Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- Whatever happen to?

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Whatever happened to...Kim Barnes Arico?

-He's back...

With no UofL women's sporting events on the horizon until Friday night...when the WBB squad takes on Colorado in Boulder...we thought we'd catch you up with a former Cardinal coaching foe who has changed directions and is having success in her new surroundings.

Kim Barnes Arico, formerly the head women's basketball coach at St. John's, is now at the University of Michigan and has the Wolverines off to a 8-2 start in her first season in Ann Arbor. The UM squad defeated Eastern Michigan 55-43 last night and has wins over Florida, Illinois State, and Xavier this year.

Losses have come to Utah and #4 Duke. Arico, who was 4-6 lifetime against UofL while at St. John's, defeated the Cards twice last season. The second win knocked Louisville out of the BIG EAST Tournament...a 68-61 win in overtime that saw her Red Storm squad hold the Cards to 1-12 shooting in the final five minutes.

Many were surprised when Arico made the switch to join Michigan and the BIG 10 after resuscitating the Red Storm WBB program. In her introductory press conference, she stressed the desire for her and her husband to raise their three children in an environment like Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan campus. We suspect the Arico checking account got a nice, little bump as well.

Leaving a squad that had starters Shenneika Smith, Eugeneia McPherson and Nadirah McKenith returning couldn't have been easy. She was the head coach at St. John's for 10 years and compiled a 176-133 record there.

Arico knows a thing or two about rebuilding. She took over a Red Storm team that was 3-24 and 0-16 the year before she got there. Last year they were 24-10 and 13-3 in the BIG EAST.

The Red Storm finished third last year in the highly competitive BIG EAST and put an end to UConn's 99 game home-winning streak during the regular season. The Red Storm is 4-3 this season under new head coach Joe Tartamella.  

Although we'll miss seeing Barnes Arico prowling the sidelines when the Cards play the Red Storm, sometimes it's "family first" when it comes to difficult decisions and if anyone can help Michigan return to prominence in BIG 10 hoops...it'll be her.

A bigger arena. And, getting out from under the shadow of Geno, Walz, Muffett, and C. Viv (although that reunion with Rutgers will resume since the Scarlet Knights will join the BIG 10). Good career move? You bet. From city lady to country girl...Kim Barnes Arico has made the transistion and, so far, it's a hayride...

( Sonja adds...When you first see her, you think she might be better suited to be sitting in front of a store on Bardstown Road, playing a beat-up accoustic guitar and smiling trippingly at the passer-bys while she sings Joni Mitchell. Flower child. Then, you watch her coach a game, see her in action. Thinking she picked the right career path.)

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...Also in the "Whatever happened to?" category...

He's back...

Will Big Red fit on the back of a Harley?

How about the news that WKU has hired Bobby Petrino as the new head football coach of the Hilltoppers? Just when we figured it was safe to go back to Bowling Green...
 
As the kids are fond of saying these days...it is what it is.

"I love red towels and I'm anxious to own a few more..."

Temporary stop on climbing the ladder back up the coaching profession? Probably. Wise move for WKU? Definitely. The loss of Willie Taggert had to hurt. Nabbing Bobby Offense has to be a marketing staff's dream. Job security for all in the WKU ticket office, plus maybe a new hire or two. The football S.I.D. at WKU is probably sending out resumes, though..."the Bobster" can be a bear when it comes to the boys with laptops.

With no further adieu, here's our Top 10 reasons why Bobby's back in Kentucky.

10. Always had a "thing" for the 'Topper' mascot Big Red...
 9.  Switching from motorcycles to Corvettes, Bowling Green has the National Corvette Museum.
 8. Lost a bar bet to John L. Smith. Loser had to apply for the WKU job.
 7. Wants to continue personal win streak over UK.
 6. Loves the song "Bowling Green" by the Everly Brothers!
 5. The voices in his head told him to.
 4.  Is Facebook friends with DaMarcus Smith and Ace Wales...taking the relationship one step further.
 3. Has always wanted to try the lunch special at Smokey Pig BBQ.
 2. Will only coach at places who have red in their color scheme ( Louisville, Atlanta Falcons, Arkansas...)
 1. Bowling Green has 12 letters. Bobby Petrino has 12 letters. Coincidence? Or fate?
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Wednesday wins over Nova improve UofL BIG EAST record to 9-2

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THURSDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Softball takes two in Philly...7-0, 8-4


-One final Petrino article

Katie Keller 2 for 3 with a home run
and three RBI's in the first game

The Louisville Softball team swept a double-header Wednesday against the home-standing Villanova Wildcats 7-0 and 8-4 to improve to 35-2 on the season and 9-2 in BIG EAST play.


