TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE

( Sandy Walker brings us the weekly Walker walk through Cardinal Women's Athletics. Whether it's wickets wildly waving thru the wicked winter wind or balls bouncing briskly by Bearno's By The Bridge...Sandy's knows about it and isn't afraid to share it with us, you and the staff chimps. It's Laundry Day at CARDINAL COUPLE and Sandy gets to keep all she finds in the pockets.) 



This week Sandy has spent time checking the laundry provisions for all of the women's teams.   We are happy to report that every squad appears to be well supplied with the materials they need.

Coco's young niece Stinky reacting to the Cardinal Couple's Corporate office new installation.  The

national impending budget crisis has resulted in orders for the staff to cut costs.  ( Editor's note: We have also 

cut out the Thursday afternoon buffet and jousting events which were costing us a forutne and blocking traffic on Floyd Street for rush hour. Things came to a head when Co-Co accidently rode her steed over Tom Jurich's car during competiton.)

This great invention allows us to re-use the laundry water to flush the toilet.  She just realized that we must wait until there is laundry being rinsed before she can flush. 

SOFTBALL

Junior Pitcher Caralisa Connell     

4-0 for the week by pitching two

one-hit shutouts  brought her the title of BIG EAST pitcher

of the week.   To date they have a team 12-2 record for the season.

The 18^th ranked team will next play this weekend in Orlando, FL at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.  Games begin in the 2013 Citrus Classic on Friday and conclude on Sunday where they will meet 9^th ranked Texas, Temple, Longwood, Georgia Tech and 10^th ranked LSU.

After that battle the team should be happy to return home the next weekend where they begin a 10 game home stand which extends through March 20^th before again hitting the road so after marking your calendars from http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-softbl/sched/lou-w-softbl-sched.html get out your lawn chairs and blankets and plan to spend some time at Ulmer Stadium.

 

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LACROSSE

Lacrosse wins again!

Saturday the team again charged to victory, this time over Old Dominion 21-3.  Six players scored multiple goals all contributed to the teams 3-0 win-loss start. 
 

For her efforts junior goalkeeper Ashley Herbst  

was named this week to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.  In 56 minutes of play against Old Dominion she made eight saves and collected two ground balls. Stats over the 3 games played to date find her ninth-best nationally in goals-against average, 11^th-best in save percentage clips while also ranked 26th in the nation for saves.

Coach Young is as happy as a pig with boots!

Next the team is packing their bags for Colorado as they play again this Saturday against Denver.

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE NEWS

Lacrosse magazine author Robbie Levin has named Sacred Heart Academy as the 10^th ranked high school team from the South region.  In addition the magazine has listed among the girl’s games to watch the March 1 Kentucky Country Day verses the No. 10 ranked Sacred Heart Academy.  Looks like KY has some up and coming Lacrosse players available where Head Coach Kellie Young

Kellie Young

can continue this year’s change in pattern which is to recruit then train experienced Lacrosse players instead of good athletes who she then teaches the beginning steps of how to play Lacrosse.   It looks like even better days are ahead for this team.

LAX TERMINOLOGY

Foul Play!   

A violation of the rules results in a major or minor foul, awarding a free position to the fouled player. It is a major foul when a player charges, pushes, trips, blocks, or makes physical contact with an opponent; "slashes" an opposing ballcarrier;

commits a "shooting space violation;" or invades the body space of an opposing player, such as touching her stick to that player's body. A minor foul is called if a player uses her stick or foot to shield a ground ball; if a player kicks the ball or touches it with her hands (except for the goalie inside her crease). Also, no part of a player's body or stick may enter the crease while the goalie is in her position there.

(Taken from Lacrosse 101 at

 http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/081506aab.html)

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GRANNY’S GOT GAME MOVIE UPDATE

The Beaufort International Film Festival was the location where out of 28 submitted films, Granny’s Got Game, won the Audience Choice award after being voted their favorite.    The event was extra special as 5 of the Fabulous 70s basketball players (Judy, Mary, Sarah, Shirley, and Wanda) were able to attend. 

