Hell in the Hall – Louisville Sports Blog

Well, that was fun.

Fans, bloggers, Card cheerleaders and Ladybirds mixed, chatted, snapped tons of photo ops–and consumed many tall cold drinks in the thick summer air– at the laid-back party at the BBC Bash at Theatre Square.

Personally, I truly enjoyed getting a chance to actually meet some of the people I have “talked” to on the message boards and blogs for so long– such as JTownCard, TexasHoldem, and Cardhusker of ITV, among others.

And, it is always a treat to get together with the other Card bloggers–guys like myself who put in a ton of time and effort into a “hobby” simply for the love of the Cards and sport. Guys who understand the passion of Card fans everywhere, and who want to fuel it through their own talents and energies.

Of course, the highlight of the early evening was the show by the University of Louisville Cardinal cheerleaders and the Ladybirds, who arrived rather impressively via two stretch limosines.

I’ve seen their routines at Freedom Hall in seats near the floor. But let me tell you…those propelled flips into the air take on a whole different perspective, when viewed from just a few feet away–and generate a much truer appreciation of the athleticism and risk -taking involved. Their highest toss reached a height of probably 15′ — and this was over the asphalt of Theatre Sq. Made me catch my breath for a moment!

i had an opportunity to talk with Todd Sharp, the creative force primarily responsible for the stunning national success of both the cheerleaders and the Ladybirds. Todd is a walking dynamo of energy. I learned that his base is across the river and he has engineered 9 straight state titles for the Floyd County High School cheerleaders, and that many from that school make up the Card contingent. (Todd is at front left on the next pic.)

After talking with some of the cheerleaders, I also came away with the very pleasant impression that we as fans are represented by some great young people.

As the cheerleaders and Ladybirds departed, the first band kicked in, and the crowd kicked backed or milled about on an increasing pleasant summer evening, as a mild breeze softly circled through the Square.

The Cardinal Bird hung around for plenty of photo ops. Da Bird this year is a young man who is the newest member in the proud line of those who have donned The Suit. Full of enthusiasm and energy–as one must be to wear that costume in 90 degree heat–he is someone that I may do a story on, once he’s had a few games under his, err, feathers.

The long-standing Card message board, Card Empire was there, represented by Brandon (Prudat) and Chris (Lindy), as well as Chris’s wife Sarah. (Brandon and Sarah are shown in the pic below.)

Brandon is the man behind some of the coolest Card wallpapers and graphic designs on the internet, and the creator of Wallpaper Wednesdays at the Empire.

He was handing out some of his best football wallpapers, and the Empire was taking names for a drawing for a poster signed by this year’s football team.

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Charlie Springer (on the left in the pic above), blogger-in-chief of Card Game was there, also doing a drawing for a football. He was next to me at our table top. Shannon of Card Dominance was also there, and I handed out some stuff for Justin at Cards Hoops too–an excellent basketball blogger based in Chicago.

One of the biggest treats of the night for me was meeting a young man named Zach who was very proudly carrying around probably the coolest Card football helmet in creation signed by a bunch of great Card players–and with prominent signatures by both Brian Brohm and Michael Bush right on top.

I smiled at the sight. It reminded me of my own souvenirs from my youth–talismans that evoke strong memories and feelings even now for me, 40 years later. Such power that many fans choose to have these items buried with them. I’m not embarrassed to say I’m one of them. I have at least a at least one item I’m taking with me all the way. OK, three.

(BTW: I told Zach I would post his pic, and to ck out my blog–and he did. This is his post:

zach Says:
August 30, 2008 at 7:10 pm e

its me carrying around my helmet. just a few autographs include Brian Brohm, Micheal Bush, Art Carmody, Hunter Cantwell, Earl Heyman, Elvis DUMMERVIL, Harry Douglass, Will Gay and many more.)

Michael McCammon (shown below cking out Zach’s helmet) of the blog, Ditchball, was the chief on lining up the bands, and he needs to be thanked for arranging an evening of good, diverse local music.

The crowd and I got into the smooth groove of the second band, Chemic, and chilled down even further as the sun set.

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I finally sat down  with some friends, including my sister Robin and her husband, Matt– a diehard Card like myself, and the man responsible for these photos today. After all that water I had drunk during the humid evening, I needed something to really quench my thirst. Woodford on the rocks seemed right. So I settled in nicely, and sipped the night away to a very pleasant conclusion.

On with the Game!