Let The Doug Marrone For Coach Of The Year Campaign Begin Now

Last night on Twitter, I noticed a movement that during this political environment, I can fully endorse. I am not sure who to credit first but noticed that @Live315, @asmcnama and @PJASchultz all were being RT'd in this matter so I will let them fight out out either in some mud or a steel cage, whichever they see fit. No matter who started it though, I think many should start to support their idea and that is, Syracuse Head Football Coach Doug Marrone should be a leading candidate for National Coach of the Year.

This is not just Syracuse Orange fans drinking the Kool-Aid or some hyperbole based on one big win. After reading Brent Axe's posts on syracuse.com(starting with this one http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2010/10/su-cincinnati_recap_this_that.html ), I realized he had the stats to justify this contention. According to Brent, "Syracuse is 6-2 for the first time since 2001, when they finished 10-3.Syracuse is 3-1 in Big East play for the first time since 2004. Syracuse beat Cincinnati for the first time since 2004. Adding to a streak of beating South Florida for the first time ever and beating West Virginia for the first tine since 2001." And Sean at www.nunesmagician.com noted that Coach Marrone is now 10-10 as head coach at Syracuse and noted it took Coach Robinson 4 years to achieve that goal. Greg Robinson finished his 4 year tenure at Syracuse with a record of 10-37 overall and 3-25 in the Big East and yet, Coach Marrone has those 10 wins already in only his second season as head coach and matched those 3 BE wins this season alone with 4 more games to go (3 of them in the Big East) and the toughest part of their schedule in their rear view mirror and I do not foresee them sleeping on the rest of these games either with Coach Marrone at the helm.

How many of you have heard the little snide remarks from people when they talk about Syracuse being bowl eligible and having a shot at a BCS game should Pitt fall a bit and they win out? My first instinct is to boycott their sorry shows and write them a long email about it but then I remembered, they are finally talking about Syracuse being relevant again, even if it is while laughing. The fact that the fans and media are talking about this after how far this program fell is reason alone to mention Coach Marrone's name whenever someone wants to discuss who has done the best job coaching this year.

According to the experts, Syracuse has to win one more game in order to be bowl eligible, which hopefully they can do at home against Louisville this upcoming weekend. If this team goes from the obscurity to playing in a bowl game, to me that is more worthy of being coach of the year than those who were expected to win a BCS championship meeting expectations. Coach Marrone and this staff and players are above and beyond what most expected to see this year (I predicted 8 wins but expect now they could even surpass that and made my predictions from the heart, not my head).

As you may have read in earlier posts, I personally campaigned and even almost started up a website with my support for Turner Gill when Robinson was fired. I sit before you humbled and ask Coach Marrone's forgiveness as he has demonstrated he deserved this job beyond a shadow of a doubt. He won me over with the speech posted on my blog yesterday but continues to amaze me every game even still with his coaching on the field and his demeanor off it. And now I think it's time he win over the rest of this country and be awarded this honor for restoring a program many buried only a few short years ago. So Syracuse fans, show your pride and let's spread the word that in this election year, we want to see one man who deserves our vote get it and that is "Doug Marrone For Coach Of The Year".

Go Orange!

My Post Game Speech If I Were In The Syracuse LockerRoom After SU #BeatCincy

Today, we are one win away from being bowl eligible. Today we are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big East conference. Today we celebrate our third Big East road victory this season(all of which were homecoming games for our opponents). Today we will head to Varsity and flip another banner. Today is another day for those who believed in this team and wore their Syracuse Orange with faith even when they were mocked for doing so. Today is a stepping stone on our way to rebuilding our program and regain the respect and dignity this program once had. Today is a day fans will look back on this team as more than a fluke or a lucky win but instead see into their hearts and determination and know they are worth your love. Today is for every fan who didn't leave early out of disgust or make negative comments publicly when times got rough(though at times were discouraged because they knew we could do better) knew that when SYRACUSE football was back, our faith would be justified. Today is the day Coach Marrone and his staff show those who doubted they could do it, thought they didn't have the resume to believe in, or doubted his emotion in leading this team were proven wrong (including myself who campaigned heavily for Turner Gill until Coach Marrone won me over with this halftime speech during basketball season).



Today, we the fans say thank you again for your blood, your sweat and your tears when many "experts" picked you to finish last or next to last in the standings. Today we hold our heads high, party like a rock star and know in our hearts that we bleed Orange and will enjoy our lives today because of you. I have said it before but you can never say it too much when you truly mean it and today I say to you Syracuse University, Coach Doug Marrone and the staff and players on this football team...THANK YOU!

GO ORANGE!

And now today's party song:

Thank You Syracuse

I was going to do my first video ever but have decided to put it off for now until I work out a few details. Instead, I will write here what I had planned to say.

Thank you to those of you Syracuse fans who have stuck by this team through thick and through thin. Those who did not look for every chance to bash them after a loss but understood sometimes a team loses a game and it's not always how we want it to be. Those who check out the blogs and Twitter and make being a Syracuse fan fun. And thank you to those who like me wore our Syracuse merchandise for the past few years and endured the abuse and ridicule who can now hold our heads high with a smile knowing we our headed in the right direction.

Thank you to the players on this team who work their butts off for us fans. You guys fight hard every game to bring two things back to this team many of us thought was missing, tradition and respect. I won't single out anyone or any side of the ball because I think it is a team sport and a team effort so thank you to all of you whether you start or not. I assure you that every single one of you is why I bleed Orange and I am grateful for your sacrifices and will support you with anything I possibly can.

Thank you to Coach Marrone and his staff who has brought honor and competitive football back to a once proud university that struggled over the past few years. Some might challenge your passion or your resume but the true fans know you are on of us and want this team to succeed even more than all of us. Anyone who watched this WVU game and still questions your passion was not a true fan to begin with because a true fan knew it that day you took off your jacket during the basketball game and spoke to us from your heart in the Carrier Dome.

I was raised in the Syracuse area. I have loved this team for as long as I can remember and over the years, done my best to support and defend them even when the times were tough. I bleed Orange to the point that surrounding myself with all things orange makes me feel more comfortable. When I die, it is my hope that I am buried Orange (preferably my 44 jersey my brother gave me years ago and I treasure every time I wear it).

I have experienced a lot of heartache in my life off and on for the past few years and even been fortunate in other things. The one constant is my enjoyment of all things Syracuse Orange. I believe all things happen for a reason and I believe we went through the pain to further appreciate the road we will begin to climb to restore this program into what we Syracuse fans know it to be. I believe that even when your team struggles, you stand beside them just as you do in victory. So on behalf of myself and hopefully many other Syracuse fans I say to Syracuse University and especially the current football players and staff, THANK YOU.

Go Orange!

Which Would You Choose, The Better Video Or The Better Song?

