Why College Sports are Better!

As I watched Michigan play Ohio State for the 103rd time in their history yesterday it suddenly occurred to me why I prefer college sports over pro sports with one exception. Like a lightning bolt it hit me in a single word, Tradition. Not only football, but college basketball also has some of the greatest rivalries and off the field traditions of all time. These traditions usually involve non-athletes and really let the students feel like they are part of something special. The one exception to this theory for me is ofcourse MLB Baseball and ofcourse the reason for that is baseball is filled with great traditions and rivalries more so than any other of the major sports.

So what I decided to do is do some research and compile a list of what I feel are the greatest traditions of all time and here there are in no particular order. Most are taken from a recent ESPN.Com survey.

Army/Navy/Airforce Sing Alma Maters: After any of these two teams play the opposing players sing their alma maters to both sides of the stadium, while the academy band plays.

The Bronze Boot (Colorado State vs. Wyoming): Each year, the game ball is carried on foot in a shuttle relay by the ROTC detachment of the visiting team to the Wyoming-Colorado state border, where the home team's ROTC detachment receives it and runs the game ball into the hosting stadium, just before kickoff.

Colorado's Ralphie: In what is one of the most impressive and intimidating entries in college football, a buffalo named Ralphie comes charging out of the tunnel, while the fans do a ''Buffalo Stomp''.


Howard's Rock at Clemson: Before games, Clemson players run to the top of a hill to rub Howard's Rock, the band plays ''Tiger Rag'', then the team runs down the hill into the stadium.

Little Brown Jug: Oldest of college football's 57 trophy-game traditions, Michigan and Minnesota play for it each year. The tradition started over a century ago when Michigan coach, Fielding Yost left his jug in Minneapolis following a tie in which the fans rushed the field. Minnesota made him win it back and the tradition still lives today.

Painting Notre Dame's helmets: The Irish's helmets receive a full coat of paint every week, the only squad at the school that gets such treatment.

Script Ohio: The entire band forms the word ''Ohio'' in the middle of the field, while the drum major leads a senior sousaphone player out top to ''dot the i''.


University of Georgia's bulldog: Arguably the most well-known mascot, Uga is awarded a varsity letter, just like the athletes that play there.

Virginia Tech's Lunch Pail: The lunch pail is a symbol of Virginia Tech's football program. They are expected to work hard every day. The dented original can be seen at practice every day and on the sidelines for each game.

THE HAWK WILL NEVER DIE!": The Hawk from ST. Joe's University is one of the most famous mascots in the country, best known for staying in constant motion by flapping its "wings" from tip-off to the final buzzer of every game, as well as for "flying" in figure 8s around the court during timeouts. The constant flapping, coupled with the scrappy play of the University's athletic teams, helped to spawn the school's familiar slogan "The Hawk Will Never Die!"

The Cameron Crazies: The Cameron Crazies are the student supporters of Duke University's basketball teams, named for Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Crazies sit courtside in a 1,500 seat student section and begin cheering during warmups. Many Crazies paint their faces or bodies white and blue and wear Duke paraphernalia to represent their team. Throughout the game, the Crazies jump up and down when the opposing team has possession of the ball and yell cheers in unison at focal points of the game. Over the years, Duke's Cameron Crazies "have earned a reputation as the rowdiest, wittiest, best-organized college basketball fans in the land."[1] The number of fans painting themselves varies with the importance of the game, with games against the University of North Carolina generating the most enthusiasm. Another tradition developed by the Cameron Crazies - tenting in Krzyzewskiville - started in 1980's after Duke made a few Final Fours under Mike Krzyzewski. Some other colleges and universities have used the Crazies as a model for their own cheering sections at basketball games, such as Harvard University which recently printed a run of Crimson Crazies t-shirts.

March Madness: No need to explain!

OJ Simpson Should be Shot!

OJ Simpson should be shot to death, plain and simple. No trials, no words spoken, the only noise anyone should here is a bullet going through his huge hollow head. As far as I am concerned he might be the most despicable human being ever to walk on the planet. Forget Iraq and Saddam Hussein, the military should be storming the golf courses of Florida and charging this moron for crimes against humanity.

