News & Commentary
About the standing at football games
When should fans stand or not stand at a University of Louisville football game?
Some would say stand the entire game. That’s what they do at places like South Bend, College Station, and Gainesville. Not going to happen anytime soon at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. Trying standing for the whole game and you may not make it through the game. A lot of people (some of them angry or doing a slow burn) are sitting behind you.
Maybe after Charlie Strong has been here for three or four seasons, things will change. But for now, here are few guidelines:
When to stand:
- U of L enters stadium the first time.
- Opening kickoff (and every kickoff thereafter).
- Playing of school fight song.
- Cardinal mascot parachute landing.
- Recognition of former players and coaches.
- Opponents are jumping on the Cardinal logo.
- When U of L players motion for you to get up.
- Louisville gains more than 20 yards on a play.
- Anytime U of L scores.
- Defense sacks an opposing quarterback.
- Defense forces a fumble.
- Defense recovers a fumble.
- Defense makes an interception.
- Anytime U of L scores.
Stay seated:
- For the introduction of Dean’s Milk Chug mascot.
- If someone is trying to start the wave.
- If you’re freezing your butt off at the Liberty Bowl.
- When the band plays “Y-M-C-A”.
- A fight breaks out five or six sections away.
- You’re on a cell phone waving to a caller on the other side of the stadium.
- You’re trying to get a free T-shirt from Row QQ.
- Waving signs for TV cameras.
- If you’re the only one standing in your section.
Have some additions? Share them.
Stefan LeFors will do color
Sitting beside Paul Rogers in the broadcast booth this fall will be an all-time favorite of many University of Louisville fans, Stefan LeFors, bringing a quarterback’s perspective as the color man on U of L football broadcasts. He replaces Craig Swabek who will be coaching in the high school ranks. Doug Ormay is expected to continue as sideline reporter. More on Stefan here.
Antoine Harris, a safety on the University of Louisville’s 2005 Gator Bowl team, has been picked up the Philadelphia Eagles. He initially played with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2007. He incurred groin and knees injuries in 2009.
And that’s 31 former U of L players in the NFL now.
Ten (10) parking spots and room for an RV on the corner of Floyd and Boxley. In front of the old ticket office/Cardinal Inn. Directly across from the east side of PJCS. Prefer to sell as a package deal. Price $2,000 for season. Contact Al Parrish at 905-3318.
Charlie Strong will accept only best effort
By Paul Sykes
Speaking at the monthly meeting of the Sportmen’s Supper Club on Wednesday, Charlie Strong made very clear in his 25-minute talk that he’ll only accept one thing out of his University of Louisville football players this fall.
Their best.
The conclusion was inescapable for the 200 fans in attendance: Bring it or go elsewhere. Maximum effort will go hand-in-hand with high expectations and coaches who are here to win.
“I can’t tell you what our record will be this year yet,” he said. “That and whether we’ll beat Kentucky are the two most questions people ask me.”
Strong confided, however. “What I will tell you is that I’ll have a team on the field that will give me and the fans 100 per cent. Or, they won’t be out there. Don’t know who will be my starting quaterback yet but I will tell you it’ll be the guy who does the best job this fall in practice”
Strong offered a few glimpses into some decision he has made since arriving on the U of L Campus, including moving of Darius Ashley from offense to defense.
“I like him over there,” said Strong. “He made the commitment, he’s down to about 180-185 pounds and he looks like a defensive back. I think he’ll please us, the fans and himself with the commitment.”
On Doug Beaumont:
“I told him: You take one to the end zone this year, and yeah, I’ll let you spike it. (The remark drew the biggest round of laughter of the evening.)
On Josh Chichester:
“He’s 6-foot-9. He should be able to catch something, shouldn’t he? He’ll get a chance to prove it to us”
On the season ahead:
“We have seven home games. Seven chances for you to get out there and get behind this team. I want you out there supporting these guys. We’re going to do everything we can to get them ready. You get behind them.”
* * *
Charlie Strong is not a care free distributor of words. Each one counts, like he hopes each action by his defensive and offensive does. He tells you in plain, simple and clear English what he expects. He knows that he didn’t inheirit a ton of returning talent.
He believes he can make what he has better, make them try hard and he is confident he can build upon what he has each year. He is grateful for his chance to finally wear the head coaching cap. He is putting his all into it and he has high standards.
That, alone, should please Louisville fans this upcoming season. He’s here to get the job done. He expects the same out of those who will coach with him and play for him. He is driven and determined.
Cardinal fans, we are fortunate to have him. Let him know. This isn’t a waffling, iffy, introspective Steve Kragthorpe. This is Charlie Strong coming at you, all barrels blazing and ready to settle this thing.
I have a feeling he will, much to the satisfaction of those watching and waiting.








