From the Sept. 16, 2012, Alcom "Alabama Media Group: Answering Your Questions about prep and college sports" by Kevin Wendt of the Huntsville (Al) Times.
Someone was complaining about the lack of coverage in Alabama papers of Alabama State, North Alabama, West Alabama and Troy. There was too much Auburn, Alabama and SEC news. Believe me, as a Northern Illinois fan, I know exactly where they're coming from.
Wendt wrote, "Is it fair? Well, not if you're a fan of a particular school. I wish the Chicago Tribune would treat Northern Illinois University like it does Notre Dame. I can argue until I'm blue in the face that NIU has been far more interesting and successful of late, but let's be serious, there's a pretty limited NIU audience versus Notre Dame (which isn't even in Illinois)."
Very true. But at least someone in Alabama knows us. Well, actually I should say that Alabama fans sure know who we are. When we at the Go-Daddy Bowl in Mobile back in January, every 'Bama fan who saw us in out Huskie attire said, "We know you guys. You BEAT US!!" We sure did!!
I'd say that meant more to me than the come-from-behind victory at the bowl game. Well, kind.
Also, Tribune coverage of the Huslies has increased quite a lot, at least in football. Basketball coverage lags, but we haven't been doing very well in that for many years.
Now, I also realize that writing this pretty well jinxes us for the game against Central Michigan this Saturday, but I had to say it.
Sorry About That. --RoadDog
THE LAST WORD PLAY: When the actress saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label Mobile Alabama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mobile Alabama. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
JJSIS: Oyster Shuckin' at Wintzell's
JSIS-- Just Some Interesting Stuff from the Gulf.
From the Jan. 9th Mobile Press-Register.
OYSTER SHUCKIN'-- Alabama Oyster-Shucking Contest to be held at Wintzell's Oyster House at 605 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, this weekend, Jan.4th.. That would be the original Wintzell's.
Contestants must shuck two dozen oysters and will be judged on speed, quality and presentation with seconds added for mistakes.
The winner of last year's Seafood Show in Boston (where the idea came from) had a time of one minute, 36 seconds.
At any given day at Wintzell's restaurants statewide, between 15,000 and 25,000 oysters are shucked and served.
We were at this place and I strongly suggest a trip there if you're ever in Mobile. Great seafood, even if you're like me and love oysters, but can't eat them anymore after I got ahold of a bad one.
We've been over to Dusty's Oyster House here in Panama City Beach several times and sat at the bar where they do their oyster shuckin' and man are those guys fast. Somehow, they had gotten a copy of the Press-Register and were all fired up to go until I told them the contest was for Alabama residents only.
Just Ain't Fair to Florida!! --RoadDog
From the Jan. 9th Mobile Press-Register.
OYSTER SHUCKIN'-- Alabama Oyster-Shucking Contest to be held at Wintzell's Oyster House at 605 Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, this weekend, Jan.4th.. That would be the original Wintzell's.
Contestants must shuck two dozen oysters and will be judged on speed, quality and presentation with seconds added for mistakes.
The winner of last year's Seafood Show in Boston (where the idea came from) had a time of one minute, 36 seconds.
At any given day at Wintzell's restaurants statewide, between 15,000 and 25,000 oysters are shucked and served.
We were at this place and I strongly suggest a trip there if you're ever in Mobile. Great seafood, even if you're like me and love oysters, but can't eat them anymore after I got ahold of a bad one.
We've been over to Dusty's Oyster House here in Panama City Beach several times and sat at the bar where they do their oyster shuckin' and man are those guys fast. Somehow, they had gotten a copy of the Press-Register and were all fired up to go until I told them the contest was for Alabama residents only.
Just Ain't Fair to Florida!! --RoadDog
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The End of a Great Huskie Football Season...And We Didn't Even Lose Our Coach!!
This past Sunday's victory over Arkansas State in the Go-Daddy Bowl marks the end to one of the great Huskie football seasons since we've been 1A. We won 11 games for the second year in a row and went to our second bowl game in a row.
I certainly would have liked to see all that pan out into a Top 25 ranking, but that was not to be. But, not bad, USA Today ranked us at #26 and AP at #28.
A quick look at the scoring in the Go-Daddy Bowl:
First 12 minutes: ASU- 13 NIU 0
End 1st Quarter: ASU 13 NIU 7
End 2nd Qyarter: NIU 21 ASU 13
End 3rd Quarter: NIU 28 ASU 13
End 4th Quarter NIU 38 ASU 20
This ranks up there with the great 2010, 2003 and 1983 seasons.
