I-State Game Tonight

So I was invited over to Trent and Monica's last night to watch the Iowa State game, and this morning I went over and told Trent that Jamie Lou couldn't make it but I could.  This was the IM conversation that followed:

That's all I got, hey it made me laugh.

Let me Mayor drink!

enough said.

A while back on cyclone fanatic a great post started about people getting off of the Mayor's back at I-State and letting him coach, only they messed up the title, and a little bit of a movement on cyclone fanatic started from the "Let me Mayor Coach!" thread. Including spin-off threads, and artwork, and a better general appreciation for Fred Hoiberg. You can find the chain here: Cyclone fanatic thread.

So a while ago we were at Mi Mexico in Des Moines and our bill came in the following check holder, which made me think: Let me Mayor drink!

The weekend that was Part 2 of 3

This last weekend was one of the best weekends ever. Friday night was the Dave Matthews Band. Saturday was tailgating and the I-State vs. Army football game. Sunday I was at the Vikings vs. 49ers game in Minneapolis (maybe the best finish I have seen in person).


Second up is the Saturday I-State vs. Army experience.



Unfortunately our friends Ty and Jess couldn't make the Army game. While we did miss them their tickets didn't go to waste as cousin Lauree and Dan were going to go in their stead. Well Dan called in sick with a sandy vagina but second cousin Keegan filled in quite perfectly.



The day started with us meeting at 12:30 at T and D's and packing to go up to Ames. The trailer hitch shelf that we got some years back is turning out to be quite a useful purchase. It allowed 5 people, the next bigger than the last, and 6 chairs and 3 coolers and 3 plastic totes and 1 grill and one small tent with USA cover to fit in to the Envoy. All those years of Dr. Mario and Tetris in college really is paying off better than my degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science on a daily basis I am finding.



We got to Ames at around 1:45 and started to unpack. We are becoming quite efficient if I do say so myself. it was around 1:46 I remember seeing the grill's gas regulator and tank sitting in T and D's garage back in Granger. That was a low point of the day for me I think. But Jamie Lou was still in Des Moines coming up later so she was able to make it out there and pick it up for us. Double lucky for us are the nice people we have been tailgating with this season as we were able to use some one else's Roadtrip gas tank until Jamie Lou could make it up to Ames.



Eventually Jamie Lou did make it along with Brazilian coworkers Flavio and Renato. It was Flavio and Renato's first experience with American football and Iowa Sate tailgating. I am positive they left the country really enjoying both.



It was burger, beers and brats for lunch. Tried some new pineapple stuffed brats and people seemed to enjoy them. I only picked up four so didn't personally get one, but judging by the fact they all got snarfed down they couldn't have been too bad. I also for the first time picked up some thin sliced pork loins. I covered them in A-1 on both sides grilled them up and tossed them on some buns. They worked out quite nicely. Tastey, quick, easy can't do much better than that.



As has become our tradition we leave our tailgate up during the game. This is done for two reasons 1) so that we can come out and have some beers at half time (so glad they still allow pass outs) and B) instead of fighting traffic, it is just as easy to fire up the grill and eat dinner and let the traffic clear out rather than fight it and get mad.



As the game was against Army once every hour on the hour two howitzers were shot off. Man o man were they loud on that side of the stadium. We caught a couple Go Army national guard mini footballs, so that is always fun. We tried to find family of some of my friends, but with that many people around it is almost impossible. We did get to meet up with one of Lauree's friends so that was nice. At half time of the gave 13 current I-State student swore into the Army and would be recognized as officers upon their graduation. I hate to say it but when the ceremony started and the man in charge said "Repeat after me. I, State your name" the lady in front of me and I both said aloud at the same time "I state your name" she got a head slap from her husband, I got the "dumb-ass" look from Jamie Lou. I blame Mel Brooks.



The game itself was a nice game by our Clones. A nice solid win with decent passing and better running being displayed. 3 -1 at this point is right where I thought they would be. I am hoping for a win this next Saturday vs K-State. that would put them at 4 -1 and need only two more W's to be bowl eligible. With this new staff and the young players that extra practice time they would get would be invaluable.

Next up Sunday......

I-State's Meet the Coaches Night 2009

First let me apologize, I forgot my good camera at home so the point and shoot with 3x zoom will leave a lot to be desired on the photos. Secondly, there were a lot of people there tonight, I forgot to look at the total number of tables but I would guess at least 80- with 8 people at them so a nice strong turnout over 650 cyclone boosters (probably quite a bit more).