Louisville hasn't loss since dropping two against DePaul to end the month of March and had a fairly easy time against the 0-8 in-conference Nova  squad yesterday.


GAME ONE


The Cards came out strong against Villanova starter Kaity Sitzman. Jennifer Esteban started the game with a single and Kristin Austin followed with the same. That set the stage for Katie Keller to plant a base-clearer over the right-center fence for her fifth home run of the year. The fireworks weren't quite finished...one out later Alicja Wolny sent one over the right field fence to give Louisville a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the first. 

Tori Collins mows them down like
a mulching mower with a
new spark plug and sharpened
blades.

With torrid Tori Collins on the mound, the chances of the Villanova bats doing much damage were remote and Louisville added to their lead in the third inning. Austin drew a walk to start things off and Keller singled next. Wolny followed a out later with a double which scored Austin and Jordy Trimble got into the act with a single that scored Keller. Make it 6-0 Cards after two and a half. 


Louisville would put up a final run in the fifth. Should have been more, probably...the Cards loaded the bases but could only get pinch runner Kirsten Straley home on a Trimble single. 7-0 Louisville and it was becoming a long afternoon for Villanova.  


Collins (16-1) was masterful and domineering again on the mound for Pearsall's bunch...going the distance and allowing just four hits while striking out two. The whitewash was Louisville's 16th of the season.


GAME TWO

Maggie drove in the first
Cardinal run of the second
game.

Chelsea Leonard drew the start in the second game for the Cards and Louisville drew first blood in the top of the second when Trimble got a base on balls, advanced on a Kayla Soles single and scored on Maggie Ruckenbrod's infield single. 1-0 "Ville" as the teams went to the bottom of the inning. 


Villanova loaded the bases in the bottom of the second against Leonard with two outs...but she got out of the jam without allowing a run by getting a strikeout. Unfortunately, the Wildcats lit her up for four runs in the bottom of the third. Three 'Nova hits, a Cardinal fielding error and a wild pitch had the home team sporting a 4-1 lead with just one out in the inning and a runner on.


Pearsall and Louisville pitching coach Courtney Scott had seen enough and brought in Caralisa Connell to relieve Leonard. The call was a good one, Caralisa got the Cards out of the inning with no further damage done.

Taner Fowler's double put
Louisville ahead to stay.

Louisville retaliated with four runs in the top of the fifth. Soles started the inning off by reaching on a booted grounder and took third on a Ruckenbrod booming double. Esteban worked Villanova pitcher Caitlyn Delahaba for a base on balls and the bags were full of Cards. Kristin Austin got Soles across the plate with what looked to be a fielder's choice but a error got Austin to first safely and the bags were still full. Keller grounded out to score pinch-runner Katelyn Mann to make it 4-3 and Taner Fowler's double drove in Esteban and Austin to give Louisville a 5-4 lead. 

Whitney Arion's two run tater was her fifth of the year.

The Cards added two more runs in the top of the sixth. Trimble started the inning with a double and two outs later Whitney Arion smacked a shot over the left field fence to make it 7-4 Cards. That was enough to send Delahaba to the bench and Molly Manning took the circle...getting Nova out of the inning with no other runs scored. Pearsall brought in Collins to pitch in the bottom of the sixth for the Cards. 


Louisville added the final run of the game in the top of the seventh. With one out, Keller doubled and moved to third on a Wolny single. Keller scored on a Fowler single to make it 8-4 Louisville. 

Caralisa Connell is now 12-1.

Caralisa Connell got the win for Louisville, allowing no runs and three hits in 2.2 innings of relief. Credit Collins with the save with 2.0 innings of scoreless, two-hit hurling. Leonard allowed four runs on four hits in her 2.1 innings of work. 


The Cards come home for a three game, out-of-conference series with Longwood starting Saturday. 


