On Jurich and the Big Five -- WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

JARED ANDERSON TAKES THE CARDINAL COUPLE JALOPY OUT FOR A SPIN TODAY


First off, Happy National Taco Day! Or, if you're still stressed out about everything happening over in the Louisville Athletic Department -- Happy National Vodka Day. Be careful in combining the two.

I won't spend a lot of time on today's article on the hot mess athletics is in, but, as Paulie mentioned in Tuesday article, we saw Vince Tyra take the acting Athletic Director position. Technically, he would be an acting A.D. since Jurich is still employed by the University and being paid by them -- just unable to perform his duties currently. However, that's me being picky so don't mind grumpy ol' me. Maybe it's because I didn't get in on the 7/2 morning line odds Paulie had offered on him. 

Vince has proven over the years that he is a successful businessman, a leader and one who doesn't try to draw a lot of attention to himself. He just comes in and takes care of things. Maybe that's what UofL needs right now. 

My latest guess is that we'll see Jurich remain Athletic Director once things settle. He has built up the program tremendously in his years here at UofL, so, it's hard for me to see Louisville letting him go. 

Secondly, the head coaches of the programs have unanimously been in support of him. Whether that is because they truly do support him or fear the risk of losing their jobs for disagreeing we'll never know for sure, but there is genuine love for him on campus. 

Finally, major donors such as Jim Patterson and Mark Lynn have publicly shown their support for Tom Terrific. Let's be real. You don't upset the money donors. Especially when they have stadiums named after them. Money talks. $$$$ can get you a lot of places in today's society. On the other foot, ultimately, it was money that caused this freaking FBI investigation to begin with. 

Let's get to some good news to brighten everyone's day.

Remember me? Put me in the comments section to be
entered for a $20 Panera Card drawing. 

Football comes early this week. #17 Louisville visits Carter-Finley Stadium Thursday night for a 8:00 p.m. game against the North Carolina State WolfPack. This is an ESPN game, so you should have no trouble accessing it. The last time the Cards faced N.C. State in Raleigh was in 2015. And, who was their starting QB at the time? He's currently filling in for the injured Andrew Luck for the Indianapolis Colts. His picture is posted to the left. Shoot us a comment on who that is to be entered for a drawing that can get you a $20 Panera Card. Panera! Did someone say Panera? Yes please. Have some!
First correct answer gets entered. I'm pretty sure it isn't Tom Brady.  

Louisville defeated N.C. State on that day back in '15 by a 20-13 score. They demolished the "Pack" here in the 'Ville 54-13 on Homecoming Day last year. If you aren't interested in watching the game...which is a "Blackout"...for the hits and touchdowns, you can always watch their twin mascots Mr. and Mrs. Wuf.  Sorry, Paulie. Ms. Wuf is spoken for. 

Wonder if Ms. Wuf is still hanging
around with this disappointment?

This one picked up a whole lot more interest when N.C. State knocked off F.S.U. earlier this season. The  "Wolfies" have a very strong front seven and it wouldn't surprise me at all if their starting four defensive linemen end up in the NFL. That will be a huge test for the Cards much-maligned offensive line and it could have Lamar Jackson on the move quite often. 

Melanie McHenry was named ACC Volleyball Player of the Week, thanks to her stellar performance against F.S.U. and Miami in Cardinal Arena. She is now a nominee for Hero of The Week Award. This award recognizes the best individual performances of the week for NCAA Sports. Fans vote to determine the winner, so let's shoe the sophomore some love and go vote. 

LINK: CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR MELANIE 

Our pal Lori Korte stepped away from her fall Field Hockey duties long enough to give us some softball news. In fact, it relates to my favorite news about our sports teams academic success. UofL Softball has earned 2016-17 Easton/National FastPitch Coaches Association Academic Team honors. They posted a 3.45 GPA. The Cards were one of 149 teams to earn the honor and we are the highest of seven ACC teams listed. Not only are the "hit and pitch" girls good on the diamond but they're brainiacs! 

With what I call the "Big Five" fall sports (Football, men's Soccer, women's Soccer, Volleyball and Field Hockey) all on the road this week and weekend things will be a bit dull down on the Belknap Campus. Maybe that's good, in a way. Let's face it,  watching games at home online or on TV is no substitute for cheering in person at events...so feel free to keep me entertained the next few days, y'all. I'll miss the gang on Saturday on The Cardinal Couple Radio Hour but Paulie's been busy lining up a couple of very special guests that he'll reveal to us in his Thursday column.

