Back for my 3rd experience of the Colorado vs. Nebraska rivalry in person.
The Buffs were 0-2 with me in attendance before the 65-51 smackdown the black and goal handed down on a great football day in Boulder. It was really cold, but no so cold that you were uncomfortable. There was a blanket of snow over everything and it just felt like CU and Nebraska should be playing football.
History:
The earliest memory I have was in 1994 when CU and Nebraska played. CU was ranked #3 and NU was #2. NU won that day, and I absolutely hated them from that day forward.
My direct experience started my freshman year at CU in 2003. The game was great, and the crowd was intense, but we just didn't have the talent to overcome the Fuskers. That is one thing that I noticed my freshman year that I didn't know before. The crowd at CU vs Nebraska games is intense. This creates a very different feeling than the rivalry we have with CSU.
Going into the game in 2005 the winner knew they would win the Big 12 North outright, and have a chance to get bent over by Texas in the Big 12 title game. It was still probably the most hyped I've seen Folsom before a game. This may atleast partially explain the behavior of the CU students that day. We were beat 30-3 with a chance to play in the Big 12 title game. How does this happen? Against your most hated rival? How can any team explain that one? I guess it was the same team that went on to get beat 70-3 by Texas the next week with a chance at the Big 12 title on the line.
Note: An all-time low for CU football ever, and maybe even an all-time low for the University which had other non-football issues as well at that point.
But I guess that is what rivalries are about, nobody in Boulder expected to get ripped apart that day in 2005, and nobody in Nebraska expected CU to take the Fuskers down in 2001 by a score of 62-36 when NU was then ranked #1.
Thoughts on the 2007 game:
The 2007 edition of the NU vs. CU (or fill in a clever rivalry name) rivalry had more of a story line then it appeared at first glance. Two 5-6 teams battling for a possible shot at a bowl game doesn't exactly scream top-notch rivalry.
Note: Why doesn't this rivalry have a name and who creates the names of the rivalries? How about the Platte River shootout? My guess is that the PR or media guys or advertising companies who begin to use catchy names haven't come up with a good one.
A closer look at the '07 Platte River rivalry shows some intriguing stories.
1. The most obvious...the winner goes to a bowl and the loser does not. Two storied programs that bowl organizers would love to have not matter what they say.
2. Coaching lines...Bill Callahan most likely coaching his final game and Hawk desperately trying to show everyone that he actually is making progress with tangible evidence, even though I think it is pretty obvious we are headed in the right direction.
3. Not really a story line but it was the final game for Ralphie IV...sad to see her go...I've been going to CU games for a long time and don't remember a time before Ralphie IV. Hopefully V will see as many good things as IV saw in Folsom.
The actual game was probably the 2nd best game I've seen at Folsom behind only the 2004 edition of the Rocky Mountain Showdown (CU vs. CSU) which was the single most intense sporting event I've ever been to in terms of the actual game on the field. This game actually vaults to 1B because it is Nebraska and because of the way the game was won.
CU was down 11 at halftime and I honestly thought we might get blown out. That is how bad it has been over the past few years as a CU football fan.
Anyway, the 3rd quarter was the best run or turnaround I've seen in a long, long time. I don't know if there is a word for what the Buffs did. By the end of the 3rd quarter we had gone from "I hope we don't lose by more than 20" to "there is absolutely no way we are going to lose this game, shit how much can we win by!?!" I don't even know what to call it. A turnaround? Is there a word for such a change in fortunes in a game?
The two interceptions, by a freshman (Jimmy Smith) and a true sophomore (Cha'pelle Brown) and the blocked punt recovered by JDizon were the key plays, but it is hard to forget that Lil'Hawk and the O turned each turnover into points.
Final thoughts on the game:
----Hume noticed George Hypolite directing the band from the field. He would signal which cheers they should start during breaks in play. Really cool and really funny. Hypolite also directed the band after the win, something I've never seen, and also very cool.
----Jordan Dizon should book a flight back to Boulder so he can see his number 44 unveiled on the ring of fame next season. I read a few great articles on Dizon by KRingo+ the other guys at the Camera and although I knew most of his story I wasn't aware he came into camp at CU his frosh year with a shot to play running back, safety and linebacker. All of that despite the fact he was not highly recruited at all by other schools on the mainland.
----Dizon became the first freshman ever to start at LB his freshman year. He has never missed a game in four years. I remember watching him during his frosh year and he was as good as anybody else on the field, pretty amazing considering his situation. During his sophmore and junior seasons he flew under the radar for a few reasons. Lack of success of the team as a whole as well as the dominant presence of Thaddeaus Washington at the other LB spot. During those years he was as productive as ever and he definitely made the most out of his senior campaign. I never in my life thought people would talk about JD as the best LB in the country, but he has proven that he is just that.