So I was researching some videos to possibly do a entry on fun songs that remind me of Syracuse games when I came across a dilemma. Did you know that there are actually two songs titled "Beerrun"? One is a country version with Garth Brooks and George Jones while the other is a comedy version I remembered from my days listening to Bob And Tom in the mornings. The problem is, though I like country music, the Brooks/Jones collaboration does nothing for me but I love the video that YouTube user "royboy1993" did for the song and most resembles my thinking but the other song is a lot better in my opinion with a lame video. Here are the two videos and tell me which do you think is better, the video of the country song or the song with the lame video? You decide.

Better Song, Lame Video:


Better Video, Least Entertaining Song:

How I Spent My Summer Vacation In Syracuse

Picture courtesy of Syracuse New Times

How I Spent My Summer Vacation In Syracuse
By Orange Chuck
I have not blogged in a while but this seemed like a fun way to restart it. Some of you may know that I just returned from trip for five days to Syracuse for my cousin Tim’s wedding, though two of those days were mostly travel days as we drove the entire way. Sadly, I can only manage short vacations/trips to the ’ Cuse these days so I try to fit as much as I can into those trips. So here is a brief description of my trip along with some fun pictures that were taken along the way that I hope you all enjoy.
The drive there was about 12 1/2 hours long and we left China Grove, NC at about 4:30 am Wednesday morning. Along with me for the ride would be my mother, my nephew and my 21 year old daughter. In case you have never driven it, interstate 77 to 81 is a long drive but it is well worth it when you see the Carrier Dome off in the distance of 81 and know you will be turning off onto 481 (well that and what ‘Cuse fan does not love seeing THE Dome).



When we first got to my grandmother's house in Bridgeport, we enjoyed some welcome greetings as well as some pizza from Sami's Pizza. It's always great to see your family when you don't get to see them very often and the pizza was ok but not as good as usual. I also enjoyed seeing one of my best friends ever from my childhood Shelly, who was also my junior prom date (and who looks even more beautiful now than she did when she convinced me to go to my prom and I jumped at the chance 20 years ago). I also got to see my cousin's 4 month old baby for the first time in person, though I had to spend time trying to convince Shelly that kidnapping was illegal no matter how cute the baby is. We did not get in until close to 5pm so needless to say this was the extent of our first day in NY.



Thursday was our "free day" as there were no plans for any wedding events. So what major plans were in store for our off day? After resting for half the day, I prepared my daughter for a Tully's meetup with Shelly and her brother Tim for dinner. I know me eating at Tully's will shock very few who will read this but I had to mention it since we had a great time. Tim is retired from the Army now and I had a great time with both catching up with an old friend and educating my daughter and nephew on just how big of a geek I was back in the day (which also probably will not shock many who read this).







After some delicious Tully's Tenders at Tully's in Liverpool, we headed off to meet Shelly's friend Renee and we were headed to Papermill Island in Baldwinsville (otherwise known as the B'ville T Party according to the Syracuse New Times). The band featured was named Square Pegs and butchered such greats as Lady Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and Tiffany. The good news is, the Bud/Bud Light were only $4 a piece and cold but even better, I had a great time catching up more with Tim about his family, his trips to Afghanistan and how much he still enjoys picking on his sister and Renee. I do not go out and socialize often but I have to admit, I would do it more often if these two were around. Sadly, we had to split ways early since my nephew Josh is only 18 and the bar we tried to go back to only allowed 21 and up at that point in the night, we headed home for the night (we had a beer or two at the place earlier in the day with no issues but missed the cutoff later to sneak him back in).





The next day did start off with some Dunkin Donuts for breakfast. We had a wedding rehearsal and dinner planned for the evening so my daughter, my uncle, the groom and I had to make some stops early in the day to some local Syracuse hot spots (in my opinion anyway). Our first destination was actually the adult bookstore in Mattydale to help complete the "honeymoon kit" my grandmother makes for her grandchildren when they get married because really, what is a honeymoon kit without midget porn? For those who wondered, my daughter and the groom stayed in the car while my uncle showed me where to find the video as nobody knows adult book stores like Uncle "Harold".
So after picking up the video and receiving a text message from Shelly saying she was getting er nails done at the same place and time as the bridal party a mere mile away from us at Unicorn Nails, we proceeded to Hoffman's Hot Haus in Mattydale. I love Hoffmans German Franks almost as much as Tully's Tenders so this is a must. So much of a must in fact that when we left Hoffmans after a brief lunch, we headed off to the greatest grocery store known to man to purchase more Hoffmans, Otto treats, and salt potatoes for the trip home. By the way, if you are questioning the name of this grocery store, you have obviously never been to Syracuse and enjoyed the luxury of a Wegman's for yourself and I beg you to try it one day soon.





After leaving Wegmans, I enjoyed showing my daughter some of the spots I grew up in and around such as my houses and schools and of course Gateway Park. At which point, we then proceeded home to get ready for the rehearsal because according to the itinerary the bride printed off for the whole wedding party, we would need to be on our way soon to the community church on Erie Blvd. near Shoppingtown Mall. And yes, she had an hourly itinerary breakdown as to what everyone should be doing. However if you knew the groom and his father especially, you would print one off for them as well even if it included a reminder not to bring his ball cap to the church for the wedding and clean his ears.


This is the house I grew up in many moons ago.

The rehearsal went well and quick and we learned that if the weather was nice on Saturday, it would be held outside in the church patio area. Of course, if you thought hanging out at the church had saved your soul, you were about to be corrupted by the previously mentioned "honeymoon kit" which would be opened to display in front of family and friends at the rehearsal dinner at Borio’s in Cicero. Those of us who have received these kits look forward to this moment to see what new items my grandmother had planned for this particular kit. And for those still reading this who think my video contribution would be the most controversial item of the night, I would point to the fact that the last gift to be opened was in fact a swing for the bedroom with instructional pictures on the box (though the bride and groom decided it may be best not to pack the swing for their honeymoon in Jamaica).



We then went home to crash for the night and sleep before the big day because even though it was a 3pm wedding, we knew it would come quickly. And of course we were right as bright and early the next morning, Uncle Harold went to get some beer while friend of the family Joe brought his homemade concoction known as Lady Poison. I did not sample this drink as it seemed to be for the wedding party but judging by the reactions of those who chugged from the thermos, it was a mixture of delicious and "holy crap, what did you put in there". Those who know Joe or our weddings in general, know that it is simply a rite of passage that not only Joe bring the drink but bring the fun as well, though I have been told that his 4th of July parties will put hair on a freshly waxed chest and turn a Buddhist monk into Bluto from Animal House. So needless to say, the drinking was well underway before the tuxedos were being put on and before the limo showed up at 1:15 to pick up the males in the wedding party.



The wedding was beautiful even though it required me to read a poem in front of everyone. For those unaware of my current situation, this was not the easiest of tasks but I had help writing it and had done this before so that made it a bit easier. And after the courageous people decided to sign away the rest of their lives, it was off to the local Tim Horton's as my grandmother assured me that it was better than Dunkin Donuts and we had 2 hour window between the wedding a reception. So I did enjoy an Apple Fritter and bottled water, which were better than I had received during recent Dunkin Donuts visits in North Carolina and New York.





