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To honor a fine tradition and protest the vocal minority/politically correct crowd of today, I have posted a picture of Chief Illiniwek in the Road Album. After watching him for the past 40 years, he will be sorely missed by this Illinois alum and his family. The "Last Dance" and encore at midcourt was a beautiful thing to see...
Our youngest is a freshman at the University of Iowa. Last summer when we were there for orientation, I found a watering hole that caught my eye. Looked to be rather "sports bar like" but had an ambiance of more than that and the staff were so friendly and kind (a trait that runs rampant in Iowa City as we have found). The Sports Column treated us well on that first visit; we have been back each and every visit to Iowa City. Last fall we made the trek to Iowa and took the entire family as you see in the photo on the "About Us" page. The Hawkeyes were at Michigan so we let the ladies take the kids and do their thing and the boys went to the Sports Column. I had my one and only Iowa Rivalsflag with me and took it along to see what the Hawkeye faithful had to say about it. Showed it to a couple of guys who were students first. The quote was priceless. The kid said that he paid more than what we have them priced at for his and all his has on it is a block I on both sides. Doesn't say one thing about beating Iowa State or have the ability to change it to other teams like Wisconsin (he hates the Badgers). He definitely brightened my spirits as we talked. Bought the boys a drink of their choice and told them to look for it online in 2007 or at the "Hawk Shop." Showed it to several more groups and got good to great reviews from them all. Hawkeyes ended up on the short end against Michigan but before we left I talked to the manager on duty and showed him the flag. I ended up giving it to him and asked him to get it to the owner and ask him to fly it in the bar. Well it took several months but on 2/16/2007 our daughter called rather late (boy do I miss college) with excitement in her voice (as well as something else also). "Dad your flag is flying at the Sports Column, me and my friends are looking at it right now!" (View her photo in our "Road Album" to the right) I groggily said that is great and hung up. Hawk fans tell us what you think; if you are in Iowa City make a stop at The Sports Column to see the most revolutionary flag on the market today. Also contact the Hawk Shop and ask them to carry the Iowa Hawkeye Rivalsflag...GO HAWKS!
What is your favorite tailgate entree? I love a lot of things at our Midwest tailgates but my favorite is from a barbecue place that I fell in love with during my time at the University of Illinois. Whenever we are in Champaign, I either stop prior to, or go right after the game and usually spend a couple hundred bucks or so (depending on the size of the party) on the best damn barbecue you have ever eaten. I have turned many people on to it and while I cannot get you a recipe, if you are ever in Urbana-Champaign, look up Lil' Porgy's. They have locations in both cities (or at least they did) but I use the one in West Champaign. They know me well, I have begged the owner (Bill) to put one or sell me the rights/franchise one in my hometown. Trust me, it is that good. And I consider myself a self proclaimed barbecue expert and have had it in many places all over this country. None better than Porgy's (their slogan, "incredibly good cause we cook on wood"). Ollies in Birmingham, Alabama, or Dreamland in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are close but Porgy's has my heart. But tell me your favorite(s) tailgate entrees. Been a long cold winter here in Central Illinois and tailgating has been on my mind the last few days since we have been holed up after the bilizzard. I may even ask for a recipe; I do most of the cooking around here (I am proud of that fact also).
The Georgia Alumni Association website is the first to display an ad for RIVALSflags. Much thanks to that organization and my contact there, Ms. Shea Landers. Have never seen a game there between the hedges but it is one of the places I'd love to get to, soon. Going to have to order that UGA VI portrait for the wall in my office. Thanks again to the UGA Alumni Asssociation, GO DAWGS!!!
