If you haven't seen the damn commercials by now, you live under a rock.
I'm talking about those horrible Gatorade commercials. The ones that remind me constantly why I hate the University of Florida. Yeah, they also remind me that Gatorade was first concocted at UF. Big deal. Good for them. I'm just sick of hearing about it on commercials. It's bad enough that a good friend of mine is having to suffer through their graduate school down there. It's also just sad when you consider the many legions of fans Florida has tricked into thinking they are the only thing that matters in college athletics. So I've decided to make a real stance. I hate Florida. I'm sorry. I do. Actually, no I'm not sorry. If you like them, screw you! But from this day forward, the water and sugar nectar that is Gatorade will never pass through my lips. I am boycotting Gatorade.
Last week was insane. The field logo was finally put in place less than 24 hours before kick-off, and Thursday itself was a very long day. Low and behold though, my prediction was correct, as NIU defeated Maryland. It was a great game, with an even better atmosphere. The place was electric. I can honestly say that in my eight years being involved with college athletics, I've never been at an event that meant so much to one program. Yes, I've seen a lot of great sporting events at UGA and Wake, but none meant as much to their program and their university as this win did for Northern. National TV ... #13 Maryland ... an overtime victory ... it's just hard to beat that. It was, by far, the most exciting game of the first full weekend of college football. A weekend that included the butt whippin' my Dogs laid on Clemson. Even the Deacs snuck out of hostile territory to gain a big non-conference win over Boston College. It was a great weekend indeed.
So we did have some issues at the football game last Thursday. I felt pretty let down, as several people dropped the ball on several issues pertaining to event operations and the ticket office. It is just frustrating, as I feel we are past the point where we can just expect things to forgotten with a win. We should run every event like it is a national championship game. I strongly believe that. I don't care if I'm at UGA, NIU or Hofstra. Every event should be run as smoothly as possible. In order to resolve some of the problems, we had a meeting tonight. I'm going to pat myself on the back here, because so many of the things we discussed were things I attempted to bring up following last season. I knew what this crowd was going to be like for Maryland. The mentality around here is just dated. It is time for us to think BIG. To plan like every game, every event is just as important as any other. That is how things are run professionally, and I'll feel like I've really accomplished something when we get to that point. It's difficult though when your voice only reaches so many. I'm fortunate that my AD seems to value what I have to say. She knows I have some good ideas. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know I can lead some things in the right direction.
Well, we've got four days to get our act together. We host Tennessee Tech this coming Saturday. That also happens to be the day when ARGUS hits DeKalb. I can't wait. The ARGUS boys are flying into town Friday, as is my great friend Doug from Georgia. I think, for the night, I'll rename Fatty's, 40 watt North. It will certainly feel that way, with a few Georgia friends in the crowd. It should be a great weekend, and if you are anywhere close to DeKalb, get your ass in the car and get over here!
That is it for the night. Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend.
ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL.
I'm talking about those horrible Gatorade commercials. The ones that remind me constantly why I hate the University of Florida. Yeah, they also remind me that Gatorade was first concocted at UF. Big deal. Good for them. I'm just sick of hearing about it on commercials. It's bad enough that a good friend of mine is having to suffer through their graduate school down there. It's also just sad when you consider the many legions of fans Florida has tricked into thinking they are the only thing that matters in college athletics. So I've decided to make a real stance. I hate Florida. I'm sorry. I do. Actually, no I'm not sorry. If you like them, screw you! But from this day forward, the water and sugar nectar that is Gatorade will never pass through my lips. I am boycotting Gatorade.
Last week was insane. The field logo was finally put in place less than 24 hours before kick-off, and Thursday itself was a very long day. Low and behold though, my prediction was correct, as NIU defeated Maryland. It was a great game, with an even better atmosphere. The place was electric. I can honestly say that in my eight years being involved with college athletics, I've never been at an event that meant so much to one program. Yes, I've seen a lot of great sporting events at UGA and Wake, but none meant as much to their program and their university as this win did for Northern. National TV ... #13 Maryland ... an overtime victory ... it's just hard to beat that. It was, by far, the most exciting game of the first full weekend of college football. A weekend that included the butt whippin' my Dogs laid on Clemson. Even the Deacs snuck out of hostile territory to gain a big non-conference win over Boston College. It was a great weekend indeed.
So we did have some issues at the football game last Thursday. I felt pretty let down, as several people dropped the ball on several issues pertaining to event operations and the ticket office. It is just frustrating, as I feel we are past the point where we can just expect things to forgotten with a win. We should run every event like it is a national championship game. I strongly believe that. I don't care if I'm at UGA, NIU or Hofstra. Every event should be run as smoothly as possible. In order to resolve some of the problems, we had a meeting tonight. I'm going to pat myself on the back here, because so many of the things we discussed were things I attempted to bring up following last season. I knew what this crowd was going to be like for Maryland. The mentality around here is just dated. It is time for us to think BIG. To plan like every game, every event is just as important as any other. That is how things are run professionally, and I'll feel like I've really accomplished something when we get to that point. It's difficult though when your voice only reaches so many. I'm fortunate that my AD seems to value what I have to say. She knows I have some good ideas. I certainly don't have all the answers, but I know I can lead some things in the right direction.
Well, we've got four days to get our act together. We host Tennessee Tech this coming Saturday. That also happens to be the day when ARGUS hits DeKalb. I can't wait. The ARGUS boys are flying into town Friday, as is my great friend Doug from Georgia. I think, for the night, I'll rename Fatty's, 40 watt North. It will certainly feel that way, with a few Georgia friends in the crowd. It should be a great weekend, and if you are anywhere close to DeKalb, get your ass in the car and get over here!
That is it for the night. Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend.
ps - Don't forget about the ARGUS show September 6, at Fatty's here in DeKalb, IL.
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