After Tim Horton’s and a short visit back to my grandmother's house, it was off to the Legion Hall in Cicero for the reception to see just how good drunk white people can dance to music from the 60's up until current songs on the radio (though I was disappointed to hear my daughter had never heard the Humpty Hump until this night). My dancing these days is limited due to bad knees but my enjoyment was plentiful watching my daughter dance with my cousins and nephew as well as Shelly and others. Luckily, attempts to get my daughter so drunk she would get sick were unsuccessful but I do think that with help from Shelly, we succeeded in getting my daughter addicted to Fuzzy Navels as apparently this bartender made some very good one (though we learned she does not care much for Mudslides or Sex On The Beach and I doubt Rum and Coke will ever be her drink of choice).

Note To Self: when attending a wedding with bar, they may not accept debit/credit cards for mixed drinks and you should bring cash with you (thank you Shelly for being smarter than your friend and I owe you dinner big time at Logan's).

The evening finally wound down as I said goodbye to Shelly and the bride and groom and the wedding party as well as other family members because we would be leaving too early the next morning to say goodbyes at that time. It is never easy to say goodbye to great people when you truly never know when you will see them again but sometimes life is not easy so that is why when you can, you should take the time to enjoy it as much as possible. And I did leave the wedding sober for those curious but mostly in the event that if my daughter was unable to drive home the next morning to North Carolina, I could fill in.

We left the next morning after a big breakfast cooked by my loving grandmother and aunt and headed out on our long journey back to reality and away from the place I still call home. As of this writing, my knees are still sore but the memories of the trip overpower any discomfort I may feel. I would like to thank my loving family for making this trip so special as every time I come to visit it is always great. I would also like to thank my friends Tim and Shelly who made a hermit feel good about getting out and around and not missing a beat when it comes to reliving some great times we had years ago and making new memories. I would like to thank my parents for helping to pay for the trip and making it possible as I never would have done it without them. I would like to thank my daughter for being herself and being the pride and joy of my life that made this trip even more fun, especially aiding in our picking on my poor nephew who learned you must be 19 to purchase cigarettes in Onondaga County.

And last but not least, thank you Syracuse, New York for being my home away from home that proves you can go home anytime you want and still enjoy every minute of it. Whether it’s the family and friends or the memories or the great local businesses like Tully's, Wegman's, Hoffman's, and that book store in Mattydale for having midget porn readily available for a newly wedded couple to enjoy, you are greatly admired and missed while I am away. I left many businesses out this trip but I am hoping to afford round 2 during the Christmas season and maybe sneak in some that I did not get to enjoy such as a game at the Carrier Dome, try Dinosaur BBQ for the first time, and hopefully relive some great times and burgers at Zebb's. Syracuse is my home and one day I hope to return when the circumstances are right but for right now, I am looking forward to my return visit as soon as possible (and counting down the days until a couple friends come to visit us in NC, which hopefully will be Labor Day weekend). Home Sweet ’Cuse.
GO ORANGE!

Here is the wedding poem I wrote for those curious to read it:

Love Means-Tim and Michelle's Wedding
Sometimes we take love for granted or ignore even the signs we see
So I wrote down some definitions to explain what love really means
Love means going the extra mile just to make her smile
Love means waiting your turn for the bathroom can take a while
Love means you might miss an upcoming UFC event for a date night
Or going out early enough so they can be home in time for the fight
Love means a small gift of appreciation even when it's not a holiday
Love means saying "I'm Sorry" and knowing what else to do or say
Love means forgiveness is understanding we all make mistakes
Love means forgetting is harder when you do it again and your apology's fake
Love means when they are hurting, you comfort them and feel their pain
Love means knowing if you were hurting, they would do the same
Love means their "just woke up" look still looks good to you
Love means you sacrifice to make their dreams come true
Love means one look or smile can make the worst days better
Love means allowing him to enjoy his old ripped up SU sweater
Love means acccepting that her cold feet will wake you up at night
Love means that his snoring won't start the next day off in a fight
Love means you are their security blanket when life has them stressed
Love means saying "You look beautiful" no matter how she is dressed
Love means you did not notice that girl on the beach in the bikini
Or that muscle bound Brad Pitt twin stepping out of the Lamborgini
Love means every meal was delicious and even better than mom makes
Love means being grateful that she is the first view you see when you wake
Love means going out of your way to help when they are sick with the flu
Love means saying "I Love You" comes not just from your mouth but your heart too
Love means you are better off with this other person in your life
And you love them so much, you decide to become husband and wife

If You Love Your Country And Are Not A Communist, You Will Buy This Book

First things first, check out this link to read why you should buy this book: How To Grow An Orange: Now On Sale! - Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician

Then balance your checkbook, brown bag it to lunch for the week and save up your $10 to purchase this book (which you can do here: Smashwords - How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way To Brainwash Your Child Into). For some, that may mean just being grumpy to the other half and some co-workers for a few days and cutting out some coffee in your work week. However you can do it, do it as soon as possible.

Each year, thousands of children make the unfortunate mistake to attend schools like Rutgers, UConn and even Georgetown. With this book, you can help your child avoid such sad future choices and that is worth the price alone. The great poet Whitney Houston once said, "I believe the children our are future...teach them well and led them lead the way." Follow her lead (though just say no to drugs because if you have heard her sing lately, she sings like a Hoya does, well anything) and help to educate our future generation the proper way. Socrates would be proud of you.

If you still are not sure, please let the greatest college basketball coach in the history of the sport explain why you should trust Sean to help mentor your children along with you and your spouse/baby mama:



BUY IT TODAY OR YOU WILL BE LISTED AS A HOYA SYMPATHIZER!

My Top 12 Syracuse Fantasies

I may have a couple interviews in the works over the next couple weeks and even a couple ideas finally I can get around to now that I have adjusted to this computer but in the meantime, here is a fun top 12 list to enjoy to help you pass the time(also please enjoy the newest edition to the page, an awesome sketch by @MBorkowski).

Top 12 Syracuse Fantasies I Have Had Over The Years:

12. Running into a SU coach in public and saying Go Orange! (the only one actually accomplished years ago when I ran into Coach P at BJ's back when he coached SU football and the guy was awesome).

11. Nickname a child either Pearl or 44.

10. Sex anywhere in the Carrier Dome but would settle for a wedding proposal if I ever got married again which I am not thrilled at the prospects of doing right now.

9. Interviewing one of many SU sports figures from my childhood for my blog (Sherman Douglas or Pearl would be the tops).

8. Winning the lottery so I can get season tickets for every SU sport and bring along some fans who otherwise would not be able to get tickets.

7. A Syracuse based TV show that uses a lot of Orangemen either current or past (maybe an Otto based Saturday morning cartoon teaching kids moral lessons every episode).

