Wednesday Cardinal Couple -- The Fist Philosophy

.

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-The Fist Philosophy

-Walz eyeing two for 2014?

-Pinocchio speaks

( Regular Wednesday columnist Jenny O'Bryan has the flu and asked me to fill in for her today. She felt so bad that the missed Saturday's WBB game and a trip she, Renee and friends had booked to go to South Bend and watch the WBB game Monday night.

You know Jenny's got it bad when she misses out on her beloved UofL women's basketball team. Twice in a row and it's really got her down and out. She reports that she is starting to feel a little better, though and we're looking forward to her back on the site next week  - Paulie)

The Fist Philosophy

I developed the "fist philosophy" several years back when I was in a brief period of crisis. I've shared it with a few people over the years, most recently my massage/physical therapist Demond Thompson. As some of you know, I've got shot knees and a bad I.T. tendon in my quad. He does great work and I'd be a lot worse off if it wasn't for his work on me.

He surprised me by putting my philosophy (he named it for me...I never really had a name for it) on his website:

Renaissance Fitness

He did a great job of writing it up and expressing it, better than I do, for sure...so, here it is.

THE FIST PHILOSOPHY

A simple cure for the blues.

This is a suggestion made by my buddy Paul. He told me this the other day and I thought it was brilliant. If you're having a bad day, or having a moment, stop for a second and then open your hand. Then, think about five things you are grateful for.

1. Family. It doesn't matter if it's mother, father, spouse, significant other, siblings or kids. If you're not grateful for any of them, go to extended family :) . After you spend some time here, close your index finger.

2. Friends. This one is a bit fun because there are people you choose to have in your life. Remind yourself of good times you've had and be grateful that you've had them. After you spend some time thinking of them, close your middle finger.

3. Job. (You can use school here, too). Most of us don't like our job ALL of the time, but we like it at least some of the time. If nothing else, your job provides you with an opportunity to earn an income to support yourself and/or your family. And hang out with your friends. After you've spent some time thinking about your job, close your ring finger.

4. Work. Some people confuse their job with their work. Your job is your "nine-to-five" or your 15 credit hours that you earn your living from or pursue to earn a living. Your work is what you were put on the planet to do that only you can do. If your job is your work, that's awesome. Sometimes it's not. I work as a massage/physical therapist, but my job is helping people to get better through better movement. Two related things, but actually different. After spending some time thinking about your work, close your pinky.

5. Life. Be grateful that you're alive. Just by having the problem that you are dwelling on, you have a chance to experience it. We truly get to experience life when we handle our problems head on...because we learn from them. After you've reflected on life a bit, close your thumb around your fingers.

What are you left with?

A fist.

Your hand is strongest when clenched in a fist, and you are strong because of the five things you're grateful for.

Give it a shot and see what you think.

( Thanks for letting me share this with you, CARDINAL COUPLE readers. We'll dive back into the world of UofL women's sports tomorrow...Jeff McAdams grabs the lacrosse stick and challenges Nikki Boltja to a shoot-out. We're not sure what he'll bring to the table tomorrow, but if it's Jeff...it's gonna be good.)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>




White has the coaches flocking to her games

Coach Walz and crew are back out on the recruiting trail before Sunday's game against DePaul from what we hear. Coaches do that, you know. We've heard that a couple of potential targets include Jatatie White and A'ja Wilson.

White, a very impressive post, is highly regarded in the 2014 Class and stands 6'4". She's out of Charlotte, NC and plays for Providence Day School. Can take over games with her scoring and rebounding.

Aja a powerful presence in the paint

Wilson hails from Hopkins, SC and is a 6'3" combo forward. Has the strength and aggressiveness to be an impact player at the next level and another Class of 2014 player that is highly-sought after.

It's no secret that both of these girls are potential benefits to any program they choose and the Cardinal coaching staff is making sure they get a lot of "face time" at their games....as well as others that are on the 2014 radar.

Bringing Sydney Brackemyer into the 2014 class is a major coup for the Cards. The guys at Peach State Hoops love her and she's the type of player that other players would die to play with because she does so many things well and gets her teammates actively involved as well. Syd is all about team.

Obviously, recruiting is a major part of a coach's job. It's the part that doesn't get the press clippings and internet discussion right away...but if the seeds planted now grow into sturdy program contributors...the fruits of the labor are shared by the entire fan base. Coaches are farmers, in a sense. Let's hope the "Cardinal Farmers" have a bumper crop...