2010: 11-3 Won Humanitarian Bowl
2003: 10-2 Beat Iowa State, Maryland and ALABAMA!! But no bowl, believe it or not.
1983: 10-2 Won the California Bowl.
And, I should mention, that unlike at the end of 2010 and 1983, we did not lose our coach as happens with so many mid-level football programs when they have success. But, I expect it won't be long before that happens.
Congratulations You NIU Huskies!! --RoadDog
I certainly would have liked to see all that pan out into a Top 25 ranking, but that was not to be. But, not bad, USA Today ranked us at #26 and AP at #28.
A quick look at the scoring in the Go-Daddy Bowl:
First 12 minutes: ASU- 13 NIU 0
End 1st Quarter: ASU 13 NIU 7
End 2nd Qyarter: NIU 21 ASU 13
End 3rd Quarter: NIU 28 ASU 13
End 4th Quarter NIU 38 ASU 20
This ranks up there with the great 2010, 2003 and 1983 seasons.
2010: 11-3 Won Humanitarian Bowl
2003: 10-2 Beat Iowa State, Maryland and ALABAMA!! But no bowl, believe it or not.
1983: 10-2 Won the California Bowl.
And, I should mention, that unlike at the end of 2010 and 1983, we did not lose our coach as happens with so many mid-level football programs when they have success. But, I expect it won't be long before that happens.
Congratulations You NIU Huskies!! --RoadDog
Bowl Day in Mobile
JANUARY 8th--
Drove by the home of Raphael Semmes and located the Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Went to a Books-A-Million and bought a Pearl Harbor magazine, World War II book and Civil War book.
We had planned to take the bus to the stadium, but didn't want a repeat of last night's disaster, so drove. We had no problems other than lack of signage as to where we were supposed to park. Mobile seems to be real good at supplying you with partial directions and information and letting you figure out the rest on your own.
We finally were surrounded by NIU Huskie fans at the tailgate party, a great relief after living in ASU-land since Friday. Great barbecue and drinks before the game.
Mobile did a great job filling the stadium with locals. Northern had maybe 2,000 fans and Arkansas State over 8,000 and those guys were pumped and got even louder as NIU did nothing the first 12 minutes and they led 13-0. Northern finally rallied and had a 21-13 lead at half.
We went on to win 38-20!! Sure took those boisterous Red Wolves fan out of the game.
I didn't think the game would ever end. It started at 8 and the last second ticked off at 11:59 PM.
Stuck around for the awards, then got lost going back to the motel.
At Least We Won!! --RoadDog
Drove by the home of Raphael Semmes and located the Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Went to a Books-A-Million and bought a Pearl Harbor magazine, World War II book and Civil War book.
We had planned to take the bus to the stadium, but didn't want a repeat of last night's disaster, so drove. We had no problems other than lack of signage as to where we were supposed to park. Mobile seems to be real good at supplying you with partial directions and information and letting you figure out the rest on your own.
We finally were surrounded by NIU Huskie fans at the tailgate party, a great relief after living in ASU-land since Friday. Great barbecue and drinks before the game.
Mobile did a great job filling the stadium with locals. Northern had maybe 2,000 fans and Arkansas State over 8,000 and those guys were pumped and got even louder as NIU did nothing the first 12 minutes and they led 13-0. Northern finally rallied and had a 21-13 lead at half.
We went on to win 38-20!! Sure took those boisterous Red Wolves fan out of the game.
I didn't think the game would ever end. It started at 8 and the last second ticked off at 11:59 PM.
Stuck around for the awards, then got lost going back to the motel.
At Least We Won!! --RoadDog
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Just Hanging Around Mobile, Alabama: Semmes Thing, Wintzell's, Bars and a Mardi Gras Parade
JANUARY 7th
We went off looking for Confederate Admiral Raphael Semme's grave and found it. Then had lunch at Wintzell's, a famous oyster place downtown and then hit a couple bars, the Blind Mule (billing itself as Huskie headquarters) and a new place called The Bar (Biggest Deck in Town).
Back to the Baymont and rest before catching bus downtown for the Go-Daddy Mardi Gras parade. A whoile lot bigger than the ones we have at Panama City, Florida. Great fireworks display afterwards and then got to meet Diesel, the NIU huskie mascot.
A real pain finding a bus back. Then went over to O'Charlie's for a night cap.
All day, we were badly outnumbered by Arkansas State fans. Getting "real"tired of their howling and ASU's.