Just in case you haven't heard, the reason I am so angry is according to almost every news source in America OJ Simpson has received $3.5 million dollars to write a book on how he would have killed his wife hypothetically speaking of course. In addition to writing the book, which is being published by Regan Books, OJ will also sit down for a two part interview with Judith Regan to be aired on Fox, where he discusses the way he would kill two people, again hypothetically speaking ofcourse. Can you imagine the balls on this guy? Twelve years after basically after cutting his wife's head off and ten years after being acquitted by a racist jury and inept Prosecution team of that murder along with the murder of Ron Goldman, this asshole is going to go on television and laugh at all of us to our faces. Even if OJ doesn't care about what America thinks of him, he still has two children by Nicole Brown Simpson walking around that now have to deal with this bullshit all over again. I can't imagine how much pain these kids must've gone through having their mother yanked from at such an early age, no if that isn't bad enough they now have to standby why their father, who they know is guilty makes a mockery of not only their mother's death, but also their entire existence.

Now as bad as OJ is, the bigger of the blame should be put on Regan Books as welll as Fox for supporting a murderer. For once I have to give credit to Geraldo Rivera, who had the balls to speak out against Fox and call this interview a disgrace even though he is currently employed by Fox. Great job Geraldo! While I admit I am curious to see this interview, I will boycott it and all other Fox shows out of protest. (At least until 24 comes back on) I beg everybody out there to do the same. Stand up and tell Fox we will not give you ratings and we will not give OJ another minute of our time. I am also encouraging everyone to protest Reagan Books and all of their publications.

The worst part about this whole story is that even though OJ lost a civil trial and owes the Goldman family over $35 million, they will not be able to get a penny from this, because OJ plans on paying off his house in Florida as well as an offshore vacation home in the Bahamas. I admire Fred Goldman for the restraint he has shown over the years. I can not believe that he has not hunted OJ and ripped his balls off, in fact after this I hope he does. That's right I honestly Fred Goldman has the right to hunt OJ down and kill him, I know off at least one blogger who would never find him guilty at that trial, hell even Justin and Sydney may stop by the courthouse to thank Fred.

Ok, I am done. Wow, I haven't been that pissed off about a news item since about ten years ago when OJ was found not guilty. Once again I must take off my hat to Geraldo for having some balls and to Fred Goldman for handling himself with such grace and class, you are more man than I will ever be. For OJ I shudder to think of what awaits him in the afterlife if there is one. In the mean time just hop in your White Bronco and "Run OJ Run" so we never have to see you again.

Gary Coleman on Steroids and Playing in the NFL

According to several of my sources in the backrooms of Las Vegas, Gary Coleman has been taking HGH for several years now and is playing in the NFL under the alias Byron Leftwich. Any of you doubters out there can clearly see by these pictures that the juice has not only added size and muscle to his frame but also given him that adorable chubby- cheeked face that America fell in love with back again. Leftwich may deny these allegations but all I have to say is, "What you talkin' bout Byron!"

Wynn back in Atlantic City

According to the Newark Star Ledger, casino mogul Steve Wynn may be coming back to Atlantic City after vowing never to return following a failed deal several years ago. Plans are in the works for Wynn to buy Trump Plaza from long time nemesis Donald Trump and build a mega casino on the current site that also includes Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk Hall. While I believe in protecting the towns history, I also think that allowing Wynn to go forward with project has an upside that is just too big to turn down. If you don't believe me just check Wynn's history in other casino ventures.

While Las Vegas has always been successful it didn't even come close to the success that it has enjoyed over the last twenty or so years since Wynn came to town. No longer just catering to degenerates such as myself, Vegas now offers all kinds of entertainment for all members of the family to enjoy, while the gamblers lose all the family's money behind their backs. Following the success of the Mirage and Bellagio, Wynn recently went out on his own and built the Wynn Casino, which is truly breathtaking. Home to not only a Ferrari dealership as well as an extensive art gallery, Wynn also is home to the current hot spot nightclub Tryst, which highly recommended by all members of Mike G's bachelor party as well as Las Vegas icon Vegas Phil.

I feel by allowing Wynn to knock down that dump, The Trump Plaza and build a state of the art casino, we will be on our way to having our own Las Vegas just two hours away. Coupled with the already successful Borgota and with the rebuilding of the Trump Marina the groundwork is already in place for Atlantic City to take the next step forward and shed that image of being a filthy town with a few casinos in it. Plus what can make a better story than a hometown boy, who was the son of a bingo game manager coming back to the east coast after being forced out years earlier and bringing a city to the next level. Not even The Donald himself can argue with the success of Steve Wynn.

