Author Archive for Paul Sykes
Paul Sykes owns Paul Sykes Advertising and does contract work for other advertising and publishing firms. The proud husband of Sonja, he has a fascination with bears, bars and Cardinal sports. Definitely a son of a son of a sailor.
Louisville Makes Marquette Look Good
By Paul Sykes
Ugly, embarrassing loss to an inspired Marquette team, driven by extra heavy dose of adrenaline and determined not to make this a typical Louisville-Marquette cliffhanger.
- Samardo Samuels allowing himself to be shut down by the smaller, quicker Marquette front line. Stubborn at times, refusing to kick the ball out from the double team, getting stripped or simply losing control of the ball.
- Marquette getting 24 attempts from the free throw line while Louisville was getting just two. Rakeem Buckles going 1 for 2 for the Cards.
- Rick Pitino trying every motivation technique and player combination possible, getting nothing in return but a flat, dull effort, the players denying themselves an unchallenged NCAA bid and a slippery slope on the bubble
- Future opponents looking for success just need to play a small, quick lineup and double team Samuels or Terrence Jennings.
If U of L wants to make the NCAA tournament, it may have to do it the hard way: beating a revenge-minded, thoroughly-prepared No. 1-ranked team in the country a second time this Saturday.
Tempers Flare In U of L-Rutgers Women’s Game
By Paul Sykes
In a game marred by technical fouls and shoving matches at the end, Rutgers blew by the University of Louisville women’s basketball team 72-52 in the regular season finale.
With her team up by 20 with seconds remaining in the game, April Sykes decided to drive to the basket instead of letting time expire. Gwen Rucker, who had earlier bloodied Sykes’ nose with an elbow shot, fouls her one more time. Rutgers sub Erika Wheeler shoves Rucker, Rachel Story shoves Wheeler and the whistles erupt.
The officials give Rutgers the ball out of bounds with five seconds remaining. Sykes proceeds to hurl the ball off Monique Reid’s back during the in-bounds play. More shoving and both teams are sent to their benches. Sykes should have held the ball and let the clock run out. It’s what you do when you’re up by 20 points.
In basketball action:
Rachel Story had a career high 16 points for Louisville, most of it mop up duty but an impressive performance, Monique Reid with 13 after sitting eight minutes in the first half with foul problems … Keisha Hines with nine turnovers, mostly traveling violations … Becky Burke with three three-pointers but playing matador defense.
With its 16th loss in 29 games, Louisville will enter the Big East Tournament as the No. 13 seed, playing in the first game on Friday at noon against Pittsburgh, the 12 seed.
Jurich, Strong Discussed Louisville Job In October
New U of L Football Coach Wows Churchill Downs Crowd
By Paul Sykes
University of Louisville football coach Charlie Strong held an overflow crowd of Churchill Downs Turf Club members and guests in the palm of his hand during a three-hour meet and greet Wednesday evening.
Accompanied by his wife, Strong was greeted with a rock star ovation and literally had to fight his way to the stage to speak to the raucous and appreciative crowd.
Strong was introduced by Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich, who told the crowd:
- The plan to replace Steve Kragthorpe as football coach intensified after former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy repeatedly confirmed Jurich’s beliefs about Strong as the ideal candidate to take over Cardinal football.
- U of L maintained contact with Strong during his final season as Florida defensive coordinator. Strong told Jurich after the Florida vs. Arkansas game in October, “There comes a time when you have to make a change in your life and Louisville is the place I want to be.”
Strong told the crowd returning players are on a strict conditioning and workout routine under the guidance of strength coach Pat Moore, who was also in attendance. He guaranteed to the crowd “we will play hard. I can’t tell you how many games we will win our first year..but we will play hard in each and every one of them.”
Strong also went on to say that “I have never been anywhere where I have been so welcome. My family and me. People are honestly thankful I am here and that’s an incredible feeling.”
After his remarks, Strong worked the crowd, shaking hands, posing for photos and signing autographs. He was still hard at work when this attendee left at 9 p.m.
My minute of fame with Charlie tonight? A vigorous handshake and discussion of the fun appearance he had at the Parrish House on signing day. He will be back there this fall for a preseason analysis of how the team is doing in fall practice.
His words for me to share with our Card Game followers:
“Paul, tell them that I want them in the seats. Loud and crazy.”
Saying Goodbye To Freedom Hall, Part Two
Sykes Gets The Call On Legendary Hardwood
By Paul Sykes
I’ll always remember getting the chance to play a game at Freedom Hall. It was 1973 and I was a junior in high school. We had won our district tournament, advancing to Freedom Hall for the regional playoffs.
The thrill of getting ready for the game in the locker room where the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Colonels prepared was exciting enough. But to run out onto the court and participate in warm-up drills and layups was a dream come true.
"Goal by S-y-k-e-s," Tong intoned. I was grinning ear to ear. "At the line, shooting one ... S-y-k-e-s." I dribbled, went through the motions and released a perfect swish at the free throw line.
I’m sure it was just me but the rim and backboard didn’t seem as high as in our home gym. I seemed to soar thru the air during the pregame layup and shooting practice, confident I could “slam one home” for a dunk. Dunks weren’t allowed in high school hoops at the time.
I didn’t start and didn’t play during the first half. Still, it was exciting to sit on the sideline, hearing the legendary public address call of John Tong. We were in a close game and Freedom Hall was about half full.
I got my chance to play inn the third quarter. Our center had picked up two quick infractions and went to the bench with four fouls. I remember hearing John Tong making the substitution announcement. Seconds later I was running up and down the legendary hardwood.
Near the end of the quarter, I received a bounce pass in the paint and went to the hoop to try and score. The opposing center tried to block my shot but instead fouled me. The basket went in and I was headed to the foul line.
“Goal by S-y-k-e-s.” Tong intoned. I was grinning ear to ear. “At the line, shooting one … S-y-k-e-s.” I dribbled, went through the motions and released a perfect swish at the free throw line. After that, I returned to the bench.
I was sent back in when our center fouled out. I soon heard my name once again … a second time
“Foul on number 33 … Sykes.”
Our opponent pulled away with a minute to go. The coach emptied the bench so some of the scrubs could play. Near the end of regulation, I tipped in a missed shot back through the hoop, hearing my name still another time. Unfortunately, it was the only time I ever played there, not making it back my senior year.
“At the l-i-n-e, Sykes.” Heady stuff.
Walz Visits With Top 10 Recruit
By Paul Sykes
The travel itinerary between games is intense for Jeff Walz as he skips across the country to Portland when he hopes to persuade Oregon point guard Shoni Schimmel to join the Louisville women’s basketball team’s 2010 class.
Shoni Schimmel
Schimmel, a 5-foot-9 top 10 point guard, has narrowed her selections down to Oregon, Stanford, Louisville, Rutgers and Duke. She’s an innovative, game-changing point guard garnering Pete Maravich comparisons as a three-point specialist.
She was recently in town to see the Cards play UConn and returned home impressed with the large turnout and the fervor of the Louisville fan base.
Schimmel’s younger sister, Jude, is a 2011 prospect. Their Portland Franklin High School team is coached by their mother, Ceci Moses.
* * *
Other U of L recruits at the UConn game included Sarah Hammond, of Rockcastle County, and Kyvin Goodin-Roger and Makayla Epps, both from Marion County.
Kyvin is the daughter of Tick Rogers, former U of L guard, and Makayla is daughter of Anthony Epps, ex-Kentucky guard.
