Top 10 List: Sporting Events I've Witnessed in Person

10)
2007-08 BCS National Championship - Ohio State vs. LSU, Louisiana Superdome (January 7, 2008):
Championship week started with a trip down to New Orleans to get shots of the Tigers arriving at their hotel in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the bus was late and it was FREEZING. The combination of standing out in the cold and lack of sleep that week resulted in a very sick sportscaster. When the day of the game arrived, I was running a 102.5 fever. But, there was no calling in sick when the home team was playing for a national title. I shot the entire game, then put on my jacket and tie to host the local Fox post-game show. Somehow, I pulled it off and didn't die in the process. If not for the way I felt, this probably would have been higher on the list. College football is my favorite sport and the championship game was a great spectactle, especially with it being a virtual home game for the Tigers.

9)
Indy Racing League - True Value 500, Texas Motor Speedway (June 7, 1997):
I have spent a lot of time at Texas Motor Speedway, but nothing stands out quite like the first race I attended. This was the first IndyCar event at the track and I had just started my internship in the sports department with WBAP Radio. My task was to grab some sound bytes in victory lane. Billy Boat was celebrating and everyone was having a good time. Then I caught Arie Luyendyk in the corner of my eye, walking towards us. He didn't look happy, and started screaming about how he was robbed. He and A.J. Foyt, who owned Boat's car, came to blows two feet in front of me. The next morning, the IRL admitted a scoring mistake and awarded the win to Luyendyk.

8)
Saban Bowl I - LSU vs. Alabama, Bryant-Denny Stadium (November 3, 2007):
I can't imagine another regular season college football game having the build-up that this one did. The hate spewing from LSU fans towards Nick Saban was incredible, starting with the moment he left the Dolphins for the Crimson Tide. It boiled over in the days leading up to this game. Even without that, it would have gone down as an incredible game, with Chad Jones forcing a fumble that led to a late touchdown to give the Tigers a 41-34 victory, and kept #3 LSU in the national title hunt. Plus, the atmosphere in the stadium was one of the best I've ever experienced. Just like the first time I walked into Tiger Stadium, I got goosebumps.

7)
2007 Big 12 Championship - Missouri vs. Oklahoma, Alamodome (December 1, 2007):
LSU was playing in the SEC Championship the same day in Atlanta, but I wasn't assigned to cover the game. So, with my alma mater playing in relatively nearby San Antonio, ranked number one and a win away from the national title game, I called my dad, found some tickets, and headed to the Alamodome. When I arrived at Mizzou in the fall of 1997, the Tigers were not exactly a football powerhouse, having not been to a bowl game since 1983. I arrived at the right time, as MU made a bowl during my freshman and sophomore years, and started to build a decent program. Now, on the verge of getting to the game's biggest stage, I had to be there. It didn't work out that day, of course, as the Tigers lost to the Oklahoma Sooners for the second time that season. The next day, the knife dug even deeper, as Kansas was selected for a BCS game over Missouri, despite the Tigers' win over the Jayhawks just a week prior.

6)
Men's Basketball Regular Season - Missouri vs. Kansas, Allen Fieldhouse (January 24, 1999)
I hate ku with a passion, but I have to admit that Allen Fieldhouse is pretty cool. When the arena went quiet before tip-off, and the beakers do their "Rock Chalk" chant, it gave me goosebumps. But this game wouldn't have made the list if not for the way Mizzou played that day. The Tigers came into Lawrence and won, 71-63. I was covering the game for KCOU radio, so I couldn't cheer on press row. Instead, when something good happened, I'd just exchange looks and the occassional leg punch under the desk with my fellow student reporters. As it turned out, this was Norm Stewart's final game at ku, and as was custom, I didn't spend a cent in the Sunflower State that day.