Granny's Got Game is a documentary film about a senior women's basketball team in North Carolina. These seven fiercely competitive women in their seventies battle physical limitations and skepticism to keep doing what they love. The film follows them for a year as they compete for another National Senior Games championship.” The movie pre-view can be seen at http://www.grannysgotgame.com/.

You can watch an interview of the film maker, Angela Gorsica Alford, and the ladies who attended on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW0pfu2fCIA&feature=youtu.be. It is hoped that eventually a showing will come to our area.

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KFC YUM! CENTER REPLAYS

I take absolutely no credit for the change  but since I complained a couple of weeks ago about the lack of replays during the women’s basketball games at the KFC YUM! CENTER I absolutely have noticed more replays being shown.   Good Move !

(Editor's note...Just to clarify, that WASN'T Sandy standing behind Louisville public address announcer Sean Moth screaming "Show IT, Show it again, Baldy!" after a good Cardinal play in the South Florida game. Unfortunately, good plays were a rarity in the USF game...unless you focused in on Andrea Smith's three-point shooting or Inga Orekhova's drives to the hoop.)

Anything that so easily increases the fan’s entertainment and enjoyment of the time spent at the games is a good deal.   Particularly for an idea that does not appear to increase the arena costs.  With more of the women’s home games now on television where the at home fan is shown multiple replays and also has the ability the view their own choice of replays we need the bucket in the KFC YUM! CENTER seat fan to experience as much of this as possible.

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SOCCER


Women’s soccer hosted their awards banquet on Feb 8 and was held at the PNC Club inside Papa Johns Stadium.    Awards went to Chloe Kiefer for Most Valuable Player and as the MVP Defensive player, Charlyn Corral was named the Offensive MVP, Megan Berberick was chosen for the 12^th Man Award, Julie Casselman earned the Cardinal Award and Angelika Uremovickh was selected for the Coach's Award.



Nicole Gerber

For an inside the look at the Louisville women’s soccer program, GoCards.com will provide weekly updates in a "Behind the Scenes" blog. Throughout the spring semester they will provide weekly blog updates. For the month of February, Nicole Gerber takes on this task.  Her article and others throughout the season can be read at http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/022213aac.html.



Mark your calendars for April 7 as Old Miss is coming to town for the Soccer Cards first home game this season at Cardinal Park – It appears that this season may be the last for play inside the track as Athletic Director Tom Jurich has announced a target date of spring 2014 for the opening of a new 17.5 million dollar state of the art facility dedicated specifically for soccer.  Teams currently have been playing at the Cardinal Park Soccer and Track Stadium.
 

It was opened in the spring of 2000 and seats 2200 fans which soon will not be close to enough seating for their fans. The construction which was hoped to be completed for the schools entry into the ACC now has the go ahead to begin thanks to the recently announced 5 million dollar donation by Dr. Mark Lynn and his wife, Cindy.  Their generosity brings U of L to within 3 million of their total goal.  The University of Louisville continues to grow their facilities with the intent to be the best for ALL athletes.

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BASKETBALL

Calling all Basketball fans – Wednesday is absolutely your last time this season to see the basketball women at home during the regular season.   This week’s game against Seton Hall which begins at 7:00 is also Seniors Night.  

 

  Come out to honor and show your appreciation for the women’s 3 basketball seniors, Shelby, Asia and Monique.

(Editor's note...Jeff Walz, pictured here, has felt the stress and strain of a season filled with injuries and ever-so-tough BIG EAST competiton. Coach remains optimistic, though, that this team...in whatever shape and form it travels to Hartford in...will give a good account of itsself in the BIG EAST Tournament. Coach Walz will have his first radio show tonight at 5:30 p.m. on 790 Cards Radio WKRD. Please don't call up and order a large sausage with green peppers or ask if Little Richie is going to play Weds. night and how many points is he going to score...)

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2013 NCAA Tournament Selection Show

Once again the women’s basketball fans are invited to join the team for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show where the fate of our team in the first round of big dance will be disclosed.  Doors to the KFC YUM! Center will open at 6:00 on Monday March 18 with the ESPN selection show beginning at 7:00.  Those of you who arrive late will be shuttled to the outdoor viewing station.

