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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Welcome to Death Valley: players only
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Sports

Yesterday, I had the amazing opportunity to get a private tour of our lovely Tiger Stadium. As much as I say I'm still trying to get into this whole football thing, I always love going to an LSU football game, being in the stadium, the hype...and of course, the tailgating. 

Fans are already counting down the days until kick off (17) and I feel lucky that I was able to be a small part of the behind-the-scenes activity as LSU Athletics prepares for the most anticipated event of the year.

Here are some of the pictures I got to take!


 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chicago Bears helmet: One of the many mounted helmets in the "Helmet Room." Each helmet from an NFL team is mounted with a plaque, listing all of the players from LSU that went on to join the team. I took this photo for my dad...and Da Bears. This room also had paintings of all of the LSU football players who were named All American. Their portraits were even painted by an LSU alumnus.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
National Championship trophy: this is one of three football National Championship trophies LSU has earned (1958, 2003, 2007). Although our tour guide (thank you, Michael-Anne) told us there are many replicas around the city, these are the originals that were placed in the cases directly after the games. Also in this room were representations of every bowl game the LSU football team participated in—some bowl games were represented with jerseys or posters, others with paintings or program covers. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The famous "Win" bar the players hit before running onto the field. The bar is from an actual goal post used years ago. The tunnel is large enough for all 120 football players to gather before the game, as well as all of the coaching staff. It is decorated with some pretty awesome graphics on the wall, including a giant picture of a Florida football player (ahem, rhymes with Kim Bleblow) getting tackled by an LSU Tiger. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another view of the pre-game gathering tunnel. The tunnel is just outside of the locker room, which we also got to see—a giant room with pretty wooden lockers, each one engraved with a tiger. Right outside the locker room is a place to display the LSU player of the week, based on the coaching staff. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is the view of the field the players see when they exit the doors under the win bar—right before Coach Les Miles leads them onto the field. Oddly, I was surprised to feel like the stadium looked smaller from where I stood here than when I've seen it filled to the brim with 96,000 fans. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
View from the sidelines, over the tunnel. Sure is a long way up! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
View of the new Georgia turf from the sidelines. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
View of the field from the opposite side...yes, I walked on the turf to get here. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A unaltered view of the 20 yard line. I am so thankful I got to have this experience—things like this make it easy to brag about being a Tiger! Now who's ready for some football?

Posted by wittywriter7 at 4:19 PM CDT
Updated: Wednesday, August 18, 2010 9:30 PM CDT
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Thursday, February 18, 2010
My Olympic crush
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Sports

Although the Olympic schedule is rather weird and hectic, I've been trying my best to catch the events I want to see (skating, skiing, hockey, snowboarding). So Wednesday night, I settled in to watch then event I had anticipated most—Shaun White, hottie mc-hott, land another gold medal. 

Okay, okay, if I saw this dude on the street I wouldn't be attracted to him in the least. Not loving the long red ringlets, or the fair skin dotted with freckles. Loving the talent. As is the case with many the men I lust after (ahem, John Mayer), not physically attractive, but incredibly talented, therefore sexy.

Over the years we've seen many a news special about Mr. White, but I decided to do a little research. The first blow to my ego—he's 23. I already feel like a total loser for not being as accomplished as him despite my age. Ugh.

However, he's a California native (hot) and survived two surgeries to correct a heart defect (yes). He started off skiing at a very young age, then moved onto snowboarding—entering and winning his first snowboarding competition at age seven. And then he turned pro at 13, getting signed by Burton. 

O-M-G! I feel like a piece of crap! I need Shaun White's dedication. I don't know if I can continue with this biography, I know it's only going to get worse.

Although White had many successes before the 2006 winter olympics, (setting records in the X Games) his gold medal win in Torino made him more popular than ever.

Before Wednesday night's competition, NBC showed a lil special on White showing the half-pipe he helped create, complete with the first ever on mountain foam pit, which assists in learning and creating new tricks. Pretty freakin' cooool.

