Free agent sportswriter and contributor to Louisville's Leo Weekly. Current mantra: "No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." -- Samuel Johnson
#Louisville
renaming airport after Muhammad Ali reminds me of a story, likely apocryphal:
Ali boards a flight. Flight attendant says he must buckle his seat belt.
"Superman don't need no seat belt," says the champ.
"Superman," flight attendant replies, "don't need no airplane."
John Calipari's Hall of Fame coaching career is no more impressive than his efforts to mobilize Kentucky fans in times of crisis. Take a bow, Coach Cal.
Louisville interim athletic director Josh Heird said the New York Knicks waived a buyout clause that helped clear the way for Kenny Payne to take the U of L job.
It takes a special kind of courage to run toward the gunfire in times of crisis. Whatever issues exist within the police, we should not lose sight that there are men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of us all.
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announces all samples from the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks programs have cleared drug testing.
Can I get an amen?
Since Louisville had an NCAA title vacated over stripper-related issues with no competitive significance, can Michigan’s CFP title survive NCAA investigation of its improper sign-stealing? If so, a double standard exists. If so, U of L should put its banner back up.
Breaking news: All of those Courier Journal subscribers who canceled their subscriptions (or claimed to have canceled subscriptions they didn't have) on my account, it is now safe to return to the C-J because I have been laid off. Do not ask for whom the bell tolls, etc.
Dusty May told me tonight, “I never received any death threats (from Louisville fans) I’ve never receives any threats at all, period.” He said the passion of Louisville fans did not cause him cold feet; “It was one of the things I was most attracted to.” (Stay tuned for more).
John Calipari had to know he had lost his mandate at Kentucky and that a fresh start was best for all concerned. On his way out, though, I hope UK fans appreciate how well and how often he used his position to mobilize Big Blue Nation to help charitable causes.
LeBron James has more class, more conscience, more compassion and more talent than POTUS. And one wife, zero bankruptcies and zero porn star payoffs. POTUS out of his league picking a fight with him.
Deng Adel made an awful mistake at the end of
#Louisville
's loss to Virginia, but he sat at his locker and fielded every question. A lot of athletes would have made themselves scarce. Few are as accountable.
Whatever you might think of John Calipari as a basketball coach, he recognizes the power of his presence and his platform and consistently uses them for good.
I’m at Pennyrile State Park in Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
UK basketball coach John Calipari is out talking to some of the tornado survivors who are living here.
Bob Baffert inducted into Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame. Trainer ended his acceptance speech as follows:
“I couldn’t float like a butterfly.
I couldn’t sting like a bee.
But here I am in the same hall
as Muhammad Ali.”
“I hope to set the tone that we have to be transparent. If I’m the only one that knows what’s going on, if I’m the only one that holds the cards, if we have not shared information with people, you get bad decisions faster." -- Neeli Bendapudi, the Louisville Cardinal, 8/21/2018
Have had my share of conflict with Matt Jones, but I fail to see why an undeclared candidate should be taken off the air. Feels like overreach by McConnell camp.
Louisville women’s basketball’s Mykasa Robinson, who served as a graduate assistant last season after a distinguished playing career, is leaving town to become an assistant coach at Marshall. Selfless, team-first player seemed destined to be a coach. Happy trails.
Oakland University received a donation from a Louisville fan who annually rewards the school that knocks Kentucky out of the NCAA Tournament. That’s a story worth telling. If you know this person, please send him or her my way.
This is a bad business if your goal is popularity, but the outpouring of affection for Jody Demling as he battles coronavirus symptoms has been striking. Jody has shown it is possible for a media guy to be well-connected, well-informed and well-liked. Pretty rare trifecta.
Don't think Louisville volleyball can fill the KFC Yum Center on a regular basis -- even if the Cards should win the NCAA title Saturday against Texas -- but Dani Busboom Kelly's program has outgrown its campus arena and earned a bigger stage.
Louisville women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz leaves athletic director listening tour stop early to get on a Zoom call with a 6-5 recruit, saying “People say we’ve got to get bigger.”
Former Louisville star Butch Beard on U of L basketball: “They have run it into the ground. Right now the basketball program is in the Ohio River, right next to the Belle of Louisville. The Belle of Louisville is going to float. The basketball program is getting ready to drown."
In Teddy Bridgewater and Lamar Jackson,
#Louisville
has had two remarkable quarterbacks in a short span. Both have carried themselves with grace and dignity. Worth remembering when the news is not so good.
