CATCHING UP WITH...JAZZ COVINGTON

TUESDAY at C.C.

-"All that Jazz" still making music.

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-Zenyatta better than Blame?
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Before there was Jeff Walz and Angel McCoughtry and a trip to the NCAA Championship Game, a tough as nails post player from Adel, GA. prowled the paint for Tom Collen and the Lady Cards. In her four years at Louisville, Jazz Covington posted some very memorable stats. She is the third leading scorer of all time at UofL and led the Cards in scoring in 2004-05 and 2005-06. She 's also 2nd all time in career rebounding for Louisville and she led UofL in field goal shooting percentage her first three years as a Cardinal. Covington led teams made NCAA Tournament appearances her final three years and she played in 125 games as a Cardinal...going 88-37.

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We caught up with #12 recently and here's an update on her:

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Cardinal Couple: Fill us in on what you're doing these days.

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JAZZ: I'm in my fourth season as a professional basketball player in Europe. Currently I am playing in France for Union Hainaut (UHBSA).

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Cardinal Couple: Do you stay in touch with any of your teammates from your UofL days?

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JAZZ: Yes! I still keep in contact with a few of my old teammates on a regular basis.

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Cardinal Couple: Recalling those days...what was your favorite moment as a Cardinal?

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JAZZ: Senior night.

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Cardinal Couple: Out of 125 career games, is there a most memorable one?

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JAZZ: My most memorable game is the game against UK my freshman year in their gym. It was the first time I had ever played in a gym with that many people. I mean...it was packed and the air was thin! Let's not forget that UofL and UK are rivals! I remember being up against Se Se Helm...considerably one of the best centers that year. It was a battle...senior on freshman. I fouled out with 4:00 in regulation but for 30 minutes I battled it out with Se Se. I was upset about the overtime loss yet pleased with my performance and effort.

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Cardinal Couple: What might we be doing with Jazz on a night that she's not on the court? An evening of fun...

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JAZZ: First, we're going to go out to eat. I can't do anything on an empty stomach. After, we would go have drinks at a nice spot with live music, preferably some jazz, blues or neo soul...you know, something for the grown folk. Clubs aren't really my thing but every now and then I might go.

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Cardinal Couple: We're making dinner for Jazz! What are her favorite foods?

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JAZZ: Aw, man! I LOVE lasagna with a lot of meat and very cheesy, not too hot though because I want to be able to chow down without having to blow on every fork full. Ocean Spray CranApple juice to drink! As for desert, red velvet cake...made from scratch, not that chocolate cake with red food coloring stuff. On top, some BlueBell Vanilla Ice Cream! And, a glass of vanilla soy milk to top it off.

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Cardinal Couple: Who was the toughest opponent you faced in college?

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JAZZ: Myself. I'm always my toughest opponent and critic. No one is harder on me than me. I expect so much out of me. And...'to whom much is given, much more is expected'.

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Cardinal Couple: Toughest team you faced in college?

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JAZZ: We played a lot of good teams from Conference USA and the BIG EAST. Just to name a few...UConn, Rutgers, TCU and Houston were all very good...but the toughest, grimiest, fight on your hands teams were West Virginia's 2006-07 team and East Carolina's 2004-05 team. It was always a battle in the paint for me when we played those two...

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Cardinal Couple: Name four players that you would recruit to play in a starting five with you...

JAZZ:

Marjo Carpreaux (ESBVA)-PG

Amanda Jackson (Miami-Ohio)-G

Sylvia Fowles (LSU-WNBA)-C (pictured right)

and

Angel...

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Cardinal Couple:

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We're riding in Jazz's car. What are we likely to hear playing?

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JAZZ: Hip hop. Ice Cube, Bun B., Scarface...when I feel like letting my inner G out. But, mainly...R&B/Neo Soul...Raheem DeVaughn, Tank, Algebra Blesset...when I'm just riding. Especially at night.

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Cardinal Couple:

If you could change one thing about your collegiate career, what would it be?

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JAZZ: Nothing. Everything happened according to HIS plan for me. I'm rolling with it!

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Cardinal Couple:

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What do you want to be doing five years from now?