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Finally, in a non-women's sports look, clown-prince Bobby Petrino has placed the blame on Arkansas' dismal season after his dismissal on...(wait for it)...him.

Really, Bobby? Ya think? (Paulie delivers "Gibbs slap" to the back of the coach's head.)

He also claims that his new employer (WKU) has a better training and conditioning facility than Arkansas.

They're gonna love that in Fayetteville.

Pinocchio has spoken. Here's hoping Willie Taggert goes 11-1 in Tampa (losing only to the Cards) and B.P. goes 1-11 and ends up working as a salesman at a Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealership.

It just boggles the mind, sometimes. It really does. I wonder if Hilter accepted responsibility for the fall of the Third Reich?




--

--

RED OUT Clothes Must Be Laundered Separately

.
TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

(Staff columnist Sandy Walker brings us the Election Day edition of CARDINAL COUPLE this Tuesday. Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer are the items today. Thanks to Sandy for the updates and for donating her leftover Halloween candy to Bill the Goat out on Hwy 22...campaigning for Loquacious Gadfly! )

Sandy is running late today and has washer loads backed up waiting for the dryer to finish her red out outfit for this Friday’s basketball game.   For now, here are the moments highlights but feel free to promote current news in the comments.

BASKETBALL

It’s here! – the week we have all waited for since our earlier than desired 2012 NCAA tournament exit.   The women’s long awaited return to the court provides two opportunities this weekend.

TEXAS A & M

 This season’s opening game is Friday November 9, 2012.  Just in case you have been so involved with so many  of our schools other successful teams and have not noticed, this Friday’s game is against the 2011 NCAA National Champion Texas A & M.  Tip off is  at the YUM! Center at 7:00 pm.  This is our opportunity to shown A & M all of Louisville’s team and what they can do as last year’s game at Texas found us to be understaffed for the match.  Word is that we can look forward to seeing Mo back on the court, at least for part of the game, as she returns from last season’s injury with Tia soon to follow. 

Friday’s match is a RED OUT where everyone should show up wearing their brightest U of L Red attire.   Kroger is making it easier for us to pack the house by making $2.00 admission tickets be available to anyone who presents a Kroger Plus card at any U of L Ticket office location.  Information can be obtained by calling the U of L  ticket office at (502) 852-5151.

Texas claims everything is larger in their state, but compared to Louisville, attendance at their women’s basketball is not one of them.   Do your part to keep that fact in fact as this year the women strive to become the #1 ranking in women’s basketball attendance.   This has to be the best entertainment value in town.  Coach Walz has encouraged everyone to bring a first time fan to one game then let the team convert them into a full time fan.

The fan that we anticipate is traveling the farthest to see Friday’s game is Oregon native and Cards Fan Philip Van Der Weele.  Philip contacted Cardinal Couple owner Paul Sykes this fall and indicated his intent to attend Louisville’s opening game against Texas A & M and I hear that he already has his 1^st and 2^nd round NCAA Louisville regional tickets purchased.  This is just another example of Louisville’s athletic team influence which is truly coast to coast.   Other long distance visitors are welcome to contact us through the comments or Paul’s e-mail to let us know of your travels.

PORTLAND

Not to worry, basketball fans, we also have something to occupy us on Sunday.  Portland will be in town on Sunday to challenge U of L beginning at noon.   The game, as is normal with our women’s team, will also be at the YUM! Center.    We all need to get our game fix this weekend as the next home game is not until November 28 against Eastern Kentucky which is followed by Kentucky – at our home this year.

TICKETS

Single game tickets went on Sale Monday.   Corner arena and baseline season tickets are still available.  http://www.uoflsports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/102912aaa.html 

Contact the ticket office at 502-852-5151. Also, don’t forget – U of L is pleased to be hosting the first and second rounds of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament in the KFC Yum Center!. Tickets are currently on sale.  Coach Walz had indicated the need to pre-sale at least 8,000 tickets at this year’s award of the openings rounds is hoped to be the beginning of what some day will culminate in the hosting of the Final 4 Championships.  Selection to the 64 team NCAA tournament team will insure that U of L will play in the first round in their regular season home.  A win would give them home court advantage also in the 2^nd round which is also being played in Louisville.   U of L has not enjoyed the tournament home court advantage in recent years, if ever.  I would advise you to get your tickets now before the tournament teams are announced and you find yourself competing with fans from other teams for premium seats.

