Iowa fans not buying Pinstripe tickets

News came out Monday that Iowa has only sold 1,000 tickets to the Pinstripe Bowl. At this point they hope to sell 1,000 more and think a good chunk of their New York area alumni will buy directly from the bowl or on the secondary market. This is potentially good news for BC...if our fans react.

BC has not announced how many tickets they have sold, but it is rumored to be about 75% of our allotment. I strongly encourage any of you planning on going to buy your tickets through BC. From a perception standpoint, it would be a huge boost to our program if we sold more tickets than a Big Ten team. I know it is tempting to buy from the bowl or in the secondary market, but buying from BC assures you sit with BC fans. If you're going to go, don't you want to count as a BC fan?

Beyond the perception, it is also good that Iowa fans don't seem to care about this game. I hope it represents their team's attitude too. BC needs this win. An unmotivated Iowa team helps get to that 8th win.

The Pinstripe Bowl has already made BC a winner

We all want BC to beat Penn State, but the Pinstripe Bowl is already a huge positive for BC. By selling out our full ticket allotment and the game selling out quickly BC can finally start to change our travel reputation. Technically BC sold our ticket allotment for the 2007 Champs Bowl, but I know for that game we gave some tickets away to local charities and Catholic churches. There was no need to give tickets away this time around. In fact, BC had to use a priority system on tickets for the first time in a bowl game.

I assume most of the success is due to location. We are playing relatively close to campus and in the middle of a huge alumni population. However, future bowl organizers don't need to know that. We can spin the demand for this game in multiple ways: "BC will sell out a bowl game when we face a team from a major conference", or "We will sell out our tickets when we travel to a desirable destination" or "Addazio has changed the culture of BC Football." All of that is completely subjective, but it makes sense to a bowl organizer. 

The Pinstripe is truly excited to have us. They were one of the first bowls to sell out this year. Even before we take the field, we have done enough that they will select us in the future. But this is about more than the Pinstripe. We need to turn this success into future bowl opportunities. 

Why do BC boosters behave?

With Real Sports about to unload on Auburn tonight and the Ohio State booster-tattoo scandal still gaining steam, I keep coming back to a topic I've long pondered and occasionally touched on: why don't BC fans cheat? Now let me preface this by saying I am 99% sure some BC fans have broken some NCAA rules in the past and will in the future. It wouldn't surprise me if minor violations are occurring as we speak. But in general, I've never heard of the out and out, cash for play, "$500 handshakes," signing bonus nonsense and what not that is all too commonplace at the major football powers.

Unfortunately, my theory as to why BC fans behave comes back to football culture and fans passion, and is less about integrity. We know money is not the issue. There are plenty of BC grads with big wallets and big egos. If the going rate to get a Cam Newton to campus was $180,000, there are plenty of BC grads who could have doubled that. But to even be in on those conversations, you have to really be into BC football and have a lot of excess cash. We just don't have many of those guys. Just look at Donor Based seating -- not enough demand to fill all the spots. Our luxury boxes rotate pretty regularly due to faining interest. The Yawkey Center was driven in part by money freed by the Red Sox sale, not by someone attaching his name and ego to BC sports.

But we also have a culture around BC sports that doesn't really cater to the big donors' needs. Sure the bigger checks get Gene's attention and some nice perks, but it doesn't get you a say in anything (see Greg Barbour's frustration with the coaching transition from TOB to Jags). At other schools, the donors call the shots and run the fundraising. Since we are a private school, the fundraising and athletic budgets can be housed under one roof.

I would also be very surprised to ever hear of BC boosters slipping high school kids cash. Once again, there is just not that much interest. Rival's BC site has less than 1,000 paid subscribers. So there are only a limited number of BC fans/boosters who even know who BC is recruiting. When you have ten times that amount from a SEC fanbase, you increase the odds of a rogue fan showing up at a high school and handing out hard cash.