EDITOR'S NOTE...I wanted to get this read from Jack Coffee over at Louisville Rivals up for all to see. Very important stuff here concerning Jurich. 

LINK: https://louisville.rivals.com/news/coffee-break-keep-tom-jurich

Go Cards! 
JARED ANDERSON 

Louisville Basketball -- SHOCKED. THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(EDITOR NOTE: TODAY'S ARTICLE BY JARED ANDERSON IS A LOT OF HIS OPINION BUT HE STARTS IT OFF WITH THE BACK STORY AND FACTS. A VERY FINE PIECE OF WRITING TODAY FROM HIM. -- PAULIE) 


Shocked.

It's the pone most word that seems to be most common right now. With the fan base, media, observers. Not just Louisville, either

Shocked.

Everyone is shocked about what happened. It's the biggest news ever to hit the college basketball world and it has sent things spiraling out of control. 

The country is shocked. 

"DeJuan...you ain't gonna believe this $#!*"

Tuesday Morning will be a day we remember a long time. The FBI went public about an investigation that they have been doing for the past three years on college basketball regarding bribes and corruption. Although the investigation is ongoing, they did release information that 10 people, four assistant basketball coaches included, have been a major part of the investigation. There is more to come. The FBI says they have the"playbook." After all this time, they also probably  have the football, ticket rights, keys to the locker rooms, right to hire the officials and their own scorekeeper. 


Chuck Person (Auburn). Emanuel Richardson (Arizona). Lamont Evans Oklahoma St.) and Troy Bland (USC) will be known as the original "Filthy Four" and are the assistant coaches that have now found themselves faced with the distinct possibility that they'll be going from the hardwood to the prison yard. 

The allegations state they they took cash bribes to send talented basketball recruits in the direction of certain schools. And agents. 

The FBI and US Attorney's Division also stated that there were schools involved with "sportswear companies" and large payments were directed to recruits. The University of Louisville is not directly mentioned in the original allegations. It was, however, later confirmed that UofL was the school that gave a then-unnamed player $100,000 to come play basketball. It didn't take rocket science to figure out it was five-star recruit Brian Bowen...who, as of yesterday, was still on the Belknap campus and seen going into the YUM! Practice Facility .

In a press conference Wednesday, UofL interim president Greg Postal reported that Rick Pitino is on unpaid administrative leave and Tom Jurich is on paid administrative leave. Why the difference? Because of the difference in the nature of their contracts with the University. Postal said yesterday that he hoped to have an interim head basketball coach and an interim athletic in place within 48 hours. That time frame would make it sometime Friday afternoon. 

BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER...please note that everything here on out is my opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views of UofL nor the staff and writers here at CARDINAL COUPLE. 



First, let's look at and talk about the recruits. These kids don't even have driver's licenses the first time a college basketball coach shows interest in them. They're still living the high school life under their parent or parent's roof. If I were in their shoes and someone offered me $100,000 plus a full ride to go play basketball at any school, I wouldn't hesitate in saying "YES". That money can go a long way for family -- especially for those that are less fortunate. And, most of the recruits don't know any better, anyway. I can't put the blame on them. After all, they are just kids. 




RICK PITINO


Rick Pitino, you must go. Your time has come and gone. Thank you for your 16 years of dedication with the Louisville men's basketball program. However, I do not thank you for three scandals. In fact, your rear end probably should have been gone after the Sypher affair. But, you were successful. Tom Jurich stands behind his coaches. 

I will give Pitino the benefit of the doubt on the Katrina Powell/Andre McGee issues where you pleaded ignorance. Evenif I find that hard to believe. But another major scandal involving huge sums of money and you are pleading ignorance again? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I'm not buying it this time. You were the head coach for a highly successful basketball program with a rich and proud heritage and history. You've been known to micromanage. There is "no way in hell" you knew absolutely nothing about this. Please stop threatening to fight this or sue UofL. If you are truly a Louisville First guy, then you should open your eyes and see what's best for this University and just go. No fighting, no whining. After all, you are getting a $4 million buyout. 

I umpire baseball. Rick, three strikes and you are out. Go back to the dugout and no lip, please. 

TOM JURICH

Tom Jurich...my best guess is that you are gone also and I support that decision. Giving Pitino chances two and three was ultimately your downfall. You've been known to give out multiple chances before (see Football and Lacrosse). At times, I agree that people deserve a second chance. Bobby Petrino has seemingly turned over a new leaf. Our beloved CARDINAL COUPLE leader Paulie speaks glowingly and positively on the culture and attitude Kellie Young has brought to Lacrosse. They changed and we have benefited from it.