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Too much probably has already been said about the Petrino fiasco. We've covered it ad nauseam and we don't even do that much with men's sports. So...this will be our final "take" on the events unless something dramatic happens in the future -- if Bobby is abducted by a spacecraft full of aliens and Elvis impersonators or decides to run for the senate in Arkansas -- we'll give it some coverage. 

"Will someone explain this Waffle House menu
to me? Where's the @#$% smothered and covered
hash browns? "

 Positions of power do not give people the right to be a megalomaniac Lord and Manor over all they survey. WE look at the kind and benevolent way Bernie Trager ran Republic Bank for years or the impeccable way John Asher handles his duties as Vice-President of Racing Communications at Churchill Downs as shining examples of how power, humility and good-heartedness can co-exist with authority.

MArky MArk poses with the next two "hog riding"
candidates. 

We can only hope that, finally, the former Arkansas coach has learned a life lesson that will help shape and turn him into a person that can respected for more than just directing a gridiron offense to success. After all, Ronald Reagan went from a "B" movie actor to President of the United States. Howard Stern parlayed a disc jockey job to a  judge on a network talent show. We digress...but hopefully you, dear reader, get the point. If not the sack...


We all make mistakes and errors in judgment. Most of our slip ups, though, are not normally played out and documented in the main-stream media. People will still continue to lie, deny and commit acts of adultery and corruptive influence in this world. But, learning from such mistakes and becoming a better person after paying the price for their erroneous ways is a sign of character. A sign of growth and maturity. 

"You do want to be good, don't you Bobby?"

We hope that Bobby "wants to be good" (in the words of Judge Smells in Caddyshack) from now on. Christian philosophy teaches that to err is human but to forgive is divine. Many will forgive Bobby, in time, for the events and actions that embarrassed him, the Arkansas football program and legions of Razorback fans. He must, however, become the type of person that is "forgivable". 


We hope that he can become a different, a better Bobby. Time will tell. In time, he'll get another opportunity to stand in, or near, the white, hot spotlight of notoriety. 

The morning after Bobby Petrino was fired,  a rainbow
appears to lead to the stadium where Arkansas plays
their home football games. Whoa....

Do it the right way, Coach...when the light hits you again.


Here's a interesting and funny Asian animation on the Petrino saga. Click the link below.


Bobby-san


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Wednesday doubleheader for Louisville softball

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WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-#12 Louisville softball heads to Philly for doubleheader


-Bobby Petrino: What now?


-Louisville baseball downs UK 12-0


-More on Baylor and Mulkey


-Clark-Heard names assistant at WKU

Kristin Austin has the highest
batting average in the BIG EAST.

Louisville Softball (33-2, 7-2) takes a mid-week trip to the City of Brotherly Love for Philly cheese-steaks, a viewing of the Rocky statue and a double-header against the Villanova Wildcats. The BIG EAST foe is 25-12 on the season, 0-6 in BIG EAST action and comes into the game after getting swept by Connecticut in a three game series over the weekend. 


The Wildcats have the second best batter in the BIG EAST in Jamie O' Hara (.384). Molly Manning and Briana Fujii are the run producers with 21 RBI's each. In the circle, Caitlyn Delahaba is 13-8 and solid with a 2.79 ERA. Manning gets the call from the stripe as well and is 10-4 with a 3.11 ERA.

Tori Collins is one of three
pitchers Sandy Pearsall uses.

Louisville boasts the leading hitter in the conference in Kristin Austin, who is the only BIG EAST hitter batting over .400 on the year. Her .407 average is complemented with 30 runs scored and seven triples. Louisville has seven players in the starting lineup batting over .300. Sandy Pearsall has torrid Tori Collins, Chelsea Leonard and Caralisa Connell to choose from when the Wildcats are at bat. The trio has a combined 1.26 ERA and have fanned 252 batters in 234.1 innings. 


Louisville lost the first game to 'Nova 3-1 when the teams  last met on March 26th, 2011 but rallied to take the final two games of the series 5-3 and 12-5 the next day at Ulmer Stadium. Louisville leads the overall series 9-2.


The Cards return to Ulmer for a non-conference, 3-game weekend series against Longwood this Saturday and Sunday.


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Arkansas AD Jeff Long

As we expected here at CARDINAL COUPLE, former UofL head football coach Bobby Petrino has been fired at Arkansas. Watching the news conference with Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long at the podium detailing the events and the reasoning behind the 'Bobster's' ousting showed us that Long had a hard time with the decision. He choked up several times when addressing the media and seemed to be portraying a man who was reluctantly relaying a difficult decision on a highly controversial situation.