Congratulations Dean Karnazes

First off I would like to say congratulations and good luck to all of the over 37,000 runners in today's ING New York City Marathon, however special praise must go out to Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes who will be completing his 5oth marathon in his 5oth state in the last 50 days. Those of you who do not know about Dean, you are not alone. In fact until just this past summer I, myself had no idea who he was.

During the late part of May, a friend of mine at work had been bothering me to read this book Ultramarathon Man about some guy who runs 100 mile marathons and once ran 300 straight miles. After much procrastinating and arguing with him, I mean what the hell would I want to read a book about running for anyway I finally gave in, more so he would shut up about it rather than any interest. After reluctantly taking the book from him, I handed it back to it to him 36 hours later completely finished and with a fresh new outlook on life.

Although the book does deal with running and goes through Dean's accomplishment such as training for Western States Endurance Run , as well as running a marathon to the South Pole, the book is also about overcoming adversity and finding the toughness of one's inner self. I couldn't believe how much it really changed my outlook on running and how inspired I felt after reading it, hell I almost pulled a Forest Gump and just went for a long run myself. After putting my Gump inspirations aside, I did do a little research and started running slowly but surely and I am currently at a maximum of 12 miles and hoping to run in the marathon next year.

Anyway enough about me and my running I would just like to take this chance to highly recommend this book to everyone that is reading this. I would also like to personally thank Dean for inspiring me to get in better shape and take care better care of myself, he is truly an amazing individual.

The Underappreciated Bloody Mary

Sorry about the lack of posts, but I have been cramming in 14 hour workdays with a pregnant wife while trying to start this blog.

Once a while we as Americans get so busy we forget about the important virtues such as freedom of speech, the right to vote and the right to enjoy delicious Bloody Marys on Hungover Sundays. This was my case in point on this past Sunday.

After having a few drinks with K.Rove, F.A. and a very intoxicated Ricky at a local pub on Friday, I went to see my boys One-Eyed-Jack at the Donegal Saloon. While catching up with the boys I put a real hurting on myself with way to many Heinekens and just as many shots of Jameson, with the occasional car bomb thrown in.

Fast Forward to Sunday afternoon! After lifting my ravaged body and now seemingly 45 pound head out of bed in the early afternoon hours I agreed to have breakfast with the wife hoping that getting something in my stomach may help stop the pain. After staring at my cheese omelet and pancakes for about 15 minutes and forcing down one bite of each, I realized there could only be one cure for this dilemma, Hair of the Dog!

Having already agreed to watch some football at an equally hung over Mike B's house, I figured my only choice was the lovely Bloody Mary. After picking up the proper ingredients and adding a few spices of our own we were off to the races and feeling pretty damn good, which got me thinking about writing this. As you can see from my story a Bloody Mary is not just a drink, but rather a meal, an aspirin, a shot of pepto bismol, hell it may even be a multivitamin for all I know, the bottom line is it is whatever we need it to be.

The bottom line is if you don't believe me, go out this weekend and try it yourself. That's right get stupid drunk on Saturday, wake up Sunday and go right back it. Please let me know the results! Also if anyone is willing to try this experiment give me a call so I can make sure last weekend wasn't a fluke.

Sunday's Best Bets

After a hitting a nice Notre Dame Virginia reverse on Saturday, here are my picks for a pro football Sunday. I figure the best two plays are The Bengals -31/2 and a great two game tease with the Eagles and Colts. Tease the Eagles down to one and the Colts up to nine and you will thank me later. Not even K. Rove can resist this stoke of genius gambling.

True Love! And Heartbreak)

Anybody who is a true sports fan would have to admit that being just that is probably one of the purest forms of love we experience. Now, I am not comparing it with the relationships we share with our families and friends, but it is pretty damn close. How else can you explain why at 12:09 a.m. EST after having worked 60 hours over the last four days I am sitting here heartbroken writing this blog.

My wife often can not understand why I get so upset over something that seems so silly and is just a game. I often try to explain it to her in this logic, I have loved the New York Mets since 1983 at which time I was seven years old. I repeat seven years old. I am now almost thirty (Oct 26), for those math wizards out there that is 23 years. While explaining this to her I ask her to tell me one thing she has cared about for the last 23 years. This question is usually followed by complete silence, and I rest my case. I couldn't name five kids from my fourth grade class in 1986, however without missing a beat I can pretty much rattle off the entire 1986 Mets lineup including backups and relief pitchers. Why you ask, because I could give two shits about those kids that I spent an entire year learning and living with, however I fell in love with a group of grown men that probably wouldn't piss on me if I was on fire. That's dedication, That's true love! And much like a battered wife now matter what they do to me I always go back to them in the end because "I love them!"

