College Gameday Look: LSU

College Football's last two National Champions face off this week as the #1 and #4 teams in the Nation in Baton Rouge, LA.  If I could pick any sporting event to visit this year, the Florida-LSU battle would be my number one choice.  LSU is know for its amazing tailgate experience, awesome drinking experience, deafining stadium and incredible food spots all around.  

Most LSU students, alumni, and fans make LSU football games a part of their Saturdays during the fall. Game days normally consist of tailgating, the pre-game show, and of course the game in Death Valley.  I wouldn't be surprised if people are out there tailgating right now (Friday at noon), but officially most start at 6am on Gameday.  Considering this game starts at 8pm, you have 14 hours to check out the LSU scene.  I suggest getting out there early at 6, setting up and starting with a couple brews to remove the hangover from the wild night before.  Use these beers to wake you up and head over to Louie's Cafe, a 24 hour breakfast spot.  It serves all types of food but is best known for its breakfast which it serves on tables or red stools set on its old-school, black-and-white checkered floor.

Afer that, you have to head over to see College Gameday.  If your goal is to get on TV, make Gameday your first stop and head over to the breakfast spot later.  With LSU's wild fans this should be one of the best gameday scenes, packed with thousands-and-thousands of people all going wild hoping to get themselves a quick glimpse on TV.  Bring a sign and hope you get that glory, maybe even be voted sign of the week!

I would suggest nothing more for the rest of the day than grabbing some brews and finding a tailgate.  Baton Rouge locals like to say, "We may have not invented tailgating, but we perfected it." It's hard to argue. Surrounded by wide-open spaces that fit all the RVs, cars and generator-pumped TVs, the LSU campus sees as many as 150,000 fans on game days (expect even more for this game). Tailgate groups cook up jambalaya and indluge in beers, and football all day.  These tailgates are open to any and all, just a love of football and an empty stomach and you will be welcome all day and night. 

If tailgating is too much for you, check out the many bars in Tigerland around Nicholson street (just south of campus).  Fred's, a well populated dive bar, has $2.50 Coors Lights on gamedays when it opens up at 10am and pounds students with $1.50 shots after midnight.  Another popular spot is Walk On's, which was opened by former LSU basketball walk on players, is a newer resaurant but hosts coach shows and serves awesome food and drink up until 2am.  Pretty much anywhere in downtown is filled with restaurants, theaters and more and is an exciting place to kill a couple hours before gametime.  

After drinking, eating and watching football for the better half of 13 hours, head into the stadium early to experience a wild and loud scene and Mike the Tiger.  Mike the Tiger is LSU's official (and real) mascot.  Mike is a cult like figure for LSU and they believe he affects the teams play.  Make sure to arrive about half an hour early to experience Mike.  Mike’s trailer is parked next to the opposing team’s locker room until about 20 minutes before the game. LSU’s opponents must make their way past Mike in his cage-on-wheels to reach the field. One of LSU’s traditions is for Mike to parade around the field with the LSU cheerleaders perched on top of his cage-on-wheels. Mike’s trailer stops in front of the Tiger Band and the student section.  LSU tradition dictates that the Tigers will score a touchdown for every time Mike growls before the game.  Mike the Tiger does not appear to like Mike the Mascot, or any other mascot for that matter. Mike tends to roar at the mascot almost every time he sees him, predicting a touchdown for LSU and exciting the crowd inside Death Valley.  Tiger fans watch the large screens located at each end of the field as Mike the Tiger roars at the mascot. Each of the tiger’s roars are followed by the roar of the crowd filling Tiger Stadium.

Make sure to enjoy the game, you are seeing two top 5 undefeated teams battle it out in one of the greatest stadiums in all of sports.  Enjoy it, embrace it, and hope LSU wins for the pure noise that will come out of the stadium.

If football is not all you want on your docket.  Here are some outdoor adventures to enjoy.  Baton Rouge proximity to the Mississippi and bayou (not to overlook New Orleans) means there's plenty to do. Now a museum, the Old State Capital-- mocked as an "atrocity" by Mark Twain in "Life in the Mississippi" -- is studded with castlelike turrets and boastful Gothic Revival interiors. During the Great Depression, the infamous governor Huey Long spent $5 million to replace it with a new limestone state capitol. At 450 feet, it's the nation's tallest, with a great observatory for bayou views. Plus, Baton Rouge has haunted tours and the gator-filled wilds at the nearby Alligator Bayou.

