Published: October 04, 2008 11:54 pm            

HUTSELL: Cards fans helping one of their own

Card fans helping one of their own



Shawn Bowen is 5 years old. He’s a born and raised sports fan, who likely attended his first Louisville football game within the first year of his lifetime.

Ask him about his favorite player, and you’ll get David Padgett or Earl Clark. He’s followed the footsteps of his father Justin and is a card-carrying U of L superfan.

Shawn has two sisters. His mom and dad just moved their happy family to a new home near Sellersburg just within the last few months.

Now life’s turned a little bit upside down for Shawn and his family.

The young child was recently diagnosed with leukemia. He’s resting at Kosair Children’s Hospital and preparing for the fight of his life.

I don’t know Shawn Bowen personally, but I’m pulling for him.

Because simply, Shawn Bowen’s family means the world to me. Shawn’s uncle Jason is one of my oldest and closest friends. His other uncle Jeffrey and I also go back to days of playing one-on-one hoops games in an elementary school parking lot in New Washington.

Shawn’s grandma taught me in elementary school — and she could blackmail me whenever she wants with the video of our fifth-grade musical about Tall Tales and Heroes if she wanted to.

Basically, I’ve known Shawn’s entire family since I was roughly 2 years old. They’re a huge family, strong and as close-knit as they come. When one hurts, they all do and right now the family needs all the support they can get.

That’s why I’m willing to use this space to help them any way I can.

Justin’s friends at Insidetheville.com — a popular U of L fan site — are pitching in with a helping hand.

A group of message board posters are putting together the “2008 Shawn Bowen Challenge” on Nov. 8 at Oxmoor Country Club in Louisville.

The event is still in its formative stages. Justin Bowen had become some sort of celebrity to the folks on the Web site with his ability to edit and post highlights of U of L contests.

And the second that the fans in the Cardinal community heard he needed their help, they pitched in — almost like he was just another member of the family.

There will be a formative meeting for the golf scramble today to iron out all of the details. I wish I had all of the details, but they won’t be finalized until tonight and as soon as I can I’ll provide every detail available.

The group is also helping coordinate a silent auction, held on the same day of the scramble, at the Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville and is reaching out to put up an impressive collection of items to be sold.

Former Cardinal stars currently playing in the pros have already pledged to the cause. NFL players Michael Bush and Deion Branch will donate items to the cause, and current Sacramento Kings player Francisco Garcia is also expected to make a contribution as well.

As impressive as it seems, like any good team or family, these Cardinals are reaching out to help pick up one of their own.

Contact Mike Hutsell at mike.hutsell@newsandtribune.com

        

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