The Flip with Lip
November 20, 2010 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 20, 2010
Louisville, Ky. - Hello to all you fine Cardinal fans - what a fun couple weeks it has been. The BIG EAST tournament was an incredible experience, and another notch on our belt.
I've never seen the team more excited as we packed the bus before we were to catch our private, chartered flight bound for Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey. The bros were constantly sharing their insights of what was to come. All I know from start to finish, the trip was better than I ever imagined.
The routine this trip was completely different from the past. This trip, we didn't have to deal with checking bags or timely security procedures. We didn't have to deal with the chaos of the busy airports with a million of things going on at once. Instead of being dropped off at the terminal, our bus pulled through a security gate and parked beside our aircraft. We were instructed to board the plan as the airport employees loaded our luggage from the bus to the plane. Most of the bros were pleased with this service, but for Buck Tufty, uneasiness took hold. The thought of not being able to physically load his bag left the possibility of his bag being left in Louisville! And when Tufty didn't see his bag after we landed and were filing into our bus, sheer panic took hold. Due to the loudness of the plane's engine, Tufty had to yell at Coach Mario and an airport employee saying he didn't see his bag in the transfer from plane to bus. For the rest of us patiently waiting on the bus, we watched Tufty face-to-face with the staff for about five minutes. Tufty's bag was accounted for, and we where on our way to the hotel.
The Spa at The Hilton was something else. Class, class, class. Upon arriving Brock's Grandmother greeted us with an ancient Hawaiian tradition called "getting leid". A lei is a beautiful flower necklace that symbolizes peace and beauty. Brock's grandmother put one around each of us and gently kissed us on the cheek. It was really cool. We were very fortunate to call The Hilton home for the next couple of days. When I walked into our room I noticed Jimmy Crick playing the business man look, lounging in a white robe, reading the New York Times, sipping coffee, and always acting the part. After all, Jimbo tutors half the students in athletics and maintains an incredible G.P.A. of 4.0, at least. Our BIG EAST banquet was in a few hours, it was time to clean up real nice.
The banquet was nice. The four teams (Providence, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame) dressed like gentlemen. Every once in a while I would see a bro wearing runners because he forgot to pack "nice" shoes. It was a unique style. Not surprisingly, your Cards had lots of awards and recognitions. Awards went as followed: Dylan Mares - all-rookie team, Rookie of the Year, and second team all-conference, Colin Rolfe - first team all-conference, Paulo DelPiccolo - third team all-conference, Kenney Walker - third team all-conference, Austin Berry - first team all-conference and Defensive Player of the Year, Nick DeLeon - first team all-conference, and for our coaches who make it happen - coaching staff of the year. SShheeww. That's a long list, and deservingly so. Dylan Mares did a great job with his rookie of the year speech considering he was put on the spot in front of roughly a 100 people. I liked the part towards then end as he started to pound his fist on the podium like he was the Soviet Union Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev addressing the United Nations. It was a joyous evening.
The following morning we ate breakfast, then departed for the grand stage, the Red Bull Stadium. The stadium was about 30 minutes away depending on traffic. It was everything and more... We can't begin to tell you how lucky we where to have had this experience. The BIG EAST was the only conference to put something like this together. Everything thing from means of travel, hotel, stadium, live coverage and fans made this trip beyond anything we have been a part of here at U of L. And that wasn't the best of it. The best was getting' that W baby. Coach once wisely said to enjoy the atmosphere, but what's important is between those lines. We came all this way for one thing and one thing only, the championship. After J.T. Murray banged one home for the win against Notre Dame in the semifinals, Andre Boudreaux won us the championship with his game-winning save in a penalty shoot out against Providence in the finals. What a feeling... The bros were running all over place dog piling on top of Dre. I was told I was caught on camera becoming over-whelmed with excitement letting out a triumphant roar next to the pile... It was too much, I blacked out.
A shout out is necessary for David Stockum for his play of knighting Colin Rolfe with the corner flag after Rolfe smacked home his goal against Providence. That's what I'm talking about.
It was an amazing experience. I can honestly say this is just a glimpse of all the festive moments the team had been a part of last weekend. We can't thank our fans enough for your support thus far. You continue make this journey incredible and we can't thank you enough. Hearing that there are already over 2,000 tickets pre-sold for our game against College of Charleston Sunday the 21st sends' shivers down my spine. When we win these next three games at home, we hope to see you in Cali baby - do work Cards!
#13
