While growing up I idolized my grandfather. He was a bodybuilder, track star, and Black belt, just a great athlete. In his spare time, he was an artist. When my family would visit him, I was always intrigued by a painting he had done of a Cardinal.
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So when I was roughly 5 or 6 years old I started drawing this picture all the time. All through school in art class or on books or in my spare time I would draw this picture (accompanying this post).
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On a recruiting trip to Ole Miss, I was involved a car wreck that was rather odd. When I got out of the vehicle a Cardinal bird swooped by and perched itself in a nearby tree. It looked just like the painting I had drawn for over 14 years.
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My next recruiting trip was to Louisville. I knew this was some kind of sign. After having breakfast with Coach Schnellenburger he offered me a scholarship to come to the University of Louisville. I told him that I would accept and that for years I knew I would be a Cardinal one day. I did tell Coach that my last trip was to the University of Hawaii. All coach said was, “Ahhhh, just don’t change your mind!” in that gruff voice of his.
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By the way, before my Grandfather passed on, I asked him for one thing. I asked if I could have the Cardinal painting. To this day the painting hangs on the wall of my sports room, as a reminder of my grandfather. When people see it they always ask why the painting, I have a chance to tell them the story of how I got to Louisville.
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My years at the University of Louisville were some of the best years of my life. I know folks say that kickers are superstitious. Well, I guess I fall into that category.
Editor’s Note: The writer is a former UofL kicker who played under Howard Schnellenberger from 1988 to 1991, with many highlights, including an 84-yard punt in one game and three field goals in a 9-7 win over West Virginia in Louisville in 1990.
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By Klaus Wilmsmeyer
Are you the one who talked to Trevor Black my nephew? We would love for him to get a kicking scholarship somewhere?
Klaus is apparently out of town. I will pass this along to him.
Not only were my wife at that game we were there with my frat brother from Beckley, WV. We had an hour and a half drive back to Beckley with them. You have no idea how hard it was not yell “YES!!” all the way back.
PS. Dave admitted he thought Greg Brohm did catch the pass inside the 10.
Klaus –
Those were great years for the program. Inspiring atletes like yourself are part of what great college sports is all about. Thank you for all your contributions that allowed us to, as Howard put it, on many fall Saturdays to “Hang another scalp on our tree of tradition!”
BTW, given the obvious country of origin of your family, was your grandfather a Turner? We, too, are German and my family was involved with the Louisville American Turners. Though beer and softball came to dominate the local group, gymnists and fitness in general have always been a focus.
I was at that game against WVU in Morgantown and will never forget that punt. I continue to tell the story to this day.
Thanks for sharing the story Klaus. I admired your kicking for so many years. You were one our best offensive weapons at a time when we needed good kicking the most.