5)
Super Bowl XXVII - Bills vs. Cowboys, Rose Bowl (January 31, 1993)
With the Cowboys not having made the Super Bowl since after the 1977 season, my dad said "they may not make it for another 15 or 20 years, so we better go this time." After winning the NFC championship, he found tickets, grabbed a hotel room in Fullerton, and booked roundtrip airfare to LAX. Everything about the game was larger than life, including the NFL Experience theme park outside the stadium, the halftime show (featuring Michael Jackson pre-pedophilia accusations) and the Cowboys' blowout victory. After the game, we headed back to LAX for the red-eye to DFW. At the time, I was writing a weekly column for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's "Class Acts" section, so I took care of that on the flight. We drove straight from the airport to Shackelford Junior High (yes, my dad made me go to school), where I wore my new Super Bowl sweatshirt and was the envy of every kid there.

4)
Games of the XXVI Olympaid - Atlanta (Summer 1996)
It is impossible narrow the Olympic experience down to just one of the events. In fact, I don't really remember any one event in particular as being more spectacular than the others, but we took in a lot of great stuff. Every event was part of a ticket lottery, and we got very lucky, getting to go to several Dream Team basketball games, some swimming and diving, plus a lot of sports we had never seen before. One of those was field hockey between India and Pakistan. It is the national game of those countries, who are always on the brink of war, which made it especially interesting and kinda scary to be there. We also visited Centennial Park a lot, and were there just hours before the bombing. It was surreal waking up in the middle of the night and seeing the breaking news, then going to the events the next morning with everything under extra security.

3)
Nolan Ryan's 7th No-Hitter - Blue Jays vs. Rangers, Arlington Stadium (May 1, 1991)
This was the shortest experience of anything on this list. This game was not scheduled for TV, but it was very rare that we did not keep up with a Rangers game in our house growing up. We had this one on radio, and when it got to the end of the 7th inning, and Nolan still had the no-no going, my dad yelled "let's go!" We got in the car and sped to Arlington Stadium, listening to the radio as we drove, fully ready to turn around if Toronto got a hit. We got to the park, found a parking spot, and ran into the stadium in time for the 9th inning (nobody was guarding the entrances - everyone must have gone inside to see history). We watched the final three outs, jumped and screamed as Nolan finished off the Blue Jays, and then sprinted back to the car and headed home.

2)
Mark McGwire's 60th, 61st and 62nd home runs - Reds/Cubs vs. Cardinals, Busch Stadium (September 1998)
Knowing what we know now about McGwire's PED use (and the fact that the record was broken again just a couple of years later), some devalue this event. But nothing could change the excitement of those days for me. I was going back and forth from Columbia to St. Louis every day, seeing something amazing. I'd like to think I am usually pretty neutral, and able to contain my emotions when I'm part of the working media, but I couldn't help but have a huge smile on my face in the press box after each one of these homers. Following the post-game press conference after number 62, I headed back to my car and turned on KMOX, where I heard the legendary Jack Buck say it was the most exciting sporting event he had ever witnessed. Having barely started my career, I thought it was all down hill from there.

1)
World Series Game 3 - Giants vs. Rangers, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (October 30, 2010)
My grandfather was the original team doctor for the Rangers in 1972, and passed the job along to my dad and uncle in 1985. The team was a huge part of my life, and for so many years, the Rangers were just plain horrible. Still, that didn't keep us from loving this ballclub. My dad, mom, brothers and I went to spring training every year, and up to 60 games a summer. To see them finally reach the World Series was almost hard to believe. No matter what, I knew I had to get to Arlington to see the first game. Everything about it was incredible, but the best part was experiencing it with my grandpa and dad. I don't know anything could have lessened the experience, but the Rangers winning that night elevated it to an even higher level.

Graduation Announcements

Graduation is just over a month away... Announcements have been ordered!

Grad 2010 Graduation Announcement

Graduation invitations and announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

New Book by an Old Friend

My old friend from Des Moines, Jessica (Buffum) Zondervan, has a new book coming out in mid-August. Pre-order "Breathing on Purpose" now from Amazon.

Jessica is an amazing woman of God and this promises to be an incredible read.

