Ron Mann hires Sheehan as assistant...Tom Collen hires his wife (again)...Big Ten hires Nebraska

SATURDAY CARDINAL COUPLE :

-TARYN SHEEHAN joins UofL Track and Field staff

-FORMER UOFL WOMEN'S BB COACH HIRES WIFE

-NEBRASKA OFFICIALLY JOINS BIG 10...uhhh 11...maybe 12...whatever!

Ron Mann has announced that Taryn Sheehan has joined the UofL Track and Field team as an assistant coach. Sheehan competed as a distance runner at UofL for a year (2007-08) and comes to Louisville from Western Michigan...where she held a similar job.

She was Taryn Gibson when
she ran the 3000m in record
time for the Cards.

"We wanted to bolster our distance program to prepare for the NCAA Cross Country Championships when we host it in 2012. Taryn's addition will certainly help us from that standpoint. This also provides us with the opportunity to build the Louisville family with coaches who have been a part of the program in the past and are familiar with Louisville and our supportive community" Mann said about the hiring.

Taryn sounds excited to be back in Louisville:

"When we (her and her husband) were driving in this week and we crossed the (Ohio) river, I felt like I was home again" Sheehan confided. "I loved my time here as an athlete and I started my coaching career here as a volunteer. The chance to come home and take the women' team specifically to another level is an opportunity I'm very excited about."

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Former UofL head women's basketball coach Tom Collen is up to his old tricks again, bring wife Nicki on boards as an assistant coach down at Arkansas. She replaces Tim Eatman, who was Collen's assistant coach and defensive guru. Eatman heads to Boston College to take a similar position in the rough and tough ACC. Nicki will take over the defense and work with the guards. She is the second new hire to Arkansas's staff in the last two months....Tari Cummings joined the Razorbacks when Zenarae Antonie, who was with the Collen's at Louisville, took the head coaching job at Texas State.

Nicki Collen was an assistant for her husband at Colorado State and Louisville in previous years and also held the assistant coaching position at Ball State. She also did a little radio work as color commentator for Lady Cards hoops.

We'll always remember Tom for a couple of things...he did help develop the talent of Jazz Covington, Candyce Bingham and Angel McCoughtry...three of the best to ever don a Lady Cards uniform...and his acceptance of the Arkansas slot gave Tom Jurich the chance to bring in a highly praised Maryland assistant by the name of Jeff Walz.  

Maybe Tim Eatman got an offer he couldn't refuse at B.C. Maybe he saw the writing on the wall that the Razorbacks weren't going to become the bullies of the SEC. In Eatman's four years as an assistant to Collen at Arkansas , the team has complied a 69-63 record. In four years at Louisville...they were 88-37. Best of luck to the Razorbacks as they slug it out in a SEC Western Division that isn't nearly as strong as the Eastern Division.

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Nebraska officially joined the BIG TEN Friday. Gives them 12 teams now. Since the BIG 12 name is already taken, the BIG TEN is stuck with their current moniker. They'll officially start play on Aug 19th. as a BIG TEN member when their women's soccer team battles North Carolina. They may do well in the BIG TEN in women's basketball...leaving a conference that has Baylor and Texas A&M powerhouses....along with always tough Oklahoma and Texas. BIG TEN women's hoops hasn't been relevant in years...with Purdue and maybe Michigan State the only two teams to fear.

Despite the drop-down in competition for women's hoops...the Cornhuskers are going to be a part of a powerhouse football conference with Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and the rest. Can you name all 12 teams in the BIG TEN?  Which one was the hardest for you to come up with? In OUR case...Paul had to stretch to remember that Minnesota was a member and Sonja always gets confused on whether Iowa or Iowa State is a member. (It's Iowa).

OK, we've given you over half the conference here...see if you can name the other five members...

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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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Softball? It's only a month away...

FRIDAY CARDINAL COUPLE:.

-Softball soon. .

-Cards Big East top performers.

-Collen clouts Cats.

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With the wintry mix swirling around the Louisville area this morning, it's hard to think about the crack of a softball off an aluminum bat or sitting in the bleachers and wearing sunglasses in Ulmer Stadium...but UofL Softball gets underway on Feb.10th., and the first home game will be Feb. 25th. Sandy Pearsall (pictured right) has a powerhouse returning.