Social hour was around 40 minutes we got to have some over priced beers, but at least they were cold. Then we all sat to have Christiani's Catering. As far as buffet group dinners go this one was a-ok, pasta with Sausage, thin sliced beef, nice salads. Enough to get full on :)


There was a raffle drawing. 31 prizes given out, 2 amazing enough to our one table (nothing for me though). These two prizes included a 100th cyclone basket ball DVD and a sack of cyclone golf paraphernalia (putter cover, 3 -wood cover, balls). not sure what the other 29 prizes entailed.

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First up was John Walters thanking the sponsors and Frank Santana for the use of the Seven Flags event center.

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Then Jon Schaben had a live auction. First up was Big 12 Tournament Fantasy Week experience. It included Men's and Women's Basketball tickets for the lower bowl seating, lodging at the team hotel, and I believe transportation to and from the tourney. My max amount was quickly passed up and it ended up going for $2,5000.00. Not a bad haul for 5 minutes of work.

Next up for auction was 2 sideline passes for all six home games at Jack Trice this season. It too brought in nice money as it quickly went for $2,000.00.

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A nice little picture slide show went by with highlights from the last year in sports.

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Then Emcee Walters (or Oprah as he wanted to be called) took back over. This year instead of a "mild" coaches roast with some serious points thrown in it was a round table complete with couch and and a table (see photos below). With Walte... Oprah asking the questions, First up was Athletics Director Jamie Pollard (JP).

JP was quick to point out that it is the first time in I-State history that 5 teams finished in the top 25 season ending polls. Those teams included Wrestling, Volleyball, Women's Basketball (forgive me I went to get 2 more expensive cold beers at this point)

JP pointed out that I-state's 450 athletes as a whole 9 of the last 11 semesters have had a higher GPA and a graduation rate at 10% higher than general student population.

Said he saw Lenard Johnson (LJ) playing ping pong with Coach Paul Rhoads (CPR). JP asked LJ to swing by his office so he could get a feel for what the players think of CPR. LJ said never in his life did he think a coach with play ping pong with him and just hang. The point being there is a different vibe and feel with this staff and the players.
JP's backyard over looks CPR's house. so when the moving company showed up and pulled off 2 Harleys JP's wife called JP just to let him know. JP asked CPR are you a rider, and he was like "oh absolutely." JP thought, maybe I should have added some protection in the contract.... Then he finds out CPR is going to learn about flying airplanes. JP is realizing CPR is a risk taker, writes CPR's agent that they need to rework his contract (laughs). But is sure of one thing. Punting on 4th and inches isn't going to happen.

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Next up on Oprah's couch was Kevin Jackson (KJ) and Chris Bono (CB). KJ is here for National titles, developing great men, and beating Iowa. CB actually called KJ and said he wanted on the staff before he even had the job. Neither thought that KJ not having been a college head coach will make a bit of difference in the end. KJ informed all in attendance to be at the December 6th Iowa match and if we get snowed in Ames we can all stay at his place that night. Because he is the decider, KJ then asked his wife if that is OK.
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Jon Schaben then finished up the Auctioning. Womens trip for two @Texas on Jan 23rd with trip and stay and Men's trip at Kansas both went for $2,000.00 a peice.

Lastly a Luxury suite with 24 tickets, 6 parking passes and 6 guest passes went right past our bid hope of 2,500 to $6,500.00. In 15 total minutes of work $15,000.00 had been raised.
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Then was the elite 8 round table with Christy Johnson (CJ) and Bill Fennelly (BF). CJ noted that it has been a steady climb from winning, to qualifier, to sweet 16 to elite 8. BF pointed out that was 15 years for him for the elite 8. Volleyball was #13 in attendance, women's basketball was #3 in the nation. Both were thankful for the support from the fans. CJ is excited that at the end of the year they had 4 freshman on the floor and what that means for the future. BF then said she would be final four this year. BF wanted everyone to know that there is no finer representative of I-state than Greg McDermott(GM) and his wife Theressa.

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Next up was GM. September 7t Lucca Staiger is playing with the German National team, had hopped to play with Dirk Nowitsky, but it didn't happen. Jamie VanderBeeken has broken his foot and it out at least a month(not sure if that was just 1 month or a month of the season). They took these harder games (duke, ND) because he wants to challenge his kids and that this team has a great story to tell and any chance he can get it on to television and around the country he will take it.

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Then there was an inspirational Cyclone feature about Men's golfer Tyler Swanson who almost died in a car crash. Who went from almost dead, to being given a 50% chance to lead an unassisted life to being the first person one specialist had ever seen with head injuries that bad go back to school. Quite a story.