I also think it is a cultural issue. Our fanbase is still primarily from the northeast and reared on pro sports. So the mentality of supporting the team is more about watching and cheering and not getting actively involved in recruitment. Sox fans may pay top dollar for their seats, but they're not going to go up to David Ortiz and slip him a hundred. In fact they are more likely to call him out for the money he is making.

I love college sports, but I also turn a blind eye to the hypocrisy around it 90% of the time. I like BC's image and culture but would also like our moment in the sun. I know Auburn fans who say the Cam Newton situation was worth it for the championship. I don't think many BC fans would say the same. Whether it is because we hold ourselves to a higher standard or just don't care enough, I will never know.

Can you make the BC Triple header?

This is a challenge to all current students. If you consider yourself a Super Fan, you must attend the basketball doubleheader at Conte on Saturday and then follow that with an evening of hockey at the Garden.

Why is this important for students? Because, as I've mentioned before, the real world is right around the corner. Wasting your day watching two NIT games and the Hockey East Finals is something that can't be replicated. You will get free tickets. You will get to see BC play a decent Big 10 team! You will be able to say "I was there."

BC's 2011 NIT got off to a rocky start. After beating McNeese State the team endured a hellish series of flights in an effort to get home. They deserve a great home game. Be there to support them.

The BC women's basketball team is always overlooked. I understand. This Saturday is a chance to change that. After the BC men play their game, the women will take over the court. If you simply stay in your seat from earlier in the day, you can give the women the biggest home crowd of the season.

The other day on Twitter, I suggested playing the NIT game in Power Gym. My suggestion was not intended to mock the NIT. It was actually the opposite. I wanted the team to play in Power simply for the novelty. Power is not going to happen but you can do your part to make this unique. Get there early and make noise.

I know the hockey game is not on campus, but it is still accessible. Go to the Garden. This will be your chance to watch the best team on campus do their thing.

The NIT stinks. I know we would all rather be in the Big Dance. But the only redeeming aspect of the NIT are the on campus games. Take advantage of this.

I want the athletes to feel your support, but ultimately it isn't about them. It is about making memories...three of them. Go!!!

Please note: I know Hockey needs to win Friday to advance to Saturday night's game.

Hotel issues in San Fran and other links

Host cities usual dread BC because of our travel reputation. This year our small (but spirited) crew might be just what San Francisco needs. The new date of the bowl game is bumping up against a huge series of biomed conferences in the city and hotels rooms are scarce. For those who don't know the area, if you can't find a hotel in the city, just work your way south down the peninsula. There are plenty of nice hotels and the drive to the park is pretty easy from the south bay.

The second portion of this video shows how the BC hockey teams made a difference with a local special needs hockey team.

BC commit Kyle Caudill more than held his own against one of California's top teams.

Eagles Erin Go Bragh

Tuesday, Notre Dame and Navy confirmed they will play their 2012 game in Dublin. The two schools last played in Ireland in 1996. Given all the ties between BC and Ireland, the Navy-ND game raises the question: is it time for BC football to go back to Ireland? Yes, "go back." Some younger fans probably don't know or remember that BC played Army in the first Emerald Isle Classic.

For a program constantly trying to generate excitement and interest, I think a game in Ireland would be a no brainer. I think you could legitimately draw 5,000 plus BC fans to travel from the States, sell another 1,000 tickets to BC friends and family living in Europe, and sell the rest of the team's allotment locally to bandwagon Dubliners who want to cheer on the Jesuit kids from Boston. And if BC could play Notre Dame in the game, it would lend that much more credibility and excitement to the occasion. But we could have this game even without Notre Dame. I think Michigan, Ohio State, or Penn State are all examples of name programs with big followings that could pull off a successful trip to Ireland.

One of the consistent rumors floating during the BC-Notre Dame scheduling talks was that the schools would play one game in Dublin. It obviously didn't happen, but I think that we should try. I am sure economic concerns and our failure to travel well to American bowl games, scares off the decision makers in Chestnut Hill. But a game overseas, especially in Ireland, might be the sort of event that people actually rally behind. With a little planning and marketing, I think it could be a big success.