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Louisville will play 22 games at home this year and the BIG EAST Softball Tournament returns to Ulmer Stadium in May 2011. Besides conference foes Villanova, Seton Hall, Connecticut, and Providence visiting Louisville...the Cards will also play host to Kentucky, Michigan, WKU, SIUE, Boston University, Wright State and Miami (OH). They'll play in six tournaments or classics to begin the season...travelling to Austin, Tuscaloosa, Cookeville (TN), and San Diego in addition to hosting two tournaments in Ulmer.

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Louisville lists 19 players on the 2011 squad...five of them freshmen. Caralisa Connell is a pitcher/infielder who saw fall action for the Cards and is out of MTSU territory (Murfreesboro, TN.) Taner Fowler hails from Union County, KY. and is an infield player/catcher. Katie Keller, a infielder from Livermore, CA. hails from the west coast...as does utility player Hannah Klyohara...from Auburn, WA. Maggie Ruckenbrod, a catcher/infielder rounds out the freshman class and comes from St.Louis.

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The Cards lose Melissa Roth and Kristen Wadwell to graduation but return a powerful hitting lineup featuring Chelsea Bemis, Kristin Austin, Jennifer Esteban, Chelsea Jordan, Katelyn Mann, Christina Roesel, Jordan Trimble, Colby Wherry and Alicja Wolny. The Cards also bring back two experienced hurlers from 2010 in Tori Collins and Chelsea Leonard.

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CARDINAL COUPLE will endeavor to get a pre-season commentary and preview with head coach Pearsall before the season begins. She was a tough one to catch for commentary last year. Heck, we may even try to get in a little batting and fielding practice as well. I'm guessing Paul could still put one over the left field fence (as long as they're 'slow pitching' him...). The "big guy" was a fence clearer back in his prime...

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No surprise here...Louisville leads BIG EAST schools in home attendance for women's basketball. The LADY CARDS have drawn an average of 11,394 for the first seven home games...those numbers aided by 22,000+ crowds for Tennessee and UK. Connecticut is pulling in 9000+ after eight home appearances and Notre Dame is seeing crowds of 8400+ in the Purcell Pavillion after nine home games. No other BIG EAST squad is over 3000 in home attendance...although all but Georgetown and Providence have access to facilities that will handle 3000+. With the excellent season DePaul is having...would have figured Doug Bruno's Lady Blue Demons would be drawing more. There is a lot to in the 'Windy City', though...

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Shoni Schimmel was second in the Big East in assists thru 13 games and Monique Reid second in shooting percentage at 58.6%. Becky Burke second in three point shooting % at 42.6% and Sherrone Vails third in blocked shots for the season.

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Louisville is fifth in the BIG EAST in scoring...averaging 78.6 points per game. The LADY CARDS are fourth in field goal percentage (46.8%) and second in 3-point field goals made with 99 thru 13 games. They lead the BIG EAST in 3-point field goal percentage (37.4%). The Cards also have the most steals in the BIG EAST this year with 173 thru 13 games. Steal, shoot and score....sounds like a pretty good formula for wins....

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Ex UofL head coach Tom Collen must have watched the UofL vs. UK game video...his Arkansas Razorbacks defeated UK 78-67 last night in Fayetteville. Arkansas jumped out to a 35-27 halftime lead and won going away. Former (Louisville) Fairdale star C'eira Ricketts led the Hog charge with 19 points. # 25 Arkansas is 13-1 this season, defeating Oklahoma and losing only to Florida. The Hogs held UK to 28.4% shooting while going 50% from the field. Like Louisville, though...they had no answer for UK senior Victoria Dunlap. 'V.D.' punished Collen's crew for 26 points and 13 rebounds. Her 11-18 efforts from the charity stripe weren't spectacular...but UK outscored Arky 23-6 on 2nd chance points and had 10 steals. 42 total fouls in this one and whistle happy Dee Kanter was part of the officiating crew... along with Tina Napier. UK guard and (Louisville) Iroquois product A'dia Mathies fouled out after 13 points. Two losses in a row for Mattie Mitchell's Big Blue and a disappearance from the top 25...

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Collen has had a history of building great pre-conference records in his 4 years at Arkansas and then falling by the wayside in SEC play. The SEC West doesn't look all that powerful this year, though...and with LSU falling to South Carolina last night...the Hogs may finally have a plus .500 effort in the SEC. WE wonder if the LADY CARDS will ever schedule a home and away with Arkansas?

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