Here's a preview:

In Breathing on Purpose, A Memoir on Surviving the Death of a Loved One, Jessica Zondervan proves there's no stopping God when He's in the spirit of healing. Sharing her awe-inspiring story and the unique circumstances surrounding the back-to-back losses of her parents, she chronicles the miracles of God and his unforeseen guidance that carried her to a place of rest. Known for her gut-wrenching honesty and uninhibited personal experience, Jessica truthfully walks each reader through the dark days and never-ending nights of mourning, as she struggles to find herself on the other side of grief. Revealing her painful struggles with doubt and depression, and her uncounted battles with God, she details how she was able to overcome years of raw anguish, unsheltered grief, and resentment through the grace and healing power of God. Breathing On Purpose is an encouraging and inspirational read for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one.

ButterBusters.com

I've been helping my aunt Pam set up her new blog. Check it out at ButterBusters.com. Her first post is coming soon.

This will be a great way for Pam to share her thoughts, feelings and ideas... not just about Butter Busters and ways to modify all the foods you love to low-fat, but about life in general...

If you don't already have them in your kitchen, pick up your copies of her New York Times bestsellers: "Butter Busters" and "I'm Listening: The Butter Busters Cookbook Companion."

New Texas A&M War Hymn Lyrics: LSU Edition

With the Aggies moving into the SEC, new lyrics may be in order for the War Hymn. If LSU is going to be considered Texas A&M's biggest rival now, here ya go:

Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck
Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck
All hail to dear old Texas A&M
Rally around Maroon and White
Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies
They are the boys who show the real old fight
That good old Aggie Spirit thrills us
And makes us yell and yell and yell
So let's fight for dear old Texas A&M
We're gonna beat you all to Chigaroogarem
Chigaroogarem
Rough, Tough, real stuff Texas A&M
Good bye to LA State University
So long to the purple and the gold
Good luck to dear old Texas Aggies
They are the boys who show the real old fight
'hey fighting tigers, fight all the way'
That is the song they sing so well
Sounds Like Hell
So good bye to LA State University
We're gonna beat you all to Chigaroogarem
Chigaroogarem
Rough, Tough, Real stuff, Texas A&M

Saw mike's tail off
Saw mike's tail off
Saw mike's tail off
Short! A!
Mike's tail is sawed off
Mike's tail is sawed off
Mike's tail is sawed off
Short! A!

Not quite the same, huh?

Traveling With The Tribe

Below is a message from my good friend Joe Gumm. Please check out his show pilot and cast your vote in this contest:

I wanted to let you know that I've been working on a pilot I'm pitching called Traveling With The Tribe. It's a family travel show to off-the-beaten-path places around the U.S. I've entered the show in a contest and would love to get your vote. It takes about three minutes. You can actually vote AND watch the pilot. If you don't have time to watch the pilot, please vote if you can. I APPRECIATE IT. The instructions are below. The voting ends July 4th.

Thanks and thanks for your support.

Joe

Here is how to vote:

1. Go to www.nextventertainment.com/web
2. Click on the big blue tab at the bottom left of the page that says,
"Shortcut to the Finals"
3. Type in "Gumm" (or my project's name) in the search bar on the
right just above the list of submissions
4. Click on WATCH.
5. Then click on VOTE.

TOMS on Today Show

In case you missed it on the Today Show last Thursday, Jenna Bush Hager reported on cousin Blake and TOMS Shoes...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Champion

In my previous two posts, you'll find the Southeastern Louisiana University track and field media guide for the 2010 season. This is the first guide for which I've been responsible, and I'm glad to finally have it finished.

Having never done this before, I took a bit of a short cut. Instead of starting from scratch, I took the 2009 version and adapted it for 2010. Of course, there are a ton of changes to be made from one season to the next, but a lot of the research, writing and layout work had already been done. Big thanks to Charlie Gillingham, who's now at Nicholls, for all the work he did in previous years with the track team.

The cover idea was pretty simple, but I think it turned out well. The conference championship trophy is what these student-athletes fight for all year, so it seemed appropriate to put it on the front of the guide. I considered teaming it with pictures from last year's Southland victory, but ended up deciding that having the trophy by itself was the way to go. Randy Bergeron gets credit for the fantastic photography, while I simply took the shot into Photoshop to crop it, add the fonts and place the Southeastern logo. It's a clean look, and I hope the first word that comes to mind is "champion."