Thursday Night Football Site: Missouri

Thoursday Night pits the Missouri Tigers against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Expect a tough, rivalry game against two rivals tonight.  The weather report expects rain, and lots of it!  Look for some big hits, turnovers and a low scoring defensive battle.  Check out the information about the stadium below to read alla bout Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium - home of the Missouri Tigers.

If your in the area, get to the stadium now!  Tailgating begins at 8:00am of a gameday and you know that Missouri students took the day off for this one!

Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium is the home field of the University of Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri. It is primarily used for football. In 1972, Memorial Stadium's playing surface was named Faurot Field in honor of longtime coach Don Faurot. During the offseason, soccer goals are set up in the end zones and it is used for intramural matches. It also hosts the annual "Providence Bowl" game between Hickman and Rock Bridge high schools (so named because both schools are located on Providence Road in Columbia, and Faurot is roughly equidistant between the two) and in the past has been home to the MSHSAA football championships

The stadium is a typical horseshoe-shaped stadium, with seating added on in the "open" endzone. The horseshoe is completed by a grass berm in the curved end, which is used for general admission on game days. The berm is famous for the giant block "M" made of painted white stones located behind the endzone. This distinctive feature has not been immune to pranks, such as enterprising Nebraska or Kansas fans attempting to change the "M" to an "N" or a "K", but groundskeepers and students have in the past protected what may be the stadium's best-known landmark. One of the traditions of the football team is that seniors, after playing their final home game, take a rock from the "M" as a souvenir. It is also traditionally whitewashed every year by incoming freshmen during welcoming activities.

There is a short buffer zone of shrubs placed between the field and the stands around the entire length of the horseshoe, as well as a paved road (taking the place of the track, removed in the mid-1990s)

In 1996, the press box was upgraded to a 15-story building containing state-of-the-art facilities for the coaches and media, as well as several executive suites, hundreds of premium club seats and a restaurant. 1997 saw the installation of a video board in the north ("M") end and a refurbishment of the concourses, with new signage and expanded concessions. FieldTurf replaced the natural grass in 2003. In 2005, the south end's antiquated auxiliary scoreboards were replaced with new ones, as well as a second high-definition video monitor.

In 2009, the university installed a new $5 million 30x80 foot north end zone scoreboard with updated video capabilities and new sound system. The new north end zone video board and audio upgrades replaced the current 10 year old equipment. It is presently the fourth largest scoreboard in the Big 12 Conference, sitting behind Godzillatron at Texas' DKR Stadium, "12th Man TV" at Kyle Field in College Station, and the scoreboard at Nebraska Memorial Stadium.

PARKING


General Public Parking
-Those who wish to park in close proximity of Memorial Stadium have many options from which to choose.
-There are seven on-campus garages (including the new Parking Structure #7). Most are FREE of charge with the exception of the Maryland Avenue garage located at the corner of Maryland Avenue and Hospital Drive. The fee for Maryland Avenue garage is $15 per vehicle for levels three and above. There is a general public parking lot at the corner of Stadium Blvd. and Monk Drive that is monitored as a family-friendly zone for a fee of $15 per vehicle. All locations listed above are for passenger vehicles only. RVs and buses will not be allowed in these parking areas.

Bus and RV Parking
-Parking for RVs and buses (including school buses) will be charged a flat fee of $100 for the weekend. The parking lot will be open 6-10pm the night before a home football game and will re-open at 8am the day of the game. The designated lot for RVs and buses is located southeast of the Hearnes Center with overflow in southwest corner of Lot X-corner of College Ave. and Hospital Dr. RVs and buses are not allowed to park in any campus parking lots except for those designated by sign for RV and/or Bus Parking. For more information about RV and Bus Parking call the University of Missouri Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm at (573)882-6501. For more information, see the RV Parking Policies and Procedures.

Reserved Parking
-Certain lots will be reserved on game day for donors of the Tiger Scholarship Fund. Parking passes must be purchased from the Tiger Scholarship Fund office. For more information about Reserved Donor Parking call the Tiger Scholarship Fund office, Monday-Friday from 8am - 5pm at (573) 882-0704. Please refer to the Tiger Scholarship Fund donor parking page for locations of those reserved areas.

*Note, no beerballs, kegs or central sources of alcohol allowed in the parking spaces


MU at Memorial Stadium

* Record: 250-167-20 (83 seasons)
* Most Wins, Season: 6, 2003 (6-0), 2006 (6-1), 2007 (6-0)
* Most Losses, Season: 7, 1985 (0-7)
* Most Consecutive Wins: 20, 1938-43
* Longest Unbeaten Streak: 20, 1938-43
* Most Consecutive Losses: 8, 1984-85
* Record on Natural Grass (1926-84, 95-2002): 198-119-17
* Record on Omniturf (1985-94): 20-38-3
* Record on FieldTurf (2003-Present): 30-7

Trip of the Week: New York - ADDITION!

