Well. I've had a lot of free time today with the snow storm, so I guess I should make at least one (quasi) substantive post.
I'm currently in my last year of graduate school at UConn, however with the exception of one season where I was abroad, I have been fortunate enough to have had season tix since I was nine years old. In light of that ... and because the brainchild behind 97 making this thread was to create an eclectic mix of UConn footballness (for lack of a better word) ... here are the top 7* things, in no organized order, that I have experienced as a UConn football fan, and the things that keep me coming back for more:
1 - Fiesta Bowl: I had graduated the spring before this happened. As I didn't have one of those things that people might call "an idea of what I wanted to do with the rest of my life" I had plenty of free time. For me, being a CT kid who had completely grown up on UConn football, (and being someone who wouldn't realize that in the future he would have the opportunity to follow the men's team to Texas a couple times) this was the best trip I've ever taken. I was with my family, classmates, friends. And UConn was doing something no one ever thought was possible.
2 - Third down stops: When the Rent gets jacked up on third or fourth down in a close game on defense, with the "Welcome to the Jungle," and the car keys shaking, and the banging on the benches, and the whole building reverberating ... Guys, that's the feeling that keeps us coming back. That's it. There's nothing like it. (Caveat - I take back this whole bulletin point for the 2014 season because whatever fricking noises the PA put on made me want to straight up leave)
3 - The french fries at Memorial Stadium: Christ almighty. Those things still haunt my dreams. Made on the spot. Served in a giant dog bowl. I would pay the $835 dollars it takes to buy an order at the concession stand these days, if I could just get those fries.
4 - Tailgating at the Rent: I've been to several away games and bowls now... There is just nothing like being in a giant parking lot with 40,000 (ok 15,000 this year) of your closest friends and throwing a rager. Just thinking about it has me jacked up for September. We live in Connecticut. This is the most excitement any one entertainment event could give us even if we had no intention whatsoever of watching the game. Not to mention that nobody has a setup like ours. Although I do say this... as part of a community building thing, I really do think there should be extended hours for people coming in RVs or Students who want to have a camp-out or something. Let's get the culture ingrained.
5 - The last years at Memorial Stadium: A lot of good times up there. It was before my family had any idea about how to tailgate (most games were subway sandwiches or hot dogs). The football was at a lower level, but it was fun because in the years that I was old enough to remember ... we were pretty much always in transition. Onward and upward. I still have my YO2K9 shirt with the schedule on the back. That last game was surreal. Everyone on the field with the players and coaches... It was like the whole UConn football family was graduating.
6 - The dominant running game: I guess even 10-15 years ago is a different era, but watching the torch pass from one dominant back to the next (Caully, Brockington, Brown, Dixon, Todman) was always a favorite of mine. I know the game has changed, and I hope we can finally start catching up, but outside of the Dan O years, that has just never felt like our identity to me.
7 - Wins. Nothing feels better. Nothing. For all intents and purposes, there is no valid reason grown men and women should subject themselves to some of the elements that we sit through as fans during CT football games. But after a win....I dare you to tell me when you've felt better.
* Given that I am more of a lurker by nature, I wasn't sure if I would want to quit before I got to 10. Turns out I was right to trust my gut instinct.