Of course, this dreamy beau has a charitable side and donates/works with Target House. Sigh. Could he get any hotter? Oh but yes. He can. He also designs clothing lines for Burton—coats and pants for men and women, along with a sunglass line for Oakley. None of the items in his line (the White Collection) are really my style because I'm someone who sits indoors and writes about those who have fabulous lives instead of being outside snowboarding, BUT...still cool.

And so, Wednesday night White didn't disappoint, going into his first run and completing it flawlessly—front double-cork 1080, cab double-cork 1080 (keeping his new move a secret until his second run, with gold already in the bag).  

On Thursday morning's Today Show, White said he'd been up all night and was anxiously awaiting his medal ceremony. Naturally, he said he'd like to be back at the winter games in 2014, held in Russia.

Unfortunately, White has no more events in the Olympics this season, and I'm a little sad. However, I'll admit his teammate and youngster Louie Vito is a complete cutie.  


Posted by wittywriter7 at 1:16 PM CST
Updated: Friday, February 19, 2010 9:34 AM CST
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Monday, February 8, 2010
Saint it grand?
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Sports

My voice is nearly gone this morning. 

After two days of screaming for my teams—LSU and the Saints, I'm nursing myself back to health with hot coffee and king cake (the perfect combination).

For the entire football season, the New Orleans Saints have been all the chatter at the water cooler. This morning, the morning after they claimed the Super Bowl Championship title, they are the talk of the nation—and more than just the Who Dat Nation.

I spent Super Bowl Sunday with great friends and their family members. One thing I've always been thankful for, since my first day in Louisiana, are the families I've met and spent time with. They have great stories to share, often paired with great food. Sunday's gathering was no different. This was a family, like so many others in the Gulf Coast, who've stood by their team, even when they were the "Aints"—the worst team in all of sports history.

Generally, I think Saints fans were in shock to be going to the Super Bowl, even after they'd hoped for it all season. So the win was even more of a shock—but none the less, the celebration roared. From the party I was at, we could see and hear the fireworks from across the lake to New Orleans. Finally, a celebration they only dreamt of was a reality.

The road to the Super Bowl, for Saints fans, has been a long one; 44 years in the making. The Saints longstanding tradition of losing games was odd to me, considering just how obsessed southerners are with football.

Last night brought me back to attending my first Saints game—this year's pre-season win against Cincinnati in the Super Dome. It was the start of my first season actually paying attention to a team, as I watched every Saints game this season (something I never thought I'd do).

The hype leading up to last night's game was more exciting than the actual game itself (aside from that second half, Sean Peyton). However, the hype started long before the road to the Super Bowl. Since Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans in ruins, the Saints and the Dome have been synonymous symbols of a city coming back to life. With each victory this year, came a new slogan—Bring the wood, finish strong, black out, Breesus, and Black & Gold Super Bowl, naturally.

When it came time for playoffs, the NFL tried to have it their way—Brett Favre vs. Peyton Manning in Miami. The Saints vs. Vikings game was all about Favre, even when the Saints were scoring—oh, Favre just can't hear because the Saints fans are too loud. They'd said. But the Saints won in an amazing game, put into overtime. Then, the story was of course, that the team and city had been through so much; meet Katrina, the media's favorite story. 

With that black & gold Super Bowl upon us, Saints fans flocked to the stores for the newest gear. With that, our favorite stores like Storyville printed up our sayings "What Would Breesus Do?" and "Who Dat Nation." The NFL tried to rain on our parade, ordering cease-and-desists for all merchandise featuring the Fleur-de-lis and or the Super Bowl numerals, or anything of the "Who Dat" nature.

Funny, the NFL never cared before. The NFL never wanted to trademark "Aints." The stores fought back, the NFL apologized, and unlicensed gear sold like hot cakes (I promptly purchased the ever-so-controversial "Who Dat Nation" shirt from Storyville).