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JAZZ: Exactly what I'm doing right now! Travelling the world and doing what I so passionately love to do-play basketball!!

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Cardinal Couple:

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The three most important things to you?

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JAZZ: GOD, my happiness and my family...in that order.

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Cardinal Couple:

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Anyone special you'd like to acknowledge or 'shout out' to in closing?

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JAZZ: I want to say 'Hi' to my good friend and mentor Monica Fitzpatrick. Thru good, bad and sometimes ugly...you remained the same and always told me exactly what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear. A true friend... from the first day we spoke in the airport my freshman year to now. I love you Ma!

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WE thank Jazz for sharing and opening up to us for our readers. Here at CARDINAL COUPLE, we've always hoped to see her play again on this side of the Atlantic in the WNBA and wish her the best of luck in Euroball. A fierce competitor who ruled with style, grace and authority during her Cardinal days...Jazz Covington continues to 'pull em down and put em back in'.

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IS THERE A FORMER LADY CARD YOU'D LIKE TO SEE A "CATCHING UP' ARTICLE ON? SHOOT US A E-MAIL OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE. WE'LL DO OUR BEST TO TRACK THEM DOWN!

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Zenyatta over Blame for Horse of the Year? Really? WE have to disagree here at CARDINAL COUPLE. Most of the awards that were given out last night at the 2010 Eclipse Awards we have no problem with. In fact, we were right there with the awards on Two-Year-Old Male (Uncle Mo), Two-Year-Old Filly (Awesome Feather) and Three-Year-Old Male (Lookin At Lucky). We'll even agree with Ramon Dominguez as Jockey of The Year. Can't go with Zenyatta, though...

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Here's the argument. The two met in the Breeders Cup Classic. Blame beat Zenyatta. Would you give the NCAA Women's Championship to Louisville in 2009 because they came in second to Connecticut? Of course not. Blame deserves the honor. The Daily Racing Form voters, from the most knowledgeable source of thoroughbred racing...voted convincingly for Blame. But, other voters included the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Equibase members. Popularity contest...sure, Zenyatta wins hands down. But the best met and the best horse won. Blame won the battle but lost the war. Undeservedly.

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BIG EAST expansion...what will it mean for women's sports?

THURSDAY @ CARDINAL COUPLE:

-BIG EAST looking to get bigger

-Breeders Cup thoughts

-All that Jazz

The BIG EAST has announced that they are looking to add a couple of football playing schools to the conference. All well and good. Let's face it, BIG EAST football doesn't strike fear and apprehension into anyone hearts and minds currently. With the right two schools, it could... Two schools good...four schools better. Divisions and playoffs. It's what the "big boys" in college football do.

Pictured here, a symbolic scenario as the BIG EAST commissioner tries to drag Notre Dame into the football schedule. (Sorry about the naughty word in the picture's caption. I'll go to Sacrament of Reconciliation and fess up to Father Bob. Hey, if TIME Magazine can use the "F" word...)

The Irish would be a logical choice to be one of the two schools...but, I don't think that they want to be one of them. They have a sweet deal with NBC for football, they can schedule pretty much who they want, when they want and why give up all that to play 7 or 8 schools that are lesser opponents? Keep in mind, though...Notre Dame is no longer relevant in football anymore, except in their own minds. Losing to Tulsa...really? Three coaches in a row that were flops. The current coach...well... give him time, I guess but I don't expect "Kelly's Heroes" to be in a BCS Bowl Game anytime soon. The Irish have the best women's sports program in the BIG EAST. Argue that if you want, but if you look at all of the 13 sports available in women's athletics and check Notre Dame's records in them for 2009...no one did better overall.

Other schools being tossed around as possible additions are TCU, East Carolina, Villanova, Central Florida, Memphis and I even heard Kentucky mentioned. First of all, forget about UK. No way they'd give up their stranglehold on SEC basketball to join the BIG EAST. Not gonna happen. The idea of TCU joining is intriguing. They aren't in a BCS conference currently. They have some very excellent women's team also. They would be a welcome addition in women's basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer. They're ranked #23 in the preseason women's basketball poll. I'm all for it. Bring them in. A great TV market area as well.

