Funny What Brings You Back | Atro's Blog

09:26 PM ET 02.05
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When I was a kid, my whole family would watch the Orangemen, and go to those Syracuse/Rutgers games once a year at Giants Stadium. My dad was a Syracuse alumni so we would always go. My mom would bring a book and if she heard the crowd roar she would ask "was that a home run?" My dad and I would assure her that it was; she would smile and nod, then settle back into her book.

Later my older sister went to Michigan, during the Harbaugh days. They were heady, to be sure. Lots of fun to watch and lots of her hot friends around the house during bowl season to keep me excited. Christ, I even sat with a crowd of 101,000 other morons in Ann Arbor once and watched them whup the Buckeyes as our toes blackened in the cold.

A couple of years went by, and when my sister's friends stopped coming around, strangely enough, I lost interest in college football. I went off to college myself, never to a division one school, but rather to an almost endless series of liberal colleges before I graduated. No football, no basketball, just an endless pursuit of the kindest herbs and the greatest shows. Somewhere along the line, I found respect for Sam Wyche. Later on, it was the Bucs. The Bucs and my Yankees.

Now the Kiffin men have joined together for the Vols. Do I still have a place in my heart for the Orangemen? Of course. I would not be a son if I didn't. The Wolverines? Nah. Don't think I ever really gave a damn, really. But now there's an extension of my respect and subsequent interest that delves into college football for the first time in decades. Seriously, decades. So I'm thinkin' go Vols. Go Kiffins. Go D.

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February 6, 2009 08:52 AM ET

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Here, here! A very nice, retrospective and emotional blog. As always, well written.

Who are the Vols? Who are the Kiffins? Who is D? What is football? Isn't that that game where European fruitcups chase around and kick that black and white ball?

SlinkyRedfoot

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February 6, 2009 10:58 AM ET

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Well, going with the Vols keeps the Orange theme going!
Nice blog.

becca e.

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February 6, 2009 10:59 AM ET

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And... I hate football. College football especially. Try college hoops!!!
GO CARDS!!!!

becca e.

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February 11, 2009 02:01 PM ET

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**** KIFFIN!!!!! On the other hand, if you're going to start following college football again, Tennessee is a decent place to land. At least you aren't following a bunch of greased up polynesians, who fold against below average teams, in midnight ET games no less.

Field Marshall Sunny…

New York, NY

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February 11, 2009 02:29 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 02:01 PM ET 02.11 by Field Marshall Sunny Day

**** KIFFIN!!!!! On the other hand, if you're going to start following college football again, Tennessee is a decent place to land. At least you aren't following a bunch of greased up polynesians, who fold against below average teams, in midnight ET games no less.

That's true. But at the very least, I've always got my beloved LIU Minutemen to fall back on.

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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February 11, 2009 02:59 PM ET

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good blog!! I hope your vols do good!! .....so you stay attached to college football!! It's such a great sport!!

anyways...I'm sure your family is proud of ya...The memories alone are priceless!!

USC-GIRL

Kalaheo, HI

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February 11, 2009 03:46 PM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 02:59 PM ET 02.11 by USC-GIRL

good blog!! I hope your vols do good!! .....so you stay attached to college football!! It's such a great sport!!anyways...I'm sure your family is proud of ya...The memories alone are priceless!!

This is why we need some control. If we don't, then people like this come in and its armageddon.

Field Marshall Sunny…

New York, NY

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February 11, 2009 04:05 PM ET

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Nice....Went to John Jay in manhattan then on to NYIT to finish up. But in the earlier years, one semester at Adelphi and I went up in smoke. Oh the girls and free love of the sixties. Growing up I didn't have much college football to root for as the Giants and the Yankees kept me busy sports wise. I do recall once my dad and I drove up to the University at Rochester to watch my cousin play. He was a fullback. Broke his ankle on the third play. Dad and I, along with my cousin had dinner that night. Laughted through the entire meal. Ankle, tape, and all. Sometimes I wonder about the afterlife. I'm not really sure if there is a heaven and that whole thing about the departure of the soul. It's our memories of our loved ones and the good times we had that continues to keep them in our hearts. Nice Blog Atro. Real nice. And thank you for the memory trigger.

The Original Tony

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February 11, 2009 05:45 PM ET

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Nice blog Atro. I have a few stories I could tell you about some times back at Manhattan College. Mostly followed their basketball team as lax and baseball there just didn't do it for me. Most of those stories (read as all of them) involve copious amounts of alcohol and a pregame.

bCColtrinari

Staten Island, NY

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February 11, 2009 09:37 PM ET

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nice and nostaglic. both good touches to have in a blog. :)) good blog, Atro.

4192jc (Don't give…

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February 11, 2009 10:49 PM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 05:45 PM ET 02.11 by bCColtrinari

Nice blog Atro. I have a few stories I could tell you about some times back at Manhattan College. Mostly followed their basketball team as lax and baseball there just didn't do it for me. Most of those stories (read as all of them) involve copious amounts of alcohol and a pregame.

Are you referring to my beloved Jaspers, four-time round of 64 participants? FUCCCKKK YEAH, GO JASPERS!!!!!

Atro Steals Yer Base

World Champs, NY

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February 12, 2009 09:34 AM ET

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QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:49 PM ET 02.11 by Atro Steals Yer Base

Are you referring to my beloved Jaspers, four-time round of 64 participants? FUCCCKKK YEAH, GO JASPERS!!!!!

Jaspers sucked. My wife went there. I smack her everytime we pass that place.

Field Marshall Sunny…

New York, NY

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February 12, 2009 09:17 PM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:34 AM ET 02.12 by Field Marshall Sunny Day

Jaspers sucked. My wife went there. I smack her everytime we pass that place.

You, sir, are quite the catch.