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Lastly was CPR. Like KJ he makes the major decisions in his house. It is just amazing to him that in 18 years there hasn't had to be one major decision he had to make. He went through the day in the life of a cyclone football player. Let me just say it start at wake up at 6AM and ends at lights out at 10:30 PM and is regimented in between like you wouldn't believe.

The coaches he brought along he brought for specific reasons 1) to recruit specific regions. 2) care for the kids. This year there has been parent separations, parents going to hospice, grand parents falling very ill, his staff handles all the kids in the right way. and 3) guys that are amazing Educators. He is proud of their progress. They are playing with Urgency. And they are playing smart. and they are playing with passion. They ran a 155 play scrimmage and they only had 8 loafs where maximum effort wasn't given. This team will play hard and to the whistle.

PHOTOS:

Emcee John "the Oprah" Walters

Cameron Ted, Cy and Jamie Lou

Sean and Jayna

Amy and Kevin - Neil

Before the show got started social hour

John Schaben doing his thing

JW with JP

JW with KJ and CB

a great under armour logo, with JW with CJ and BF in the background.

An Ear and head with JW and GM in the background.

your new head coach!


THE HOUNDS
Prissy
Moses

I am an I-State fan, but....

This is one of the funnier things I have seen. Auburn fans are not taking the hiring too well.....

Oh, thank God it is over

2 - 10 wow, what can you really say? The only thing I can think to say is thank God it is over. I am a huge I-state fan/supporter but I couldn't handle anymore with this team. The Offense would play fine, the Defense wouldn't. The defense would put them into position to win and the special teams would fail. So close and yet so for away.

So let's remember what was:
South Dakota State: (W) 44-17. I-state did what they should do against a team from that conference.

Kent State: (W) 48-28. Two games in a row, a ton of points scored. Getting the feeling that this team might score at will.

Iowa: (L) 5-17. Wow, close game. Iowa returns that punt and that was the deal breaker. Hope for a good season still high.

UNLV: (L) 31-34 OT. Double WOW. At half time, the last 6 quarter of football from this team, this amazing offense from the beginning of the year has amassed a not so amazing 5 total points. Something happens at half time, the team come out hot. Scores with three seconds left to only be down one point. I scream go for 2, TWO TWO TWO TWO they kick and lose in OT on UNLV's first play. WOW WOW

KANSAS: (L) 33-35. UGH. I am starting to think that maybe I was wrong. Up 20 points they somehow find a way to get down. Onside kick get the ball only to fail again. I think I drank too much.

Baylor: (L) 10-38. Well it can't get much worse than this can it? I mean they can't lose them all.....

Nebraska: (L) 7-35. Sure seemed a lot closer than the score... not sure though.... drinking a lot at these games now... I am sure they will win at least one of these games....

aTm: (L) 35-49. HHMMM it was homecoming.... I was at this game.... memory really fuzzy... thought we tried to win, onside kick hit aTm player in the face, but they got the ball..... maybe shouldn't drink so much

Oklahoma State: (L) 17-59. In Mexico. While I am sure that won't win, they might cover the spread... let's check the internet Espinoza (that is Spanish for internet I think)..... nope, nothing good.... so many margaritas..

Colorado: (L) 24-28. I am so glad I was in Mexico when I jumped on Jamie Lou's blackberry in the Cancun airport. Don't think I could have handled seeing them fail to score with no time left.... getting drunk at a Bubba Gump in the airport.... the movie seems to be one repeat all the time... it is making me drink more.. I bet there is a high suicide rate here.

Missouri: (L) 20-52 Pretty sure they aren't going to win another game this year... I think We will go to Murhpy Waggoner's birthday party in Indianola instead.... wow that was a great choice... but there was an open bar.. makes it easy to forget the game.

Kansas State: (L) 30-38 A fumble on the 4 going in to score. over 600 yards of offense..... Thank God it is over... thank God it is Cassie's birthday and there will be beer.....

Hey, the Men's basketball team is 3-0 right now... Maybe there is a chance they will be good this year..... shoot me now.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

Went and watched The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor at Billy Joe's Picture Show. They should have called it The Mummy: Steaming Pile of Dog Shit. I knew this movie was going to be bad, I had no idea it was going to be worse than Hell Boy. It was so bad am not sure which I would rather see, The Mummy or the new Indiana Jones movie. They both sucked. The bad part is I really liked the first Mummy, and kinda liked the second one. This movie was so bad I had to get drunk to try and forget most of that night, but some things are forever burned into my brain like :

Yetis! Not the fact that there are Yeti, more that you can speak Chinese and English to them and they understand. Even beyond that, after they kicked a man over a building one of the freaking CGI yetis signals "THE KICK IS GOOD" and they laughed. I didn't laugh, I vomited a bit in my mouth and heard Mike say "That just happened." Oh you readers are lucky, I found all of the Yeti clips on You Tube!