Chick-Fil-A and other links

A lot of BC fans have cynically scoffed at the ACC's announcement that they've signed an extension with the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Can you blame them? The Bowl isn't even visiting BC this weekend and passed on a chance to take Matt Ryan and crew a few years ago. I think BC will play in the ACC's No. 2 bowl eventually. It will just take a few things to fall in place. We need the BC rule to keep out the good traveling teams and we need South Carolina or UGA to be the SEC options. The Chick-fil-A is a regular sellout, but those two schools would really drive demand and ease the pressure on BC to sell tickets. Who knows, this year might even be the year if VT and Georgia Tech both get into BCS games.

I thought it was interesting to read how the team reacted to Haden and Tuggle's departures. It seems like most guys are taking it in stride.

Smart football has a good take on coaching. His theory is that midweek coaching is more important than in game coaching.

In defense of Mobile

People are poking fun at Mobile already. I know most BC fans won't travel to any bowl for a variety of legitimate and questionable reasons. Let me say this about Mobile: it is better than most options. No one is going to spend a week at any of the lower tier bowls. You just need a few things and Mobile has them:

-- Good Hotel options: Mobile has a variety of branded hotels from which to chose. You want high end, you have a choice. You want quick, clean and cheap, you have a choice. It is much better than Boise.
-- Good weather: Mobile is not Hawaii or South Beach, but it will have better weather than Boise, DC, Nashville, Charlotte or San Fran will on Jan 6.
-- Flight options: no direct flights from New York of Boston, but you can connect via most of the major hubs in the southeast.
-- Something to do: tons of golf in the area and tons of bars/clubs downtown.

I don't want to see BC in Mobile next year. I want to be in the national championship, but if we do end up there, I will probably go to the bowl. But let me echo what I say about all road games: just go! Most people have fun regardless of the location.

A letter to a blimp pilot

Dear Captain:

First let me say that I respect your years of training and the work you do every weekend. As a pilot you take on great responsibility every time you get behind the controls. So don’t take this as me telling you how to do your job. Consider it more of a suggestion (or even a plea). Whatever you do this weekend, do not take overhead shots of Raymond James Stadium. Tampa is a lovely city. The weather is supposed to be nice Saturday. Use your aerial view to capture shots of the beaches or the Bay. How about a nice overhead of Busch Gardens or Downtown? Anything but a crowd shot. You see, last year this picture was taken at the ACC Championship Game.



Since then it has been used to mock the conference and BC all over the internet. You can’t blame BC. These games were supposed to be battles between Florida powers. How was a private Catholic School from Boston expected to travel on relatively short notice? This year doesn’t look much better. Ticket sales are slow and the locals have resorted to giving the seats away. Most BC fans are resigned to our poor traveling reputation. At this point we only care about winning the game. A victory will do more to change perception than a few thousand more tickets sold ever would. That said, kind Sir, we could still use your help this weekend. Use your powerful zeppelin for good. Show off Tampa. Don’t try to embarrass the ACC.

Sincerely,
A BC fan with a whole section to himself

Words of wisdom for BC students and fans

Photo courtesy of Matt F.

As I was working out the logistics of this weekend, my wife raised a fair question, "didn't you say this was a once in a lifetime opportunity last year?"

I answered quickly, "It was and so is this year!" That's right BC students, you are getting a second chance at a once in a lifetime opportunity. The school is giving you tickets. All you have to do is get down to Tampa. Last year I threw out every solution I could think of short of hitching a ride on a freight train like hobo. Now there are much simpler solutions. Airtran, JetBlue, and Delta all have reasonable rates from Boston to Tampa. In some cases you don't even need a hotel room...you can fly early Saturday morning and and fly back Saturday night. It would be the best $250 you have ever spent.

These adventures are not about the costs. They are about the experiences. As silly as it sounds, it means something to say you were there. Listen to alumni and recent grads. Soon you'll be trying to figure out babysitters or vacation days. The carefree moments are few and far between once you become part of the rat race.

