I LOVE VANDY IN THE FALL
BY DAN MILLER
(originally posted September 6, 2004 at wsmv.com)
Fall is coming. Footballs are in the air. Everything appears normal. No surprises so far.... at least for our state's two SEC teams. U-T won. Vandy lost.
But, for me, things are different.
This year, unlike most years, I didn't buy Vanderbilt season tickets.
It's not because I don't want to attend the games.
I thoroughly enjoy Vandy games.
You get to know the people who sit around you. You get to know their groans..... and you learn to accurately predict the point in the third quarter when some regulars will leave.
And you feel absolutely certain that, any year now, it's gonna be "Vandy's year".
This year, I simply had too many other commitments on game weekends, including a trip to Europe to see my new granddaughter. So I passed on the season tickets.
It had nothing to do with my concerns about Vanderbilt playing so many early season games at 11:30 AM. But I do believe that's too early..... it's too hot.... and it's done solely for the TV money and exposure, not for the convenience of fans.
Besides, I would advise Vandy not to use televised games to showcase it's team for potential football recruits and fans.
History has shown that Vandy's opponent, whoever it might be, is more apt to catch the eyes of high schoolers more interested in athletics than in academics.
But still.... for me..... every year there's always the nagging fear that if I don't buy season tickets, THAT WILL BE THE YEAR the Commodores go to the conference championship, or at least a bowl appearance.
This season is young..... and anything can happen.
Many of the team's seasoned players look terrific... and their coach is an impressive man certainly capable of leading them to success.
And if, by NOT buying tickets, I have somehow tempted the hands of fate to push Vanderbilt toward a spectacular season, I will gladly sit home and wish I was there.
And, even with that opening loss to South Carolina, there may already be some very positive news for the fans this season...
I'm told the public address announcer might have abandoned his often amusing, always annoying chant...... "Move... Those... Chains"! Now there's something to cheer about!
___________________________________