I can still remember the first time I went to see a Saluki game. 1995. Paul Lusk hit two free free throws with no time left to beat Evansville by 1 point. From the moment on…Maroon and White! With players turning over so fast in the college game, it’s nice to remember people like Lusk, Ashraf Amaya, Chris Carr, and Kent Williams, every now and again. I’ve been to Cardinal games, Rams games, Iowa Hawkeye football, Assembly Hall in Champaign and for me NOTHING compares to the Arena when the Dawgs are good!
You can see my love for the Salukis. When I decided that “going to see my favorite team play a road game” was going to be on my list I had them in mind. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go to the McLeod Center on Campus at Northern Iowa and see the Salukis play. McLeod is a GREAT venue to see a game at. It was built only 3 years ago.
We arrived at the game an about 45 minutes early and decked out in our maroon! The arena holds around 7,000 people and we were definitely in the minority in out SIU gear. Like the only 3 people. In the ENTIRE room. I was glad to see the we didn’t have to sit by drunken Frat boys when we came to our seats. While Snaz and I were getting popcorn, Hef was approached by our new friend Chad. Chad worked for the SIU athletic dept. and asked if we wanted to go sit behind the Saluki bench!!! Def made my afternoon J
Unfortunately, the Dawgs lost by 3 points in a hard fought game. But we did get texts and calls all day from our friends and family asking why we were on ESPN!!! Overall, it was a great time. Good friends. Good basketball. This is one of the things that I miss about home the most. Basketball is not that big in Iowa…what’s wrong with these people?!?!?! Any way, I am going next year so if you want in let me know. I hope to see my new friend Chad again, so we can hang out with the Players parents & Boosters!!!
Here is an undated list....I'm getting there!
The 31 List
1. See a show at the Ryman Auditorium
2. Compete in a race
3. Participate a charity benefit
4. Order off the menu in Spanish
5. Set up a website or blog 12-12-09
6. Go pro sports stadium/park/arena that I have never been to
7. Read a book I should have already read 12-28-09
8. Volunteer at a shelter
9. Visit a capital city
10.Watch my favorite team play a road game 2-6-10
11. Go to see a band that I have never saw live
12. Give blood 1-15-10
13. See the Avett Brothers in concert
14. Sleep under the stars
15. Go to a live classical music performance
16. See the sunrise
17. Watch 10 critically acclaimed films that I have yet to see
5 down, 5 to go
18. Learn to ice skate
19. Begin to learn to play the banjo
20. Beat my father at golf
21. Buy and wear a suit
22. Go to a midnight movie premiere
23. Attend a parade
24. Try sushi
25. Take a road trip alone
26. Learn to make REALLY great gumbo
27. Have a snowball fight
28. Write a handwritten letter
29. Take my parents out to dinner
30. Travel to a new state
31. Finish losing 100 lbs.
Happy Super Bowl,
Ryan