6. Having Otto or something SU related painted onto my car or my house.

5. Becoming a celebrity just so I can receive a honorary degree from Syracuse University.

4. Winning one of those Dunk and Bright orange recliners during a Syracuse game.

3. A Syracuse tattoo (which I may do one day if I can decide on the right design and location).

2. Tully's opening up a sports bar in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and keeping the Syracuse sports layout.

1. Being Otto for a game.

Top 15 Things The Big East Should Do To Keep SU And Not Become Extinct

I will admit up front, I am pro-Big East. I do not want to see them fall apart. I do not want to see Syracuse end up in the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC or whatever other conference they may get rumored to join this week. I do however think that a majority of the issue could be resolved if the Big East would be proactive and stop letting people attack them without a fight. Here are the 15 things I think would help make the Big East more relevant and in some cases, appeal more to the Syracuse folks. Yes some are for my own cheap amusement but some I think are steps they need to explore.

Top 15 Things The Big East Should Do To Keep SU And Not Become Extinct

15. Split football into two divisions and have a Big East Football Championship Game either in a neutral city or rotating cities among Big East home towns.

14. Paint the field for the championship game orange.

13. Allow the athletes to be paid whatever compensation someone is willing to pay them.

12. Make the games more interactive by showing tweets at the bottom of the screen that use the hashtag #BigEastFootball and maybe have the announcers comment on them occasionally.

11. Rename New York City "South Syracuse" since it will appeal to SU administration and some of the so-called experts thinks its a home field advantage already. This will help ensure we get more "Syracuse" recruits.

10. Sell the naming rights for the Big East to the highest bidder. The Pizza Hut Supreme East? The Big Nike?

9. Offer Dr. Gross and Dr. Cantor executive jobs for life working for the Big East including a house in every Big East city loaded with Dome Dogs, Otto's snacks, and Cristal (and a few Labatt's Blue). Also rename all post season tournaments The Dr Daryl Gross Invitational.

8. Get Matt Park to do the weekly televised football game of the week along with Jim Brown and some of the Citrus TV students to help out in studio and on sidelines.

7. Night games will feature a strip show at halftime.

6. Make either Jim Boeheim or Coach Mac the Big East commissioner in waiting.

5. Tell Villanova they have 3 years to develop their football program into a BCS level contender and tell Georgetown, Seton Hall, and St. Johns to explore their options now or be left out when the league gets better.

4. Make Notre Dame a lucrative offer to join the football conference and inform them that if they turn it down, take all other sports with them on their way out the door.

3. Reach out to the military academies and make all three an offer to join (Army, Navy and Air Force). Getting all three will boost their rivalry games and make it a part of the Big East tradition as well as offer competitive games.

2. If you thought 3&4 would help, I am also going to include further EXPANSION ideas such as teams like ECU, UNC-Charlotte, Boise State, and maybe a Texas school or any other credible teams either developing their programs or with reputable names to join within the next 2-3 years. If it takes big money and the team is on the right track, spend it and it will pay off later when the Big East not only still exists but is a factor in college football again.

1. Explore the possibility of signing on with a network that already has major cable/satellite distribution and make that your premiere network instead of investing in the Big East channel. It will be cheaper and this rate, you will just need to maybe help get them more exposure, especially if its someone like SNY who has a good regional network but needs help getting a better deal with more cable and satellite companies. Many of these ideas may cost a lot of money but it's better to find avenues to get the money now than lose money later when teams leave and you are a step away from being a Division III conference.

The SOB's Continue As I Present To You: Best Junior

Thank you for the hand off Jameson.

If you followed the link here, you know what this post is all about. We, the bloggers of Syracuse University sports, are awarding those associated with Syracuse basketball with our annual awards (though this is my first time involved since I have a tendency to cease to exist when they come around). I pondered long and hard how to make this a fun build up with suspense and excitement but the truth is, I have the Best Junior and with all due respect to Rick Jackson who had a good season, the voting was unanimous. The winner and new Junior champion with 12 votes is...Wes Johnson.

Here are the blogger comments as to why they all voted this way:

Sean at TNIAAM started it off by saying: "Wes Johnson - What can you say about the Big East Player of the Year that hasn't already been said? Wes was a star, capable of taking over when he wanted but playing team ball as much as possible. A consummate teammate and the kind of guy you love rooting for. He will be missed."

Syracusan from Cuse Country compares Wes to Carmelo with this explanation: "Wes Johnson was first team All-American and third in the national POY voting. Both of those honors exceed what Carmelo Anthony received. Granted that says more about how poorly the national media and awards institutions handled Melo's accomplishments than it does about Wes, but it's enough to make this category a no-brainer."

Andrew from The Three Idiots shared this very poignant and brief statement: "Wes Johnson. No explanation needed." Indeed sir, indeed.

Brian from CuseOrange says: "Wes Johnson - it's not often that a lottery pick arrives via transfer, and we were treated to a magnificent season by The Corsicana Kid. The recovery from his fall took longer than I thought it would, but I'll remember Wes for his highlight-reel plays, crazy leaping ability and efficient scoring. It's sad to see him go but I can't wait to see him flourish in the league."

The Glaude from HoyaSuxa shares his view as only the legend can: "WESGODDAMNJOHNSON: The dude pinwheeled over a Providence player and didn't die. He defies medical science and human physics. Plus, he has excellent teeth."

Dan "Cheesehead" Lyons from Bleacher Report gave this view from his seat (and this is from a game who never missed a game at the Carrier Dome that I know of): "Wes Johnson: Not even a contest, Wes was our best player all season, even with some injury issues, and played some lights out basketball all season. He can run, he can board, he can shoot, the man does it all. Without question the most efficient offensive player I've seen in recent memory, I really wish he would've looked to score a little more at times. I'd love to have Wes for one more year, but we all know that we got our fill in 2009-10 and should be thankful."

Brian Harrison, the man from Orange 44 who could close down a Syracuse bar almost as well as any other blogger (if Glaude is home sick) stated: "Wes Johnson: Easily the best player on the floor most nights versus most teams. He could put up big numbers even though he only shot the ball a few times a game. When he was healthy almost the entire court was in range for him, and he had a surprising ability to get teammates involved in the scoring with some nifty passes. Easily one of the top college basketball players this season."

Jameson from Bleacher Report, who with his great work should be picking whatever job he wants after graduation, was accurate as usual with this assessment: "Wes Johnson: It's a shame he didn't injure his hand and lower body because he could have had one of the best seasons in Orange history."

DA from Orange Fizz tries to get all technical on us like this: "The NCAA's transfer eligibility rule. Not technically "a junior," but without it Wes would've been a member of last year's Orange team. Could you imagine how poisoned he would've been trying to share the floor with Devo and Paul Harris? Our nice guy from Ames would've been standing on scorer's tables and whining about minutes. "

Steve from CuseOrange says he was infected or something or other: "Wes Johnson. When healthy there was no one better. Maybe could have been POY had he not been brought back to earth in the Providence game. Played with a joy that was infectious."