RECRUITS

We at Cardinal Couple again want congratulate Emmonnie Henderson, Janelle Cannon and Alexis Montgomery for their great choice to become Louisville Cardinals.

L1C4

Are there other top recruits waiting in the wings to announce Louisville as their new home (such as maybe Imani Wright who is reported to be favoring staying in her home state) and join Louisville to be a part of the future in women’s basketball or will Coach Walz save those scholarships for the next season of young stars?  No matter which way it goes we are confident in our Coach’s proven ability to develop the players who want to be here into stars which surpass all of our and the national recruiting sites projected expectations.

100 BEST PROGRAMS IN DIVISION 1

Last week I included information about rankings created by James Bowman of SB Nation / Swish Appeal has again created what it considers to be the best 100 women’s basketball  Division I programs.  I am happy to update that information with Louisville women being named at # 10 in their poll.   The link below includes the Louisville information printed in the poll along with the 1^st through 9^th ranked teams.

These were their rankings of the 100 best programs in Division I. This is not the same thing as the 100 best teams in Division I for the 2012-13 season.  Considerations were Wins and quality of competition, Attendance, Recruiting, and Hitting benchmarks.  Benchmarks are Postseason play, win totals, Conference titles and tournament victories, All Americans and WNBA high draft picks.  Excluded were Faraway glory, Coaching records and longevity and Academics.  http://www.swishappeal.com/2012/11/2/3524410/ncaa-womens-basketball-top-100-programs-recruiting-infractions

TIA GIBBS ARTICLE

The Courier Journal published a great interview article with Tia Gibbs.  It can be found at http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121105/SPORTS02/311050143/Q-Louisville-basketball-player-Tia-Gibbs?nclick_check=1 . 

She is anxious to get back onto the court and has indicated that what she best plans to bring with her is Energy, Leadership and most of all DEFENSE.

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

VOLLEYBALL

Friday is a great opportunity to fill your evening with Louisville women’s sports.  Our 23 -3 Volleyball team plays at Cardinal Arena against Marquette at 4:30.  This leaves plenty of time to watch our Volleycards then head downtown to park then off to a quick dinner before the 7:00 basketball game tip off.   I can’t think of a better way to start your weekend.  This is their next to last match before the Big East Championship begins.   Your final regular season opportunity to see this team in their race to win the Big East Championship is this Sunday November 11 at 12:00.  This match will also be at Cardinal Arena so get your tickets early as a sell out for both matches is anticipated.

Cardinal Volleyball in Cardinal Arena is a loud, rowdy and fun couple of hours spent. It's also intimidating for opponents.

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

SOCCER

Charlyn Corral was selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year. 

Corral, of the Louisville women’s soccer team was selected as the 2012 BIG EAST Conference Midfielder of the Year while three other Cardinals earned All-BIG EAST honors during Thursday night’s awards banquet at the Hartford Downtown Marriott.   Charlyn was also a First Team All-BIG East selection.   Other recognized players were Angelika Uremovich who was named to the Second Team All-BIG EAST team while Chloe Kiefer and Christine Exeter were both named to the All-BIG EAST Third Team.   Complete details can be found at http://www.whas11.com/sports/university-of-louisville-sports/Louisvilles-Corral-named-BIG-EAST-Womens-Soccer-Midfielder-of-the-Year-176888711.html .  

SKILLS CAMP

On February 3, 2013 the women’s soccer program will host a Winter Skills Camp which will be held at the Trager Center at the U of L Campus.   The camp is open to all female soccer players ages 10-14.  Details are at U of L ‘s official website under women’s soccer news.

       

Sandy W.

( Our thanks to Sandy for the updates on our Louisville womens' athletic endeavors!)

Finally, a bit of sad news to pass on. Louisville women's basketball's assistant sports information director Kim Pemberton lost her mother to cancer Monday. It had been a long battle for Barbara and a tough struggle for Kim and the family as well...but the pain is gone now and she is watching over her loved ones now in Heaven.

Kim does a wonderful job keeping us updated and informed on Cardinal Womens' Basketball and our thoughts and prayers are with her during this tough period.

"We are only here for a brief time in the scheme of things. We never are really gone, though. As long as the memories and thoughts continue about those who have gone on to their great reward, they'll live with us forever."
.
..
...

Friday Cardinal Couple -- Revisited

..
FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Oops!


-What we are...


-Happy Birthday Mercedes!