Some of you may be wondering: what else can I do while taking the trip of the week? What are the cities hottest spots when it comes to food, drink and entertainment.

Here's a glimpse into what the Big Apple has to offer this week:

Have you heard the recent news surrounding the architectural wonder that is the highline. Located on the West Side, this former elevated train track runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues. The area was once used to keep freight trains off the streets of Manhattan, but now holds one of the prettiest parks in the city, complete with the original tracks!

While there, check out the Chelsea Market. This place gives Faneuil Hall a run for its money. Filled with a plethora of vendors and stores, you're sure to find something delicious to heal those hunger prangs at the right price.

Want to check it out for yourself?
http://www.thehighline.org/ 
http://www.chelseamarket.com/

Looking for a little more history?

Walk over to Grand Central Station and find your way up to the campbell apartment. This jazz era bar brings old world charm and elegance back to the station.

Just beware: proper attire is required.

If casual is more your style, have no fear, there's something for everyone in the city that doesn't sleep.

Hop on down to the village, you're sure to find some great, casual meals.

We suggest Las Ramblas for Tapas. 170 W 4th St.

Finally, don't limit yourself to Manhattan while visiting the Big Apple, remember that Brooklyn is booming with culture, views and of course, food. If you have time, take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to see one of the city's best views!

Enjoy!

Video You May Not Have Seen

Here's another video you may not have seen. I've played a little ping pong in my day (a very little) and it's a tough game to master. How these guys do this is amazing, flipping hitting the ping pong ball and landing it on the table, from that far away! Try that 1000 times and see if you can do it!

Trip of the Week: New York

Friday – Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees 6:07pm

Saturday – South Florida @ Syracuse 12:00pm

Sunday – Oakland Raiders @ New York Giants 1:00pm

Monday – Anaheim Ducks @ New York Rangers 5:00pm

Its playoff baseball time.  This means my trip of the week heads to New York to see the odds on favorite New York Yankees host the fighting Minnesota Twins in ALDS.  After seeing that, you can take the drive to Syracuse to see the Orange take on Big East rival West Virginia.  If that’s not enough, the New York Giants host the struggling Raiders.  To end the trip, take Columbus Day off on Monday and check out the Anaheim Ducks take on the New York Rangers to end the awesome sports weekend.

 

Friday – Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees 6:07pm

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-yankees-tickets/

What a better way to start your weekend than playoff baseball!  Get out to Yankee stadium early and check out the scenery around the stadium.  Start by going to Stan’s Sports bar, the most popular by the stadium.  This bar gets crowded but everyone is friendly (if you aren’t wearing the opposing teams stuff) and get a few beers before it becomes uncomfortable.  After that, head to the Yankee Tavern, family owned since 1923 to grab a few beers and a bite of food.  Yankee Tavern is known as the best food by the stadium and its probably a little bit cheaper than an 8 buck beer and 5 buck hot dog.  Be sure to get into the Stadium early as you’ll want to see it.  Monument park is free to walk up to half hour before the game and its more than worth seeing all their history.  Whether you like the Yankees or not, its pretty amazing to witness all their history before they try to make more!  Get to your seats by the top of the 1^st and listen to the players roll call.  In the right field bleachers, the fans take turns chanting players names until they are acknowledged, every player participates (some more excited than others) and it is a famous tradition.  After that, enjoy the game!  It’s playoff baseball in Yankee Stadium!  Not quite sure what could be better!

Saturday – West Virginia @ Syracuse 12:00pm

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/000042E9D62F631E?artistid=829348&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=8

If your willing to drive 4 hours, and would rather do that then spend a day in the city, head up to Syracuse, NY and check out Paulus and the rest of the Orange Big East Rival West Virginia.  Game is at noon so there is probably not too much time to do more than get there for game time.  If you do get out of the hotel before 8am and to the Carrier Dome, hit up the tailgates and grab a few brews before entering the stadium.  Hopefully Paulus will step up and make it an enjoyable experience.  After the game, stop at Harry's Bar - Of the city’s hundreds and hundreds of bars, Harry's Bar fits right in the middle of the bell curve – a place to hit with your buddies on the way to your ultimate destination. Not the ideal spot for fabulous, drunken debauchery, but it’s a good as place as any to pre-drink.  Make sure someone stays sober, you are going to want to get home and ready for the next day.