Josh from Cuse Country defends Rick but just like the rest of us, knew who the better junior was: "As solid a season as Rick Jackson had, there is no possibility that anyone other than Wes Johnson goes in this slot. What a treat he was to have around. Undeniable talent, a great work ethic and (by all accounts) a fabulous teammate. The first guy since 2003 to show up in his first year and be *better* than advertised"

That is all for the comments about this issue. Please start off your day tomorrow at 9 am by visiting the Idiots we all love...Three Idiots on Sports who will present the award for the Best Photo. Good night and thank you for stopping by. Go Orange!

Exposing Syracuse Bloggers And Twits

My name is...well let's just say my name is Greg for now. I have hacked into this account and I am writing this because of stuff I have read over the past couple years on these "blogs" and "tweets". These Syracuse "fans" displaying nothing but their arrogance when we know they have skeletons in the closet as well and frankly, I am sick of it. Let's see how they like being called out while in the public eye and get a dose of their own medicine.

My response to this blatant and uncalled for exercise in ego is to one by one, call them out. I will research all of you within the Syracuse community who dares to snub your nose at others and expose them for the frauds that they are. Today, I plan to start with this genius who calls himself "Orange Chuck" which to me resembles the lack of imagination and intelligence that his blog shows on a regular basis.

After interviewing a few solid sources and reading this crap he refers to as a blog, it is my contention that this person is actually a high school freshman (and not even an intelligent one at that) who works part time as a busboy at the Tully's in Liverpool, NY and not the 37 year old North Carolina resident he portrays online. Have you read his stuff? He is probably in a 6th grade level English class struggling to get a D for a grade.

I can confirm as well that pictures he post online actually belong to his father that he found posted on a dating website called lovablelosers.net. He constantly mentions Tully's in the hopes that one of his managers will see his determination and promote him to a waiter position. Even pictures of him eating a delicious Tully's Tenders Platter was merely his father there to support him on his first day of work there he hoped to use to make your mouth water so bad you would have to stop in for your own plate. And whilst on the subject of his father, I may also point out that his father is a janitor at one of the adult bookstores in the Syracuse area who is under investigation for making more of a mess than he actually cleans daily.

So as you can see, he is a fraud and I refuse to sit idly by while this perpetrator judges others while living these lies. Please take these facts into evidence the next time you read one of his blog entries or see him post anything online.

And as for the rest of you out there with your blogs and your Twitter pages, I have not forgotten about you either. I will surpass whatever lame passwords he uses (OttoLikesThe69, what the hell kind of pass word is that anyway?) and post other investigative findings I have on them here as well. I already have a few items on some but I am awaiting confirmation of my sources before posting them.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Boy Who Lost His Smile Retires A Gentleman

I understand not everyone who reads my blog likes wrestling. I also know others have at least in the past enjoyed it as much as I have. There have been many top names in this business who made it a pleasure to enjoy being a fan. For many years, there was one I did not like or respect and his name was The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. My how the years have changed us both.

To be fair, I was a major Bret Hart fan. I liked the Rockers and my naive nature at the time made me blame Shawn for the breakup. I never liked some of what DX did during the attitude era, though the crotch chop was fun. There was never anything about what I saw of him or what I read about him that made me even want to care about him. How could anyone like what they saw? I remember hearing a story about an altercation he had in Syracuse many years ago with some Marines and my first instinct was to wonder what he did to deserve it.

Times changed though and maybe it was his overall behavior change while still keeping some of his juvenile sense of humor. Maybe it had something to do with being Born Again and accepting Jesus into his life and changing things in his life. One thing is for sure though, as time passed, he became someone you wanted to see in the ring more and more.

The Undertaker is a phenom and his 18-0 at Wrestlemania is a great record but the truth is, Shawn over the years became Mr. Wrestlemania. His Iron Man match with Bret Hart made 60 plus minutes of in ring action one of the best matches in history. His match with Stone Cold with Mike Tyson as referee was spectacular, which in of itself is a feat considering it is a known fact that at the time, Shawn's back was so bad he needed time off after to let it heal. And there are last year and this years matches with the Undertaker which, for someone as talented as Shawn, is one great way to end a career.

My point is, Shawn earned my respect and until someone from WWE blocks the access to the videos I posted below, you can see why the guy who once was rumored to have taken some time off because he did not get his way or would not lose to certain individuals, left a gentleman who wrestling fans not only should respect but appreciate as well. If you want to become a wrestler, emulate Shawn as much as possible. The guy took the concept of a ladder match and made it so legendary that it has become a part of wrestling culture, trying to see who can use it to have a great match. He is no longer just some punk kid who craved the spotlight but will go down as one of the greatest performers in the history of the business and a Michael Jordan of the WWE in that one day, you will be in awe of his work and brag to your children that you saw Shawn master "skinning the cat" in Royal Rumbles and tell great stories in the ring.

Thank you Shawn. I may not have always been your biggest fan but in time, I became one. Whether it was me who changed or you, I respect you and thank you for the great moments you gave us as fans. May you enjoy your retirement and you and your family live a great and blessed life.

Top 12 Reasons To Celebrate Syracuse University's 140th Birthday

For those who don't know, today is the 140th birthday celebration of the greatest university known to man kind, Syracuse University of course. In tribute to the Orange in which I bleed, I compiled a list of the 12 reasons you should love this school.

Top 12 Reasons To Celebrate Syracuse University's 140th Birthday

12. Nobody knows business like Whitman's School Of Management

11. Football may have struggled recently but we have a rich history and are now on the right track with Coach Doug Marrone

10. Sean Keeley, Brian Harrison and The Glaude could kick your school blogger's butt and yes, all three are SU graduates.

9. Your school closes when the weather man predicts snow in his forecast. At Syracuse, if you can open your door, class is in session.

8. Remember the name Sidearm Sports because it is the perfect example of why your school is trying to catch up to technology while Syracuse's iSchool is leading the way.

7. Syracuse is not just a one sport school and as proof, has won championships in several sports ( 2003 and 1926 men's basketball, 1959 football team, 14 lacrosse championships and many more with more to come).

6. Newhouse has produced so many great voices in the media that it would take all day to list them.

5. That is a Syracuse Law graduate one heart beat away from the presidency.

4. Coach Boeheim has the greatest men's basketball program in the country and Coach Q is establishing the women's team into a contender.

3. Dino's, Tully's, Chuck's, Faegan's and Zebb's make being at Syracuse a better environment, especially on game days.

2. The list of athletes that attended Syracuse include names that have revolutionized sports like Brown, Gait, Monk, Freeney, Pearl, Davis and the list is endless.

1. 44 is more than a number, it is part of Syracuse tradition and just the mention of the number give a Syracuse fan goosebumps of joy and make you proud to bleed Orange.