----JD has always been a personal favorite and was the first interview I ever had as a reporter/intern for the Camera. From then on I knew I could go back to him if I was under-prepared, or just for a quick question. He is the most down to earth, humble and hard-working person I have ever been around and I am glad I was able to get to know him a little off the field and watch his work ethic translate into on-field success.
---Jordan went through a lot during his time here at CU, but he never backed down and never gave up. I usually take the stance that unless you came to CU in 2003 or before you really never saw the the way the progam collapsed and never could feel the lowest lows of this program. Jordan is an exception to this thought because he has been such a pillar throughout his time here, even when things were crashing around him. He and TWheat deserved a great win to end their careers, and they got it. A small reward for two great football players and even better people.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Dem Vegas Debate on 11/15
Over the past few years at CU and in journalism school my interest in politics has dramatically increased. I am fairly familiar with those running for the democratic nomination for president, but no so familiar with those in the republican party.
I also recently realized I don't know much about the entire nomination, campaign process, nor do I really know much about the issues being debated. I have tried to render this problem by reading as much as I can about these topics and will continue to learn as much as I can about these things.
I think it is pretty clear that one thing I don't need to spend more time learning about/watching/discussing is sports.
So here are some quick thoughts I jotted down on my phone after watching the Democratic debate on 11/15.
Hillary seems like she has the most balanced opinions compared to the other Dems. She has the knowledge and history of what it means to be president coming from her time spent around Bill.
She also made one of the best points in this debate about the lack of knowledge or blatant disregard that GW has about/for the way our Gov. was set up to run by the founding fathers. Possibly the most overlooked flaw in his administration. What I mean by this is that I don't feel GW has the respect for the intricate system set up 200+ years ago. He hasn't studied history enough to know why it is so imperative to respect it. Or he and his administration are so obsessed with power that they just blatantly disregard the system's important workings and abuse them for their own power. One of his many flaws.
Barack truly wants to change this country. He actually cares about what happens and believes we can change our situation for the better. I think some of his thoughts and answers have been influenced too much by the magnitude of this whole process. I can't say that Hillary has the same genuine feeling and desire for change.
John Edwards seems like he is trying to catch up to someone, or make up ground on issues. Again I feel like he might be pushing a little bit, similar to Barack.
The other candidates have some great ideas but are too extreme in some other aspects to truly "appeal" in a presidential sense to the general population. Sad we don't use some of these ideas from men who truly want change.
I also recently realized I don't know much about the entire nomination, campaign process, nor do I really know much about the issues being debated. I have tried to render this problem by reading as much as I can about these topics and will continue to learn as much as I can about these things.
I think it is pretty clear that one thing I don't need to spend more time learning about/watching/discussing is sports.
So here are some quick thoughts I jotted down on my phone after watching the Democratic debate on 11/15.
Hillary seems like she has the most balanced opinions compared to the other Dems. She has the knowledge and history of what it means to be president coming from her time spent around Bill.
She also made one of the best points in this debate about the lack of knowledge or blatant disregard that GW has about/for the way our Gov. was set up to run by the founding fathers. Possibly the most overlooked flaw in his administration. What I mean by this is that I don't feel GW has the respect for the intricate system set up 200+ years ago. He hasn't studied history enough to know why it is so imperative to respect it. Or he and his administration are so obsessed with power that they just blatantly disregard the system's important workings and abuse them for their own power. One of his many flaws.
Barack truly wants to change this country. He actually cares about what happens and believes we can change our situation for the better. I think some of his thoughts and answers have been influenced too much by the magnitude of this whole process. I can't say that Hillary has the same genuine feeling and desire for change.
John Edwards seems like he is trying to catch up to someone, or make up ground on issues. Again I feel like he might be pushing a little bit, similar to Barack.
The other candidates have some great ideas but are too extreme in some other aspects to truly "appeal" in a presidential sense to the general population. Sad we don't use some of these ideas from men who truly want change.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Fall Classic
A few thoughts on my trip back to the CO to see the Rocks in the World Series.
I can honestly say that my love for baseball as a sport has been renewed. For the first time in a long time I was sad to see the baseball season come to an end, not only because the Rockies lost, but because I have actually enjoyed watching baseball all season.
My thoughts on Game 4 are down at the bottom of the post.
A little history...
