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[Pages S7193-S7194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO COACH SCOTT SATTERFIELD
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it was a year ago this month that my
alma mater, the University of Louisville, hired Scott Satterfield as
its new football coach. The Cardinals convinced Scott to leave his head
coaching job at Appalachian State University and take over Louisville's
program. Today, it is a real pleasure for me to celebrate the good
decision he made and to congratulate Coach Scott Satterfield for
earning the title of ``2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Coach of
the Year.''
When he first walked into Louisville's locker room as head coach,
Scott faced a daunting task. The Cardinals ended their previous season
with only two wins, leaving the team disappointed and the fans less
than enthusiastic. Critics predicted another lackluster year for the
Cardinals, and a preseason poll anticipated a repeat last-place finish
in the division.
[[Page S7194]]
Well, anyone who made those predictions clearly didn't know Scott.
They didn't understand the effect he could have on UofL's program and
its student-athletes in hardly any time at all. Now, 1 year into the
Satterfield-era, the University of Louisville Cardinals have won seven
games, placed second in their division, and the team is on the way to
the Music City Bowl. And when they take the field in Nashville, the
Cardinals will be led by their award-winning and expectations-beating
head coach.
It is a great privilege for a longtime Cards fan like myself to pay
tribute to Coach Satterfield and his many accomplishments. He set out
to change the program's culture, to restore the team's confidence, and
to unite the players, coaches, and fans together around a shared
purpose. Overcoming a challenging schedule took vision and grit, which
are qualities Scott possesses in great measure.
Coach Satterfield has made fall Saturdays--or should I say
``Satterdays''--in Louisville a whole lot of fun. Igniting an explosive
offense, including 2019 All-ACC first team honorees Tutu Atwell and
Mekhi Becton, the Cardinals averaged more than 440 yards per game. The
defense stepped up too--often when it mattered most--and helped add a
couple of quality wins to the Cardinals' resume.
Scott began this season determined to prove that this team could live
up to its greatest potential. Along with Louisville's other top-notch
coaches, he is helping to restore UofL's pride. And after only a single
season, he is already making history. As the first UofL coach to ever
be named ``ACC Coach of the Year,'' Scott has shown that he not only
has what it takes to compete at the highest levels of college football
but that he is also ready to lead his team, our university, and the
city to victory.
So I would like to congratulate Coach Scott Satterfield for receiving
this well-deserved honor and to thank him for providing some
extraordinary football to watch this season. I hope my Senate
colleagues will join me in paying tribute to Scott as he prepares to
finish strong in Nashville at the end of the month. I for one, look
forward to cheering on my Cards.
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