In Pitino's case, though, it's nearly destroyed the reputation of the school. 

There's a huge part of me that wants to thank you. Thank you for what you've done for this university. What you've done for UofL's Athletic Department is a true fairytale story. When you first put on the Red and Vlack in 1997, football was in shambles and was nervously building a new stadium with a sub-par coach at the helm. 

In the twenty years that you've been here it's unreal how drastically things have changed, mostly for the better. Under your leadership we saw the finishing of Papa John's Cardinal stadium plus two expansions.

We saw the renovation of Owsley B. Frazier Cardinal Park. Ulmer Stadium. The Bass-Rudd Tennis facility, Trager Field, the Ralph Wright Natatorium, the Louisville Lacrosse Stadium, Jim Patterson Stadium, Lynn Stadium, the YUM! Practice Facility, Cardinal Arena renovation, the University Club, the University of Louisville golf club, the boathouse on the Ohio River for rowing, playgrounds, walking tracks, a new student-athletic facility on 4th street and the move from Freedom Hall to the KFC YUM! Center. Have I missed anything? 

The way Tom Jurich has built this athletic program is unbelievable. Beside the facilities above (and it's been said that if there's not a crane in the air, Jurich is in despair.) we have seen nothing but the best coaches for each of our sports and not just the big ones. 

Paulie tells the story of the early days when he was thinking about a website that features UofL women's sports. He went to two people back in 2008 and asked their opinions. One is no longer a part of UofL athletics but thought it had some merit. You, Tom, gave Paulie a big "thumbs up" and told him that you would be there for him if he ever needed anything. He hasn't ever had to play that "ace in the hole" card -- but it meant and still means a lot to him. 


With Cardinal Couple being a UofL women's sports media organization, I do want to especially mention how he helped build women's basketball, field hockey, volleyball, softball, soccer, lacrosse and swimming into well-respected programs. You took a chance on a assistant from Maryland who stuttered a lot and was color-blind to guide the WBB program. You brought in established and well-respected coaches to build softball and lacrosse programs from the ground up. Currently, there are 12 Division I women's programs at UofL. They compete in one of the premier conferences in college athletics. We've gone from the MVC to the ACC. 

But, Tom -- it's time for you to go, too. It is unclear how guilty you are in the matter or if you are just the sacrificial lamb or scapegoat in the whole situation, but we need to do what's best for this university and that is...

Cleaning the house thoroughly. 

You gave a lot of coaches and players a second chance over the years. You stood by them. Will the administration and board give you the first second-chance you've ever required? Probably not. Your fate rests in the hands of others...something you haven't had to endure in a very long time. 



THE FANS

Ah, the fans.


This is the trickiest for us. Beside the student-athletes, we're also getting screwed. As fans we had nothing to do with any of this but it feels like we're being punished the worst. Stress, humiliation, shock, confusion, uncertain, rage and disillusionment. Maybe we need a three-hour therapy session (free admission) in Papa John's in the near future. With an open bar. 

One thing I have always said is that "true fans are there through the best and the worst of times." It's great and so much fun to celebrate the "highs" but we also need to be there for the "lows". 

Welcome to the "Lows". And I'm not talking about the hardware store, either. 

As fans, we are needed now more than ever. There is a university with students, staff, faculty and athletes that are hurting. 

Here is my call to the fans. You, me, Paulie and all Cardinal fans. Support all of our athletes, not just men's basketball. They need you right now. Go to games. Go to more games than you normally do. Cheer harder. Cheer louder. It may not takeaway the pain entirely but this can help ease it. We must not give up on the University of Louisville. We are One. We are a FAMILY. WE ARE LOUISVILLE CARDINALS.


Go Cards!
Jared Anderson

We, The Future...Field Hockey Gets Underway -- THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

WE, THE FUTURE

The University of Louisville has a new branding, marketing and motivational logo and it is WE, THE FUTURE. You'll see the phrase a lot in various venues on campus in the future. In the newly renovated Cardinal Arena Saturday night. At Lynn Stadium and Trager Stadium tomorrow. On T-Shirts, billboards and stationary. Tom Jurich is quick to point out, though, it isn't just about athletics. It sweeps the broad spectrum of life at Louisville. Academics, job placement, fan involvement and philosophy of thought for the University. 

Tom Jurich poses a question to his coaches, staff, administrators...just about anyone associated with the school.  It is: 

"When you wake up in the morning, ask yourself what you can do to get better today"?