For you seniors, this time next year you'll be sitting in a cube reading about two ACC teams getting ready for the ACC Championship Game. As much as I trust this staff, the odds say that BC won't be one of those teams. If you throw the credit card down and buy a plane ticket, you could witness BC's most important win in 60 years.

Alumni and other members of the BC family, I won't try to guilt trip or prod. I know the dilemmas. If not for calling in a favor or two the Mrs would not be joining me this weekend. That said though, you understand what's on the line and how truly rare these situations are. If you are leaning towards going and live on the East Coast, seriously look into same day flights. Don't miss this chance.

Depending on the schedule, I only get to a game or two a year. I never go to game watches. I am so off kilter and antisocial during some of these games, it's best that I watch them alone. That said, I wouldn't miss this because it is a chance to add my voice to the small chorus cheering on this group of BC Guys. It's also a chance to share an experience with the other faithful.

Last year hurt. As soon as time expired, I was racing for my car. I didn't want to spend another minute in Jacksonville thinking about what could have been. But I never regretted going. If you can get there this Saturday, join us. You will never regret it.

Midsummer Bowl speculation

Earlier in the summer Gene hit the road for Q&As with various BC alumni chapters. The talks were well received and generally positive. One theme that came up a few times was BC’s bowl selection issue. Gene’s assessment of BC situation (AND I AM PARAPHRASING WITH AN OVERLY FLIPPANT TONE): “it’s the BCS or bust.” Gene’s point wasn’t new. I think every BC fan expects to be passed over for the second tier bowls and left playing out our season in the third tier in late December.

At this point I don’t fault the Athletic Department for our bowl challenges. Gene’s politicking led to the ACC instituting the “BC Rule” that limits bowls bypassing teams. Athletics also coordinated the busing program for the Champs Bowl that proved effective. If we want to improve our bowl standing BC fans need to travel better (but that debate is for another post). The intent of this post was to give you the outlook in mid-July.

I am a little more optimistic than Gene. Here is my assessment of our bowl chances:

Orange/BCS game
Outlook: not hopeless
As we learned last year, anything is possible. The elite games are in our control. If the defense is great and if Clemson collapses we could win our way back into the ACC Championship Game. From there, it becomes win and you're in.

Gator
Outlook: when Hell freezes over
The Gator was already leery of BC before the 2007 ACC Championship Game. Our poor ticket sales for the event didn’t change perception. The Gator’s strong desire to select Notre Dame with its Big East slot also complicates matters. There is no way the Bowl would want a rematch of a regular season game.

Peach/Chick-fil-A.
Outlook: a longshot
Some of you are probably scoffing at this but there is a chance. Follow this scenario:
• Clemson and Virginia Tech are selected for the BCS and Gator
• A group of ACC schools are all lumped together with a similar conference record
• The SEC representative is a known travel commodity and a sure sellout (think Alabama, Tennessee or South Carolina)
If those things happen the Peach may forego a team with a better travel reputation and take BC for TV reasons and to appease the ACC and ESPN.

Champs/Orlando
Outlook: better than you think
Who would have thought that any bowl would want to invite BC two years in a row. A couple things worked well for us with the Champs folks. We delivered the highest rating in their history. We sold more tickets than they anticipated. And we also sent the team early and brought the band. BC embraced the bowl like we never have before. That can go a long way. Assuming the marquee teams and/or the Florida-based schools are not on the table when it comes time for the Champs to select, we stand a decent chance of being asked back.

Meineke Bowl/Charlotte
Outlook: not happening
No way will they take us for the third time in five seasons…especially when they are highly likely to have a few schools within driving distance from which to choose.

Music City
Outlook: decent
The ACC is sort of a tough fit for this Nashville Bowl. No ACC team has traveled all that well to it. The organizers expect the SEC fans to buy the tickets. Our last showing in Nashville wasn’t impressive in the stands, but seven years later have passed. The bowl organizers may be willing to give BC a chance.