Gotta wonder if wedding bells
will still ring for "JD" in June.
Seems Bobby already laid
down some serious cash for
the bridal shower.

He and the University did the right thing, though. They bonked the "win at all costs" mindset that persists at way too many Athletic Departments in the NCAA. Bobby lied, tried to cover up the lie and made an inappropriate hire and had an inappropriate affair with "the girl in the athletic department in volleyball shorts" Jessica Dorrell. Mention was also made that Petrino gave the ex-Arkansas volleyball player $20,000 large in cash. 


That's some pretty expensive "whoopee", son.


So, what now, Bobby Petrino? We're no life coaches here at CARDINAL COUPLE...but one would think that getting one's personal and family house in order would be job #1 for B.P. If that's even possible. 

Tell your story walking, pal.

We figure he'll eventually hit the job market again. And, there will be someone out there willing to take a chance on the inglorious philanderer...because he is a brilliant offensive football  strategist. Maybe we'll see a role reversal again. Bobby was John L. Smith's offensive coordinator at Louisville. Bobby hired John L. Smith at Arkansas. Now that John is head coach at Weber State, would the possibility exist that he bring Bobby on board and staff? 

With the firing, Bobby now has plenty of time
to "head out on the highway, looking for
adventure."

Stranger things have happened. 


WE hope that Petrino can get his deck of cards in order. WE hope that going from king to joker finally shows him that honesty, integrity and respect still have a viable place in today's society. But, in his case, we're not betting on it...


Can old dogs learn new tricks?

We applaud Arkansas for doing the right thing. WE realize that there are tons of disappointed Hog fans this morning. You have a right to be, but the reason you should be is that you got 'played' by your former head coach and it caught up with him.


For Bobby's response, click the link below...courtesy of Mike Rutherford over at Card Chronicle.


Bobby's farewell address


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How about the UofL baseball team? Taking the road-show to Lexington last night and thumping #1 UK 12-0!  It was even worth turning off NCIS to watch...


We like Charlie Springer's take on the massive Cardinal win and you can view the "observer's" words at the link below.


UofL 12 - UK 0

Louisville is extremely fortunate to have such "diamond skippers" as Dan McDonnell and Sandy Pearsall. Two people of integrity, committed and dedicated to their players and both with a great sense of humor. 


Show your thankfulness for having these two here at UofL and get out and watch a few games at Ulmer and Patterson. Free admission and big fun. 


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The NCAA may have a few more questions for Baylor head womens' basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Thanks to the several CARDINAL COUPLE readers who mentioned or sent the link. 


The implications aren't "death penalty" serious but could open a big can of Beef-a-Roni that the NCAA may not have the appetite to finish. 


Baylor, Mulkey may have some explaining to do, Lucy.

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Finally, Michelle Clark-Heard has made an assistant coach hire down at WKU. She brings Margaret Richards aboard. The former Louisville and Weber State staffer and Michelle go way back. Once again, thanks to our eagle-eye CARDINAL COUPLE readers for the find. Linkie below.


Clark-Heard hires Richards as assistant at WKU

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Cards coverage of track and field plus a look into the future

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Field events do well in Knoxville


-How will 10 translate into 14?


-Baylor under the gun? 


-"Save Bobby" rally not a prime time event


The University of Louisville track and field team competed over the weekend in the Tennessee Challenge in Knoxville, TN. Louisville women recorded six wins in events on the University of Tennessee campus. Here's a list of the victors:


HIGH JUMP - Michelle Theophille
TRIPLE JUMP - Malinda Simmons
JAVELIN - Jenna Wargo
DISCUS - Chinwe Okoro
3000 M Steeplechase - Cassie Martin
3000 M - Maddie Davidson

In addition to the winners, Okoro had a strong showing in the shot put, finishing second. Khadija Abdullah also finished third in the discus. 


Louisville and the University of Kentucky will team up to take on Notre Dame and Indiana in the Texas Roadhouse Border Battle this Saturday at Cardinal Park Track and Field Stadium. The annual dual-team competition has produced some very good results for the women's track and field runners and field event participants and we're sure this year will be no different. 