( Written while looking for my shuttlecock & racquet.)


Somehow, the gremlins ate the earlier post we had up here for Friday. Not sure what happened, hope you got a glimpse at it earlier today and we'll try to re-create some of it. 

(Runs into backyard, shaking his fist and screaming at the heavens..."Why? Why? Why? The best stuff I've written since 1989 and you take it from me?" AARRGGHHHH!)


We thought this was a phenomena that only happened to our writer Sandy Walker. Guess we were wrong. 


Maybe the dingo ate it? Link below:


The Dingo ate...


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

IF I recall correctly, we were looking at UofL athletes that were competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Lotta swimmers in that group and our #35 Angel McCoughtry on the hardwood. Carlos Almedia and Pedro Oliveria are swimming for Portugal. Joao De Lucca for Spain and Eszter Povansky for Hungary.

Francisco Garcia and Edgar Sosa were trying to get there for the Dominican Republic men's basketball team but the D.R. failed to qualify. The only silver lining in this cloud is that we don't have to watch their coach (John Calipari) on the sidelines. 


Over 5500 hours of the Olympics on NBC and their affiliates. That's the equal of watching 184 episodes of
Seinfeld. 


Do you have a favorite Olympic event? We've got a poll on the left side of the side you can vote on. 

I like the badminton events. Reminds me of when I won the inter-murals singles tournament in college.
I was pretty ferocious with the shuttlecock and racquet. 


(Insert your joke or wise guy comment here)    


Of course, I also like the basketball, track, swimming...well, I like all of it. Except maybe for rifle events. Not a big gun enthusiast. 


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


We had previously discussed the state, art and philosophy of recruiting here at CARDINAL COUPLE. Jenny did a bang up job on this Wednesday and we've had some great e-mails about it. Make sure and read her article if you missed it. 

We also had some comments that I went in and deleted later. 


Just for the record: 

CARDINAL COUPLE is a website primarily dedicated to the joy and excitement of women's college sports at the University of Louisville from a fan's perspective. (Most of the time). We understand that some of our readers and fans are passionate about recruiting. We like to know who's a prospect to come to Louisville also.


What we won't tolerate is bashing, bad-mouthing and cynical, snarky comments about the program or possible additions to the program here. Feel free to e-mail those to us...but please keep them out of the comments section. 

We appreciate you reading CARDINAL COUPLE. We're excited about the upcoming fall sports at UofL. Let's do what we can to promote the joy and excitement of womens'  sports at UofL and stay away from the "Debbie Downer, Curtis Critical and Sammy Slammer" type of stuff. 


Remember that coaches, players, recruits and parents read CARDINAL COUPLE. Let's express to them the great things about UofL, the coaches, staff, players and campus. 


L1C4, baby! 


Thanks. 


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

Finally, a very happy birthday to high school girls basketball superstar Mercedes Russell! We hope it's a GREAT one for you!


GO CARDS!


(I had Paul McCartney write and sing this song especially for her. OK...I really didn't...but it's a fun, little birthday ditty to get up and boogie to for a couple of minutes. Consider it a mini cardio-vascular workout.)


Stay seated, Asia...we want that hip to heal.


If it's your birthday today...first of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY and show your receipt to our CARDINAL COUPLE cashier when leaving to receive a free toothpick!  


The video below was filmed in the KFC YUM! Center last night when word got out it was Mercedes' birthday. 


(OK...that's not true, either..but wouldn't it be fun to have Paul McCartney come to the YUM?) Maybe for a WBB game.


LINK: BIRTHDAY SONG 


Have a wunnerful Friday everyone and a "tip of the hat and wink" to CARDINAL COUPLE reader and my "bestest, little buddy" J.P....glad the surgery went well and you'll be tossing touchdown passes again in no time. 


Be strong, Live strong, Stay Strong.


--your senile, senior columnist and co-owner
Paulie
.
..
...

Women's Golf finishes 5th in Vegas....BIG EAST Tuesday Recap

.

WEDNESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

-Women's Golf finishes fifth in Lady Rebel Invitational



-BIG EAST Tuesday results, standings

-Happy Birthday !

Led by senior Anna-Karin Llungstrom's 229, the Lady Cardinal golfers finished fifth in the prestigious Lady Rebel Spring Invitational in Las Vegas. The Cards finished with a total score of 918 for the three-day event. Arizona won with a score of 872.