Perhaps We Can Shut Them Up Sunday. --RoadDog
We went off looking for Confederate Admiral Raphael Semme's grave and found it. Then had lunch at Wintzell's, a famous oyster place downtown and then hit a couple bars, the Blind Mule (billing itself as Huskie headquarters) and a new place called The Bar (Biggest Deck in Town).
Back to the Baymont and rest before catching bus downtown for the Go-Daddy Mardi Gras parade. A whoile lot bigger than the ones we have at Panama City, Florida. Great fireworks display afterwards and then got to meet Diesel, the NIU huskie mascot.
A real pain finding a bus back. Then went over to O'Charlie's for a night cap.
All day, we were badly outnumbered by Arkansas State fans. Getting "real"tired of their howling and ASU's.
Perhaps We Can Shut Them Up Sunday. --RoadDog
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A Mobile Good Time
January 6th-- Friday
After arrival in Mobile, we drove over to the All Sports Bar nearby. We'd played NTN there before, but they no longer have it. Friendly people. one guy had just dropped in to pick up tickets to the game, but was "forced" to stay for many drinks. Another lady said that she had a great place to watch tomorrow's Mardi Gras parade from.
Then went to Baumhower's and played NTN. A LOT of Arkansas State fans, but one table of NIU ones.
Last was O'Charlie's where we talked with both an NIU and Arkansas State fan. We had a great football talk and found out some more info on our adversaries.
The motel parking lot has about twenty ASU vehicles. We had five.
Definitely outnumbered Here, But Will Put Up the Good Fight. --RoadDog
After arrival in Mobile, we drove over to the All Sports Bar nearby. We'd played NTN there before, but they no longer have it. Friendly people. one guy had just dropped in to pick up tickets to the game, but was "forced" to stay for many drinks. Another lady said that she had a great place to watch tomorrow's Mardi Gras parade from.
Then went to Baumhower's and played NTN. A LOT of Arkansas State fans, but one table of NIU ones.
Last was O'Charlie's where we talked with both an NIU and Arkansas State fan. We had a great football talk and found out some more info on our adversaries.
The motel parking lot has about twenty ASU vehicles. We had five.
Definitely outnumbered Here, But Will Put Up the Good Fight. --RoadDog
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Arrival: Met the "Enemy" and One Friendly Stomper
Arrived in Mobile, Alabama yesterday after a drive from Canton, Mississippi. Total miles for trip from home a bit over a thousand.
Took US-98 from Jackson, Ms., to here. Played NTN at three places in Hattiesburg, home of the Southern Mississippi Eagles: Buffalo Wild Wings ($5 for two pops), Sidelines ($2 for a pop and a beer) and Corner Sports Bar ($4 for two pops) out by Camp Shelby.
There sure are not a lot of places to stop between Hattiesburg and the Alabama line, especially if you've had all those drinks. We finally found one, pulled in and this is where we first met our friends, the enemy. There were two car loads there doing the same thing we were. Gave them a big Red Wolves (their nickname) howdy.
Checked into our motel out by Airport Road and as we were putting on our Huskie gear, the guy next door came over and said, "Go Huskies!" He looked familiar, then I realized it was none other than the tuba player from one of our favorite bands, the Dekalb Footstompers, Rick. He flew in last week and had been playing music on Bourbon Street in New Orleans (he is also a retired school teacher).
The last time I had talked with him was at Lord Stanley's in Dekalb before their Homecoming show.
Should Be a Good Time, Now. --RoadDog
Took US-98 from Jackson, Ms., to here. Played NTN at three places in Hattiesburg, home of the Southern Mississippi Eagles: Buffalo Wild Wings ($5 for two pops), Sidelines ($2 for a pop and a beer) and Corner Sports Bar ($4 for two pops) out by Camp Shelby.
There sure are not a lot of places to stop between Hattiesburg and the Alabama line, especially if you've had all those drinks. We finally found one, pulled in and this is where we first met our friends, the enemy. There were two car loads there doing the same thing we were. Gave them a big Red Wolves (their nickname) howdy.
Checked into our motel out by Airport Road and as we were putting on our Huskie gear, the guy next door came over and said, "Go Huskies!" He looked familiar, then I realized it was none other than the tuba player from one of our favorite bands, the Dekalb Footstompers, Rick. He flew in last week and had been playing music on Bourbon Street in New Orleans (he is also a retired school teacher).
The last time I had talked with him was at Lord Stanley's in Dekalb before their Homecoming show.
Should Be a Good Time, Now. --RoadDog
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