What We Learned On Twitter Today-March 21, 2010 (Debut Edition)

I see the poll voting is obviously going in a certain direction and since I want to true make this something everyone will enjoy, I will use this column to make an initial practice run on how to set this up. I am sure that in time, I will do my best to make improvements when needed or recommended but I just want an idea of where to take this. Please let me know either via email at orangechucke@aol.com, send me a message on Twitter or comment on these columns if you have any questions or ideas. And now, the debut of What We Learned On Twitter Today.

OK class, in light of Syracuse stomping Gonzaga today, I wanted to try and debut this thing on a positive note. Many among the Syracuse Twitter family were very vocal about their excitement.

Take for example, Assistant Coach Rob Murphy who said: @robmurphycuse Great Win today Cuse! Salt Lake City is the next stop for the "Shut It (cont)http://tl.gd/j0emp

Or what about one of our players DeShonte Riley's post game quote: @DeeRiley33 Sweet 16 baby! Good win fellas. Thanks everybody for the love and support(as well as the hate). I really appreciate it!

And then among the fans side of the Twitter family, we had our buddy Paulie tweeting about how some with Gonzaga thought Syracuse was a bit soft and wrote: @PaulieDars I hope someone asks Sacre how "soft" that avalanche of points that SU dropped on him feels.
UPDATE: If you are curious as to the reference for Paulie, here is the tweet: @Syracuse_Live: (Charlotte Observer) NCAA: Gonzaga's Sacre calls Orange 'soft': http://bit.ly/9UzHnS

And @pjaschultz sent me this addition to the quote: @sdrosenb: sacre blue!?! Wes Johnson in the HOUSEE!!!!! #SU #SHUTITDOWN

Pat, the man behind the Giant Boeheim head attended the game in person in Buffalo and had a dealing with the fans I can't stand to sit near (and I would put into the #13 slot from my D-Bag list I previously made) when he shared this piece of info: @pmanley Love when people tell me to sit when I stand to cheer an exciting play

We also had references to potential future Rautins children with this tweet from Brian at http://orange44.blogspot.com/ @BH_Orange44: All the ladies nearby are now preggers thanks to Andy.

Then of course, we have the initial tweet from someone tweeting on behalf of Syracuse's opponent in the Sweet 16 round and keep in mind that when the crap flies, this was the first shot heard: @ButlerBasketbal Syracuse it is. We never liked orange anyways.

In response to some general tournament issues, we had Alex, who apparently avoided a bum/store manager fight today at least enough to share this gem with us in reference to The Office: @Alexander_O Andy Bernard's bracket must be looking great in The Office's pool.
If you have never seen the show, here is a quick example of his reference:

And Stewart Mandel from SI gave us this sound bite which had me almost in tears laughing about the matchup of Cornell and Kentucky: @slmandel Seriously, Kentucky-Cornell would be fascinating. Three future lottery picks vs. their future financial advisers.

Of course, Syracuse grad Bill Voth added this comment which added joy to my heart living in ACC country: @billvoth Maryland gets buzzer-beaten and now Duke's the only ACC team left.

And last but not least, let me leave you with a fun NASCAR related quote. I know many of you are not fans but some are and I am becoming more and more of a fan everyday. Brittney Cason, who is a great writer for the Charlotte Bobcats website as well as Charlotte's edition of Creative Loafing and contributor on Speed Network shared this nice quote following Jimmy Johnson winning today at Bristol: @BrittneyCason At this point I wouldn't be surprised if drivers tried to sue #JimmieJohnson for being a monopoly like businesses did Microsoft! #NASCAR

And that class is what we learned today on Twitter. I hope to make them bigger in the future but I will need your help as well. If you see something you think would be funny posted in a future segment, please either RT it with my name (@OrangeChuck) included in it, DM me the message or email it to me and if it measures up, I will be more than happy to add it and maybe even credit you for the find. I think we could have some fun with this thing and hope you all enjoy it. Class dismissed!

Top 12 Wrestling Catch Phrases Utilizing Syracuse Basketball References

Some of who use Twitter may remember a week or two ago, I had an idea for a list of matching up wrestlers and Syracuse Orange players names. I could not really do but maybe a top 3 so I just brought it up on Twitter and had fun with it there. I did however find a fun swerve with mixing wrestling and SU basketball by utilizing catch phrases instead. So I now present to you, the top 12 Syracuse Basketball Wrestling Style Catch Phrases.

Top 12 Syracuse Basketball Wrestling Style Catch Phrases

12. To be the man, you have to beat Brandon.

11. Everybody has a price for the Athletic Director Dr. Daryl Gross

10. Wes is just That Damn Good

9. Quote the Boeheim, nevermore.

8. G-Mac is the whole f'n show.

7. The limousine ridin, Kris Jo flyin, wheelin and dealin son of a gun

6. Can you smell what the Scoop is cookin? (yeah thats hot)

5. Beat him if you can, survive if Andy lets you.

4. What you gonna do when AO goes wild on you?

3. And that's the bottom line because Coach Boeheim said so.

2. Jonny Flynn can go whooo! all night long.

1. Syracuse Basketball: The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be!

Top 20 Syracuse Themed Names For A Potential Blog

I was wondering a while back about renaming the blog but decided against it because not only do I like the name but it would also change the URL address and I have messed around with this blog enough trying to figure it out. Part of me wanted some catchy fun name but I also never could really settle on one that I liked. However, recently I started a list of one's I would consider and after I realized I had like 20 of them, I figured I would share them with you and see what you thought. If you wish to start a blog and steal an idea, feel free with my blessing. If you have any ideas, leave a comment here or on Twitter and let's see what the funniest ones are. Here is my list for your entertainment, at least I hope.

Top 20 Syracuse Theme Names For Your Blog:

20. A Little Bit Of Tenderness: Tribute To Tully's Tenders

19. Syracuse: So Close To Everything That Every Game Is Home Field/Court

18. I Want To Be The Lone Ranger When I Grow Up

17. SU: Where Traditions Are Retired Or Sold To The Highest Bidder

16. McPherson's: Over One Million Fans Pleasured And Still Counting

15. The Orange F'n Show

14. Nobody Puts Duany In A Corner

13. GMac Is Not Over Rated/Gmac Is Worth At Least 10 F'n Games

12. Powell Be Thy Name/The Secret Of Nims

11. When You Want News Done Right, Do A Newhouse Grad

10. Devo Is My Baby Daddy

9. Keith F'n Smart Haunt My Dreams

8. Seikaly: A Greek God Among Men

7. Joe Morris: Real American Hero

6. Doug Logan Bleeds Orange

5. U Conn Handle 6 OTs

4. Warrick's World: The Shot Block Heard Around The World (Echoing In Kansas)

3. Gaitway To Heaven

2. Real Men Do Winters In Syracuse

And the #1 name I would pick if I rename this blog today:

1. Boeheim Is My Buddha

Bored Of Just Your Office Bracket Contest? Try These.

