Getting my hair cut today, the hair stylist asked me what my favorite sport was. My answer was pretty simple: "All of them."
OK, I stretched the truth and I'm not sure why.
As a longtime sportswriter, I have always said, "My favorite depends on the sports season." Otherwise, in the fall, it is football. In the winter, it's basketball and in the summer, it's baseball."
I think I'm going to amend that a bit.
I admit it, it's football. Of course, it is just about football season -- high school, college and professional. I could change my mind in a few months when the basketball hits the hardwood again.
But let's face it. Maybe I should base my love of sports entirely on my t-shirt collection. If that's the case, then it is football hands down. It also didn't hurt that the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions.
Yeah, in your face Vikings' and Bears' fans.
I'd say I have a fair share of Packers t-shirts now. I can thank my wife, who although held hostage in a hospital bed, can still order my wardrobe via telephone, and of course, I can't pass up a good looking Packers' t-shirt when I walk by one.
The nurses and physical therapists at Teresa's hospital have hardly seen me in anything else but a Packers' t-shirt. Of course, the first words out of their mouths are, "Packers fan, huh?" I feel like the old Mad Magazine bit, "Stupid Answers For Stupid Questions." I really want to say," No, I hate the team. Just like the t-shirts."
I don't say that, though. It's more like, "Uh, yeah."
Of course, as I write this, I am wearing a Rockies t-shirt. It must be about time for laundry.
---
As you can (or can't) see, I've put a couple of gadgets on this blog for monetary reasons. One is to help defray medical expenses for Teresa's illness. Without getting into actual numbers, that aspect of things has been pretty devastating as well. Another is to see if I could get some actual advertising as I go to bed at night dreaming of doing this for a living again. Of course, I can't make a living off of a couple of small ads, but every little bit helps.
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In another week, the Wyoming Cowboys will hit the practice fields again. Where has the summer gone? It will be interesting to see the new-look Cowboys as they prepare for the new-look Mountain West this season that includes Boise State and not Utah and BYU.
More on Wyoming football upcoming.
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I think I need a swear jar when talking about the Mountain West. I can't help but still call it the Mountain West Conference. Every time I do so, I need to put a dollar in the jar. At least I will know where all of my money goes, as the funds should build up. Heck, sometimes I still let it slip by calling the MWC the WAC.
Maybe I just need to be slapped.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
UW sets football season tickets record
When someone says get your tickets now, they usually mean it. That's been the case for the University of Wyoming football program. Despite last year's disappointing season, enthusiasm appears to be at an all-time high, especially if you count ticket sales.
When the season tickets went on sale this past February, the UW athletics department set a goal of selling 10,000 season tickets for the 2011 season. That goal was reached this week, as 10,035 season tickets were sold as of July 14. The previous UW record was 8,336 season tickets in 2009.
Less than 500 available season tickets remained for sale as of Thursday.
Cowboy fans were informed in February that the only way to guarantee themselves a ticket to the Wyoming-Nebraska game was to purchase a season ticket for the 2011 season. Season tickets were made available for purchase by the general public beginning Feb. 28, and renewals were also mailed to 2010 UW season-ticket holders on Feb. 28.
“The response from our fans has been tremendous,” said University of Wyoming Director of Athletics Tom Burman said in a release. “We knew the demand for tickets this season was going to be great. We weren’t absolutely positive we could reach the 10,000 season-ticket mark, but the outpouring of support from our fans has been outstanding.
“When we put tickets on sale last February, we wanted to make sure that all of our fans had enough advance notice to be able to purchase a season ticket, allowing them an opportunity to see this historic game versus Nebraska. Now, almost five months later, Cowboy fans have taken advantage of this opportunity to see what has become the most anticipated event in our athletic history.”
With a general positive response to the release of the new cowboy football uniform combinations, football season apparently could not get here any quicker.
When the season tickets went on sale this past February, the UW athletics department set a goal of selling 10,000 season tickets for the 2011 season. That goal was reached this week, as 10,035 season tickets were sold as of July 14. The previous UW record was 8,336 season tickets in 2009.
Less than 500 available season tickets remained for sale as of Thursday.
