 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Mike Sopher We are going to a bowl baby! Sorry, I know a stole a line from the movie "The Program," but it just feels good to hear those words. Even though we are not playing in the MAC championship game tonight, the GMAC bowl representatives were kind enough to invite our Rockets to their bowl game on Dec. 21 in Mobile, Alabama. The objective of this article will be pretty straight forward. GO TO THE BOWL GAME! Various options are open to Toledo students, alumni, community members, fans, staff and faculty to go to this game. The first place to look would be the Alumni Association, which already has a package in place for fans to travel to Alabama. If that cost is too expensive, there are other options available. Find some people to go with and carpool down. Sure, a 13-14 hour car ride sounds no fun at all, but if you make it fun then it will be fun. If you can’t find anyone to go with, look for flight options out of Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland, or wherever you live. I’m sure there are flights out there at reasonable prices. Also, for those who do not know of the message boards where hundreds of Rocket fans visit each day, check out these sights (www.ncaabbs.com or www.mattsledge.com or www.toledorockets.com) to see if there are groups going and looking for additional passengers. Additionally, many Rocket fans post cheap airline prices for other fans looking to find a way down. The bottom line is this: there are options open for traveling down to Mobile. Furthermore, the activities down in Mobile for the bowl game look exciting. A luncheon is scheduled at noon on December 20th with NFL Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steeler Terry Bradshaw as the guest speaker. Afterwards, the GMAC Bowl Parade will kick off with Toledo’s own Jambulance scheduled to participate in it. It is a Mardi Gras theme event so plenty of beads, moon pies, and well you can imagine what’s next, will be showcased in this parade. The atmosphere will be electrifying and will continue into the pep rally held afterwards at Riverside Park, where I am sure thousands of fans from both schools will go absolutely nuts. Then, on Wednesday, the Jambulance crew along with hundreds of other Rocket fans will be outside tailgating from morning till kickoff. If you need a place to party before the game, look for the guys and gals wearing the midnight blue and gold, and there should be lots of them there. Students, this is a cry out to you guys who should be the rock of the fan base in Mobile. I was a student not to long ago at Toledo--and still am today in Akron--and I attempted to go to most away games in football including the bowl games. Sure, the Motor City Bowl was in Detroit, which is less than an hour away, but had the team played elsewhere, I would have found a way to go. Shall I scream Road Trip? I will because it is probably the best option for most of you. If you find three other people, split hotels and gas between the four, you should only spend $200-300 for this trip. For three days in Alabama, that is a pretty good deal. If hotels are too expensive or none can be found I heard the fraternity and sorority houses in the area may cater to students traveling to the game. Look on the message boards for more information. I know its Christmas break and you have to work or shop or get ready for the holidays, but don’t pass up this opportunity, because it doesn’t happen each year. So, Rocket fans, find a way to go to this game! It should be a great atmosphere and a Rockets victory will only make it sweeter. Thousands of Rockets will be there, and having you there makes it all the more better. I know the game is on ESPN, but nothing beats a live event in person. Please visit the message boards or the several Rocket fan sites on the web for more information. We want to see you at the game! Have a question or comment for Mike? Email |