FanPost

A Letter of Gratitude to the Cardinals—From an American Airman

It’s natural for melancholia to wash over Cardinal fans after a loss to any team, but especially Kentucky. Losses like this sting for coaches, players, and fans alike till the time comes for us to face our big blue nemesis again. I expected to feel frustration and sorrow after the final shot, but, peculiarly, my heart welled up with gratitude instead.

When I graduated from Louisville three and a half years ago and commissioned into the Air Force, I agonized over having to leave my adopted Kentucky home. The city, the university, and the wonderful community that took me in, had become more than a place I went to school. It became a part of my being. I carried it to my first base in Arizona, where I often annoyed my military brethren when I gushed my passion for Louisville constantly. They couldn’t grasp why I was so attached to the university and it’s athletic teams. I didn’t fully understand it at that time either.

2015 marked a somber milestone for me in that it became the first year, since I left Illinois to attend U of L, where I did not spend time in Kentucky. In January, I set off on my first deployment to Kuwait in the Middle East. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to not face combat while I was deployed, but there still lies an inherent difficulty in being away from family and friends for so long. I arrived back to the States at the end of July, but immediately packed my belongings and prepared to move to South Korea to begin a two-year tour in yet another foreign land. To be clear, this is not intended to be some sort of sob story. Many people face much more difficult circumstances all the time. I volunteered to join the military. I share this with you to show you how the most visible incarnations of the Louisville community, its athletic teams, personally helped me through lonely times.

During my deployment and subsequent time in Korea, U of L’s basketball, football, baseball, and other teams have seen me through. For two or three hours at a time, I could forget the rigorous six-day a week, with 14-15 hour-a-day, schedules and hail to thee my U of L. I eagerly woke many nights at three in the morning to watch Louisville basketball find its way to the Elite Eight. I was the only one in Korea cheering at 5:00 am when Lamar Jackson incredibly led our football team to victory against Kentucky. It wasn’t just the teams that guided me either. I felt great joy and community watching the Card Chronicle Open Threads as familiar fans bounced back and forth between anger and joy with each play. After living in countries with foreign languages and cultures, I’ve become acutely aware: Louisville sports do not revolve around wins or loses, championships or bowl games. Our teams, coaches, players, and fans, provide an amazing community and great ritual that enriches all of our lives.

So, thank you Coach Pitino, Coach Petrino, the players, Card Chronicle, the fans, and everyone involved with the University of Louisville. Whether you know it or not, you provide a family to people around the world who are truly grateful. At the end of the day, these are not merely games we play or watch. They are our being.

Sincerely,

CHRISTOPHER A. GRAY, 1st Lt, USAF

Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea

GO CARDS!