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Is it ever out of season to discuss UofL women's basketball? WE don't think so at CARDINAL COUPLE and today we look at the potentials for the 2012-13 season. 


Jeff Walz said more than once at the end of the 2011-12 season that he thought the 10 remaining players on the University of Louisville basketball team at the end of the season had a very good chemistry and strong work ethic. With the probable addition of five more to this mix in the upcoming year, and the loss of just Becky Burke...how will the additional five fit in to the Cardinal mix? 

(Photo by Sandra Walker) 

1) Monique Reid. Sidelined with a knee injury, the leading scorer for the 2010-11 season was missed greatly last year. You know Mo...she can score inside with the best in college basketball and will be welcomed back into the Louisville mix with broad smiles and open arms. Walz has toyed with either starting the former Fern Creek High School star or bringing her off the bench during her time at UofL. Either way, Mo will go to the hoop and put points on the scoreboard. Ask her and she'll tell you..she's a scorer and that's what she does.

(Photo by Charlie Springer - Card Game)

2) Tia Gibbs. The ex-Vandy and Butler Bear was an essential guard on the 2010-11 squad but a shoulder injury at the start of the 2011-12 season sidelined her for the year. Gibbs is a hard-working, full-court hustle guard who can hit the three, lock you up on defense and make plays. She'll fit right back in with this group of Cardinals and whether it's starting or coming off the bench...you know you're always going to get 100% plus out of her. Another one that will bring smiles to the Cardinal faces when she's back in uniform. The combination of Gibbs and Smith sounds awfully deadly to us at guard. 

3) Monny Niamke. WE feel positive that Monny will arrive on the Cardinal campus and add depth, stability and experience to the point guard position. She saw a lot of playing time as a starter at Lindsey Wilson this past season and is a good ball control guard who can dish and distribute as well as shoot. How Walz will fit her into the mix of players he has available will be interesting to observe...but WE'D like to see Shoni Schimmel move to the "2" guard and see the competition between Jude, Megan Deines, Monny and Shelby at the point. She did score 15 points against the Cards guards when Lindsey Wilson and UofL faced off at the start of the season and we saw some things to like in her play. 

4) Megan Deines. The incoming freshman from Glendale High School (Springfield, MO) is a 6'0" point guard who runs her team's offensive sets quite well. Not normally a prolific scorer, Deines excels at setting up teammates and assists. Not a bad thing to have on a team full of proven scorers. She is the #36 ranked point guard in the class of 2012 and received a 89 ESPN rating. The old adage is that every basket has a passer and a scorer and Deines appears to be a player that can fulfill the passer role quite well. 

5) Cortnee Walton. The 6'2" forward is all about the hard work and blue collar performance in the paint. She'll get along well with the returning bunch of front-liners on Walz's roster if that is the case. Out of one of the best high school teams in the nation (St Mary's). She's ranked as the #10 forward in the Class of 2012 and gets a 93 from the ESPN scouts. She's also developed a good friendship with Deines which bodes well for the chemistry concept. No doubt that Cortnee will help fill the ranks in the paint. With a cast of Dyer, Taylor, Vails, Hammond, Slaughter, Reid and Walton -- the Cards will have a solid and aggressive group of board members. 


14 so far. Walz and staff have been on the prowl lately, too...spanning the globe for additional talent. Will there be a 15th member to this squad? 


WE'RE very excited about the prospects for the 2012-13 Louisville squad. Is it wrong to wish that it was already November? 


Here's a good read on the upcoming season and it shines favorably on Walz Ball. Linkie below.


Cards could fly high in 2012-13




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Baylor won the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship for 2012. They also received a light slap on the wrist from the NCAA for improper contact with recruits. Our Sandy Walker provides the link about the violation. We say strip them of the title and play the whole tournament over again. We're waiting for an answer from the NCAA. And, a re-match with Maryland... 


Baylor "bears" with NCAA Violation


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Embattled Arkansas head football coach Bobby Petrino awaits judgement from the Arkansas AD for his lying and philandering. There was a rally Monday night on the Arkansas campus in support of the Bobster. About 200 folks showed up to practice hog calls and chant 'Save Bobby Petrino' for the cameras. There were posters as well. We chuckled when we saw this one.


We're all about redemption and second chances here at Cardinal Couple. We've seen people make the most of second opportunities and we've had that blessing as well in our lives. But...if Jesus did, in fact, save Bobby...it makes you wonder just what HE has planned for him? 


