Lady Cards begin Northwest journey in Pendleton

SATURDAY WITH THE NEW YORK TIMES CARDINAL COUPLE:

-Cards visit Pendleton, head to Vancouver next

Led by Umatilla Reservation residents Jude and Shoni Schimmel, the University of Louisville women's basketball team spent Friday "on the rez". The day started early for the Cards...a bus ride from Portland to the Blue Mountain Community College where a two hour practice followed in front of several hundred attendees.

 CARDINAL COUPLE reader Umatilla 23 was there and filed this exclusive CARDINAL COUPLE  practice report:

"Just watched the practice here at Blue Mountain and Jude (Schimmel) really stood out--great passing, shooting and speed. A high school coach sitting next to me was impressed with her also...mostly her speed with the ball. Sara Hammond looked pretty good despite missing six sets of free throws at the end of practice. I got to talk to her briefly about it and she said that it was the first time that had ever happened (LOL).

Overall, the Lady Cards look very deep. They stayed around after practice, my girls were excited to get autographs and I was pumped to meet Coach Walz."

--Umatilla 23  

Jude and Shoni pose with Kaylee Fragua in front
of the Nixyaawii Community School Gym
(photo by Jamie Valdez/Portland Tribune)

Following practice and an autograph/chat session with fans, the Cards were transported to the Nixyaawii Community School Gym. Several hundred children joined the Cards in a series of events at a Health and Wellness Camp. 

The Cards proceeded next to the Nixyaawii Governance Center and met with the members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's board of trustees. Following the meeting, team and staff took an extended tour of the Tribal Center and Museum.


Louisville had a two hour practice here Friday



The day's events were capped off with a visit to the Wildhorse Resort and Casino for another autograph session

"I think this (trip) gives our kids a chance to see where they (Shoni and Jude) came from and their heritage." Jeff Walz commented. "Some things you can't understand until you experience it."

Shoni spoke candidly about "the big welcome home party":

"It's awesome that everyone came out because not many people know much about Native Americans. I have been asked before if I lived in a tepee, so it's good for them to get a lesson in Native American history."

A busy Saturday ahead for the Lady Cards...horseback riding scheduled in the morning and then final farewells at the reservation before heading to Vancouver and British Columbia.

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