Llungstrom's score placed her 23rd overall. She was closely followed by senior Maria Castallanos' 230 (24th.) and Emily Haas 232 (26th.) Junior Candace Wiley logged 237 for the three days as did Katie Petrino. Also competing for the Cards as individuals were Tara Lyons (235) and Sara Karlsson (236)


The Cards tee it up again on Feb.27th in the Sir Pizza Cards Challenge.









**************************************************************************** BIG EAST WBB ACTION from Tuesday night:

-- UConn stayed within a game of conference-leading Notre Dame with a 86-37 romp of BIG EAST winless Pitt. This one was 48-10 at halftime Huskies. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis with 23 for the 12-2 Connecticut squad in BIG EAST play.

-- Cincinnati remains hot...downing Marquette 60-46. They led 39-22 at the break. Bjonee Reaves led four Bearcats in double figures with 15. UC is now 6-8 in conference play and hosts WVU Saturday.

--St John's took sole posession of third place in the BIG EAST by knocking off visiting West Virginia 63-54. The Red Storm held on to a 31-18 halftime lead and got 26 points from Nadriah McKenith...one of three in double figures for SJU.

--Rutgers overpowered Seton Hall in the RAC 62-39. They climb into a three-way tie for sixth place in the BIG EAST. April Sykes totalled 17 points for C.Vivian Stringer's squad. Rutgers led 28-19 at the half

--Syracuse surprised DePaul in Chicago 81-65. Rachel Coffey and Carmen Tyson-Thomas with 22 each for the Orange. The 'Cuse led 37-36 at the break. Anna Martin was one of three Blue Demons in double figures with 18 points.

Everyone is off until Saturday now. Eight games on the busy schedule:

DePaul @ Louisville (BETV) noon
Georgetown @ Syracuse 1 p.m
Rutgers @ Providence 2 p.m.
Seton Hall @ Pitt (the battle of the BIG EAST winless) 2 p.m.
USF @ Notre Dame 2 p.m.
WVA @ Cincy 2 p.m.
UConn @ Marquette 3 p.m.
Villanova @ St. John's 3 p.m.

Louisville needs to take care of business against the Blue Demons and cheer for a Providence win over Rutgers toregain sole possession of sixth place. They also hope Cincy can knock off WVU in order to climb into a tie for 5th with the Mountaineers.



BIG EAST STANDINGS


Notre Dame 13-1 
UConn 12-2 
St. John's 11-3 
Georgetown 10-4 
WVU 9-5
Louisville 8-6 
DePaul 8-6 
Rutgers 8-6
USF 7-7
Cincy 6-8
Syracuse 6-8
Villanova 5-9
Providence 5-9
Marquette 4-10
Pitt 0-14
Seton Hall 0-14 



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

 Finally,today


Join me in wishing CARDINAL COUPLE Co-Owner and Senior Columnist Paul Sykes a Happy Birthday! Enjoy the day off! I hope the steak is medium rare, the suds tasty and the evening lively! Thanks for CARDINAL COUPLE and the chance to be a part of it.



David Watson


( A very special thanks to David Watson for being CARDINAL COUPLE today. And, to all of you for your kind comments, e-mails, phone calls and texts. Sonja's birthday is Friday, so let's give her a bunch of fond wishes as well.)


Thanks !
Paul Sykes
.
..
.

Sharo looks to shine at UofL

Cornwell, NY soccer star Kim Sharo has chosen the
University of Louisville as her soccer home for the 2011
season. The senior striker has scored 40 goals and
recorded 44 assists over the last two seasons for
Cornwell (NY).

Thanks to Justin Rodriguez (Times Herald-Record) for
the great article below and Chet Gordon (Times Herald-
Record) for the action shot of Sharo. Also, muchas gracias
to Charlie Springer (UofL Card Game) for the heads up
on the piece.

You can read the entire article at the following link:
www/recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20100711/SPORTS31/7110343

Below are some excerpts from Rodriguez's piece.

CORNWALL SOCCER STAR SHARO HEADED FOR LOUISVILLE.

by Justin Rodriguez

Kim Sharo clicked on the University of Louisville's
women's soccer website every day. She scanned the roster, researching all the players, keeping track of team news, checking out statistics. Almost obsessed, this is where Sharo, a star striker at Cornwall, had to play.

And, she will in the fall of 2011.

Sharo, entering her senior year, has verbally committed to the BIG EAST school. She said she will receive an academic/athletic scholarship which will pay about 1/2 her expenses as a freshman. Louisville costs approximately $40,000 per year to attend.