It is a question we could all ask ourselves. it is a thought process that can only help the campus, school and community go forward and ahead after what has been a rough and sometimes troubling past two years at UofL. We won't go into that here today, we all know what has gone wrong. We'll put on the company hat, fall in line and promote the brand. 

I look at the phrase "We, The Future" and apply it to CARDINAL COUPLE as well. We've reached new heights here at the site and radio show. We've added new, young and talented writers to our site and to our show. We have a stable of eager and willing associates that are happy to join in whenever we desire their input, ideas and commentary on sports at UofL. For me, it is a beautiful thing. When we established the idea of Cardinal Couple back in 2009...it was to give another voice to the joy and excitement of UofL women's sports. We've had our rough patches as well in the past. 

There were times when I wondered and asked myself if it was worth it. Fortunately there were always people who provided encouragement and positive inspiration for us to carry on. Today, I can't help but look at the now...and the future...like a proud parent does at a growing child. I can confidently say that I am positive about the future and know that we will be here long after my days of filling these pages have past. That's something special and good to know. 

We, The Future. A look at what is to be. Not that the past was all the bad, mind you. The names Lamar Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater, Mallory Comerford, Brendan McKay, Kelsi Worrell, Edwin Kibichy, Asia Durr, Myisha Hines-Allen, Ayeshia McFerran and Maryssa Becker are just a few of the many that have thrilled us with their athletic exploits in the past and will continue either on the field of play or in their post-graduate pursuits. 

We, The Future. It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Let's all be a part of that future and make it the best possible. You keep producing Cards...and we'll continue to talk about it.


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


FIELD HOCKEY READY FOR SUCCESS

We'll get our first look at UofL Field Hockey tomorrow when they start their exhibition season against Miami (OH) at 1:30 p.m. in Trager Stadium. Justine Sowry is excited for the future and she has every reason to be. 13 key players return for her...in addition to a very talented freshmen class. The Cards were 15-6 last year and made their third consecutive NCAA appearance. 

Carter Ayers, Hollyn Barr, Maria Gomez, Abby Grimes, Isabella Leeker, Ayeshia McFerran, Minout Mink, Whena Munn, Marigrace Ragsdale, Bethany Russ, Taylor Stone, Katie Walsh and Nicole Woods all saw action last year. Several of them saw action over the summer on various USA and International teams and competitions. They are a solid group to build on.  

When you add the talents of 10 impressive freshmen...Elizabeth Allgeier (Louisville Assumption), Alli Bitting, Ann Marie Habelow, Annie Mulford, Mercedes Pastor, Marisa Martin Pelegrina, Sarah Sabaloski, Meghan Schneider, Jillian Shive and Madison Walsh (no relation to Katie)...you have the nucleus of a team that can be on hand as a participant when the NCAA Championships are held here in November. 

Miami (OH) is the first victim. Here are a few things I'll look for in the exhibition: 

Minnie in the middle. No heels on
the pitch, please! 

-- Run Minnie Run. Minout Mink is one of the fastest and prolific scorers I've seen for UofL Field Hockey. I'll be watching her and seeing if she gets a few breakaway opportunities. Does she avoid the sophomore slump and start her quest to average two goals a game that our Jared Anderson boldly predicted a few weeks ago? She, the future? We think she just might be. 

-- Ailing Ayeshia? There has been some chatter that All-American goalkeeper Ayeshia McFerran may not be active this weekend due to a nagging injury. That will thrust Hollyn Barr into action for The Flock. Coach Sowry, Marigrace Ragsdale, Abby Grimes and Taylor Stone all assured Worldwide and I at the Fall Sports Media Day that Hollyn was well up to the task and she had been one of the standouts in early practices. 

-- We got a Mercedes -- Mercedes Pastor comes to campus from Buenos Aires, Argentina with a lot of hype and history.  She was a starter and leading scorer for the Argentinian U 21 team that won the 2016 Patagonian Cup. She says she picked UofL for the engineering education opportunities at The Speed School. That ought to bring a grin to Case and Worldwide's faces here at CARDINAL COUPLE and let's hope the high scoring mid-fielder/forward can engineer a few goals on the Belknap Campus. 

Fall Sports. Coming at ya in waves this weekend. Worldwide will be tracking the Attack Yorkies. I'll be plotting questions for three different coaches. Case will be avidly tracking the Kickin' Cards and Jared...well, Jared will be all over all of it. It's time. Are you ready? 



paulie
xxxxx