The College of William & Mary decided once upon a time that it didn't want to be a big-time sports university. (And re-confirmed it many times along the way, such as when the College declined an invitation to join the ACC in the 1970's.) The Indians/Tribe/Wrens were I-AA, now we're FCS, and when they change it to some other descriptor, we'll be that, too. The U.S. News & World Report rankings matter far more to the school administrators than the FCS polls. Academics come first, the institution was founded on . . . blah, blah, blah. You know this, and if you are in possession of a transcript from the College you really know this. Good gracious, do they take their academics seriously over there.
So when we get a chance to witness -- or in my case, hear and read about when I could have witnessed (dammit!) -- the Physics-first, Football-second Tribesters take the Wahoos and their pile of pleated pomp they call a fan base to the proverbial woodshed, it's time to revel. Does UVA really even qualify as big-time college football these days? Not really. But they're big, they're ACC, they're our rival in many ways outside of football, and we don't particularly care for them. By next weekend, it'll fade from pertinence, but even into November when it's playoff time and folks are perusing the W&M schedule & results, this will come up again.
And beyond. Back in December of 1986, W&M College president Paul Verkuil and Dean of Student Affairs Sam Sadler (both Pi Lam fratres of ours, which possibly explained our chapter still existing) participated in the traditional Yule Log ceremony for the students (who actually participate in such things). As the story goes -- Rob and I were still in high school, so we're not that old -- Verkuil read How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Sadler read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas as they did every year, but Sadler closed his with the following amended couplet:
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and UVA, nice try."
"Happy Christmas to all, and UVA, nice try."
Here's hoping the current administration carries on such tradition. We'll always be the little guy who doesn't belong, so when we rise up and do something huge once in a while, let's go ahead and celebrate.
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58 comments:
Jevan Snead's dad looks like a real-life Yosemite Sam. This is in no way an exaggeration. How did we not know this?
I figured you folks would enjoy this:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/3893350776_e63f5b4ffb_o.jpg
I've heard various ESPN announcers tell me this weekend that the facilities at places like NC State and Rutgers (among others) are "second to none".
Easy fellas, I'm sure they're nice but I'm highly skeptical that these facilities are on par with places like LSU, Texas, USC and Florida (among others). Let's not oversell these places in the name of promotion.
Let's see if Miami/FSU can be entertaining enough to draw my attention away from Yanks/Rays on MLB Network...
what does mark root for in a miami/fsu game? cataclysm? bowden's fake teeth falling out? drug bust?
A recreation of the shootout from Heat?
All of the above.
And, Randy Shannon's second questionable decision of the night (I expect many, many more) backfires and keeps an FSU drive alive.
Just as I type that, Miami's has to use its second timeout of the night. Game management is not one Shannon's strengths. In fact, I'd say organization in general is an area of consistent trouble for the stoic one.
Nothing screams College Football like a Puerto Rican kid dressed up as an Indian and riding a horse.
Back to back end arounds? That's....um...interesting.
what was the second decision? not to decline the holding penalty?
How did that bearded bum get such good seats?
Yep. I'm still trying to figure out how Shannon thought that was a smart idea.
These teams/programs aren't nearly what they used to be, but there is still lots of NFL talent sprinkled amongst them. Nigel Bradham and Sean Spence might be the two best sophomore LBs in the entire country.
Even the talent on Miami's cheerleading squad isn't what it used to be...
The way this game started, I was beginning to believe that the defenses weren't going to dominate this game in the manner they traditionally have when its been played in this slot. I might've been a bit hasty in that conclusion.
maybe ponder running the option isn't fsu's best play.
Ponder ran that option like his last name was Leak.
he ran that option scared.
Jacory Harris has an average arm, at best, but i like him. He's accurate, athletic enough and he kind of reminds me of Ken Dorsey in his mannerisms and body type.
Now Jacory's just trying to make me look stupid.
and himself. don't forget himself.
Miami's dbs have left a lot to be desired tonight.
A lot of leg on that freshman.
florida state never would have let a freshman attempt a 52-yarder if bobby bowden was still alive.
The FSU-Miami rivalry is most definitely the leading rivalry for interesting/made up names.
Seriously, I've heard at least a dozen made up names tonight.
Pretty impressive drive in both play calling and execution. Quite a difference from the Patrick Nix "era".
What a terrible fucking decision by Ponder.
i hate that pass interference is a spot foul. too hard a call to get right and too much reward for the offense.
that's a pretty draw - great block by jones.
ohhhh, the old nads-on-football landing. or a groin pull. neither is all that much fun.
Jesus Randy, you don't have an unlimited amount of timeouts. How many times do we have to go over this?
Nice run...Taiwan. Really? Taiwan?
I REALLY like both Javarris James and Craig Cooper. NFL backs, both of them.
This is a much more enjoyable game than these two normally play on Labor Day.
Miami is so thin at QB that they have a backup tight end signaling in the plays.
I should probably mention that I hate Greg Reid.
bosher's thinking about how much easier soccer would be right now.
i assume reid refused to pray with tebow.
But being a kicker allows you to let yourself go and drink more beer...
these kids all prepared to play in florida, right? what's with all the cramping?
These announcers are blowing Ponder when the reality is that he's had tons of time and even more open space in the secondary.
That last throw was pretty damn good though.
Zebrie...that might be the best one of the night.
These defenses handle the play action fake as if they've never even seen one.
Randy Shannon would be a horrible person to take a long road trip with. I get the feeling there would be many long stretches of him silently staring straight ahead.
Harris is holding his arm like he's hurt. If that's the case, this game is over and Miami's season might be too.
Someone named Ja'Barris just committed a penalty in this game. This may deserve it's own post.
Seriously, I hate Greg Reid.
Harris' shoulder isn't right. He lobbed that last pass to Hankerson.
Okay...Harris' shoulder looks fine...and he's got 300+ yards. Pretty impressive.
Thats some of the worse coverage you'll ever see right there. This is officially one hell of a game.
I continue to like Jacory Harris. That's one hell of a fucking throw.
Uh oh...
What the fuck was Jimbo Fisher thinking?
Well, i wouldn't have called the Qb draw there and that worked out great.
That was a total abortion of game management on both sides.
Option?
See...this is what I was expecting/hoping Oregon-Boise St. would be like...
Jesus...I'm so glad I'm not a fan of either of these teams. I wouldn't be able to sleep for a couple of hours after this game.
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