Being in attendance was something I didn't expect to experience until much later in my life. The Series has always been something that I've wanted to experience. The tradition, the history, the fall weather, the great stadiums, passionate fans. I could go on and on.
I've also always wanted to see a team clinch a title in each of the major sports. There is just something about winning a championship that resonates with me, and I assume fans as a whole. The way the players can celebrate without a care in the world. The way they reach the ultimate goal in their profession, the highest level. The way the team will be forever remembered, and the way the fans share the experience with them.
I've been a baseball fan for longer than I can remember. Longer than basketball and alteast on "I know the players, understand the game, and really enjoy it" level, football.
I've watched atleast every pitch of one game, during every World Series for as long as I can remember. Probably back to 1987 or 1988 is where I would draw the line. I remember players, games, and moments from every Series dating back almost 20 years. Although I remember every Super Bowl and every NBA Finals I've ever watched, something about the World Series gets me every year.
I think this attachment has a few reasons. The success in a close proximity with the Oakland A's and San Fran Giants during the late 80s are some of my earliest memories in sports. We had season tickets to the A's every year we lived in NorCal and went to a few Giants games too.
The second reason for the attachment are the stories my Dad would tell me about the Yankees when he grew up. Some of those stories about seeing and meeting great players in the 50s and 60s stick with me today. My Mom even has great stories about going to Series games in the late 70s.
In my family baseball was always the number one sport, and the Fall Classic was something I watched intensley at a young age.
When I moved to Colorado in the summer of 1991 I remember asking my parents if Colorado had a baseball team. "No not yet" was always the answer. Later that year when it was announced that Denver would get an MLB club, I remember being excited but couldn't understand why they couldn't start the following season.
Finally during the Rockies' inaugural season in 1993 and the following season 1994 my baseball interested peaked. I went to so many games that it was impossible not to be wrapped up in the game. I knew every player and almost every stat. Mile High became my favorite place to see a game, and not because the Broncos played there.
Then the strike during the 94 season started the process that would eventually lead me to turn my back on baseball in almost all forms. By the late 90s the football and basketball were taking up all of my time. I could probably count the number of regular season MLB games I watched on TV from 1996-2005 on one hand for each season. Something was always present during these years. I would always watch a few playoff games, and I would ALWAYS watch parts of the World Series no matter who was playing. But I remember thinking "if only the Rockies could just compete it would make this so much more exciting."
They did just that during most of the 06 and the 07 regular seasons. As the Rockies made their run and then swept the Phils I, along with everyone else, had a feeling they were going to be part of something special. I contemplated making arrangements home to see the NLCS games, but talked myself out of it on the premise that "if the Rockies go the World Series you are going to be really pissed you flew back for the NLCS." I could handle watching the NLCS on TV, but not the World Series. Not with the Rockies playing, not at Coors Field.
Although I knew getting tickets would be a long-shot I hinted at both parents with the plea that "this may never happen again." Both of my parents are big baseball fans and have been forever, but agreed but the outlook was grim.
Somehow on Sunday Oct. 28 there I was standing outside of Coors Field for the biggest sporting event I, or the city of Denver, had ever been a part of.
Note: The only others that came close would be AFC Championship games in 88, 90, 99 (Elway's last home game) and 06. The NBA All-Star game in 04 and maybe a Stanley Cup game or two in the 96-01 years come close. But nothing as big as the Fall Classic has ever been to the Mile High City.
Thoughts from the actual game:
1. I've never seen LoDo like it was before the game. I heard it was even crazier the night before.
2. There were more non-bandwagon/true fans, both Sox and Rox, than I expected.
3. The amount of money restaurants/taxi drivers/hotels/bars/everyone else involved made during this week is ridiculous. With the All-Star game people came to Denver, but nobody really cared or was getting psyched for the game. They were spending money, but it's different when the team support is behind it. The recent AFC title games were probably similar to the Series in terms of the rush to LoDo of money and fans.
4. The Sox 3-0 lead in the series gave created a kind of "we are pretty much fucked and we know it" vibe to the Rockies fans. It was like we collectively knew the Sox were going to clinch tonight.
5. Buying a beer at Coors ($6) was refreshing after going to a few Dodger games (10-15$). Even at the World Series fans should be able to reasonably enjoy the thing that goes best with baseball, beer.
6. The pre-game ceremony changed the fans' mood, and got everyone going. The combo of Hank Aaron receiving an award, an American flag as big as a football field, fireworks, the sun setting over the Rockies, perfect weather. I have to think that only at the Fall Classic can you get this feeling of tradition, history and the fact that this really is America's true pastime.