While it is called a media guide, in reality the book's main purpose is as a recruiting tool. Prospective student-athletes from around the world will receive this in the mail, some as their initial impression of Southeastern. That's something I took very seriously.

I can't post something about this process without thanking Matt Sullivan and Kemmler Chapple. They put up with me despite all of the pleas to "come look at this" or questions of "how do you do that?" Plus, all of Southeastern's track coaches were awesome as they helped me gather information and edit the guide. Because of their help, the finished product is something that should represent the program well.

Southeastern Louisiana Track Media Guide 2009-10 - Content

Southeastern Louisiana Track Media Guide 2009-10 - Cover

This Christmas, CHOOSE SHOES!

Support my cousin Blake's mission and give while you shop! For every pair of shoes you purchase from TOMS Shoes, another pair is given to a child in need. ONE FOR ONE. The TOMS crew has visited New Orleans for two shoe drops in the past year and I was lucky enough to be part of the first event in the Crescent City.

Visit TOMS Shoes

The Death of Freestyle Walking dot org

My brothers do a lot of goofy things. One of those was to start a website called freestylewalking.org. Freestyle walking is kind of like parkour or free running, but without any sense of competition or seriousness.

The main objective, at least as it seemed to me, was to have your picture taken as you posed in mid-air (while "pulling a move"), hopefully in front of a cool background. The most prevalent move was the "Craigy Special," which was pulled in countless locations.

At first, it was something they just shared with their friends. But after College Humor posted a link, it became a huge worldwide sensation for a while. The hit counter exploded, t-shirts were produced and my brothers added a lot of funny content. They had a cooking page ("freestyle wokking"), interviews with walkers of the week and great music videos. Plus, fans were submitting photos from around the country and around the globe.

But now both Kevin and Craig are way too busy and grown up to do this anymore. They're both engaged and have to pick out flowers for their weddings, so FSW isn't high on the priority list. The site will die within the next month.

So, enjoy it while you can at http://www.freestylewalking.org. As a parting gift, Craig added a photo I submitted about two years ago, back when my FOX 44 billboards were first put up in Baton Rouge:
http://www.freestylewalking.org/LAhead.html

Twitterverse Hates Dan Hawkins

Just did a search for "CoachHawk" (Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins) on Twitter to see how people are reacting to his latest Tweet about Colorado's throwback uniforms. He's not getting much positive feedback about the clothes his players wear... or anything else for that matter. About what you'd expect after the way the Buffs have started their season.

--

RWill272727 @coachhawk Oh great, now we can be embarrassed in style...
about 3 hours ago from web

mycoskie @CoachHawk I'm betting Colorado's uniforms didn't have big Nike swooshes on them in the 1930's. #UNIWATCH
about 3 hours ago from web

patentdaddy @CoachHawk New Unis? That's nonsense and retro looks lame anyway. How about better games for the fans.
about 3 hours ago from Seesmic

johnbergs @CoachHawk like the vintage. Can we also throwback our team to 1991?
about 3 hours ago from TwitterFon

lisalynn75 Wear whatever you want coach - please. just. win. :) RT @CoachHawk Excited about our new uniforms for Sat, check'em out http://tiny.cc/6tFde
about 3 hours ago from web

ATTCottonBowl RT: @CoachHawk Excited about our new uniforms for Saturday, check'em out http://tiny.cc/6tFde
about 4 hours ago from web

Johnny_Utah2 @CoachHawk were they as bad back in '37 as the buffs are now?
about 4 hours ago from web

_KyleClark A nice distraction from the defensive woes - RT @CoachHawk: Excited about our new uniforms for Saturday, check'em out http://tiny.cc/6tFde
about 4 hours ago from TweetDeck

MattBWhittier @CoachHawk bland, but tough looking. Certainly not Oregon's uni.
about 4 hours ago from web

CoachHawk Excited about our new uniforms for Saturday, check'em out http://tiny.cc/6tFde
about 4 hours ago from web

RWill272727 @CoachHawk You gonna have the team actually play football at practice today?
about 7 hours ago from TwitterFon

geauxtigers303 I wish I had 3 mil to buyout @CoachHawk.
about 7 hours ago from web