So last night, we were in Miami, we were packed onto Bourbon, we were glued to the television to see if we could really do it. The worry was such: if we lose it, when will we get this chance again?

I was certain the game was going to be about two things—the God-like Manning vs. Katrina Hero, Brees. But it was far from that. It was the Colts vs. the Colts. If I were blind, I wouldn't have known who the Colts were playing, because they were clearly the favored team. However, the Saints had the sentimental vote.

The victory was sweet, and still doesn't seem real, for a team that's been through so much. Of course, Katrina and the city of New Orleans was brought up in the post-game moments. But more than anything, the nation seemed to be captured in a silent moment of Brees holding his one year old son, while tears welled in his eyes. After all, the question Saints fans have been asking for years can finally be answered—Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?

Nobody.  


Posted by wittywriter7 at 1:51 PM CST
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Monday, August 17, 2009
Oh, when the Saints...
Mood:  loud
Topic: Sports

Once again, I've gained insight from the Rod Ryan Morning Show (104.1, The Rock of New Orleans). On my way to work Friday, they were discussing an article written by "Married Jake" of Glamour Magazine, entitled "Five Types of Women Who Aren't as Attractive as They Think."

Hmph.

According to the article, these five types of women are: 1. Women who are always dancing on the bar, 2. Women who are just one of the guys (even though they're not), 3. Drunken Seductress, 4. The Braggart, 5. Neg ladies (as in negative).

Type two struck me extra hard that Friday morning as I had plans to attend the first preseason football game that night in New Orleans—The Saints vs. The Bengals.

As most of you have come to know, this girl doesn't do football. In the south, that's sacreligious. Well then call me the antichrist, because I just don't get it. I'm a basketball chick and I will be until the day I die; basketball is a shorter game with much more action—way more entertaining. Now, that's not to say that I don't enjoy LSU football or seeing a pro game live in the stadium.

Friday night was my first time in the notorious Superdome. Although I'm not from New Orleans, nor am I a big fan of the city in general, I couldn't help but be excited to step inside a place so many locals respect—a place to worship their favorite football team, a place that served as home to thousands during Hurricane Katrina.

Getting back to the article, Rod was saying this type—the girls who act like one of the guys—particularly gets on his nerves because it's so easy to detect and then see through. I took a mental note of this once we got to our seats and the game began.

Why I needed to take note is beyond me, because I learned I'm just way too feminine to even fake that I'm into football. I will clap when the team I like scores, when there is an appropriate interception, etc. I will laugh at the Kiss Cam, drink beer, eat a hot dog, and wear the right team colors, but that's as good as it gets.

In the end, I did have a good time. Whether I enjoy football or not, seeing anything live for me is fun and exciting—I like the hype, I like watching the fans, and I like cheering on my team, even though I may not understand all the rules.

When it comes to dating, I think the same idea applies: we may not know all the rules or the appropriate moves of the game, but there's still someone out there that will appreciate us for who we are. Ok, so I'm not into football, but I'll watch a few games and enjoy myself. So hopefully, I can find a man who doesn't mind that I like hockey and basketball instead.

For the locals, it's the most wonderful time of the year. As one of my friends said to me as we waited in line for hot dogs, "Do you know what this means?," he asked. "It means it's here. Football season is actually here."

It is indeed. For the time being (and in respect for the home team who won Friday night), I'll give this a shot: GO SAINTS! 

 


Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT
Updated: Monday, August 17, 2009 7:18 AM CDT
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Cause we are the Champions...
Mood:  hungry
Topic: Sports

After an amazing baseball season for the LSU Tigers, they took the title in last night's final game against the Texas Longhorns in the College World Series. 

The Tigers made it a true series win after beating Texas in Monday night's game, but losing to them Tuesday night 5-1. Wednesday night's game was tied at 4, but LSU prevailed, leaving Texas in the dust at 11-4.