Sunday – Oakland Raiders @ New York Giants 1:00pm

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-giants-tickets/

Wake up early on Sunday and head over to Giants Stadium to watch the undefeated Giants take on the struggling Oakland Raiders.   Check out this aging stadium in the Giants last season before they move to brand new Meadowland’s Stadium.  Its been an exciting season for the Gmen so far and don’t risk our chance to see the possible Super Bowl champion.  Enjoy the awesome tailgate and maybe the best team in the NFL take the field.  There is plenty of parking on the premise but get there early to enjoy it with the best fans.

Monday – Anaheim Ducks @ New York Rangers 5:00pm

http://www.stubhub.com/new-york-rangers-tickets/

Whether he was a good guy or a bad, some people get Monday, October 12th off for Columbus day, might as well enjoy the holiday as well!  Take the day to enjoy all the city has to explore.  Go to the top of the Empire State Building and view the whole city, or take a stroll through Central Park before it gets too cold to enjoy.  If you  need to do some shopping, walk down 5th Avenue and check out all the stores or get a little culture into you when in New York. go to the Metropolitan Museum (the "Met"), the Museum of Modern Art or the Museum of Natural History.

You don’t have too much time, however, as the New York Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks in a 5:00 battle in the world famous Madison Square Garden.   If you can get in early, check out the Play By Play Sports Bar and Restaurant located inside Madison Square Garden.  While you're enjoying the fun atmosphere of the Play By Play, take a jump shot from "downtown", play air-hockey or video games. Watch all the fast action on our 11 High-Definition televisions and 14 other TVs! The Play By Play is your place to get close to the action before, during or after the game!  If inside MSG isn’t for you, just walk around, there are literally hundreds of bars around the arena and you can easily find one to fit your fancy.  And post game… find that bar again, because the 3-1 Jets are on Monday Night Football

Instant Classic

If this game doesn't get you excited for the MLB Playoffs.  I don't know what will happen the rest of the way, but if the games compare to the battle that went on in Minnesota tonight, its going to be a fun season.

Heck of a win by the Twins, hoping this victory can rally them against the Yankees, make the playoffs exciting and prevent the usual Yankees-Red Sox battle everyone is planning for. 

Enjoy the playoffs!

Playoff Time

It's playoff time!  This means time to travel to the city of your favorite team, shack up next to the stadium for as long as it takes for the chance to see your team win the title, celebrate in the city, and watch the parade.  Here are is the list of the 1st round MLB playoff schedule and where to stay in each city!

Gm 1	DET/MIN @ NYY	Wed	Oct. 7	6:07 p.m.	TBS
Gm 2	DET/MIN @ NYY	Fri	Oct. 9	6:07 p.m.	TBS
Gm 3	NYY @ DET/MIN	Sun	Oct. 11	TBD	TBS
Gm 4*	NYY @ DET/MIN	Mon	Oct. 12	TBD	TBS
Gm 5*	DET/MIN @ NYY	Wed	Oct. 14	TBD	TBS

NLDS 'A'
Game	Matchup	Day	Date	Time ET	TV
Gm 1	COL @ PHI	Wed	Oct. 7	2:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 2	COL @ PHI	Thu	Oct. 8	2:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 3	PHI @ COL	Sat	Oct. 10	9:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 4*	PHI @ COL	Sun	Oct. 11	TBD	TBS
Gm 5*	COL @ PHI	Tue	Oct. 13	TBD	TBS

ALDS 'B'
Game	Matchup	Day	Date	Time ET	TV
Gm 1	BOS @ LAA	Thu	Oct. 8	9:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 2	BOS @ LAA	Fri	Oct. 9	9:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 3	LAA @ BOS	Sun	Oct. 11	TBD	TBS
Gm 4*	LAA @ BOS	Mon	Oct. 12	TBD	TBS
Gm 5*	BOS @ LAA	Wed	Oct. 14	TBD	TBS

NLDS 'B'
Game	Matchup	Day	Date	Time ET	TV
Gm 1	STL @ LAD	Wed	Oct. 7	9:37 p.m.	TBS
Gm 2	STL @ LAD	Thu	Oct. 8	6:07 p.m.	TBS
Gm 3	LAD @ STL	Sat	Oct. 10	6:07 p.m.	TBS
Gm 4*	LAD @ STL	Sun	Oct. 11	TBD	TBS
Gm 5*	STL @ LAD	Tue	Oct. 13	TBD	TBS