East Carolina doesn't really bring much to the table in women's sports. They are fanatical about their football in Greenville but nothing there in hoops, softball and volleyball. They'd be a patsy that Notre Dame, UConn, the Cardinals' and Scarlet Knights would pound. The location fits...they're pretty close to a lot of the current BIG EAST members. Greenville is no place for a road trip, though. Their basketball arena is puny and I think they play softball behind a discount department store. I'll probably get blasted for the above comments. But, it ain't no Trager Field or Cardinal Park.

I like the though of Central Florida... just because of the location. Women's golf, soccer, field hockey...any of the outdoor women's sports would enjoy competing in Orlando. They love it in Tampa. Nothing wrong with another Florida school in the BIG EAST. Jersey has two, so does New York and Pennsylvania.

Forget about Memphis. They're currently horrible in basketball and their field hockey and volleyball programs aren't BIG EAST quality. Another patsy to beat up on. The trips would be the only redeeming feature. Good hoops facility and barbecued ribs.

Villanova is already a participant in BIG EAST women's sports...so no changes there if they're one of the football additions.

Some seem to think that TCU is already one of the two that will be added. I've read a lot of things about UCF already being invited as well. We won't know, obviously...until the BIG EAST Commish takes the podium and speaks the words. Watch it be a return of Miami and Boston College. That'd shake em up, huh? The bottom line is that this is all about football. No one give a hoot about how two additions would affect women's sports except those of us who follow women's sports. I say give us Villanova and Notre Dame. No changes there for women's athletics and no additions to an already unwieldy 16 team basketball conference.

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Breeders Cup! Yup, it's less that 48 hours away. We'll have some predictions and thoughts on the Friday card here at CARDINAL COUPLE for you on Friday Morning. We'll do Saturday's review on Saturday morning. We've got the chimps busy crunching the Racing Form, Beyer Figures, Tomilinson numbers and Brisnet data. Bill the Goat is on the backside of Churchill wandering around head butting owners, trainers and horses. Our director of wagering at CARDINAL COUPLE, Tommy Boy, has been locked in a soundproof room since Tuesday studying each and every horse that will run. (I guess someone should go check on him...) Remember, the information we provide is for entertainment purposes only. Sonja slept with the past performances sheet last night. I got the couch.

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Add Jazz Covington to the list of former UofL women's basketball players in the European league this fall. She's playing for Union Saint-Amond Porte du Hainaut in France. I wonder how you get all that on a jersey? After 3 games, Ms. Covington is averaging 18.3 a contest and they're 1-2. Speaking of former Cardinals, remember the Russian rocket Valeriya Musina? After 2 years at the 'Ville she spent a year at Long Beach State and finished up at Lane...down in Tennessee. She's been playing Euroball 2 years now. Played for Spartak Vidnow in Moscow in 2009 and is currently playing for CCC Polkowice in Poland. Always thought she could have been one of the great Cardinal guards but her game just wasn't suited to what Tom Collen was trying to get done at UofL when both of them were there. Good luck to all the past Cards over playing for Eurodollars.

McCurty transfers for senior year

In the Tuesday edition of Cardinal Couple:

-Louisville commit Quaneisha McCurty headed to Dalton

-Will Dream finish strong? (No, not Charlie...)

-Who will come calling?

CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that class of 2011 commit Quaneisha McCurty will transfer from Northwest Whitfield (GA) to Dalton (GA) for her senior year of high school. Under Georgia High School Association rules, any student who makes a legitimate move from one school district to another is immediately eligible to participate in varsity sports.

McCurty and family have moved, according to Dalton head basketball coach Jeff McKinney.

McCurty averaged 12.3 points and grabbed 7.1 rebounds a game for Northwest last year and the Lady Bruins made it to the Class 4A state championship game...losing to Southwest DeKalb.

She was named The Daily Citizen's 2009 All-Area Player of the Year as a sophomore and scored 13.9 points a game. She also played volleyball at Northwest and was selected to the all-area team as a middle hitter..with 169 kills and 52 blocks.

For Dalton, the transfer news is exciting. According to McKinney, the team hasn't had anyone over 5'10" on the team in the last two years.

