Survivor 3: Outdrink, Outfloat, Outfornice

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Hmmmm... it's been a long time between updates. Summertime can cause a football/tailgating website to run a little short on material. Plus, when you are an up and coming alcoholic...it's tough to find time to be a webmaster. So, once again we change gears and discuss an up and coming journey that I'm taking. It's 15 or so of my friends...and a couple of enemies. setting sail in a deluxe houseboat out on Cumberland Lake in Kentucky. Armed with kegs, cases, and fifths...the brave souls will attempt to Survive for 4 days on the water with no contact with the outside world, little food, and a bathing suit.

The prevailing question between friends is "Who is going to die?" I have my suspicions, but who am I to speculate? Hopefully... technology willing...we'll be able to put it to a vote online.

Over the next few weeks, the page and the message board may become a little hub for the trip, and I invite everyone to participate in any interesting discussions that may come up. Otherwise, hold out until August...when we turn our attention toward the boys in blue. Lots more to come. Stay tuned.

'Defense' Shows Off In Spring Game

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We can only hope that it is NOT a sign of things to come. Michigan QB's threw 8 interceptions in the Spring Game on April 14th. It was alot of fun though, as the biggest highlight was the fact that we brought a cooler into the Big House (thanks Pammy). Denny made two new friends... the guy that was supposed to blow the horn for the practice drills, and the guy at Fraser's that continued to follow him into the bathroom.


Our next event is still in question, but I will stand by my quest for a summer reunion at Vandercook Lake. Hope to see you all at the next one!

 

Tommy Boy

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After days that seemed like weeks and being shunned by Rick Pitino, apparently a decision has been made regarding the head coach position for the maize and blue basketball team. Tommy Amaker, former Duke assistant under Mike Krzyzewski (yes I spelled it right), and current head coach of the Seton Hall Pirates (that Tuba was pulling for in '89), has been offered a five-year deal to be announced this Friday. So its not the closure that some of us wanted, but its closure nonetheless. After looking at a picture of him, my stomach dropped (consequently a 1.3 on the Richer scale). I remember this guy all too well on the sidelines when we were in a hated rivalry with the Blue Devils. Alas, he was but a punk kid then, and now I feel pretty comfortable calling him coach. I tried to put a clown face on his picture, and it just didn't fit, so that is a good sign.

In a side note, I've come to the realization that we created the magic that is Ben Braun. Every time we get an opening, this guy gets an extension on his contract. What is Cal thinking? Ben Braun is the only coach in the PAC-10 that lost in the first round, and he gets a 4 year extension. Why? Because people fear us. What I did like about this whole deal was the reports saying that Amaker was moving to a Big Ten power. I was really tired of hearing that Michigan is a one sport school. Where were these people when we were winning the Rose Bowl and winning the National title in the same year? Where were these people when we won the Big Ten all those years in a row in football, right in the middle of having the greatest class ever recruited and going to the final four for two years in a row. Screw 'em...well, that is enough ranting for today...gotta get my sh*t together for the FROZEN FOUR. By the way tailgaters, if I don't make the trip, we should get together for the finals (assuming we make it) at a local bar...

Trombley Wins Challenge, P.E.T.A. Protests

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The Duke Blue Devils, behind solid coaching ideals left behind by current Michigan basketball coach Tommy Amaker, defeated the Arizona Wildcats for the 2001 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship. The Wildcats were obviously unprepared, as their final four game was against a mediocre Spartan team that managed to only beat teams seeded 16, 9, 12, and 11 respectively. The Blue Devils victory vaulted Jason Christopher Trombley, Warren De La Salle and University of Michigan alumnus, into the winner's circle. Reached at his home in Chicago, Trombley (affectionately known as JT) said quote "When do I get my money? I got bills to pay." It wasn't all fun for the little lovable trouble maker, as the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (P.E.T.A) protested the victory. Daris Dewberry, P.E.T.A. charter member, said "Anyone that swallows a large, live goldfish and then pukes up the scales with a smile should be locked up."

Joining JT in the winner's circle, coming in second place, was Andrew Van Tassell, Western Michigan student and two-time UMTailgater. Andrew played host (though we got him tickets:)) at Western for our hockey trip in January, and made the trip to Happy Valley in 1999 for the Penn State game, fighting off people with Bill and I in the student section. Andrew could not be reached for comment...he was drunk.

Coming in third was Brian Robillard, representing Riverview, and also a University of Michigan grad.

Congratulations to all of our winners for their great picks, to the Arizona Wildcats for eliminating the Spartans, and to Lloyd Carr, for coaching the 1997 National Champions. Special thanks go out to all that participated, and I hope we can do something like this again. I hope you all continue to visit UMTailgate.com to check out the activities of 'the greatest tailgate group ever assembled'.