December 28, 2006
Navy getting props as a "team that travels"
Several teams in the country have reached "most desirable" bowl team status for one reason: their fans will always travel to the games - regardless of how good or bad they're playing.
Alabama brings its RVs. Notre Dame brings their cash. Florida brings their jean shorts. Clemson brings its two-dollar bills.
And now you can add Navy to the list of teams that travel well.
"Navy is getting a reputation through their ticket sales," said Bruce Binkowski, the executive director of the Poinsettia Bowl and the Holiday Bowl. "Last year they sold more than 20,000 tickets. We would like to have them here on a rotating basis. They're that good."Navy is expected to bring between 20,000 to 24,000 fans on Saturday. That includes around 2,000 Midshipmen, many of whom purchased travel packages from the academy for around $400; the price includes airfare, two nights in a hotel and a game ticket.
This follows the 25,000 Navy fans who went to the Houston Bowl in 2003; the 18,000 who went to the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco in 2004; and the 20,000 who went to the Poinsettia Bowl last year.
Not only does Navy sell tickets, they also bring their pageantry: Navy flyovers, the Midshipmen march, and their dress blue uniforms.
"The number one thing is, I think most service academies are attractive to bowl games," said Jerry Ippoliti, who organized the Houston Bowl. "That's from a patriotic point of view and from the fact that there are servicemen and women all over the country. . . . Navy has established a tradition now. And once the tradition is established, it's hard to break."
Comments:
posted on December 28, 2006 1:09 PM — 205.188.116.133 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
I noticed many gators in the stands wearing shorts the night of Oct 14th this year. Cool or hot, Florida fans like their shorts. They do travel, though. More than any other SEC school, in my opinion. I had forgotten since the last time they played in Auburn in 2001.
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on December 28, 2006 1:26 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
gatorhippy:
So, what is it man? Tie-dyed tube tops and chartruesse cordaroy bikini bottoms? Man, I know I saw you on one of those "Girls gone Wild" episodes down there in Gainesville, wearin' a wig and all dressed to kill tryin' to fit right in with those beeatches! I know that's how you get your kicks. Are you the dude with the psychodelic afro wig? That female impersonator that I saw on that flick was wearin' one just like it. It must be you.
Tommie T
gatorhippy said:
posted on December 28, 2006 1:50 PM — 70.121.109.213 — link — abuse?
Oh ho, Tommie...
So your the one that keeps filling up my fanmail inbox...
You come up some of the most perverted letters I get...
Just one question...
The whole thing with the scuba flipper, rye loaf, and Milton Berle was really a joke, right?
RIGHT?
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on December 28, 2006 2:19 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
GatorHippy:
Yeh, that was a joke. I am into the scuba gear thing though. Always bring a wetsuit I say.
Now, on to that Stanford thing. I only remember a few times that Stanford was good. Under John Ralston, Bill Walsh and Ty Willingham. So, I think that the coaches have everything to do with it. Back in the day - Stanford was always competitive in the PAC10. They had a great run of QB's and WR's for years. That has all dried up and I think it has to do with who they have as coaches these days more than anything. There are still a few really good players go to Stanford. So, you can get in. Come on - you don't think there are some bending of the rules to get these great athletes in? I know there is. Unless a kid is a complete zero - I think just about any of these programs can get them in. If players were beatin' down Stanford's doors tryin' to play there - they would simply lower their standards for that kinda bread. You think Stanford would ever get investigated? Never. They could probably get away with anything that they wanted to.Tommie T
gatorhippy said:
posted on December 28, 2006 2:46 PM — 70.121.109.213 — link — abuse?
Probably should be discussin this over at the other thread but...
I'm not denying that Stanford has been able to recruit some good athletes as well as had a few that were not so highly regarded but then developed well while there (Plunkett, Vardell, Elway)...
Just stating the obvious, in that the higher your minimal entrance requirements the smaller your pool of recruitable talent...
This goes for Stanford and other schools such as Vandy, Duke, Northwestern, Cal, Ivy League, etc.
While Stanford has probably enjoyed the most success of schools like this, it has indeed been limited and inconsistent...
This is all due to the limited recruiting pool because of higher minimal entrance requirements...
Tommie Trojan said:
posted on December 28, 2006 8:27 PM — 64.32.153.19 — link — abuse?
I sure hope that the PROB doesn't travel. Who would want that riff-raff comin' into your town? I can't even imagine that any football recruit would ever want to play at Berkeley. Well, here they are, gettin' smoked immediately. GatorHippy probably secretly loves the "Golden Hairs" though.
Tommie T
gatorhippy said:
posted on December 28, 2006 11:05 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?K-Hue:
I've never wore a pair of jean shorts in my entire life...