 

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Hotels Near Angels Stadium

New York Yankees
Hotels Near Yenkee Stadium

Boston Red Sox
Hotels Near Fenway Park


Minnesota Twins
Hotels Near HHH Metrodome


Detroit Tigers
Hotels Near Comerica Park

 
St. Louis Cardinals
Hotels Near Busch Stadium III

Philadelphia Phillies
Hotels Near Citizens Bank Park

Colorado Rockies
Hotels Near Coors Field

Los Angeles Dodgers
Hotels Near Dodger Stadium

I just decided I like Mark Cuban

If your in Dallas, I suggest going to see a free NBA game.

What a cool idea.  On his twitter @markcuban, Mark Cuban just annouced the password for free Dallas Mavricks tickets to tonights pre-season game.  The password is "The Goods".  All he wants is fans to show up an hour early, get the place loud, and to enjoy themselves. 

Honestly an awesome idea and I respect it.  Mark Cuban has always been known as one of those owners that cares about his team and his fans over making a profit (Don't think he needs any more money, but still).  This helps get fans to the game, get the team excited, and its pre-season, its going to cost the guy almost nothing since they were tickets he wouldn't sell anyway.  It also helps gain twitter followers which can eventually help the fanhood.  Marketing genious, thats why he is worth billions. 

If only some college teams that know they won't sell out could follow this.  This could improve the fan base.  Think about the idea, at 12:00 for a 7pm game a school realizes they are not going to sell out their tickets.  They post an announcement giving a password for free tickets (or some sort of a deal).  This helps gain twitter followers (to update other aspects of the team(s) ) and get more fans at the game.  Social Media can help increase fan turnout and school spirit!  Think about it...

MNF Guide: Minnesota

The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome opened in 1982 to be the home of the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers Football and Baseball Teams.  The stadium might be most well known for its fiberglass roof that is self supported by air pressure.  It was only the 2nd stadium to ever do this, after the Pontaic Silverdome.  While no longer the home of the Gophers or the Minnesota Twins (after this season).  Minnesota has had many great memories in this stadium, including NFC Championship games, Final Fours, a Superbowl, and some of the more exciting World Series games including a 1-0 ten inning victory in Game 7 against the Atlanta Braves.

 

The Metrodome's Vital Statistics


-20 acres land area
-Roof is 10 acres of teflon-coated fiberglass 1/16" thick
-Liner material: 1/32" thick woven fiberglass
-Height: 195 feet (16 stories)
-Interior volume is 60 million cubic feet (equivalent of 3,300 homes)
-The roof is supported by 20 electric fans 90 horsepower each
-40,000 cubic yards of concrete
-11,900 tons reinforced steel, 500 tons structural steel
-Total field area is 142,515 square feet
-Features 2/3 the light bulbs of the former Met Stadium with twice as much light
-50 degrees Fahrenheit during non-event times (winter)
-65 degrees Fahrenheit during winter events
-There are 64,000 seats in the arena and 98 suites
-Seating capacities are 48,000 (baseball); 64,000 (football); 50,000 (basketball)

-The Metrodome is the only stadium in the world to have hosted all of the following: the NFL Super Bowl (1992), Major League Baseball's All-Star Game (1985), two World Series (1987, 1991), and the Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship (1992, 2001).
-Out of more than 300 event days per year at the Metrodome, less than 100 feature professional or major college sports. The rest of the event days are used by high schools and colleges, concerts, community activities and other events.
-The Metrodome hosts boys' and girls' high schools from throughout Minnesota for athletic and other events and small college athletic competitions.
-More than half a million people have come to the Metrodome to see concerts by major performers such as Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Guns N' Roses, Faith No More, Metallica, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and The Grateful Dead.
-The Metrodome is the only major facility in Minnesota big enough to host major motorsports events.
-The Metrodome draws more than 4,000 runners and 30,000 inline skaters per year.

FUN FACT:
-Football to Baseball: Metrodome staff can transform the football stadium into a baseball ballpark in just four hours.

Tuesday Playoff!

What a weekend for Minnesota. The Twins sweep Kansas City in the Metrodome to go to a playoff on Tuesday and guarantee at least one more home game! Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre host Green Bay on MNF, and the Gophers had a home game in their new beautiful stadium as well. I guess I picked the wrong place for my trip of the week, though College Gameday, the BC game and the Pats game wernt too shabby. Look back for some recaps later in the day.