We like the idea that we read on one of the Arkansas blogs. 


We don't think that firing Bobby is the right idea. We propose that Arkansas re-negotiate his contract. Three years at $1 a year. Let's see just how strong his "dedication and commitment to Arkansas football" really is. We suggest taking that 3.2 million per year he'd receive under current terms and using it to fight poverty in our grand state. It's not like Bobby is clipping coupons and taking his family to the 'early bird' dining specials to save money. He'll get by. If he decides to leave, we'll have our answer and there are good coaches out there that will take the job at considerably less than the hefty deposits being made into the Petrino checking account.


We could care less if his family alienates him because of the incidents. That's a private and personal matter.


What say you, BP? 


Finally, it was just a matter of time till someone got in the studio and did a song about the Petrino incident. 


Nick Coffey, over at CARDS CONNECT, has linked up the video and music that was made by a ESPN Memphis guy. Not a bad site, CARDS CONNECT, even if they rarely cover women's sports at UofL. But, that's why we're here, right?


Click below BUT BE ADVISED THAT THE SINGER MENTIONS A WORD AT THE END OF THE SONG THAT RHYMES WITH "LEANER" . 


The Ballad of Bobby Petrino
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Saturday Cardinal Couple...Softball Cards take two against Rutgers

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Saturday CARDINAL COUPLE


-Louisville pitching the key in sweep 1-0, 2-0


-Keeneland offers big card for Saturday


-Women's golf in 17th place in Bryan National


-Watson discusses Bobby


The University of Louisville softball team wins two against Rutgers Friday and holds the Scarlet Knights bats to two hits in 14 innings. 

Not that the softball Cards went hog wild against Rutgers pitching (sorry Coach Petrino), but Louisville improves to 32-2 on the season and 6-2 in BIG EAST play with some timely hitting and clutch fielding against the Scarlet Knights. 


GAME 1


This one was strictly a pitchers' duel for six and a half innings. Caralisa Connell tossed four innings of one-hit softball and Alyssa Landreth held the Cards to two hits through six innings. Louisville came to bat in the bottom of the seventh tied in a scoreless thriller and drove the crowd of 600+ into a frenzy with the frenetic finish. 

After Alicja Wolny flied out to right to start the inning, Jordan Trimble drilled a single up the middle to give the Cards the winning run on base. She didn't half to wait long...Kayla Soles punished a cheating left fielder by drilling a shot over her head to send Trimble home and end the game 1-0 Cards. 


Big props to Chelsea Leonard with 3 innings of no-hit relief against the Scarlet Knights...and Jordan Trimble, who had two of the four UofL hits in the opener.


GAME 2

Jared Stillman handles the PA duties for
Cardinal Softball. He also carries this framed photo
around with him wherever he goes...

The Cards jumped on Rutgers early in the second game...Jennifer Esteban singling up the middle to open the bottom half of the first and scoring on a  Kristin Austin single to left. 


That proved to be all Louisville needed with pitching ace Tori Collins in the circle.


The senior lefty would strike out 10 Rutgers batters en route to a one-hit shutout...the only hit coming on a controversial ruling in the top of the seventh inning when Kristin Austin and Jordan Trimble both converged on a fly ball off the bat of Chandler Howard and then backed off each other...allowing the pop up to fall to the turf without a glove on it. It was judged a hit. Most would call it a fielding error.  


Honestly...Collins got robbed of a no-hitter by the call

Louisville added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth when Kayla Soles beat out an infield hit to reach first and scored when Whitney Arion rattled the left field fence with a line shot for a double. 


The regal, towering Collins (14-1) was masterful in the night cap against the Jersey girls...a couple of 3rd inning walks the only blemishes in a superb performance. If there is a better pitcher in the BIG EAST, you'll have to prove it to us. 


The teams face off tomorrow at 11 a.m. All are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt in Cardinal Park Saturday which begins at 9 a.m. The kids will love it, take them over!


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CARDINAL COUPLE makes the annual spring pilgrimage to Lexington and Keeneland Saturday. Wish us luck and keep us safe from zealous Wildcats...oh, mighty Cardinal in the sky. Ladies...you'll need to get the broom out on Rutgers without us in attendance.  (WE know you can!) 