Cowboy fans were informed in February that the only way to guarantee themselves a ticket to the Wyoming-Nebraska game was to purchase a season ticket for the 2011 season. Season tickets were made available for purchase by the general public beginning Feb. 28, and renewals were also mailed to 2010 UW season-ticket holders on Feb. 28.
“The response from our fans has been tremendous,” said University of Wyoming Director of Athletics Tom Burman said in a release. “We knew the demand for tickets this season was going to be great. We weren’t absolutely positive we could reach the 10,000 season-ticket mark, but the outpouring of support from our fans has been outstanding.
“When we put tickets on sale last February, we wanted to make sure that all of our fans had enough advance notice to be able to purchase a season ticket, allowing them an opportunity to see this historic game versus Nebraska. Now, almost five months later, Cowboy fans have taken advantage of this opportunity to see what has become the most anticipated event in our athletic history.”
With a general positive response to the release of the new cowboy football uniform combinations, football season apparently could not get here any quicker.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tuesday's disjointed ramblings
The Wyoming football team will have a much different look on the field this season and I'm not just talking about the depth chart. The UW athletic department released a look at the “new-look” Cowboys this season with nine variations of uniforms from Nike this season.
You've got white tops, yellow pants, yellow tops, white pants, brown tops, brown pants, a white helmet with the bucking horse logo, a brown helmet with the outline of the bucking horse logo, Wyoming on the chest and WYO on the chest. Although the Cowboys won't have as many uniform matches as Oregon, they'll have a closet full of different outfits to wear to the dance.
"We've developed an outstanding relationship with Nike during our time here at Wyoming," said Cowboy head coach Dave Christensen in a news release. "Nike provides us the highest quality game and practice gear available, and they have worked with our equipment staff to develop a variety of uniform options for our team. Our goal is to build a first class program, and that means playing first class, acting first class and looking first class. Nike helps us look first class, and that also carries over to how recruits perceive our program. We couldn't be happier with the look of our new uniforms."
Here's a photo gallery from wyomingathletics.com. http://www.wyomingathletics.com/view.gal?id=97045
It will be interesting to see what fans like and what they don't like. Of course, winning in a certain uniform might go a long way in the team wearing the combination more than once.
From a distance, I like the new looks. We'll see how they look on the field.
***
BYU's arrogance was obviously on display Tuesday with theindependent Cougars, who left the "inferior" Mountain West Conference, hosting football media day. The Mountain West football media day isn't for a couple of weeks and the Wyoming media day is a week later. For the most part, that is the norm for most schools.
But BYU isn't the norm, at least in their eyes. It prides itself on being better than most, so it really wasn't much of a surprise to hear about they early gala that saw them bring in the likes of Steve Young and Ty Detmer among others, to add to their dog and pony show. I'm guessing that Jim McMahon wasn't invited to the "We are the Champions" love fest.
Naturally, there was one last mention or two (with love, of course) about Laramie and Wyoming.
“Laramie, Wyoming, is one of the Top 5 hardest places to play. They have a hatred for BYU that’s unrivaled!” Young said at the media day which was televised by BYUTV.
I wonder if they truly can't figure out why Cowboys fans hate them? Actually, we all know the answer to that question.
***
I'm not sure what to think about this year's MLB All-Star Game. For as long as I can remember, it has easily been my favorite all-star game. I never got into the Pro Bowl even though I'm a huge NFL fan. The same for the NBA All-Star Game, although I can't call myself much of a NBA fan these days. Ditto for the NHL All-Star Game.
The MLB All-Star Game, however, has always been special to me. As a young Twins fan, I couldn't wait until Rod Carew got to bat and later as a younger adult, with Kirby Puckett at the plate. I never missed a game. As a kid, I voted as much as I could for every Twins player that was on the ballot.
I'm just not sure what to make of my lack of interest in this year's game. Maybe it's the fact that the best players have chosen not to participate, either by injury or by the lack of interest and basically a lack of respect for the game.
Unfortunately, I think it's likely more of the latter.
Willie Mays was named to 24 All-Star Games. He played in 24 All-Star Games. Derek Jeter had to rest after his recent successful chase for 3,000 hits and didn't even travel to Phoenix for the All-Star Game. He was just too exhausted.
That just might explain the difference between old school and new school. I'll take old school every time.