7. My desire to see a Sox game at Fenway dropped three or four notches sitting behind true Boston fans. They are just so easy to hate, even when your team isn't about to get swept by their team.
8. The realization that Boston, New York, Philly and Chicago are sports CRAZY towns and their tradition, history and passion will never be truly replicated in a city like Denver. Denver's fans are crazy and passionate but these fans have such a rich, painful and celebrated history that can only be duplicated by 100 years in existence.
9. Coors Field is the best stadium in Denver to see a sporting event in terms of seating, atmosphere, location, look, ease of entrance/exit and other similar criteria. I feel like Invesco and Pepsi Center could have more personality and offer more "bang for your buck" considering the years they were built. They seem to like they were rushed to completion. Pepsi Center is basically a 21st century version of The Big Mac, while Invesco pales in comparison to other NFL stadiums of its age.
Coors will also age better than both. In 30-40 years, assuming all teams are still here, Coors will be the stadium looking most similar and needing fewer upgrades. This may be a function of baseball stadiums in general but I think Coors is a special place. It's not overdone like some parks in AZ, Houston, Pittsburgh, etc.
This leads to a list of best places to see a game in Colorado list:
1. Folsom Field (surrouding, location, atmosphere etc., etc.)
2. Coors Field
3. Old Mile High (football and baseball)
4. Invesco
5. McNichols
6. Pepsi
7. Coors Events (ha)
8. World Arena (haha)
10. My final thought on my trip to the Series: Seeing a professional team clinch a title is like nothing I've seen in person. It was a surreal experience. The fact that it was the Sox was the worst and best team to see do this. The team's history is amazing, its real fans are second to none, and to see them win it was both gratifying and torturous. The look on the fans faces, especially the true Boston fans was priceless. Something I won't soon forget. The look on the true Rockies fans' was also amazing. We genuinely felt we had a shot at beating this team until D Pedroia smoked one over the Monster during the Sox first AB. The way the players genuinely didn't act like it was over until it actually was. The reaction of Papelbon/Ortiz/Manny when they knew they cemented themselves as possibly one of the two best teams in the past 20 years was something to see.
I can honestly say that my love for baseball as a sport has been renewed. For the first time in a long time I was sad to see the baseball season come to an end, not only because the Rockies lost, but because I have actually enjoyed watching baseball all season.
My thoughts on Game 4 are down at the bottom of the post.
A little history...
Being in attendance was something I didn't expect to experience until much later in my life. The Series has always been something that I've wanted to experience. The tradition, the history, the fall weather, the great stadiums, passionate fans. I could go on and on.
I've also always wanted to see a team clinch a title in each of the major sports. There is just something about winning a championship that resonates with me, and I assume fans as a whole. The way the players can celebrate without a care in the world. The way they reach the ultimate goal in their profession, the highest level. The way the team will be forever remembered, and the way the fans share the experience with them.
I've been a baseball fan for longer than I can remember. Longer than basketball and alteast on "I know the players, understand the game, and really enjoy it" level, football.
I've watched atleast every pitch of one game, during every World Series for as long as I can remember. Probably back to 1987 or 1988 is where I would draw the line. I remember players, games, and moments from every Series dating back almost 20 years. Although I remember every Super Bowl and every NBA Finals I've ever watched, something about the World Series gets me every year.
I think this attachment has a few reasons. The success in a close proximity with the Oakland A's and San Fran Giants during the late 80s are some of my earliest memories in sports. We had season tickets to the A's every year we lived in NorCal and went to a few Giants games too.
The second reason for the attachment are the stories my Dad would tell me about the Yankees when he grew up. Some of those stories about seeing and meeting great players in the 50s and 60s stick with me today. My Mom even has great stories about going to Series games in the late 70s.
In my family baseball was always the number one sport, and the Fall Classic was something I watched intensley at a young age.
When I moved to Colorado in the summer of 1991 I remember asking my parents if Colorado had a baseball team. "No not yet" was always the answer. Later that year when it was announced that Denver would get an MLB club, I remember being excited but couldn't understand why they couldn't start the following season.
Finally during the Rockies' inaugural season in 1993 and the following season 1994 my baseball interested peaked. I went to so many games that it was impossible not to be wrapped up in the game. I knew every player and almost every stat. Mile High became my favorite place to see a game, and not because the Broncos played there.
