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- Aug 24, 2011
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Fair post by @J187Money that he doesn't know the origin of the Judge or why it takes up space here in March. I understand it can be confusing with the inside jokes and long running gags. I figure it's reasonable to try and list out how we got here.
In 1999, with 0 titles, we were the true underdog trying to climb up into rarified air. During the NCAA tourney, someone ran an ESPN bracket pool for the Boneyard. That year, it was sponsored by Pizza Hut and ESPN was dangling all these garbage pizza "prizes" for "winning". Well, in our Boneyard bracket, we found 5 Yarders who picked Duke over UConn in the NCAA final. We decided they were traitors and that Boneyard Justice needed to be administered. For the life of me, I only remember that @Dove and Dogfather were part of the Dukie 5 that chose Duke and we jimmied up some punishments, the board latched on the more we won and it became a real movement. The Mojo as we know it was born.
It was then I took the reigns as the Judge, hearing why they chose Duke and deciding on their fate. Right by my side was Hangman Swami to help ensure the punishments were administered.
From there? Every March, after the completion of the Big East Tourney, we drummed up charges against someone, decided what the Mojo was for that title run and banded together to win the next 6 games. Silly? Foolish? Sure, I guess. But we wear dirty t-shirts and dinosaur underwear and all have superstitions of our own....and this was one big thing we all shared at once. And, well....you judge for yourself if it's worked 5 titles later. I can't explain it. But every year, I try to figure out what that one unifying element is that places an unbeatable force behind our boys.
There have been years that failed. We had an anti-Syracuse year where we posted "Shoo shoo Orange Flu". But we have had Charlie Sheen's "Winning" and Senhor Testiculo that were, for lack of a better term? Inexplicable. The year we won the title with the Charlie Sheen "Winning" theme? There was a NY Post back page with a UConn picture and in the corner, was a picture of Charlie Sheen.
I get that this all seems weird and hard to follow if you're not in the know. But paddle your surfboard up alongside, jump up and ride the wave and when we get it right? It's pretty friggin special. I have been the Judge since 1999. There will always be a few that stamp their feet and whine every year, but that's all part of the show. End of the day, we all know when it's winnin' time and I know how to propel us to a Natty.
Anything from old Yarders that you'd like to add or that I missed? Any questions from the newbies? Your Judge is here for you.
In 1999, with 0 titles, we were the true underdog trying to climb up into rarified air. During the NCAA tourney, someone ran an ESPN bracket pool for the Boneyard. That year, it was sponsored by Pizza Hut and ESPN was dangling all these garbage pizza "prizes" for "winning". Well, in our Boneyard bracket, we found 5 Yarders who picked Duke over UConn in the NCAA final. We decided they were traitors and that Boneyard Justice needed to be administered. For the life of me, I only remember that @Dove and Dogfather were part of the Dukie 5 that chose Duke and we jimmied up some punishments, the board latched on the more we won and it became a real movement. The Mojo as we know it was born.
It was then I took the reigns as the Judge, hearing why they chose Duke and deciding on their fate. Right by my side was Hangman Swami to help ensure the punishments were administered.
From there? Every March, after the completion of the Big East Tourney, we drummed up charges against someone, decided what the Mojo was for that title run and banded together to win the next 6 games. Silly? Foolish? Sure, I guess. But we wear dirty t-shirts and dinosaur underwear and all have superstitions of our own....and this was one big thing we all shared at once. And, well....you judge for yourself if it's worked 5 titles later. I can't explain it. But every year, I try to figure out what that one unifying element is that places an unbeatable force behind our boys.
There have been years that failed. We had an anti-Syracuse year where we posted "Shoo shoo Orange Flu". But we have had Charlie Sheen's "Winning" and Senhor Testiculo that were, for lack of a better term? Inexplicable. The year we won the title with the Charlie Sheen "Winning" theme? There was a NY Post back page with a UConn picture and in the corner, was a picture of Charlie Sheen.
I get that this all seems weird and hard to follow if you're not in the know. But paddle your surfboard up alongside, jump up and ride the wave and when we get it right? It's pretty friggin special. I have been the Judge since 1999. There will always be a few that stamp their feet and whine every year, but that's all part of the show. End of the day, we all know when it's winnin' time and I know how to propel us to a Natty.
Anything from old Yarders that you'd like to add or that I missed? Any questions from the newbies? Your Judge is here for you.