Don't know where the road will lead Mike Pegues, but here's hoping Louisville's interim basketball coach lands softly. He inherited a tough situation without head coaching experience, handled himself with grace and humor, and pushed Virginia to the buzzer in ACC Tournament.
Would someone please explain how observing speed limits, wearing seat belts and stopping for red lights is any less of an infringement on your individual rights than wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing in a life-and-death battle with a pandemic.
Louisville interim athletic director Josh Heird says U of L is close to creating a Name, Image and Likeness department to support his No. 1 priority: putting U of L in "best position possible to attract the best talent" in recruiting.
One year ago today, Dr. Steven Etoch and his team cut me open for an emergency aortic dissection. Am pleased to report my heart is still beating and, therefore, my gratitude is still undying.
Interviewed Louisville football coach Scott Satterfield in a conference room at Cardinal Stadium. Behind him was a board with U of L’s 2022 opponents. The logo for Kentucky was upside down. Satterfield said this was the work of a graduate assistant. Ah, rivalries.
Asked Carl Jones about the possibility his son, Carlik, might return to
#Louisville
next season: "If the NBA ain’t talking about what he’s talking about, I think he will come back. He doesn’t want to go to no developmental G-League, any of that. He wants to play basketball."
Louisville interim AD Josh Heird has reached out to former U of L star Butch Beard, who asked last year to be disassociated from his alma mater. Beard still has issues with U of L, but Heird's call reopened communication and demonstrated a desire to heal old wounds. Smart move.
Louisville’s next men’s basketball coach has to know how quickly fans will return at the slightest sign of hope. Selling $8,000 worth of Oakland T-shirts to Louisville zip codes overnight after Kentucky’s tournament loss a reminder of how much people still care.
If you’ve been in contact with me recently, do yourself a favor and get a COVID-19 test. I tested positive this morning and can assure Rand Paul it was not because I was being theatrical with multiple masks.
Definition of "presidential" has changed a lot since 2016, but Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear showing the kind of leadership and decency that could play on a larger stage.
Five years ago today, the U.S. Attorney and FBI announced a major investigation into corruption in college basketball. Five years later, the University of Louisville is still waiting for resolution of the Brian Bowen case. Its IARP hearing ended 99 days ago.
Louisville athletics reports a recent surge of seven-figure donations totaling $19 million from Alro Steel, Junior Bridgeman, Sandra Frazier, Dennis & Lagara Goulait, L&N Federal Credit Union, Kroger, Louisville Distilling Company, Jim Patterson, Isac Roths & Al J. Schneider Co.
Arrived at the Minneapolis airport to find Louisville coach Jeff Walz waiting at the baggage claim (for his son). Walz was kind enough to give two reporters a ride and, like Rainman, is an excellent driver.
Spoke to a racing insider who doesn’t trust Trakus yesterday, but the saddlecloth sensors show Rich Strike ran 58 feet further than did runner-up Epicenter in the Kentucky Derby. Also, Rich Strike’s top speed of 44.2 mph was two miles faster than any other horse in the field.
Followed Louisville baseball on the radio Friday and was struck (again) by the smooth and savvy work of Sean Moth (
@CardsPA
). It's no secret to U of L fans, but he is definitely big-league caliber.
Would like to see Gov. Bevin waiting for a weather-delayed bus in the kind of coat a poor family can afford and tell us about how our kids are getting soft.
Former
#Louisville
trustee Bill Stone agrees with Rick Pitino that university should fight to restore its vacated 2013 NCAA Championship:
"I think the university owes it to its devoted fan base to develop a strategy to get that banner back. This should still be on the agenda."
Number of people reporting New Zealand Breakers have approached Rick Pitino about coaching gig. Here's his response: "It's total BS -- someone trying to poke fun at me. . .Lot of comedians out of work."
Whatever happens in overtime, it's ridiculous top-seeded North Carolina State must play Connecticut in Bridgeport before an overwhelmingly UConn crowd.
Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz wants Thursday's cancelation to count as a Virginia forfeit. That would keep U of L even with N.C. State in ACC standings (at 12-1) and prevent possibility of Wolfpack winning conference by playing one extra game.
In separate conversations less than five minutes apart Saturday, two people with strong ties to Louisville hoops told me Bruce Pearl should be U of L’s next coach. Can’t see school overlooking Pearl’s NCAA rap sheet, but many fans more interested in results than reputation.
