Springer delivers the goods to UofL...What is a fan?

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CARDINAL COUPLE WEDNESDAY EDITION

-Biggest Fan of the Big East gives UofL big check

-The Sportsman's Creed

Steve Springer recently received the honor of being selected "Biggest Fan of The BIG EAST". For his efforts, he got a brand new Volvo S60. Another honor, a check for $10,000 for the University of Louisville.

Steve presents the check to Jeff Walz.

You can read all about it and see pictures of the event over at http://www.uoflcardgame.com/ . Steve is the son of UofL Card Game's owner Charlie Springer. Charlie was basically responsible for getting CARDINAL COUPLE started...suggesting that more attention needed to be paid to UofL Women's Sports. Sonja, who was writing for Charlie at Card Game at the time, pestered Paul into looking into creating a web site. Although Sonja writes very little for the site(s) anymore...preferring to assume a managerial role..she did comment on Springer's achievements:

"What Steve did is more than just getting a nice car and check for UofL. It's a testimony to love and dedication for a passion. There are "Steve Springer's" supporting every D1 program out there. The fan aspect of college athletics doesn't receive the press and popularity that the players and coaches do...but it is still a major part of any sports program at any University. Steve's efforts show us that if you dream it and believe it...you can achieve it." 

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A fan is one element of four distinct elements in any athletic event...joining the players, coaches and officials. We give you today the Sportsman's Creed...a short but very true look into the ideals and guidelines that ideally surround the thing we know as collegiate sporting events...

THE PLAYERS

-They live clean and play hard. They play for the love of the game.
-They win without boasting, they lose without excuses. They never quit
-They respect officials and coaches. They accept decisions without question.
They never forget that they represent their school and organization.

THE COACHES

-They inspire in their players a love for the game and the desire to compete and win.

-They teach that it is better to lose fairly than to win unfairly.

-They lead by example...showing the players and fans to respect the officials and the game.


-They are the type of people that they want their players to be.

THE OFFICIALS

-They know the rules

-They are fair and firm in all decisions. They call them as they see them.

-They treat the players and coaches courteously and demand the same treatment for themselves.

-They know the game is for the players and let them have the spotlight.

THE FANS


Fans support the program. In good or bad times.



-They respect the players, the coaches and the officials.
-They appreciate a good play, no matter who makes it.
-They know that ultimately...the school gets the praise or blame for their conduct.
-They support the program...in good times or bad...and recognize the need for more 'sportsmen' and fewer 'sports'.

Most of you reading this column fall into one of the four categories above. Do you fit the criteria for your category?

One of the hardest things that we have encountered as the co-owners of CARDINAL COUPLE is to look objectively at sporting events as "the fan's voice". It's easy to get caught up in rumors, hearsay, self-perceived issues and negativity. It's tough to adhere to some of the guidelines when a call goes against your team, a player fails to live up to the expected performance or your team is in the midst of a losing streak. Still, it's important to remember that what we discuss and cover here is SPORTS...There are much more serious things going on in our world.  

We invite you to join us in trying to be an objective and rational fan in the upcoming season. Be ready to deliver praise where-ever it is due and slow to heap criticism on the opposing coaches and players. Try to refrain from blaming officials for setbacks. It's a tough thing to do, no doubt...but it's a challenge that can be accomplished if you try. Steve Springer overcame many obstacles and setbacks in his own and family's life to dedicate himself to supporting his team, his fan status. You can be just as productive. Cheer proudly!

What is a fan?

THURSDAY @ C.C.

-What is a fan?

-Hey, Jude (ain't playing bad...)

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We hope that UofL fans never get to the point where they start burning jerseys. Maybe during the end of the Kragthorpe or Cooper years, it was considered...but, stay classy...Louisville. Always.

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WE like to refer to ourselves here at CARDINAL COUPLE as the fan voice for women's sports. We do get a lot of feedback and comments from UofL fans (and other fans) and try to present articles and reports to you from the fan point of view. What exactly is a fan, though? Each person probably has their own definition of "fan" WE like the one below:

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A fan never boos players or officials. A fan appreciates a good play, no matter who makes it. A fan knows the school or organization gets the blame or praise for HIS conduct. A fan recognizes the need for more good sportsmanship and less taunting.

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Sometimes, it isn't easy being a fan. Some of the trips we've taken to watch Louisville teams on the road have really tested the principles above. WE could go into details on specifics and you probably have your "road stories" to tell as well...but what's the point? You're there to watch a sporting event. Act like you've been there before.

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Booing happens. Sometimes, a play or player...call or decision can get your blood boiling. Booing isn't going to help the situation and it never reverses a call or play. I was a fierce "boo-bird" at one time in my life. I've learned that it doesn't help, only frustrates and creates a tense situation. I almost got my brains bashed in once on the road for unsavory remarks and got tossed out of a contest many years ago on the road for boorish behavior. I no longer "boo". Try positive reinforcement next time instead of bashing. You're going to feel a whole lot better, believe me.

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Enjoy good plays no matter who makes them. These are college kids. 99% of them won't make a living at hitting jumpers or stealing bases. They're students. Marvel at the ability, no matter which team or player is performing it. Recently, a young freshman guard came into the KFC YUM Center and had a "lights out" performance against the LADY CARDS. I enjoyed her skills.

I applauded her efforts.

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You are a representative of the team you cheer for. Try to leave a positive attitude and feeling amongst the rival fans after you leave their venue. We've made some great friends over the years in different cities by bring proud of our team but not critical of our opponent. They love their team just as much as you do yours. Celebrate that fanaticism and have some fun with it.

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Being a good sport isn't hard. It's easy to appreciate what your team does, acknowledge the successes of your opponent and celebrate a win. Never dwell on a loss. There will be another game down the road and no one goes undefeated forever. (Except Connecticut women's basketball). Back your team in the good times and in the bad. Things change in sports. Let your support remain constant and positive. The players will appreciate it.

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Shoni Schimmel's little sister Jude is off to a wonderful start in her senior year playing basketball for Portland (OR) Franklin. A BIG thanks to Mal Van Meer of K Hoops for this update on Jude:

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Schimmel has played in six games as of 12/26. Look at these numbers...

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vs. McNary. 33 points in a 77-55 loss.

vs. Parkrose. 26 points in a 59-45 loss.

vs. Liberty. 26 ponts in a 66-43 loss.

vs. Sandy. 37 points in a 82-73 win.

vs. Cleveland. 23 points in a 54-41 win.

vs. Madison . 31 points in a 42-39 win.

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Jude is averaging 29 points per game....tops in Oregon 5A. Check out this stat line from the Sandy game...

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SCHIMMEL, JUDE 35 points. (5) 3-pointers. 15 rebounds. 11 steals.

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Jude Schimmel is undeclared for college as of now. Sources report that Louisville and South Carolina are showing heavy interest. Jude has stated that she like to continue playing in college with her sister and teammate of three years in high school... Shoni Schimmel.

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Have a great senior season, Jude. Enjoy your successes and those of your sister at Louisville. When the time comes to make a college choice, you'll know what to do.