College Sports – Page 2 – Playin Your Dreams

DARRELL K. ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM HARBORS APPREHENSION–11/12/16

November 20, 2016August 27, 2023

DARRELL K. ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM HARBORS APPREHENSION–11/12/16

The University of Texas would be the starting point on my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage for four games of College Football within an 18 day period. Two travel days make up the agenda. My Pilgrimage began on Wednesday, 11/8/16 and will end upon my return home on Saturday, 11/26/16.

The main goal of each Pilgrimage and travels is to return home safely and in good health. Any and all things that I encounter are as Marcus Aurelius says ‘are there to entertain me’. For I have no control over outside forces, but only how I respond to them. I hope to leave more than I take.

My College Football Pilgrimages were ‘Inspired’ by my friend Greg who lives in Houston, Texas. During a Pitt Football game at the ‘Morgue’ disguised as Heinz Field on a Thursday night during September of 2010, Greg surprised me with a ticket for the Temple @ Penn State game on Saturday.

It had been many years, since my previous visits to Beaver Stadium as a player and Grad Assistant Football Coach for Pitt University. The Stadium had gone under numerous renovations increasing its size from 60,000 to over 100,000. Though once yearly rivals, Pitt and Penn State had not played in a football game for many years until this year.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS–‘PIGSKINS IN DRESSES’–PART 2

December 11, 2015December 11, 2015

PIGSKINS IN DRESSES-PART 2

Welcome back. If you have not read my story “College Football Playoff—Why Are They Putting Pigskins in Dresses?” I encourage you to do so before you proceed with this story. You can find Part 1 in the College Sports Section in Football.

After Saturday’s Conference Championship Games, I sensed the sigh of relief from the College Football Selection Committee, here in Henderson, NV. They dodged, as they did last year, having to put two teams from the same conference in their ‘Final Four’.

For recap sake, let me break down each Conference Championship Game and the impact on the selection process. For those of you who missed the Iowa vs. Michigan State Game, it was a ‘Classic Duel of Two Titans’. More on that game later.

Game One—PAC 12 Championship—USC vs. Stanford

This game for the ‘Conference of Champions’ had very little impact on the selection process. It was also reflected in the crowd or the lack of a crowd. The players appeared to be vested and wanting to win, by the intensity of their play.

PITT FOOTBALL–‘PEDERSON PENALTY AT PITT AND NEBRASKA-PART 2

November 13, 2015August 29, 2016

Does the Fable of the ‘Pederson Penalty actually exist?–PART 2

Before I continue my story, a pause is needed to commemorate a ‘Historical Event’ that occurred on this day in Pitt’s history some years ago. The former Pitt brass did not celebrate this day on their yearly calendar, however I did. Now that a change of leadership has occurred at Pitt, perhaps it is time to do so.

To all Pitt alumni, Pitt Nation, and nostalgia lovers, today marks the 16th year, that the ‘last’ college football game was played in the Oakland Hills on Pitt’s campus, at Pitt Stadium. It is an honor that I can share with you memories of ‘ITS’ existence. This was the beginning.

Desoto Street showing the intersection at Terrace Street and the site of Pitt Stadium.

Wikipedia writes:(Images have been added for enhancement.)

PITT FOOTBALL–‘PEDERSON PENALTY’ AT PITT and NEBRASKA

November 6, 2015August 29, 2016

The ‘Pederson Penalty’ at Pitt and Nebraska. Is it more than just a ‘Fable’?

What is a ‘Fable’? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the full definition reads:

Full Definition of FABLE: a fictitious narrative or statement: as

a : a legendary story of supernatural happenings

b : a narration intended to enforce a useful truth; especially : one in which animals speak and act like human beings

c : falsehood, lie

²fable

verb

intransitive verb

archaic

: to tell fables

transitive verb

: to talk or write about as if true

For those of you that have been following my posts, I have shared other ‘Fables’ with you. The first one was the ‘600’ in Tiger Stadium at LSU. Number 2 was the ‘Bear Trap Curse’ in Commonwealth Stadium at Kentucky. The third one was the ‘Fulmer Vendetta’ in Neyland Stadium at Tennessee. As with the others, I will present my findings and let you the reader make your own judgement.