The Dragon Emperor after dieing and being reborn (Why she made that curse I don't quite know, why not make one that he dies forever, not one where he can be reborn and all powerful?) can freeze things and shoot fire out of his eyes maybe it was his mouth. Then turns into Tiamat, and a hedgehog, and a flying dragon. Terrible, real silly. Why does he need his army to be brought back from the dead? Why not just freeze, burn, eat, and out race(a Sonic joke there) the enemy. On the other hand, wouldn't modern (1948) weaponry outmatch 19th dynasty weaponry of the army he brings back?

How/Why do 3000 year old machines still work? It is a bit old to be able to pull a switch and have a floor open up with a pulley system. It is just old and tired. Why in the HELL did they have to blow open the door to the tomb if other explorers had already been inside and were found dead? What, they closed themselves inside after they died?


Step Brothers next week. I could hear Ferrell say "I'm burying you!" a couple times a day and not get tired of it.

Cyclones didn't lose.
Squawks did.
Gators did.
Trojans did.
The Irish are.
Hope the Vikes win tomorrow.
I gotta say, it was a good day.

Cool vid or two

Went to the I-State game Saturday. Man oh man 2 - 0 is soooooo much better than 0 - 2. The DM Register ran something I think that said last season 44 or so teams won their first two games and all but 3 were bowl eligible at the end of the year. Not saying this is that kind of team, but they are scoring more, the QBs seem to pass it better, and the "D" flies all over the field. Big game next week.

Vikes play tomorrow. Pumped for that.

not sure if you heard. Fa-vruh played for the NY Bretts eerrrr I mean Jets today. Oh yeah, Brady got hurt too. That is inside information I got so you prolly never heard a thing about either of those...

Feeling a tad lazy so thought I would pull a JB and just post a vid **wink**

This has been around for quite a while, but I am still amazed. Starts off SUPER slow, but gets really cool around 0:52 in......


the Lidell Vs Evans carnage from UFC 88(if it stays up):

Man, have I been lazy!?

Sorry, I would like to say I haven't been posting because a lot has been going on, but the troof is that I am incredibly lazy.

So here is a little something for you Cyclone fans.

Jamie Lou and I went to the "Meet the Coaches Night" for I-State at the 92.5 KJJY Event Center at 7 Flags Complex. Wow, that was a lot to type, but that was how it was listed on the brochure was a pretty fun night with a social hour at 5:30 (beer and wine). The Silent auction also started then. And now a rant about silent auctions. A silent auction should have ballot boxes and sheets of paper and you put you amount in the box so no one else can know what you are bidding. To simply have a sheet of paper and know how much everyone is bidding is lame. When the last one to bid wins, to me, it takes they fun out of the auction. But I digress....

Dinner was at 6:30 catering was by Christiani's. It was your standard fare, salad, pasta, beef, and deserts. All in all pretty good. 7:30 the live auction was to start, it really started closer to 7:00. The the coaches program started at 8:00 Emceed by John Walters. Speakers were Christy Johnson volleyball, Cael Sanderson Wrestling, Bill Fennelly Women's Basketball, Greg McDermott Men's Basketball, Gene Chizik Football, and Jamie Pollard Athletics Director.

It is amazing to me that in 30 minutes during the auction phase that made $17,300 with very little in the way of cost being involved from I-State's side.

The original wood carved Cy from the Jacabson building went for $1300.00

Golf in the Cyclone Challenge ($500.00 off the web site) 4-some with Jamie Pollard $600.00

Golf in the Cyclone Challenge ($500.00 off the web site) 4-some with Cael Sanderson $1300.00

Men's basketball trip for 2 to Texas $1800.00Football trip for 2 to Las Vegas $3000.00

Suite and 20 Tickets vs. Nebraska $4000.00Football trip for 2 to Iowa $1000.00

Women's Basketball trip for 2 to Iowa $700.00

Men's basketball trip for 2 to Iowa $1100.00

Sideline passes for 2 vs. Nebraska 1500.00

Women's basketball trip for 2 to KSU 1000.00

Coaches were great. Volleyball has a lot to be proud of, things really heading to where they have never been before.

Cael is funny. Not sure if he knows it, but he is. Looks like he can still compete.

Fennelly is the highlight every year.

McDermott looks like he is gettign over the loss of WJ.

Coach Chiz is all business all the time. But man did he have some cracks on Iowa. Always fun when they pander to the crowd.

And Pollard seems to be excited where things are going. I hope he stays to see the projects through.