Admission is free where you will not only to learn what teams will be coming to Louisville for the 1^st and 2^nd rounds of play but also where you and your kids can experience inflatable’s and a free photo booth.
 

The Selection Show will be featured on the scoreboard at the arena and seating will be limited to sections 115, 116, and 117.  Fans can also purchase tickets for the March 24 and 26^th games when they can experience Louisville hosting the first ever NCAA first and second round games ever to be held at the KFC YUM! Center.
 

For more information please contact Katie Kiper at 852.0721 or email her at Katie@gocards.com.

Sandy

Holiday Activities, Games and Travel

Cardinal Couple spares no expense as this week they send Sandy to the west coast for coverage of the top game in the country.   CC also plans to provide backup laundry coverage during the trip.

Travel to Stanford v UConn Game

This week not only finds me frantically trying to keep up with this week’s laundry but also packing for a trip to Palo Alto, CA (home of Stanford Women’s Basketball) where hopefully the weather God’s will allow me to arrive in time to watch the UConn @ Stanford women’s basketball game this Saturday where either Stanford’s # 1 national position will be solidified or where Big East member Connecticut will take over the top ranking. 

Currently the trip is in flux as when I went to the Cardinal Couple worldwide office to submit my travel voucher I found that Timmy had cleaned out the travel and candy fundraiser accounts for his next week’s trip to Co-Co’s SEP game being held in the People’s Republic of Domesticated Chimps located somewhere off the coast of Tahiti.  I have been forced to barter for his twin cousin’s staying at my home with my 4 legged kids.  

I hope to provide a first-hand report of the game where it is reported that all 7500 seats have been sold.   Louisville once again finds itself so fortunate to be located in an area where not only basketball but all of women’s sports are so well supported by the community.

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SWIMMING - DIVING

The student athlete of the week is the swim team’s Lindsey Stephens.  She plans to become a physical therapist after graduation.  Her profile can be found at http://www.gocards.com/sports/c-swim/spec-rel/121412aaa.html.  She is a senior from Louisville, KY and is a member of the Dive Team.

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LACROSSE

This Year’s Lacrosse team has named their team captains.  Coach Kellie Young has announced that the team has again named Katie Oliverio, Monica Negron and Janaye Dzikewich as captains for the 2^nd year.  This year begins the LaCrosse teams 6^th season of play with the first match against Canisius at home on February 10.   I hope their uniforms have a snow suit option.  Go to http://www.gocards.com/sports/w-lacros/spec-rel/122012aaa.html for individual and team information.

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GOLF

Congratulations continue to go to Louisville for our team facilities.  The Tom Musselman Practice Facility, Cardinal Club, has been selected as a 2012 Golf Range Association of America Top 50 Range in the Private Category. 

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BASKETBALL

Make sure your calendars are marked for Louisville’s next game which is at home on New Year ’s Eve.   End your 2012 year in the best possible way which begins at the KFC YUM! Center where at 6:00 pm you can watch the 12^th ranked (11-2) women defeat Tennessee State in the last non-conference game of the season.   After the game you can move on to dinner at one of the downtown eateries while waiting to participate in the downtown festivities and ringing in the New Year.

Tuesday Cardinal Couple: "Granny's Got Game"

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TUESDAY CARDINAL COUPLE


-Granny's Got Game


( If it's Tuesday...and we're 99% sure it is...we feature CARDINAL COUPLE writer Sandy Walker. Also, be sure to check out today's other article on Geno and the Hallway accusations. )

A while back I came across a website where a group of women – all older than 70 – were the focus of an, in process documentary film called “Granny’s Got Game.”  At http://www.grannysgotgame.com/extended.htm you can read and view video about seven North Carolina senior women who despite age, physical problems and yes, social stigma, are competing in basketball with plans to participate in another National Senior Games championship in the over 70 years old division.  The documentary is still in process of being completed as funding has proved a problem but I encourage you to go to the site and meet these women who grew up in an era which today’s players can only imagine.  

As you watch and read about these women perhaps it will encourage you and others you know to get out there and check out these games which are next being held in Cleveland, Ohio on July 21-August 1, 2013.  At http://www.nsga.com/2013-national-games you can read about 13 sports and their rules where medals are awarded to teams from competition sponsored by the National Senior Games Association.