Then the strike during the 94 season started the process that would eventually lead me to turn my back on baseball in almost all forms. By the late 90s the football and basketball were taking up all of my time. I could probably count the number of regular season MLB games I watched on TV from 1996-2005 on one hand for each season. Something was always present during these years. I would always watch a few playoff games, and I would ALWAYS watch parts of the World Series no matter who was playing. But I remember thinking "if only the Rockies could just compete it would make this so much more exciting."
They did just that during most of the 06 and the 07 regular seasons. As the Rockies made their run and then swept the Phils I, along with everyone else, had a feeling they were going to be part of something special. I contemplated making arrangements home to see the NLCS games, but talked myself out of it on the premise that "if the Rockies go the World Series you are going to be really pissed you flew back for the NLCS." I could handle watching the NLCS on TV, but not the World Series. Not with the Rockies playing, not at Coors Field.
Although I knew getting tickets would be a long-shot I hinted at both parents with the plea that "this may never happen again." Both of my parents are big baseball fans and have been forever, but agreed but the outlook was grim.
Somehow on Sunday Oct. 28 there I was standing outside of Coors Field for the biggest sporting event I, or the city of Denver, had ever been a part of.
Note: The only others that came close would be AFC Championship games in 88, 90, 99 (Elway's last home game) and 06. The NBA All-Star game in 04 and maybe a Stanley Cup game or two in the 96-01 years come close. But nothing as big as the Fall Classic has ever been to the Mile High City.
Thoughts from the actual game:
1. I've never seen LoDo like it was before the game. I heard it was even crazier the night before.
2. There were more non-bandwagon/true fans, both Sox and Rox, than I expected.
3. The amount of money restaurants/taxi drivers/hotels/bars/everyone else involved made during this week is ridiculous. With the All-Star game people came to Denver, but nobody really cared or was getting psyched for the game. They were spending money, but it's different when the team support is behind it. The recent AFC title games were probably similar to the Series in terms of the rush to LoDo of money and fans.
4. The Sox 3-0 lead in the series gave created a kind of "we are pretty much fucked and we know it" vibe to the Rockies fans. It was like we collectively knew the Sox were going to clinch tonight.
5. Buying a beer at Coors ($6) was refreshing after going to a few Dodger games (10-15$). Even at the World Series fans should be able to reasonably enjoy the thing that goes best with baseball, beer.
6. The pre-game ceremony changed the fans' mood, and got everyone going. The combo of Hank Aaron receiving an award, an American flag as big as a football field, fireworks, the sun setting over the Rockies, perfect weather. I have to think that only at the Fall Classic can you get this feeling of tradition, history and the fact that this really is America's true pastime.
7. My desire to see a Sox game at Fenway dropped three or four notches sitting behind true Boston fans. They are just so easy to hate, even when your team isn't about to get swept by their team.
8. The realization that Boston, New York, Philly and Chicago are sports CRAZY towns and their tradition, history and passion will never be truly replicated in a city like Denver. Denver's fans are crazy and passionate but these fans have such a rich, painful and celebrated history that can only be duplicated by 100 years in existence.
9. Coors Field is the best stadium in Denver to see a sporting event in terms of seating, atmosphere, location, look, ease of entrance/exit and other similar criteria. I feel like Invesco and Pepsi Center could have more personality and offer more "bang for your buck" considering the years they were built. They seem to like they were rushed to completion. Pepsi Center is basically a 21st century version of The Big Mac, while Invesco pales in comparison to other NFL stadiums of its age.
Coors will also age better than both. In 30-40 years, assuming all teams are still here, Coors will be the stadium looking most similar and needing fewer upgrades. This may be a function of baseball stadiums in general but I think Coors is a special place. It's not overdone like some parks in AZ, Houston, Pittsburgh, etc.
This leads to a list of best places to see a game in Colorado list:
1. Folsom Field (surrouding, location, atmosphere etc., etc.)
2. Coors Field
3. Old Mile High (football and baseball)
4. Invesco
5. McNichols
6. Pepsi
7. Coors Events (ha)
8. World Arena (haha)
10. My final thought on my trip to the Series: Seeing a professional team clinch a title is like nothing I've seen in person. It was a surreal experience. The fact that it was the Sox was the worst and best team to see do this. The team's history is amazing, its real fans are second to none, and to see them win it was both gratifying and torturous. The look on the fans faces, especially the true Boston fans was priceless. Something I won't soon forget. The look on the true Rockies fans' was also amazing. We genuinely felt we had a shot at beating this team until D Pedroia smoked one over the Monster during the Sox first AB. The way the players genuinely didn't act like it was over until it actually was. The reaction of Papelbon/Ortiz/Manny when they knew they cemented themselves as possibly one of the two best teams in the past 20 years was something to see.
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