associate Athletic Director Julie Hermann being selected as the new athletic director at Rutgers University in today's edition.)



Athletic Director Tom Jurich has had his hands full this past year.  Steering U of L to their new home in the ACC, securing many seasons to come with football Coach Charlie Strong, and most recently chasing off suitors of Coach Jeff Walz.

According to social media and the internet, apparently his newest task at hand is securing the job of  Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Julie Hermann.  It was reported yesterday that she is among the top 3 candidates in line for Athletic Director at Rutgers University.

Just this past February Hermann was honored at halftime of a women's basketball game for 15 years of service to U of L.  Her list of accomplishments are long.  From a stand out volleyball player at Nebraska, Assistant Volleyball Coach for USA Volleyball, head Coach at Tennessee Volleyball to her position at U of L.  She is very active in the community, serving on many boards and winning awards such as 2008 Woman of Distinction by the Center for Women and Families.

She can be seen at many, if not most, women's athletic games during the academic year.  I have personally seen her at every basketball game I have attended, softball and field hockey.  Paulie spent time talking with her at LaCrosse games this past season.  Everywhere on campus she can be seen supporting the athletic department as a whole, and the women's program specifically.

Jurich hired Hermann 15 years ago, and with her help, Louisville is branding their Athletic Department as one of the best in the country.  New facilities, gender equity, and ranked performances of many of the athletic teams has propelled Louisville into the conversation of one of the best overall programs in the country.

I personally met Hermann for the first time during the Women's Basketball post season run in New
Orleans.  Meeting her was like seeing an old friend from high school that I had not seen in 20 + years.  She was easy to talk to, witty, and her passion for the women's team was evident.  She was with several  high ranking folks in the athletic world but took the time to talk shop with an avid fan as myself.

You can check out this link celebrating her 15 years of service to the University, to get a big picture of her responsibilities and all she has accomplished.

Hermann a candidate

I have no idea what her career aspirations are.  As a finalist among 3 for this position, she must have a desire to lead her own program.  I do know that Louisville, as a city and a University, has been blessed to have her for 15 years.  If Tom Jurich can work his magic like he has for both Strong and Walz, perhaps we may just get to keep her, too.

Best of luck Ms. Hermann!  I can never fault someone for bettering their lot in life.  I personally would love to see her remain a fixture in the community and at U of L, but wish her nothing but the best as she pursues this opportunity.

EDITOR NOTE:  Hermann does have sort of tie with the BIG 10, having playing volleyball as an undergraduate at Nebraska. Her ties with Rutgers aren't anything solid as far as a previous working postition or time spent on the Piscataway campus. There is also the remote possibility that Rutgers is interviewing a female candidate for equity...just as schools use to interview Charlie Strong years ago.

We like Ms. Hermann quite a bit here at Cardinal Couple and she has always been an advocate, fan and proponent of what we do here. WE would hate to see her go...but realize that professional growth and success can be a motivator in one's career.

The friendly, caring community of Louisville would miss her guidance and leadership. But, to mirror what Jenny said...when you love someone much as we love Julie here a CARDINAL COUPLE...you want the best for that someone in life. If the athletic director's job at Rutgers will fulfill her dreams and desires, we hope she gets it. We know she'd be a great AD. Imagine the conversations she and C. Viv would have... 

-Paulie

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This Week's Laundry is Mixed Load

TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Back from her trip to Bayou Country, Sandy Walker returns today to share her laundry list all things UofL sports relevant. The University of Louisville womens' basketball team plays Rutgers tonight in the KFC YUM! Center at 7 p.m. in BIG EAST action. Both teams are coming off of conference-opening losses, Louisville to DePaul and Rutgers to St. John's. Should be a good one...Rutgers center Monique Oliver coming off a sprained ankle. See you at the YUM! Jenny will have the recap Tuesday night/Wednesday morning)

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball signee, Maya McClendon, was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA seventh annual Under Armour Girls High School All-America Teams.  Check out details at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/121412aaa.html .

 

SOFTBALL

 

This year’s Bullpen Dinner will feature Olympian Danielle Lawrie as the keynote speaker. The annual dinner will be held in the Regency Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday January 26 at 7:30 p.m.   You can find out now to be a part of the celebration by checking out http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/121012aab.html .

 

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LACROSSE

 

By a vote of the players the lacrosse team has again named the trio of Katie Oliverio, Monica Negron and Janaye Dzikewich as this year’s captains.

 

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WOMEN’S HOOPS ON TV


 