The Tigers will return to Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge at 4pm today to greet their fans. I had so much fun watching them this season--GO TIGERS!


 

 

 

 


Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:42 PM CDT
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Thursday, March 5, 2009
Apparently, Vandy has a Swagga like us
Mood:  crushed out
Topic: Sports

I was sitting behind two Vandy fans, who were obviously having more fun than the rest of us Tiger fans in the packed PMAC last night. Bottom line: A.J. Ogilvy killed us, scoring a career high of 33 points. Pretty good for a player who averages around 16 points a game; which only brings one question to mind. Where we really that bad?

 

The first half was nearly a snooze—at least for the Tigers. Ogilvy scored nine points in the first eleven minutes, setting a tone for the game that wasn't looking good for our senior night. While Vandy was draining threes, we were having trouble nailing a hook shot. The Tigers only shot at 36 percent. 

 

LSU's Marcus Thorton scored 18 points as the leader for the Tigers, Tasmin Mitchell put up 16 points, while Bo Spencer added 14. At the half, it was 37-26 Vandy. 

 

The second half of the game was much more exciting, but ultimately lead to great disappointment. Mitchell and Spencer were able to cut the deficit some with Mitchell's consecutive four points and Spencer's three, bringing the score to 52-46. Thorton the drained a three, making it 56-54, and Spencer's next three put it at 58-57. 

 

After Thorton's foul, the game tied at 60-60 with just under six minutes left. However, the Tigers forgot to score for an entire two minutes, letting Vandy take the lead at 64-60, and soon 66-60. 

 

The game ended at 67-75, with Vandy rubbing the win in our faces as their last seven points were scored in the final minute of the game. LSU plays their last game of the regular season this Saturday at Auburn. 


Posted by wittywriter7 at 9:02 AM CST
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Friday, February 27, 2009
Yes LSU, we still have a basketball team
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: Sports

Last night, I went to my first LSU basketball game of the season—the last home game for the Lady Tigers. The game featured my favorite women's basketball rivalry: the LSU Lady Tigers vs. the Tennessee Vols. 

 

I sat among 6,000 fans as we watched a bleak beginning to a much anticipated game—in the first ten attempted shots from both teams resulted in a deadlock at 0-0. LSU made the first basket and drove an amazing first half, relaxing fans as if to say, "We've got this in the bag."

 

One thing's for sure, Candace Parker is long gone from the Vols...and it shows. In the first half, Tennessee spent a lot of time doing tricks with the ball—passing it behind their backs, faking shots, but they hardly tried to get the ball IN the hoop. At the half, LSU lead 35-20. 

 

The Lady Tigers must've eaten a turkey in the locker room, because their start of the second half was horrendous. No. 18 Vols were out for blood. In Tiger defense, LSU was missing junior guard Allison Hightower, who scored 14 points in the first half. Tennessee quit the ball-handling skills and actually started shooting and scoring 3-pointers. 

 

While the Vols never got a lead in the game, they tied it up three times. The game got tense when they tied at 51 with 8:30 left in the game. After back and forth scoring, the game was saved when sophomore guard Katherine Graham scored two free throws with seven seconds remaining—Tampa 2008, anyone?

 

This time, LSU was able to block any last minute buzzer shots from the Vols, making the final score 63-61. The win marks their fourth straight victory and secures a bye in next week's SEC Tournament. 

 

The Lady Tigers play the Ole Miss Rebels this Sunday, in Oxford. 


Posted by wittywriter7 at 2:26 PM CST
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
March Madness
Mood:  bright
Topic: Sports

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

I just entered my picks into the pool for March Madness; one of the most exciting times in the year of Holly. Now, I don't want to give anything away, but... 

 

 Ps. There is a new column up under "current projects>hipsterpad."

 

 


Posted by wittywriter7 at 8:00 PM CDT
Updated: Friday, February 27, 2009 2:29 PM CST
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