The 6'6" post player is expected to join the Cards on campus in the fall of 2011. She has been described as 'a game changer in the middle...a shot rejection machine and dangerous scorer under the basket.'

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The Atlanta Dream has two games remaining in the regular season of the WNBA and although they have clinched a berth in the playoffs...the Dream is looking to get back on a win streak before playoff time arrives. They dismantled Chicago on the road over the weekend and hosts the Sky against this evening. They end the season with a visit from Washington.

Angel McCoughtry has been one of the key catalysts for the Dream this year...a role she inherited when WNBA standout Chamique Holdsclaw requested a trade from the Dream to San Antonio during the preseason. Despite injuries and an exhausting road schedule, Angel and Atlanta will finish no worse than fourth in the Eastern Conference...after leading going into the All-Star break.

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One of Angel's UofL teammates is headed to Europe for a second season of basketball. Candyce Bingham will play in Luxemborg during 2010 European league basketball. Former Cardinal center Jazz Covington is also playing overseas.

The travesty is that European league hoops for the ladies pays much better than our own WNBA. Without quoting any exact figures, know that Covington made about the salary of a middle manager at UPS last year...McCoughtry probably higher. Bingham will fare well also. The women's game is increasing each year in popularity here in the United States...but the salary and playing potential is nowhere near what the girls can make overseas.

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CARDINAL COUPLE has learned that Louisville women's basketball is trying to get several prized recruits to visit over the UofL vs. UK football weekend (Sept. 4th.). We can't confirm yet who will be paying the campus a visit...but we're fairly certain that several of the potential guests have seen Cardinal Arena, the SAC and the Yum Center facility on campus earlier this summer.

Whatever happened to....

Cardinal Couple takes an occasional look back at players who made
their mark at the University of Louisville. Today, we catch up with
former Lady Cards center Jazz Covington...who played for the Cards from 2003-2007.

The Cards built an impressive media campaign around the 6'2"
center during her final two years at Louisville. "All that Jazz" was
popular theme for her and posters had her and some of her UofL
teammates playing or holding various musical instruments. Jazz
played those final two seasons with an up and coming wing player
named Angel McCoughtry and the two led Louisville to consecutive
NCAA Tournament appearances in Tom Collen's final two years coaching the Lady Cards.



The 4 year starter at UofL averaged in double figure scoring for the
Cards during her time at Louisville and upon graduation continued her basketball career by going to play in the European leagues.



First stop for Jazz was playing for Elfic Fribourg, in Switzerland. She averaged 21.7 points and 10.6 rebounds in the 2007-2008 season and an impressive 26.5 points and 11.6 rebounds in Cup post-regular season play.



The following year found Jazz in Finland, starting for S-Hameenmaa, in the Finnish 1st division. Her numbers were impressive again in 2008-2009, with 20.2 points a game and 13.9 boards. She was the leading rebounder in the league and statistics ranked her the most efficient.



Next for Jazz was signing with Sedis Cadi in the Spanish 1st division. Another big year for Covington followed with 16 points and 7.2 rebounds. She was ranked the 4th best player in the league...behind current Atlanta Dream stars Sancho Lyttle and Erika de Souza.



The 2010-11 season will have her changing gears again, having signed a contract with Union Saint Amand in the French 1st division.



These days, she's a power forward instead of a center and it seems to fit her quite well. A recent Euro League scouting report gives the following description:



"Jazz Covington is a very talented player who can play both one-on-one, facing her defender or play her in the low post. She's strong, athletic that uses her body well and knows how to keep balanced with contact. She also has a very accurate mid and long range shot."



Here's hoping Jazz continues her stellar European performances and maybe one of the WNBA teams gives her a look next season.

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Jazz's former UofL teammate Angel McCoughtry did everything she could yesterday to pull the Atlanta Dream out of their losing streak but it was to no avail, as the Dream lost on the road to the Connecticut Sun 96-80.

McCoughtry had 27 points against the Sun, who broke open a mid-third quarter tie game to rout Atlanta. The Dream (14-8) has lost their last three games and is tied with the Washington Mystics for first place in the Eastern Division. Connecticut and Indiana are a game back.