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Monday afternoon Cardinal news and notes

Vlad Strelsov, the heir to the Andy's TV empire, keeps the CC 2016 Summer Tour rolling in Costa Rica.

By Mike Rutherford

I_medium I was heartbroken to hear of the sudden passing of former U of L cheerleader Shanae Moorman over the weekend. She was an avid supporter of both Cardinal athletics and this site, and one of the few people I can't recall ever hearing a bad word about. My thoughts are with her family, friends and loved ones during this time.

I_medium The latest installment of the U of L football newsletter is here.

I_medium Bobby Petrino is 27-19 in close games throughout his coaching career, including a 12-10 mark at Louisville.

I_medium Congratulations to Rick Pitino on his newest grandchild and to Richard Pitino on his third child.

I_medium Four-star class of 2017 forward Lance Thomas has set an official visit to U of L for Oct. 21.

I_medium It's a well-deserved Kyle Bolin love-fest today in the both the C-J:

"There were moments where (transferring) crossed my mind, but talking with my parents and sitting back and looking at all the opportunities the University of Louisville has given me and the opportunities that are yet to come, I just feel like this is the best place for me," Bolin said Saturday at the team's media day.

"When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be a University of Louisville Cardinal, and I want to finish a University of Louisville Cardinal. Facing obstacles and problems throughout that road and then trying to find the easy way out or avoiding them is not going to make you a better person. Everything I've been through my whole career and my entire life has made me the man I am today."

With 18 starters back from last year's team, and 10 of them on offense, this offseason hasn't had the same uncertainty as years past. Everyone, junior Reggie Bonnafon said, knows their role within the team and went through the entire offseason understanding where they fit in.

Bolin, best known by Louisville fans for his 381 yards and three touchdown passes in the 2014 win over Kentucky, serves as an elder statesman of sorts. He is a calming, knowledgable presence in the quarterbacks' meeting room, co-offensive coordinator Lonnie Galloway said. And he provides strong competition for Jackson in practice.

"He pushes Lamar,"  said Cole Hikutini, a senior tight end. "He helps Lamar. He's not going to leave because he's not getting playing time. ... The mindset our team has this year is that the best player is going to play, and I'm going to be supportive behind him. We all have one goal and we have to hop on board."

And on WDRB.com:

Bolin talked it over with his parents. He did think about it. But in the end, he looked at the bigger picture. It's not a picture that young people are always interested in today, but Bolin thinks he made the right call.

"There was a lot of chatter, but there's always a lot of chatter," Bolin said. "There's negative chatter and positive chatter, and you just have to find your way through that chatter, listen to what you believe in, your family, people that really care about you. And after doing all that I just feel like I'm in a really good spot here.

"When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to be a University of Louisville Cardinal, and I want to finish a University of Louisville Cardinals. I think that, you know, facing obstacles and problems throughout that road, and trying to find an easy way out, or avoiding them, is not going to make you a better person. Everything I've been through my whole career and everything in my life to this point has made me the man that I am today, and will make me the man that I am in the future."

It will also give Cardinals' coaches some peace of mind about the quarterback spot. The Louisville offense is different with Bolin under center, but the comfort level of Louisville's players with him is nearly as big a deal as his knowledge of the system.

"When we put Kyle on the field, our players expect he can come in and lead them to a win," Petrino said. "There's no change in expectation. They believe in him, and that's a big deal."

I_medium Louisville's Kade McClure is primed to build on his All-American season of 2016.

I_medium Nanu looks enormous in the official NBA rookies photo.

I_medium Campus Insiders has Louisville at No. 20 in its preseason countdown.

I_medium Former U of L standout Marlon Hairston has emerged as a star for the MLS' Colorado Rapids.

I_medium The crystal football which had sat atop Kentucky's fake 1950 national championship trophy has now been replaced with the top of UK's actual Sugar Bowl trophy.

So it's at least half real now, which is a step in the right direction.

I_medium Some cool things are happening with the Iroquois football program. Support them if you can.

I_medium Twenty-four days until football, DePaul.

I_medium Four-star U of L football target James Hudson, who was once committed to Kentucky, committed to Michigan Monday morning.

I_medium ESPN's David Hale wonders if Lamar Jackson's game can match his growing hype in year two.

I_medium Another offseason mile-marker has been hit.

When the yard is ready, you know it's almost time to tailgate.

I_medium College football website The Comeback has Louisville at No. 16 in its preseason countdown.

I_medium Eat it, Oregon.

We still haven't forgotten about that road basketball game in Rick Pitino's first season. Well, some of us haven't.

I still haven't forgotten about that road basketball game in Rick Pitino's first season.

I_medium Airbnb says Louisville is one of the most hospitable cities in America.

I_medium Look at that sly grin.

She knows exactly what's about to happen to Charlotte.

I_medium Gary McCrae is officially enrolled and practicing for Louisville football, which might not be huge news for the Cards this season, but could pay massive dividends two and three years from now.

I_medium Reminder that Matz will light you up on Instagram if you give him cause.

Zero mercy.

I_medium The Louisville Cardinal breaks down the U of L linebackers.

I_medium And finally, the U of L Summer Fan Festival is set for Aug. 16 at Captain's Quarters. More details can be found here.

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