The holidays are demanding, taking a toll on Card Game, neglecting posts while busting a gut to spread cheer and warmth. Back again.

The parties are over, the cards have mailed, the gift all purchased, the family get-togethers have occured, the children’s gifts distributed, the long, long waits in customer lines and at traffic lights are over. One more day, the big day, the time to celebrate the real meaning, to enjoy the warmth of the day that matters most, with the best wife in the world.
Thanks to all the fans who visit Card Game, thanks for your loyalty, reading the posts and sharing your thoughts. What we share in common is an affinity for the University of Louisville and an unquenchable thirst to see the atheltic program achieve great heights. As we celebrate Christmas again, one has to reflect on what a great year 2012 has been for the University of Louisville.
  • The year will be remembered most for UofL being invited to the Atlantic Coast Conference, one of the best all-around leagues in collegiate athletics. After decades of wandering in the wilderness, the optimism and patience of Louisville fans was finally rewarded with the recognition the university has long deserved. This observer was walking on air for weeks after the invitation arrived. Now we bide our time for another year until it becomes a reality, no longer on the outside looking in.
  • The anxious days of waiting for Charlie Strong to make it official, that he was turning down an offer to become head football coach at the University of Tennessee. Finally, a football coach who lives up to his word, means what he says when he says he loves the university and the commmunity. He may or may not be the best coach around but he’s the best person for the job at UofL.
  • The legendary performance of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, hobbling around on one good leg and throwing with one good arm. Engineering an unbelievable comeback over Rutgers in the final game of the regular season, leading UofL to another BCS bowl. The scene afterward where Teddy is crying, embracing offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, has no equal, a great quaterback playing his heart out for the team he loves. UofL fans will be talking about that performance en route to their first ever Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
  • The UofL basketball team finally putting everything together at the end of last season,going on a nine-game winning streak that winds up in the NCAA’s Final Four. Rick Pitino finally assembling the configuration of coaches, recruiters and players he needs to return the Cardinals to national prominence. Starting off the current season ranked among the top two teams in America in the leading basketball polls.
  • Many good days at Jim Patterson Stadium watching Dan McDonnell’s baseball team, anticipating an expansion that will double the seating capacity. Good nights at the KFC Yum! Center enjoying Jeff Walz’ women’s basketball team growing and maturing, becoming more competitive. Ken Lolla guiding his soccer team to another Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA tournament. And who will ever forget Sandy Pearsall’s softball team chalking up a phenomenal total of 55 wins.
  • What a great 15th year under the administration of Tom Jurich. How fortunate we are that Jurich recognized the potential of this university and has applied his considerable talents and energy into transforming UofL into the force that it has become under his leadership. A man who played football in the late 40’s at UofL spoke for all of us when he told Jurich that he could never have imagined what has happened on Belknap Campus over the last 15 years.

No matter who we are or what we do, the University of Louisville is an integral part of our lives. We give, we take, we share, and we support and treasure everything UofL means to our families at this special time of year … and all year long.

Merry Christmas.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

5 thoughts on “What a year for U of L athletics”
  1. Where are you Rasputin?? It’s time to take your foot out of your mouth.

    Rasputin says:
    November 22, 2012 at 12:53 am
    Steveko obviously hasn’t been paying attention to what is happening. Virginia Tech says it may be open to an SEC invite. Everybody knows NC State would go in a heart beat. Big Ten said to be considering Virginia and North Carolina. Florida State threatens to leave if Louisville isn’t invited to the ACC.

    Your precious ACC just might be the next Big East, Steveko. Wake up and look at what’s going on around you. This is not the old days.

  2. Merry Christmas to all Card Game readers!

    Charlie, thank you for giving us this site which offers a unique perspective on UofL Sports each and every day. Thank you for giving us the inspiration and careful guidance to start CARDINAL COUPLE.

    Paul

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