Are you like me and love filling out brackets this week and can fill out about 100 and still want more? Well below is a link to all of the contests that I can find so that we can enjoy the chance not only to win with that perfect bracket but have fun filling them out for prizes. If you know more, please email me at orangechucke@aol.com and I will add them as I check them out. Oh and check out this link for those of you in the Syracuse area who want to take advantage of some bargains in the name of the tournament Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau

$10,000 College Basketball Bracket Challenge - Build and Track Your 2010 NCAA syracuse.com contest and the greatest of all contests

SOBE LIFEWATER ZERO INHIBITIONS BRACKET CHALLENGE FanHouse

Applebee's® College Basketball Bracket

ESPN - College Hoops Pick 'em - Game Home

ESPN - Hardcourt Challenge - Game Home

FOX Sports College Basketball Bracket Challenge - Game Home

Bracket Challenge by Citizen Sports on Facebook

Fantasy Home USA Today

PC Pitstop's March Madness 2009 Contest: Home

It's Madness - Bracket Picks.. NBC Sports

Games - swisher.com

Bodog Bracket Buster Contest

NCAA Basketball Tournament - March Madness - Boston.com - College - Sports

Top 12 Syracuse Inspirational Thoughts/Mantras

To get us all pumped up for post season action, I thought I would help provide some inspirational material to remember. Here are 12 (well 14 actually, this list involves 2 ties) and if you are feeling down, just keep these reminders in mind.

12. If the left hand don't get you, Rick Jackson will.

11. (tie) Dome Sweet Dome and Syracuse, NY; Debunking the myth of global warming since 1825.

10. Ooh yeah, thats hot (which apparently can apply to any situation).

9. Point Guards; Activate.

8. You won't like me when I'm angry. AO Get Angry.

7. It's not trash talking if you can back it up with a long range three.

6. If at first you don't succeed, I will bury my foot in your ass when you come back to the bench.

5. When all else fails, shut it down.

4. Hancock International, this is KrisJo. Am I clear for takeoff?

3. What Would GMac Do?

2. Give me victory and give me Wes.

And the #1 idea I actually left up to Twitter and my favorite two were actually submitted by @PaulieDars and I can't decide between the two so I will use both (and the fact that @cusechic04 agreed with one and we are playing Georgetown tomorrow night, proves I am justified in my theory)

1. When life gives you lemons...I give them back and ask for an orange instead & When life gives you lemons...I promptly throw them at Georgetown fans when they play the Orange.

And let me leave you with this video, which I think was supposed to be someone taking a shot at Syracuse but I loved it.

Be Proud Orange Nation; Stop The Hate

It seems as though many Syracuse fans have become accustomed to finding the negative in every situation. Win or lose, I constantly hear and see on message boards and other social media outlets all of these negative comments and personal attacks on people that would lead me to pull out my own hair in frustration, if I had any left that is.

I understand that Syracuse sports have struggled at times in some areas but in general, Syracuse has one of the best athletic departments as a whole in the country. Even when they do struggle, why is it that some prefer to attack them when they are down instead of trying to show faith that it will turn around? Sadly, these are also some of the loudest when we win and their inconsistency has a negative impact on the fan base as a whole.

Now, I could choose to hammer them for being too negative and post lessons on how to handle it but I would rather I give you reasons why you should see the positives in following the Syracuse Orange. Yes, I see the world through orange colored glasses and I love the view but if you call yourself a fan, shouldn't you? Let's just review why I think you should keep the faith no matter the result of one game or even one season.

Let's start with the favorite target of many, the Syracuse football team. This team is rich in tradition and has produced many great NFL players and some who excelled at the college level enough that we as fans will never forget their names. Granted, last year this team finished at 4-8 and that is not an ideal situation for anyone. However, they did accomplish some achievements that we as fans should be proud of under Coach Doug Marrone's first year as head coach. My favorite was the win over Rutgers 31-13 and the huge smile that win put on my face. Sure, we lost to Louisville by one point in an ugly game that we should have won and lost to Minnesota when we had a chance to win that as well but that just means we were in them and one right bounce and this team finishes 6-6 and possibly goes to a bowl game. Let's also keep in mind that in comparison, Michigan Head Coach Rich Rodriguez was 3-9 in his first season and suddenly that does not look so bad (Syracuse was 1-2 against Big Ten teams and could have easily been 2-1 if you want to compare how they may have done in similar conferences). And to show a lot of heart and not give up as Mike Williams left the team and Greg Paulus struggled at times at QB shows me this is a team to follow and be proud of. And just think, we may have lost Arthur Jones and a good senior class but we still have DC3, Nassib and of course, the man who will shut it down on the football field, Shamarko. For the record, two weeks from tonight, Spring practice begins and September 4th, the season starts at Akron so let the excitement build as well.

I know for many outside of Syracuse, lacrosse is not a big time sports program. But this is Syracuse and it is part of our tradition. Syracuse lacrosse means legends in the sport like Brown, Simmons, Gait, Powell, Desko and so many others that have made a major impact on the sport. This season, the men return to the field as defending champions again after one of the greatest endings of a national championship game in any sport. The women's team is coached by one of the greatest to ever play the game, the former Orangeman great Gary Gait who is building a perennial powerhouse and establishing themselves as a top tier program in the country. We may have lost Katie Rowan off the field (she is a volunteer assistant coach this season though so that can only help) but we still have Quillinan, Ladouceur, and a freshman with a last name Orange fans should recognize in Nims, whose father Tom played there and some brother named Kenny did as well (who have three national championships already in the family).

And yes ladies and gentlemen, we have basketball as well. On the ladies side, we have Coach Q (@CoachQAtSU on Twitter) who has this team on a positive track, finishing this season 22-10. True, we are losing Nicole "Slinky" Michael and Juanita Ward as they are seniors this season but we still have talented players like Erica Morrow, Tasha Harris and at center, a freshman with skills, Kayla Alexander. This program is showing signs that they can be a tough team to beat in the Big East and be a school those who want to play against UConn can come to show off their skills.

And last but not least, let's talk the favorite it seems among most, the men's basketball program. You know, that team that was picked by many to finish 6th at best in the Big East by many experts and yet, finished 28-3 in the regular season to win the Big East Season Title outright. They had a few bumps along the way and lost to Pitt at home and Louisville swept them and lost some meaningless preseason game as well. However along the way, they also swept Georgetown (which makes this Hoya Hater proud), defeated UConn, and crushed Villanova before a sell out crowd at the Carrier Dome, after which earned them a #1 ranking for the first time in years and even after that last loss to Louisville, remain among the top 3 in the country in the polls. That means only two other teams in the country have better records than them and that means hundreds of other teams were not as good. Many fans and media alike have tried to point to weakness in schedule (due to UNC and Florida having down years) and scheduling no real road games but I would ask what they were smoking if you do not consider wins at Washington DC, South Bend and Morgantown, WV real road wins (and the Florida win was in Tampa which last I checked was closer to Gainsville than Syracuse and even in a down year, is still not an easy win). And despite finally telling the critics who have said that for years some crow to taste, Syracuse proved it belongs to be mentioned as one of the best in the country and if you do not believe me, ask Coach Bobby Knight. Did I mention that this team has Andy Rautins, one of the best 6th men in the country in KrisJo and a contender for national/Big East player of the year in Wes Johnson? And one other thing, this team has been blessed for 34 seasons now to be coached by a Hall Of Fame guy who not only played here but has a record of 827-291 and never coached a losing season in his spectacular coaching career, one James Arthur Boeheim II.

