An open letter from Debbie and Pete Padgett

This is a good way to start the week.

Via The Courier-Journal:

Cardinal fans:

Basketball season is here -- our favorite time of the year. With the Cards' first official games fast approaching, reality has set in for the Padgett family -- our chapter of Louisville basketball is truly at an end.

We have no airline tickets or reservations at our favorite Louisville hotels. Our pregame meals at Penn Station and celebrating a Cardinal victory at some special local establishment are just memories. We miss the excitement already.

Even though we won't be in Freedom Hall on game days, we will be cheering loudly for the Cards.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the citizens of Louisville for the kindness and support you showed David during his four years at U of L. He couldn't have been in a better place! As parents, it was reassuring to know our son was treated so well, and we are very grateful that David has found a very special home right in the heart of Kentucky.

We'd also like to thank the wonderful people involved in U of L athletics. There are too many to list, but to the office staff, managers, strength coach, video staff and assistant coaches -- you are the best in the business. To David's teammates, thank you for always having his back, just as he had yours. And to the fans in the stands, you are unsurpassed.

A very special thank-you to two extraordinary people involved in David's career.

Dr. Norman Scott has given David a chance to continue his playing career, and we can never thank him enough for his exceptional talent and care.

Fred Hina was David's salvation after surgery and provided more than rehabilitation care. We thank him for helping David achieve his college basketball dreams and caring for him as he would one of his own.

And lastly, there is no way to sufficiently express the gratitude and respect we have for Rick Pitino. Sometimes you have to take the long road to get to the right place, and that certainly is the case with David's journey to U of L.

But Coach Pitino was waiting patiently at the end of that road and led David on an excellent four-year adventure culminating in a trip to the Elite Eight. Along the way, he coached David in the game of basketball, but also in the game of life, displaying the same compassion someone would have for his own children.

Living 2,000 miles away, we couldn't have asked for more. Coach, we are forever indebted to you and will always be your biggest fans.

Now it's on to a new basketball season. Good luck to the team and, as always, GO CARDS!!!

Debbie and Pete Padgett