The ‘Fable’ that I will present to you in this post is called the ‘Pederson Penalty’ named after Steve Pederson, former Athletic Director at Pitt and Nebraska.

‘ALPHA FEMALE CAT’– IS IT A FABLE? WHO HAS IT?

October 30, 2015November 21, 2015

WHO HAS ‘IT’?–The Fable of the ‘Alpha Female Cat’.

As I continued sitting in my truck, slowly slipping my coffee and water, I am watching the females as they line up and enter Stoney’s. After C/L told me her theory on the Alpha Female Dog/Wolf, I did some investigation on the web. This is what I discovered after renaming the animal the ‘Alpha Female Cat’.The Alpha Female & Beta Female

Anna Madsen in Advice Mar 7, 2012 • 10:53am

Following the study on Alpha and Beta males, one finds that the same method can be conducted on women as well. In order to help you elite bachelors understand the opposite sex better and their social patterns, please find the equivalent model to provide you with information on how to distinguish the two categories. We strongly encourage you to take notes, as different strategies should be applied depending on the type of woman you choose; both for casual sex or as a future wife.

The Alpha Female
The alpha female is a tough negotiator. She knows her value, and knows there is more to her than looks. She is the leader-type and constantly surrounded by a group of admiring subordinates. Executive decisions such as where to go, what drinks to order, what guys to talk to, all fall under the jurisdiction of the alpha female.

Not necessarily the most beautiful in her circle of friends, the alpha female knows that brains are what will take her the farthest. Topics like politics, economy, business and law interests her, and she discusses these global issues without difficulty. She does not take directions from men; the alpha females make the calls. She is cynical and sarcastic in her language, but always with a certain charm.

INSPIRATION-WHAT IS ‘IT’?

October 23, 2015November 20, 2015

INSPIRATION-WHAT IS ‘IT’?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘Inspiration’ as follows:
noun
:something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create: a force or influence that inspires someone.
: a person, place, experience, etc.; that makes someone want to do or create something.
: a good idea

Full Definition
1a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
b: the act of power of moving the intellect or emotions.
c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.
2: the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs.
3a: the quality or state of being inspired.
b: something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>
4: an inspiring agent or influence.

Recently, I was questioned about my topics for ‘inspiration’. Why would I choose not to write about my children, but write about others I hardly knew? The answer is simple.

Though my twin children Michael and Megan are highly accomplished and have ‘IT’, they have requested that I do not write about them on my Facebook page or my website. They both ‘inspire’ others and ‘make a difference’. Perhaps one day, a different point of view will be exposed.

When anyone asks me to not write about him or her or to them, I have learned to respect their wishes.

After being inspired by my 2015 College Football Pilgrimage, I was looking forward to sharing ‘IT’ with others at the Rubicon. In my book, ‘inspirations’ equals ‘blessing’.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS-WHY ARE THEY PUTTING PIGSKINS IN DRESSES? PART 1

October 16, 2015November 28, 2016

PIGSKINS IN DRESSES-Part 1

Why are they (the College Football Selection Committee) telling us who they think is the best four college football teams in America? Better solutions can increase the fairness for all parties involved.

Which parties? I am talking fans, alumni, players and coaches. When this Committee was first announced, I thought it was a better system than the previous one. However, doubts existed in my head. How can prestigious people with ties to certain Universities and conferences not be influenced by the payout?

SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Taken from http://www.collegefootballplayoff.com

Jeff Long, Chair-Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville

Barry Alvarez-Director of Athletics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Lieutenant General Mike Gould (Ret.)-Former Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy

Pat Haden-Director of Athletics, University of Southern California

Kirby Hocutt-Director of Athletics, Texas Tech University

Tom Jernstedt-Former NCAA Executive Vice President

Bobby Johnson-Former Head Coach, Vanderbilt University

Tom Osborne-Former Head Coach and Director of Athletics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Dan Radakovich-Director of Athletics, Clemson University

Condoleezza Rice-Stanford University professor, former Stanford Provost and former United States Secretary of State

Mike Tranghese-Former Commissioner, Big East Conference

Steve Wieberg-Former College Football Reporter, USA Today

Tyrone Willingham-Former Head Coach of Three FBS Institutions

PAYOUTS
College Football Playoff Revenue-Distribution Policies

The following estimates of the CFP revenue distribution are based on preliminary calculations for the 2015-2016 season and are only approximate projections of potential revenue distribution from each component:

NEYLAND STADIUM CREATES RESULTS

October 9, 2015November 20, 2015

Neyland Stadium-Knoxville, Tennessee Creates Results.

On October 3rd, 2015 with two teams limping in, the results would be that one team Arkansas or Tennessee would earn their first SEC win of the season. The Razorbacks were on a three game losing streak, (0-1 in the SEC) and had yet to find its trough.

The Volunteers (0-1 in the SEC) had lost three out of their last four, finding ways to give up fourteen point leads in three of them. Answers were being sought to shore up a leaky defense. Grumblings of questionable play calling with the lead in the second half filled the airwaves.

According to the University of Tennessee official Athletic website: “The present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W.S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed in March 1921, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.

The stadium, apart from the field it grew to enclose, came to bear its own distinguished name — Neyland Stadium. It was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition. General Robert R. Neyland served as head coach from 1926-1952, with two interruptions for military service.Read More »»»

Commonwealth Stadium Produces Landmark Win!!

October 2, 2015November 20, 2015

Commonwealth Stadium-Lexington, Kentucky Produces Landmark Win!!

On Saturday, September 27, 2015, the Newly Renovated Commonwealth Stadium created the first ever SEC win with a victory over Missouri. More than 126 million dollars was spent on the ‘Transfiguration’ of the structure. Some ‘Transfiguration’s’ cost more than others.

Built in 1973, it is the newest football stadium in the Southeastern Conference, as measured by date of original construction. The original capacity for the stadium was 57,800.

In 1999 both ends of the stadium were enclosed and 40 suites were added, 10 in each corner of the stadium, resulting in a symmetrical oval bowl seating 67,530. The total cost of the expansion was $27.6 million. Seating adjustments over the next decade brought capacity to 67,942.

Recent upgrades included two LED video boards each measuring approximately 37 feet (11 m) high by 80 feet (24 m) wide (2,960 square feet), making each display the 20th-largest scoreboard in the country.

Combined, the 5,920 square feet (550 m2) made the new video boards one of the largest scoreboard systems in the country. Additionally, a new custom audio system and over 1,800 linear sq/ft of video ribbon board was implemented September 10, 2011.The
approximate cost of those upgrades totaled close to $6 million.

This new 2015 renovation includes a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while reducing capacity to around 61,000.

FRIDAY/PRE-GAME: As I am driving to the stadium, anticipation enters my system. I always go out with the same attitude. I play the role of ‘Marcus Aurelius’, wondering who or what I may encounter. What benefits will be exchanged?

LSU TIGER STADIUM-WHY IS IT CALLED DEATH VALLEY?

September 26, 2015January 16, 2017

WHY IS IT CALLED DEATH VALLEY?

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, I witnessed a football game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. It was Auburn vs. LSU with a scheduled local start time of 2:30pm. CBS dictated the kickoff time. The game time temperature was 91 degrees, making it the 5th hottest game time temperature in the history of LSU football.

The heat index on the field registered 119 degrees. As the game played on, the medical staff was being taxed. There was carnage everywhere. I am not talking about the field. The carnage was laid out in the concourses and ramps of Tiger Stadium. As I looked around, I started to understand why Tiger Stadium was called ‘Death Valley’ or did I.

Before I continue, let the story unfold from Friday, the day before the game. As I drove into the lots next to Tiger Stadium, I looked for a parking place. Not wanting to get a ticket or have my rental towed, I decided to seek help.

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