JohnWGaddis @CoachHawk go get the cowboys coach! shoulder to shoulder.
about 8 hours ago from TweetDeck

thebroncx @CoachHawk how about you plan for the game so we don't lose to Wyoming like we got embarassed by Toledo!!
about 9 hours ago from web

CoachHawk Planning for practice...
about 9 hours ago from web

rollies_stash @CoachHawk thanks coach hawk for making cu a joke.
1 day ago from web

A_L_Kaplan I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to watch the offense or defense films either...RT @CoachHawk Watching special teams film...
1 day ago from TwitterFox

j_feller @CoachHawk do you just send these tweets to give the impression you are working? No one is buying it. We all know u mailed it in
1 day ago from TwitterFon

thebroncx @CoachHawk figures. we didnt lose to Toledo b/c of special teams. watch defensive film!
1 day ago from web

CoachHawk Watching special teams film...
1 day ago from web

Fight Multiple Sclerosis

Help my brothers in the fight against MS. The event was a great success! It was the 24th annual Great-West Life Bike MS, Colorado’s Ride. Over 3000 athletes went from Denver to Fort Collins and back, all for the cause of finding a cure.

Craig Mycoskie ---> http://tinyurl.com/mt3wny

Kevin Mycoskie ---> http://tinyurl.com/mjnw3b

ebay Auctions Benefiting the David Toms Foundation

Check out this LSU Tigers 2007 BCS championship football PROTOTYPE in my ebay store. Also up for bid, an autographed Shaquille O'Neal basketball.

A portion of the proceeds from both items goes towards the David Toms Foundation. The LSU alum's charitable organization provides opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. He'll be on the course this weekend at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

Place your bids!

Searching for a new opportunity

I've been getting a bunch of calls and e-mails from great friends and former co-workers about the latest happenings at the station. I can't say much of anything, but you can read the company line in an article from Tuesday's Daily Report:

WVLA, WGMB eliminating production of local news
http://www.businessreport.com/archives/daily-report/2009/apr/28/949/

Thank you for your concern and your prayers. I'd love to be back on the air soon, but I'm open to all opportunities in all places. I'll be sure to update when there's a new development. Plus, be sure to follow my Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/mycoskie).

Back at Work

After more than a week away, I'm back on the sports desk in Baton Rouge. In case you've recently stumbled across this blog, I thought I should mention again that I won't update it very often. I mainly just do Twitter, so follow me there at http://www.twitter.com/mycoskie.

Keep Demetrius Byrd in your prayers. All signs point to him making a full recovery, but he is still in critical condition according to the latest reports.

ONE DAY WITHOUT SHOES

What's the score? Oh yeah. 49-1.

This isn’t just burying the lead... It’s leaving it out altogether...

Eastern Kentucky’s baseball team beat Kentucky State 49-1 Wednesday. But you wouldn’t know it by reading the EKU official recap. It does not mention the score at all. I guess they are just trying to be classy and not rub it in… To me, it seems lame to leave out that key piece of information:

http://www.ekusports.com/news/2009/4/1/BASEBALL_0401095512.aspx

RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team defeated Kentucky State on Wednesday afternoon at Turkey Hughes Field. The Colonels have now won 13 of their last 16 games and head into this weekend's series with UT Martin with a record of 16-8 (4-2 OVC).

EKU will play host to the Skyhawks in a three game conference series this weekend at Turkey Hughes Field. Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. while Sunday's game is also set to begin at 1:00 p.m.

Here’s the AP recap:

Not April Fools': 49-1 blowout in college baseball

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - It was April Fools' Day, but this was no joke.

Eastern Kentucky was supposed to play a doubleheader against Kentucky State, but plans were changed after EKU built a 49-1 lead and the opener was stopped after five innings. The second game was canceled.

EKU coach Jason Stein began substituting during his team's 22-run first inning.

The results would have set a Division I records for most-lopsided win according to the NCAA, but Kentucky State is in Division II. The biggest rout in Division II history was a 71-1 victory by St. Francis over Robert Morris in 1996.

Twitter

I don't have time for making insightful blog posts very often... but I will send updates in 140 characters or less! Follow me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mycoskie.