Some winners would be nice while we're up there...


Kent Desmoreaux did well up there Friday on Keeneland's opening day. "Superman" always seems to win when Paul bets against him. We'll keep an eye on him Saturday


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The Louisville women's golf team shot a 317 in the first round of the Bryan National Collegiate tournament yesterday in Browns Summitt, NC. That puts the Cards in 17th place...27 strokes back from leader Northwestern. 


Leading the way for Louisville was junior Candice Wiley who fired a 78 in the first round. Closely behind with 79 are freshmen Emily Haas and Katie Petrino. 

Sara Karlsson turned in an 81 and senior Maria Castellanos played the 18 in 85 shots. 


The Cards start day two of the Bryan at 8:20 a.m. Saturday...in case you were thinking about driving down to be in the gallery at the Masters and wanted to get a little women's golf-watching in on the way...


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(David Watson is a special contributor to CARDINAL COUPLE. Today he comments on fast bikes, young blondes and lying to your boss. He would cover Guitars, Cadillacs and Hillbilly Music...but Dwight Yoakum has been there, done that.)

Step down, Bobby Petrino. It's the right thing to do. You can leave a note for the players in the Arkansas football locker room if you want. You can have your S.I.D. compose a touching, heartfelt statement and hold a press conference to tell the shocked Hog fans. You can twitter it if you want or change your status on Facebook. But, step down, Bobby Petrino. 

Booby, (yes, I spelled it that way originally and decided to keep it) you have taken one step over the line. Or should I say, put your ride in the woodpile. A motorcycle crash, well -- yes, most fans can forgive that. But towing a 25 yr. old blonde -- that is engaged to be married in June -- around with you that "ain't yer kin"  (to paraphrase it in "Hog-speak") and then covering up the details from your boss is a bridge too far. 



You lied to your boss Bobby. I know it isn't the first time you've done it. How many times have you since you've been in Arkansas, though?


And now we learn about the "inappropriate conduct". It can't be considered "getting lucky in Kentucky". How about "getting a thrill in Fayetteville?" Morality out the window like a dropped pass with no coverage. 

And, indeed, you got lucky. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is playing Russian roulette. I've done accident claims on wrecks where the driver and the passenger didn't walk away. And, what if this young, if un-witting, girl had been injured or died. Would you want that cross to bear? 

Walk away from it and give it a rest for a couple of years. Do some public service work or write a book. Visit the Himalayas or spend some time chopping wood (maybe even with Greg Schiano) around your Ozark cabin or in Tampa Bay. 


Let the furor, the outrage and the comments die down. Someone, somewhere will hire you to coach down the road. Maybe not at the $3.5 'grrr' that you're finding in Fayetteville -- but enough to pay for some motorcycle repairs and a few sessions with a therapist. 

Walk away from it and examine where life has led you so far. Job hopping like a migrant worker during the growing season. Leaving wakes of controversy at each stop along the way. Building successful football programs at a couple of schools and then punting the ball directly into the stands. 


Think of the "fam" and try to repair the damages you've done.  You've got a loving (at last check) wife, one kid that has had a history of substance abuse problems and a daughter that has potential as a possible pro tour golfer someday. Do you really want to continue to drag them through the briars and the bushes with your self-motivated and altruistic ways? 

I read here today that your daughter Katie shot a 79 in the first round of a tournament she's in representing the University of Louisville. With all the pressure you've tossed on her shoulders, it's a wonder she broke 100. And, the looks, the talk behind her back and the well-meaning but embarrassing comments she's going to have to endure the rest of the semester and beyond -- why, Bobby, why? 


Step down, Bobby. It's the right thing to do. If not for you, then the family. Own this one, Coach, and turn your life around. 

It's Easter weekend. A time where we rejoice in the wonderful story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead and saving us sinners. 


It's Passover also. Pass the reigns (or the Harley) over to someone else and reflect, renew and rebuild. Let someone else lead the exodus out of embarrassment you've brought on Arkansas football.  


Jesus Christ, Bobby. Step down and sit on the sidelines for awhile. We could all use a break from the drama. 


(David Watson spends several hours each Saturday prior to Easter hiding his golf balls in the woods for kids to find. Most of us call it "tee-ing off." and would spend considerable time shouting "fore" if we played like David.)


(Tom Watson, he ain't.) 
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