So as I look back on this season like another failed relationship, I will remember good times and bad. I will think about come from behind victories and seeing my first division clincher in person, however I will also remember awful Yadier Molina homers and called third strikes on Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs down by two. God that Hurts! And I know come next march I will be there waiting for my love to come back to me and like the last twenty years I will go running back to her, because this time I believe it will work out, like I have so many times before. However march is a long way away and I am exhausted, so it is on this rainy October night I go to bed humming those immortal Bad Company lyrics, "Love Stinks!". Besides I have to rest up, my girlfriend the Miami Dolphins are coming over for a date on Sunday. I guess you can say I will never learn my lesson.

Benitez, Looper and Now Wagner

After having to work a 16 hour day on Thursday and having to be right back to work on Friday, few things in this world could've made happy. One of them just happened to be Mets tickets for Game 2 of the NLCS, which just happened to fall in my lap on Friday morning. After finding out the seats were ten rows behind first base I made some moves to get out of work early and jumped on the Number 7 headed towards beautiful Flushing, Queens.

I should have known from the beginning I might be in for a long night, while walking in to the stadium and enjoying a cold beverage in a red plastic cup with fellow Met fan F.A., we were warmly greeted by three NYPD officers who were kind enough to write us tickets for open containers. Thanks Boys! So as we sat there waiting for our tickets as about 30,000 other people with little red cups walked by with no problems I was hoping the worst of it was over with.

After getting inside and finding our seats you just feel the electricity in the air and the crowd was just dying for a reason to explode. Unlike our counterparts in the Bronx, big October games are have not be routine over the past 20 years or so. Anyway after a quick top of the first the Mets were at bat with Reyes already on second and Beltran walking, Delgado came to bat. Having been hot all postseason, he continued on his tear depositing a Chris Carpenter fastball into the cool Shea Stadium night. Ahhh, the ticket is forgotten the bills are forgotten, life is good and Mets are headed to the series. But ofcourse things could never be that easy.

Avoiding doing an entire play by play, The Mets gave back and then took the lead twice more resulting in a 6-6 tie heading into the top of the ninth with Billy Wagner coming into the game with the sounds of Enter Sandman having to face 2-3-4- hitters. Now we were all worried about Puljos and Edmonds coming up, but who need s them when you late game defensive replacement So Taguchi to crush a Wagner fast ball to deep left field. After a few more hits and three runs later, followed by an uneventful bottom half of the ninth, the Shea faithful headed home knowing we missed a golden opportunity.

So once again I would like to thank the NYPD and Billy Wagner for turning what could have been a perfect Friday night baseball game with celebratory drinks afterward into a a bitter loss, followed by a ridiculous amount of traffic and aggravation. Thanks again boys, Let's Go Mets!

It's A Boy!

I created this blog probably about three months ago after being inspired by my pals K.Rove and Historelli, however I could never figure out what the hell I felt strongly enough to write my first blog about. I guess you could say I had a case of Blogger's block. Today, October 10, 2006 I am glad to annouce that my block is over and my blog is just starting with the announcement of the sex of my unborn child. Just this morning myself and Mrs. Geen found out that in early March, that we will be expecting a baby boy and I couldn't be happier or prouder. While it is true that this will affect yours truly more than he will ever know, after seeing just the black and white grainy pictures of my baby I know it will be a small sacrafice.

Gone are my days of three day alchol induced binges in Las Vegas and random drunken nights crawling home at six in the morning replaced by midnight feedings and changing diapers. Part of me is sad about this, however the other part of me knows that I have had experiences in life that most will never experience shared with the type of childhood friends that most only dream about. Whether it me a music fetival in the tip of Maine, a party in New Orleans, Spring Break in Daytona, Vegas trips with the guys, dark nights in awful bars or just some beers in the kitchen, it is with great delight that I say thank you for making me who I am today and thank you for a real good time with many more to come.

For my wife, thank you for all the experiences for we have shared, Lord knows their are too many to list. With the exception of our wedding day having this baby is the greatest experience of my life and I couldn't imagine anyone else I would want to share it with.

In conclusion I know this blog is long, but so what. It is with great joy I announce to the world, I'm having a son!