Raise your hand if you’re outraged by Joe Biden forgiving student loans but voted for Trump’s tax cuts for the ultra-rich. Then do us all a favor and never say another word about anything.
If you want to know why the United States led the medal count in Tokyo, a lot of the credit goes to Title IX. U.S. women accounted for 66 of America's 113 medals.
Understand objections to naming Louisville airport after a figure as controversial as Muhammad Ali, but would hope (and doubt) same people who have a problem with honoring conscientious objectors are at least equally offended by draft dodging through bogus bone spurs.
University of Louisville Athletic Association approves contract for new men’s basketball coach Kenny Payne and an extension for women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz.
Louisville's All-America setter Tori Dilfer fought back tears during the post-match press conference Thursday night, but said, "I’m incredibly grateful. Can’t thank them enough. Coming to Louisville was the best decision I’ve ever made."
Well-connected Louisville source told me to expect a big announcement tomorrow morning. Rumors of U of L President Neeli Bendapudi taking the Penn State job just stunning.
Louisville captain Malik Williams tells U of L tipoff luncheon crowd:, “National championship is the goal and that should be the standard and the expectation.”
Louisville fan wants to know what it will cost to make me retire. My asking price is $2 million. For $3 million, I will sit in a dunking booth while Vince Tyra fires fastballs at the target.
MIT grad sent me a stat so stunning I had to double-check it: In its
#NCAA
regional victories over Stanford and Oregon State, the longest run
#Louisville
allowed was three points. Three!
Thanks to all those who have responded to my COVID-19 positive with kindness and concern. Still not much energy, but my only pain is due to my NCAA bracket.
Congratulations to Louisville guard Caleb Chandler, who was named first-team All-America by Pro Football Focus as the only Power Five conference guard to earn pass-blocking grades of better than 90%. Take a bow, Caleb.
Asked Louisville WBB coach Jeff Walz if Hailey Van Lith's departure were NIL related: "She graduates in May with a finance degree," he said. "(Transferring) Gives her a chance to get Masters degree from another institution. She didn't mention NIL as reason."
Good to remember there's almost always more to the story than what you see on the surface: Jimbo Fisher's move to Texas A&M not only a money grab. It puts him closer to world-class Houston hospitals. His youngest son has a rare and life-threatening blood disorder.
Louisville AD Josh Heird to make a "special announcement" at 9 a.m. Thursday morning at Cardinal Stadium. My first guess was that it was a naming rights deal, but am told that's not the case. Appears to be a significant gift or sponsorship of some kind.
Former
#Louisville
coach Rick Pitino says he is starting a podcast in conjunction with his forthcoming book (due out on Sept. 4). Long a critic of social media, Pitino even plans to start a Twitter account.
Louisville Dani Busboom Kelly could become the first female coach to win a Division I volleyball championship. And, experts believe, she could be the first person to win as a player, an assistant coach and a head coach.
Not to be that guy, but I am that guy: Kentucky's Lynn Bowden referred to Louisville as wearing the "opposite color." According to the color wheel, however, the opposite of blue is orange; the opposite of red is green.
I like Kenny Payne and I respect Ricky Jones, but the decision on whether Payne will get a third year at Louisville is almost certainly not a matter of black and white, but green. Too many empty seats for a program that was long college basketball’s most profitable.
Louisville needs to give strong consideration to minority candidates in hiring its next basketball coach. But if Scott Drew is interested, the reigning NCAA champ would be tough to top.
Mayor Craig Greenberg on Louisville and the WNBA: "We’re working a few angles. We’re making it known in WNBA world that we want a team here. I think the community would support it. I think Louisville has the potential to be the women’s professional sports capital of the world."
Was told Friday night New York Knicks were reluctant to let Kenny Payne go. Asked Louisville AD Josh Heird about what changed their minds. “There wasn’t any persuasion,” he said. “It was them simply realizing how much this opportunity meant to Kenny.”
New Bloomberg story on University of Louisville quotes interim president Greg Postel as follows: “I love sports, but athletics is overemphasized. This is a university, not a sports complex.”
Saturday's Louisville-South Florida game shapes up as a Top 10 matchup in one respect: USF's Jeff Scott ranks No. 1 in Coaches Hot Seat rankings; U of L's Scott Satterfield is No. 8.