"I've always wanted to play at a school at this level," said Sharo, who has 40 goals and 44 assists over the last two years at Cornwall. "I'm very happy to be playing in the BIG EAST. I checked out everything about Louisville and really liked it. I'm really excited I don't have to worry about picking a college anymore."

Sharo, who was helped Cornwall to three straight Section 9 Class A titles, was also interested in Seton Hall, UNC-Charlotte and Rider University. However, Louisville became a player when assistant coach Kyle Singer was impressed with Sharo's performance with her club team, Quickstrike FC, at a college showcase at Players Development Academy in Zarephath, N.J. over the Memorial Day weekend.

Singer and Sharo's club coach, Jesse Kolmel, kept in touch after the PDA event. She visited Louisville last week and committed to the Cards on Friday.

"Kim worked hard for this and she deserves it." Cornwall coach Rick Miller said. "She plays year round with her club team, and it has all paid off. It's hard to believe she's a senior. It seems just like yesterday we brought her up. I'm proud of her and, hopefully, she scores some more goals for us this fall before she leaves."

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

After minimal deliberation and considering his sorely lacking finances, CARDINAL COUPLE chief writer and co-owner Paul Sykes has decided not to follow LeBron James to the Miami Heat.

"I thought about it for a few minutes...the beach, nice weather and a few hours away from Key West and all...but I am going to remain in Louisville." Sykes commented after cutting the grass Sunday afternoon. " The temptation of being close to Rachel, my brother-in-law Gary and his family...plus Coach Schnellenberger in Boca Raton was pretty tempting but the fans of CARDINAL COUPLE have spoken and I'll be here for the foreseeable future. Besides, I hated Dwayne Wade when he played for Marquette...except when they beat Kentucky. Truth be told, I didn't care much for Steve Novak, Tom Crean..all those guys that were associated with that Marquette team.

I have no idea who Chris Bosh is.

I'm scheduled to be in some fairly interesting cornhole games later this summer...and I definitely don't want to miss the UK vs. UofL football game, or the Lady Cards opening against Tennessee, so I'm passing on this non-existent offer to head to South Beach.

I dig what Pat Riley did with Rupp's Runts and all..and I really like his hairstyle..but they don't have a Mulligan's in Miami and I doubt my van would handle the trip down there to begin with.

If ESPN had offered to do an hour long special about my decision...wow, wouldn't that have been cool!...but they hung up on me when I pitched it. "

Sykes, whose reputed ties with the Louisville Irish Mafia and known village idiot Tommy Boy have never been fully explained or investigated, looks forward to a fall of raking leaves, trimming the hedges and sipping Bud Select at various events.

"I'm a Lakers fan anyway...and there's a few people that still owe me money up here after they spanked the Celtics...plus I know of a couple of really promising two year olds that are on track to debut at Churchill Downs this fall...so, the 'Ville is still where I want to be...unless Sonja sends me packing like she threatened to do after that whole messy 'Pineapple Captain' incident a couple of weeks ago."

John Asher was not contacted concerning this story. But, he did attend Western Kentucky University and is probably closely following the stuff mentioned in the article below.

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

According to Eric Crawford, over at the Courier-Journal...Western Kentucky University no longer wants to be referred to as "Western" when it comes to sports athletics. They are now WKU.

We, at CARDINAL COUPLE, can see their argument. Sonja attended Western...oops, WKU... and when she tells people where she attended, sometimes they will ask "Western where?" Usually, it's someone from out-of-state, a foreigner or her forgetful uncle Teddy.

Not that the requested moniker "WKU" is going to clear any of that up. It sounds like a low wattage AM radio station or a governmental agency.

I like a good Western every once in awhile, especially if John Wayne is in it..but that has nothing to do with the university in Bowling Green.

I see a trend surfacing here. What if both Murray State and Morehead State want to be known as "MSU"? Not to mention Michigan State and Mississippi State. Is there a Western Kansas University? Another WKU conflict here? But, since Wood Selig left Bowling Green to pursue other employment opportunities, I like WKU better these days and I'm OK with WKU. Does it count as a word if I play Scrabble?

WKU it is, then. Next, Eastern Kentucky University will clamor for EKU reference status and I can't wait to see what Lindsey Wilson is going to ask for. (The college, not the Iowa State womens' basketball player.)

Probably another Ashley Rainey...