U of L Card Game

Louisville waits patiently until Big 12 gets its conference realignment act together

Well, here we sit waiting. And waiting. 

Still.

More than a year now since the University of Louisville was first mentioned as a possible candidate for Big 12 Conference membership. One day U of L seems to be a shoo-in, the next day an untouchable. Sometimes the in and out occurs several times during a day. So much doublespeak, so many falsehoods, leaks, red herrings and rumors.

In fact, the conference realignment process often seems more driven by anonymous posters on fan message boards than the professionals overseeing the conferences.

Passed over for West Virginia, with a good football program, a fair basketball program and not much else. Presumably because UofL wouldn’t dump on the Big East Conference to get to the Big 12.

Now Louisville seems to falling behind, per all the leaks and rumors. This time to Florida State and any other team in the Athletic Coast Conference that wants to get out of there. Clemson, even. A program that won a national football championship 30 years ago but is largely irrelevant in any other sport. Who else? Well, there’s Virginia Tech, maybe Maryland.

One thing UofL seems to lack, and it’s a huge impediment in a sport driven by stereotypes, is much of a football tradition. The future with Charlie Strong seems largely irrelevant in the cliques of academicians, TV network executives and former jocks making the decisions about Big 12 expansion. A larger TV market might be helpful is desirable but Louisville is among the top 50 and that doesn’t seem to be helping much.

A UofL athletic program so deserving still waiting, among the most financially successful in college athletics, winning conference championships, competing at the highest levels in basketball and a constant presence in NCAA tournaments in Olympic sports, a football program clearly on the rise, with athletic facilities that are among the newest, the largest and of the highest quality, and a growing fan base that is among the most devoted in the country.

The Big 12 knows what Louisville can bring to the conference, that’s why they keep stringing UofL along. But all the foot dragging, procrastination, and indecision has more to do with outdated stereotypes than reality. The old guard is territorial, slow to accept change, and overly cautious, even when opportunity is staring it in the face.

There is no grand plan, involving logic or common sense. So we will continue to wait, unlikely to learn our fate only after people in the inner circles are backed into a position where are forced to actually make decisions. And wait some more.

Get on board for Louisville football

Vance Bedford, the defensive coordinator for the University of Louisville, was discussing the loss of 17 seniors from the team at a press conference prior to the beginning of the 2011 football season. 

So few veterans on the team that U of L was ranked near the bottom of college football in experience.

But coach, came the question from the observer, is it possible that the talent you’re bringing in is at a much higher level than what you are replacing.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, and U of L fans will never forget the rest of his answer:

Seniors out on a winning note

Justin Amlung is congratulated by Dan McDonnell during Senior Day ceremonies before the University of Louisville-Morehead baseball game Tuesday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Amlung, who attended St. X, is actually a junior but is expected to go early in the Major League Baseball draft. He went from being a walk-on during his freshman year to becoming the Cardinal ace the past two seasons, posting an 8-3 won-lost record this year.

Other players saying goodbye on Senior Day were Stewart Ijames, Travis Tingle and Derek Self.

Louisville used eight pitchers during the game, with Self on the mound in the ninth inning, sealing an 8-3 victory. Ijames belted a three-run double in the eighth inning to end the suspense.

Will Johnny U be moving?

Charlie Strong was asked during a recent press conference if he had given any thought to moving the statue of Johnny Unitas, which is largely concealed by a rubberized tunnel during Louisville football games.  ”Hmm. That’s a good idea,” he said. The program is committed to a $7 million-plus renovation of the football training complex. Moving the statue about five feet to the east would set Johnny U free.

Pitino back to blogging

Conference realignment nibble

Conference realignment speculation ad nauseum.

The observer chooses to go with this Big 12 tweet from Bryan Fisher who covers college football and recruiting for CBSSports.com:

Liking this one.

Louisville rains on St. John’s, 6-4

Dan McDonnell admits he’s stubborn when it comes to weather and baseball. He thought about playing two games Saturday because of a bad weather forecast.

The forecast for Sunday would be accurate. Louisvillians waking up to rain pounding on rooftops, the soaking continuing throughout the morning and well into the afternoon.

No way U of L is playing St. John’s is there? Not during a steady drizzle. Out of curiosity, the wipers going full blast, the observer tunes in 1570 on the car radio at one o’clock.

Surprise. Sean Moth is behind the microphone, calling the game. Not sounding good, Louisville behind 2-0 after three innings.

The next inning, however, Stewart Ijames will hit his 45th home run as a Cardinal, his 12th this season sending Ty Young across the plate and tying the score.  UofL will score four more in the sixth on a bases-loaded double by Kyle Gibson, who would score on a suicide squeeze bunt by Cole Stugeon.

Freshman Jared Ruxer picking up his seven win against one loss, thanks to some timely relief pitching by the versatile Sturgeon who cleans up Derek Self’s bases-loaded quagmire in the eighth inning, Louisville hanging on for a 6-4 win.

Rain or shine, McDonnell was going to make this game happen. The win returns UofL to one game behind St. John’s with three league games remaining.