***
With not being a sportswriter for over a year ‑‑ after being one for about 30 years ‑‑ if there is one thing that I have learned in recent months, is to stick with what you love to do. I'm certainly not the best sportswriter around ‑‑ I have never claimed to be or bragged on my awards ‑‑ but it's what I love to do.
This past couple of years have certainly been tough on my wife with her health and tough on me and my stepdaughter, Cassie. But it's just like Teresa to think about others before herself. If I had a dollar for every time she has encouraged me to get back into writing, I'd be a rich man.
Well, maybe not rich, but much better off. Hopefully, I can get back on the saddle again soon.
You've got white tops, yellow pants, yellow tops, white pants, brown tops, brown pants, a white helmet with the bucking horse logo, a brown helmet with the outline of the bucking horse logo, Wyoming on the chest and WYO on the chest. Although the Cowboys won't have as many uniform matches as Oregon, they'll have a closet full of different outfits to wear to the dance.
"We've developed an outstanding relationship with Nike during our time here at Wyoming," said Cowboy head coach Dave Christensen in a news release. "Nike provides us the highest quality game and practice gear available, and they have worked with our equipment staff to develop a variety of uniform options for our team. Our goal is to build a first class program, and that means playing first class, acting first class and looking first class. Nike helps us look first class, and that also carries over to how recruits perceive our program. We couldn't be happier with the look of our new uniforms."
Here's a photo gallery from wyomingathletics.com. http://www.wyomingathletics.com/view.gal?id=97045
It will be interesting to see what fans like and what they don't like. Of course, winning in a certain uniform might go a long way in the team wearing the combination more than once.
From a distance, I like the new looks. We'll see how they look on the field.
***
BYU's arrogance was obviously on display Tuesday with theindependent Cougars, who left the "inferior" Mountain West Conference, hosting football media day. The Mountain West football media day isn't for a couple of weeks and the Wyoming media day is a week later. For the most part, that is the norm for most schools.
But BYU isn't the norm, at least in their eyes. It prides itself on being better than most, so it really wasn't much of a surprise to hear about they early gala that saw them bring in the likes of Steve Young and Ty Detmer among others, to add to their dog and pony show. I'm guessing that Jim McMahon wasn't invited to the "We are the Champions" love fest.
Naturally, there was one last mention or two (with love, of course) about Laramie and Wyoming.
“Laramie, Wyoming, is one of the Top 5 hardest places to play. They have a hatred for BYU that’s unrivaled!” Young said at the media day which was televised by BYUTV.
I wonder if they truly can't figure out why Cowboys fans hate them? Actually, we all know the answer to that question.
***
I'm not sure what to think about this year's MLB All-Star Game. For as long as I can remember, it has easily been my favorite all-star game. I never got into the Pro Bowl even though I'm a huge NFL fan. The same for the NBA All-Star Game, although I can't call myself much of a NBA fan these days. Ditto for the NHL All-Star Game.
The MLB All-Star Game, however, has always been special to me. As a young Twins fan, I couldn't wait until Rod Carew got to bat and later as a younger adult, with Kirby Puckett at the plate. I never missed a game. As a kid, I voted as much as I could for every Twins player that was on the ballot.
I'm just not sure what to make of my lack of interest in this year's game. Maybe it's the fact that the best players have chosen not to participate, either by injury or by the lack of interest and basically a lack of respect for the game.
Unfortunately, I think it's likely more of the latter.
Willie Mays was named to 24 All-Star Games. He played in 24 All-Star Games. Derek Jeter had to rest after his recent successful chase for 3,000 hits and didn't even travel to Phoenix for the All-Star Game. He was just too exhausted.
That just might explain the difference between old school and new school. I'll take old school every time.
***
With not being a sportswriter for over a year ‑‑ after being one for about 30 years ‑‑ if there is one thing that I have learned in recent months, is to stick with what you love to do. I'm certainly not the best sportswriter around ‑‑ I have never claimed to be or bragged on my awards ‑‑ but it's what I love to do.
This past couple of years have certainly been tough on my wife with her health and tough on me and my stepdaughter, Cassie. But it's just like Teresa to think about others before herself. If I had a dollar for every time she has encouraged me to get back into writing, I'd be a rich man.
Well, maybe not rich, but much better off. Hopefully, I can get back on the saddle again soon.
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