Party at the Point – Recap

 

 

 

Made the drive down to Stamford, CT last night at Sign of the Whale for the Party At The Point.  The event was thrown by the Fairfield County Alumni Association.  They raffled off some good prizes, but unfortunately I didn’t win.  Got to meet Head Coach Bob Diaco and talk briefly with him.  He was very gracious and thanked me and my crew for coming down to support the Uconn Football program.  It was a gorgeous night, food was great, and really got me excited for the upcoming season.  Here’s a few tidbits from the evening, some serious and some not so much, followed by some pictures:

• Diaco can really sell this program.  He spoke for about 5 minutes at the beginning, stressing the importance of school spirit.  His goal is to get people from all over the state to take pride in the school.  He said he wouldn’t care if he had to go to these events every night if it meant an increased interest in UConn Football.
• Brought up the Civil Conflict.  I know I may be in the minority, but in my mind, it’s refreshing.  He said he called them out purely to let them know that we are UConn, we don’t like you, and we will come into your field and beat you this year.  I love it.  I don’t buy into the “bulletin board” material idea. It’s competitive athletics.  He believes in his guys and his gameplan.  Ultimately, they have to start winning or else these speeches will get old.  But I don’t have a problem with it.
• Bob Diaco is growing his hair out.  Said he was really thinking about keeping the flow going for the year.
• Overheard a conversation about Andreas Knappe being an avid archerist.  Can you imagine a guy that huge shooting a bow and arrow? Insane.
• Noel Thomas’ dad was in attendance, and he even won one of the raffles.  He graciously declined and allowed someone else to win.
• Bob Diaco drinks white wine, and was having one of his guys take down the number of some older gentlemen who invited him over for dinner.  I believe whole-heartedly Diaco would take this man up on his offer and show up for Sunday dinner.
• Diaco spoke again briefly at the end of the evening, again stressing school spirit.  He believes something as simple as learning the fight song in crucial in improving the culture of UConn Football.  He even sang a bit of the Iowa fight song.  He said students entering the university should be endoctrined into UConn by being forced to learn the song.  He had laminated cards made up with the lyrics to the fight song, and had them passed out to those in attendance.

 

 

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