It seems like whenever I take a little time off the result is I get buried in work and that is probably the case for the next 2-3 days, but a couple of things I just have to mention while it's still fresh in my mind:
My daughter's imaginary boyfriend Riley Cooper was there thrilling Gator women of all ages; mostly accompanied by Steven Wilkes filming material for an upcoming Swamp Studs video - Steven seemed pleased when I told him I had seen the earlier episode and that they were pretty amusing. He was also a bit bemused by all the attention Riley was getting from the ladies, referring to Riley one time as "Pretty Boy Wide Receiver" in the most affectionate way, I am sure. My mom also told Riley he looked like Fabio, and you know, I think she might be right. (One of the unidentified staff members helping them thought that was hysterical). Current players seen out and about today included Josh Evans, Jelani Jenkins, Mack Brown, both Burton brothers and Mr. Rainey. The Pounceys demonstrated getting suited up for game day with the help of one of the ladies, and then they reciprocated dresseing up. She was an itty-bitty thing, and hammed it up with them all the way, so you can imagine a 90 lbs. girl dressed up in Mike's old uni. They also made a couple of graduate assistants lead a dance off again, and I don't know who he is but one of our graduate assistants a riot. The assistant coaches really seem to enjoy their humiliation, but they managed to be quite entertaining and that is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of the women's clinic. It really is cool that the coaches and players put up with 600 rabid Gator women and were all so generous and patient signing anything you put in front of them and/or posing for pictures. (OK, I know the coaches are just doing their jobs and the players may be somewhat coerced, but they seem to enjoy all the attention and adulation). I observed Clay Burton being coaxed into signing his name on the posterior of a white knit skirt of one of the attendees, and she persuaded him by saying "Rainey signed it", but bringing some sanity of the situation reminded Clay that it isn't always a good idea of do what Rainey does - he gave me the funniest look of agreement. '-D I *love* me some Aubrey Hill and I'm so happy he's back in Gainesville, but my favorite new assistant just may be TE coach Derrick Lewis, who made sure he reminded us of his role in the '96 NC. He might be the new mayor of the women's clinic and did a good job of filling the huge shoes Charlie Strong left behind. He appears to be a guy that coaches with a lot of enthusiasm, he had us all very fired up! I was also impressed with Coaches Verducci and Quinn, and from Coach Quinn's presentation it is apparent he has the same aggressive, attacking style of defense that Coach Must-Chomp (yes, he said I can call him that!) is known for. Speaking of Coach Muschamp, when he signed my mom's visor, at her request he added "Boom" after his name, and apparently the rumors that he doesn't like Boom are baseless. She has one that Chris Leak signed for her the first year we came she has preserved in a bag - not sure if she will do the same with this one, but she was showing it to everyone within a half mile radius. Terry Jackson still has it - he participated in the first group of sprinters in the competition and won by at least 10-15 yards of the closest woman in the race - but a girl in a later heat was smoking fast, too bad we didn't get to see if she could take him. ;-D Coaches Hill and Lewis each led one of the groups running out of the tunnel and really had them jumping up and down and swaying back and forth right before the "Heeeeere comes the Gators" - I got a good picture of each and will try to post them, and a few others, in the next couple of days after I get them uploaded to FB. Overall a great off season Gator fix, and a good time was had by all - ladies, it's something you *have* to do at least once, for the locker room/weight room and shower tour if nothing else! Go Gators! -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