In all fairness, I understand at times that we as fans get frustrated when we expect great things out of our teams but we have to remember that these are our expectations and these players are humans who make mistakes as well. Teams and programs go through times of struggle but nobody will ever consistently be undefeated from year to year. So why do we even try to put that type of pressure on a team that we love to support like the Syracuse Orangemen?

Pointing out flaws in their game does not make you a bad fan and neither does feel dejected after a loss but cursing out players and coaches, saying they suck and having that "sky is falling" mentality does not make you a supportive fan either. Sometimes we just need to step back before over reacting out of frustration and realize none of us are perfect and the reason we enjoy watching it is to find pleasure in something.

So be proud Orange Nation and support those who do their best to represent you and our university proudly. I was born a Syracuse fan and raised in SU country and I will be damned if one game or play will stop me. It is my whole hearted intention to include these words among my last spoken on this Earth, "GO ORANGE!" although I promise my family I will also do my best to include my goodbyes to you as well. When I die, it is my wish to be buried in my Syracuse #44 football jersey with a smile on my face in an orange casket with a Syracuse game playing in the background as people visit my services. So don't be afraid to shout Let's Go Orange, blast Shut It Down on your speakers and show your pride in our colors no matter what the end result may be that day because we all win for supporting the awesomeness that is the Syracuse University Orangemen/Orangewomen.

Top 12 Signs You Might Be A D-Bag

In light of a recent online journalist who got his jollies by taking an inaccurate and offensive remark about one of our female fans, I decided to use my love for lists to help you spot a d-bag when you see one. I asked for people on Twitter's helps so this is an interactive list so let's see if you agree. Please feel free to add more if you can think of them.

You Might Be A D-Bag If:

12. If you drive in a lane that has signs for miles that it is ending and you wait until the end of it to get over when you had the chance earlier and cut someone off when you do, causing a chain reaction of slamming breaks and backed up traffic.

11. If you use Twitter regularly but do not understand that an RT is a repeat of someone else's post and personally attack the person who repeated it and not the original poster.

10. If you are a male and the tip of your shoes come to more of a point than those on your woman's shoes ( @obscuredv1sions ).

9. If you are apparently amused by making rude comments about a girl because your big, bad feelings got hurt even though I would bet you have been told worse.

8. If you have a faux hawk, Abercrombie and Fitch wardrobe, in home tanning bed, Jason Mraz hat, pink polo shirts, and wifebeaters in a dozen colors ( @goonerink ).

7. If you ignore it when guys make a comment about you and several guys repeat it but save your offensive and sexist remarks for the one girl who says it.

6. If you bring up your pecs in casual conversation ( @obscuredv1sions ) or like to wear shirts that are 2 sizes too small to show them off.

5. If you wear sunglasses inside or at night ( @MBorkowski ).

4. If you spend more time spray tanning and gelling your hair than you spend doing your job ( @smbedoya )

3. If you are a Georgetown Hoya fan and love John Thompson II and III( @andcksays / @pjaschultz ), posters of them on your wall moves you to number 1 automatically.

2. If you are given a chance to apologize on a well listened to radio program and instead choose to respond as though you are an elementary student by essentially saying, "But she started it".

1. If you have a national media outlet with access to thousands of fans and you utilize your space to mock fans who disagree with your opinions.

Why Pizza Is My Choice For A Game Day Meal?

I did a list not long ago on my favorite game day pleasures. Many people were shocked that I selected pizza over Tully's Tenders (and I did not do so for shock value either), I do love those awesome Tenders but I have a bigger weakness most of the time for pizza and always have (plus I do not live in central NY anymore so it's a bit hard to get my Tully's fix on a whim). Maybe it is the Italian side of me but as my family will agree, I could do pizza 3 meals a day every day and still love it.

Frozen pizzas (though I prefer DiGiorno's if I do), Pizza Hut, Cici's Pizza Buffet and especially those with NY or Brooklyn style recipes. Sami's Pizza in Bridgeport, NY and Brooklyn Boys Pizza in Mooresville, NC are my favorites due to their varieties, the great taste (especially Sami's garlic pizza which will provide an explosion of excitement in your mouth) and they both have pizza ready for you to choose from at the counter that just need a couple minutes to reheat in the oven.

I also like pizza for the convenience. You can not only get an affordable meal for the family but you can also get a great second meal or snack later out of it most times. You can do a buffet for an affordable price (I have enjoyed CiCi's Pizza the last two times I tried it and recommend them), hit up Little Caesar's pizza for as little as $5.55 for a large pie or take advantage of the variety of coupons and current deals being offered such as Pizza Hut's $10 any size, any toppings deal.

For those who don't know, for about 5 years or so, I had a vision of one day owning a sports bar named "The Big Orange Sports Grill And Pizzeria" with the main staples being pizza and wings (with some sandwiches and salads as well but a simple one page menu essentially). Now granted, I have absolutely zero experience owning a business at all and equal amount of talent in a kitchen so it is mostly contingent on winning a huge lottery jackpot and finding someone with some delicious recipes. The facility would be a playground/festival of TV's with a wide variety of styles of pizza and wings to enjoy when watching a game or out with the family.

I remember growing up in NY, mom would send me on on my bike to the local pizzeria and with a smile on my face, balancing the x-large pizza, I came home with the best meal on the planet. Maybe it is just a part of my childhood that I refuse to let loose but I can't help but still be like a kid in a candy store when someone mentions it. I have volunteered to work OT on several occasions when promised pizza as a reward for doing it (the overtime pay didn't hurt either). I love Tully's Tenders and I end up with a smile on my face when I am back in Syracuse eating them but just as much, I look forward to a great pizza whenever I get the chance. Being financially strapped for a while also helps you appreciate just how good you had it when some days you can't even just stop for one slice like you used to and that is a mark of how much I enjoyed eating it every time.

So please keep in mind that when I say that pizza is my favorite game day food, I am not belittling my excitement for Tully's, I just feel like pizza is a part of who I am. I enjoy a variety of pizzas and if you ever try to order a pizza on game day you will see that I am not alone. Pizza is truly about as American as apple pie anymore and...wait, apple pie is awesome too so now I am wondering how long before I post a desert listing.