Benjamin Franklin knew way before our time that “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.”  We are fortunate in Louisville to have at least one group of women who are putting those words into practice as they prepare to participate in three on three basketball at the 2013 Cleveland games.   They are attempting to qualify in their 3^rd national games as they have previously participated in the California and Texas games.  

The Louisville Survivors from the 2011 games are shown here by from left to right:  Von Macklin, Lynn Osborne, Amy Hamm, Jamie Wadell, Peggy Baisch, Marilyn Leicht.  As a team they participated in the 2011 three-on-three women’s basketball games.   

Of course, our bodies don’t bounce when we hit the floor like they once did but apparently these ladies are still tough enough.   Jamie Wadell has now recovered from her 2011 game injury which led to Achilles tendon surgery while Lynn and Von also have recovered from various injuries and all are now practicing with the team.  The survivors must first qualify as the KY region representatives and then they will move on to play in the Cleveland games. 

The 2012-2013 team also includes former University of Louisville basketball player, Shirley Campbell.  She joins former U of L players Jamie Wadell and Von Macklin.

There is still time to pull your own team together and qualify in archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cycling, golf, horseshoes, pickleball, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, softball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, triathlon or volleyball.


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GENO once again in the NEWS

The Associated Press and others, including the U of L Sock Monkey, report

(photo from plushland.com)

that Geno Auriemma has been sued by a NBA woman security official who claims she was removed from an assignment to the 2012 London Olympic games after earlier spurning an advance from Geno.  Obviously litigation complaints only tell one side of the story but honestly, which side do you even want to believe?  Think about it!

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Sandy Walker




( for more on the Geno story...see the article following Sandy's column.)
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WBB on TV Saturday

A nice treat for local University of Louisville women's basketball fans today. The Lady Cards game against Georgetown will be on WHAS TV. Tipoff is 2 p.m.

Makes for a great day of watching Cardinal basketball. The men play Pitt at noon and this one is a TV game as well. WHAS has the coverage also. If you are out of town and want your fix for Cardinal basketball, check out www.uoflsports.com. You can subscribe to receive all the broadcasts and enjoy the Cards while surfing the internet. My favorite way to follow the Lady Cards on the road (if I can't be there in person) is to tune in to 790 WKRD and listen to the Jim Kelch play by play and Adrienne Johnson's color commentary. Kelch does a fantastic job with the game action. Enjoy him while you can...he leaves Louisville in the spring to be the play by play announcer for the Cincinnati Reds.

Pictured above, Becky Burke leads the Cards in scoring this year with 15.7 points per game. The sophomore is the only true three point threat for Jeff Walz's team and has cashed in on 37 of them so far this season. Louisville (10-6, 2-1) will also need another big game from Monique Reid today if they are to defeat a well disciplined and defensive oriented Hoya squad. Defensive pressure after made basket will be essential to get the Cards transition game in full swing.

Georgetown (14-2, 3-0) is one of the early surprises in Big East Womens basketball this year. Freshman Sugar Rodgers leads the Lady Hoyas in scoring with 19 points a game and is one of the front runners for Big East Freshman of the year.

IF you like watching women's basketball, there will be a barnburner on ESPN tonight at 9 p.m. #1 UConn and #3 Notre Dame go to war in Hartford. I'm not sure if I'll be able to stomach 2 hours of Dickie Vitale calling a womens' game but Doris Burke will be on hand also to talk Dickie V off the ledge and add some sanity to the broadcast..


Remember, also that Notre Dame visits Freedom Hall Tuesday night to face the Lady Cards. It's a "red out" game and the Hall should be packed. If you haven't got tickets for this one yet, don't delay. It should be a great one to attend. If you are a season ticket holder and have a scheduling conflict for any of the UofL women's games...don't let those tickets go to waste! You can drop them off at Freedom Hall at Guest Services and they will be redistributed to needy fans who might not be able to attend otherwise.

Gear up, stock the cooler, get the wings and dip ready early...a great day ahead of us for Cardinal hoops!

Written by Sonja 1/16/10