THIS WEEK PER NCAA.COM

Tuesday	Rutgers at Louisville	CBS SN	7 p.m.
	Detroit at Green Bay	horizonleague.com	8 p.m.
	Utah vs. Colorado	Pac-12 Network	8 p.m.
	Stanford vs. California	Pac-12 Network	10 p.m.
Wednesday	Texas at West Virginia	WVUSports.com	7 p.m.
	Oklahoma at TCU	FSSW Plus	8 p.m.
	Cleveland State at Illinois-Chicago	horizonleague.com	5:30 p.m.
	Kansas State at Texas Tech	FSSW	8 p.m.
Thursday	Virginia at Georgia Tech	ESPN3	7 p.m.
	Wake Forest at Florida State	ESPN3	7 p.m.
	North Carolina at North Carolina State	ACCDN/YT	7 p.m.
	Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona	NAU-TV	8:35 p.m.
	Iowa at Wisconsin	BTN	8:30 p.m.
	Illinois at Northwestern	BTN.com	8 p.m.
	Nebraska at Indiana	BTN	6:30 p.m.
	Wright State at Milwaukee	horizonleague.com	8 p.m.
	Central Michigan at Toledo	STO	7 p.m.
	Texas A&M at Kentucky	FSN	6 p.m.
	Missouri at Tennessee	SPSO	8 p.m.
	Florida at Mississippi State	SUN	8 p.m.
	Georgia at Alabama	CSS	9 p.m.
	A&M-Corpus Christi at McNeese State	ESPN3	6:30 p.m.
	Louisiana-Monroe at Troy	Sun Belt Network	1 p.m.
	Seattle at New Mexico State	AggieVision	8:30 p.m.
Friday	Washington State vs. Southern California	Pac-12 Network	11 p.m.
Saturday	Villanova at Pittsburgh	BETV	6 p.m.
	Portland State at Northern Arizona	NAU-TV	8:35 p.m.
	West Virginia at Kansas State	FSN	4 p.m.
	TCU at Iowa State	Cyclones TV	7 p.m.
	Texas Tech at Oklahoma	SSTV web stream	8 p.m.
	Detroit at Cleveland State	horizonleague.com	2 p.m.
	Youngstown State at Valparaiso	horizonleague.com	2:35 p.m.
	Wright State at Green Bay	horizonleague.com	3 p.m.
	Illinois-Chicago at Loyola Chicago	horizonleague.com	3 p.m.
	FIU at UALR	Sun Belt Network	2 p.m.
	Pepperdine at BYU	BYUtv	4 p.m.
	Idaho at New Mexico State	AggieVision	8:30 p.m.
Sunday	Boston College at Clemson	RSN	1 p.m.
	Georgia Tech at North Carolina	ESPN3	2 p.m.
	Miami (Fla.) at Florida State	RSN	3 p.m.
	Fordham at Charlotte	CBS SN	2 p.m.
	Rutgers at Notre Dame	ESPNU	3:30 p.m.
	Wisconsin at Michigan	BTN	2 p.m.
	Michigan State at Illinois	BTN	4 p.m.
	Nebraska at Penn State	ESPN2	2 p.m.
	Oklahoma State at Texas	FSN	12:30 p.m.
	Baylor at Kansas	FSN	2:30 p.m.
	Southern Miss at Memphis	FSN	4:30 p.m.
	Toledo at Bowling Green	STO	2 p.m.
	San Diego State at Colorado State	CBS SN	5 p.m.
	Ohio State vs. Arizona State	Pac-12 Network	3 p.m.
	Colorado vs. Utah	Pac-12 Network	5 p.m.
	Lafayette at Navy	CBS SN	12 p.m.
	Tennessee at Florida	ESPNU	11:30 a.m.
	South Carolina at Georgia	CSS	1 p.m.
	Kentucky at Missouri	ESPNU	1:30 p.m.
	Alabama at Ole Miss	SPSO	2:30 p.m.

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BASKETBALL

RUTGERS AHEAD

 

The women will host Rutgers at home tonight at 7:00

Tonight one of my favorite coaches comes to town bringing with her a Rutgers University squad which represents one of 3 distinct schools which she has brought to NCAA final 4 contests.    At times I think Vivian Stringer is one of the lesser known still active women's basketball  "foundation" and coaches.    Any lack of notoriety is due not to a lack of accomplishments or caring but instead to her more quiet and stoic outward appearance under which radiates the fire of a competitor and champion.  To it we are truly privileged to have such a remaining active icon of the sport coming to our arena.

Through life she has faced and overcome multiple personal challenges and tragedies in the same way she teaches her players to handle and overcome issues.     Her addressing of challenges began as far back as 1955 when she legally fought and defeated her high school which had refused her as a cheerleader because she was black.     Adversity has continued to arise through severe medical issues of a child, the unexpected death of a husband and a media firestorm as late as 2007 when Don Imus, on his radio show, made derogatory racial remarks about her successful Rutgers team.   

She is currently the 3rd most winning coaches in women's basketball history and is leading all active NCAA women's basketball coaches.   While achieving this level of success her quiet but powerful on and off the court demeanor causes her to also be known and thought of by her players as their 2nd, and for a few their first, mom for their lifetimes.

With this history no one should under estimate any team she brings to town.  While this year’s team may not appear to be one of her strongest threats it would be foolish to take them lightly.  They come to tonight's nationally broadcast game, on the CBS sports network, with a Sunday 4 point loss to St John's in a contest similar to Louisville's Saturday loss to DePaul where they fought back from a major point deficit only to come up a bit short in the end.   This makes both teams hungry and eager for a contest which would restore their credibility.   The ending story in the Rutgers loss is a particularly sore point as after battling back to a 2 point game with less than a minute left, a referee mistakingly indicated the St John's player had a 2 shot foul where a 1& 1 was correct.  After a missed first shot, the error was discovered and the player was given a chance, and was successful, in hitting the 1 & 1 in a do-over which sealed the win for St John's.   I think this unfortunate situation, which ended their 9 game home winning streak, might create a greater than normal desire for a comeback win.  

The Scarlet Knights high scoring threats in Big East play have been Sophomore Betnijah Laney  and Senior Erica Wheeler while 6'2" F/C Monique Oliver's 11.1 ppg. average leads the team in scoring for the season. This could provide an exciting match-up with Louisville's Sara Hammond.      See you at the pre-game warm ups.   

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BIG EAST BASKETBALL NEWS
 

There is hope for all as on Saturday Notre Dame showed a national television audience that currently top-ranked Connecticut could be defeated as a 73-72 score took the Huskies down at their home arena in Storrs.

Sandy W.