San Fran/Nut Bowl
Outlook: book your hotel now
If we fall down the pecking order, San Francisco will gladly take us. Our last trip out there was surprisingly successful at the box office and provided a strong TV number. We can also boast of our alumni network on the West Coast. My gut is telling me this is where BC will end up this year. It could be worse, like say…

Boise
Outlook: [I am closing my eyes, covering my ears and making loud noises so that I don’t have to acknowledge that this might happen again.]
I’ve calmed down. Yes, this could happen again. The only saving grace is that our last appearance (with BC whining and the Boise people insulting Kiwi) left such a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, that Boise might do what it can to take any other team.

Capital Bowl/DC
Outlook: could happen
If BC is barely eligible this is where we could find ourselves. Not a bad spot all things considered. We’d get a decent turnout and be on the East Coast. The bowl would probably want Maryland or Virginia over us and there would also be some reluctance about another BC-Navy bowl matchup.

None of this will be settled until the final week of the season. But if this is important to you, do your best to travel and pray we avoid Boise.

Special offer for BC fans in Florida

Quick note for any BC fans who live Florida or will be down there during the holidays -- the school is making special arrangements for the bowl game. See this note below:

Charters for the Champs Bowl

The Boston College Alumni Association has joined together with BC Athletics and the BC Fund to offer discounted travel packages for our alumni and friends in the state of Florida. Packages will include a game ticket, access to the pre-game tailgate, and roundtrip bus transportation to and from four Florida locations. This package, a $150 value, is being offered to you at a price of $75 per person. Please see below for pick-up times and locations. All buses will return to the pick-up locations immediately following the game.

To take advantage of this amazing opportunity, please contact Jen Breer at 617-552-2471 or breerj@bc.edu.

Our Eagles need your support, so act now!


Florida Pick-up Locations:

East Coast

Miami
JW Marriott
1109 Brickell Avenue
Miami , FL 33131
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.

Fort Lauderdale
Broward County Courthouse
201 SE 6th Street
Fort Lauderdale , FL 33301
Departure time: 9:00 a.m.


West Coast

Naples
Sam's Club
2550 Immokalee Road
Naples , FL 34110
Departure time: 8:00 a.m.

Tampa
International Plaza - Dillard's
2223 N. Westshore Boulevard
Tampa , FL 33607
Departure time: 10:30 a.m.

I'll be coming down from North Florida. These trips are a good deal and this is a great chance to see this group of seniors one last time. If you're in the state, don't miss this game.

More advice to students from old man Atleagle

"In my day, there was only Disneyland and the Rose Bowl. We didn't have new fandangled things like DisneyWorld or the Champs Bowl!"

My last lecture to students was well received by alumni, but didn’t seem to spike attendance among current students. For shame, you youngsters! In my day, we weren’t in the ACC. We didn’t compete for championships. We lost to teams like Temple! You sat through a thunderstorm as we lost to Florida State. Big deal! I sat through a thunderstorm as we lost to Army.

I told you to go to Jacksonville. We lost, but we had a good time. Now I am telling you to go to Orlando. BC is behind this too. They are giving students **FREE TICKETS**. Come on! When I was at BC we paid for everything! The only free thing I got in four years was a bunch of bus rides, but that required freezing at the bus stop for hours each day.

You cannot use exams as an excuse this time. You cannot use time as an excuse. What is there to do at home during Christmas week? Hang out with a bunch of your high school friends? Get in the car and road trip it with a bunch of SuperFans. You get to see Matty Ryan for one last time. You can hit the amusement parks. Heck, they even give away free beer at SeaWorld. If you cannot have fun in Orlando with a bunch of college friends, you’ve got problems.

Go to the Champs Bowl. Next season will probably be a step back. We’ll be fighting for the bowls in San Francisco or Boise. This is the one to go to. BC fans need to shake our travel rep and it starts with you.

**Free tickets**. Florida. Christmas time. We wish we had it this good back in the day.


[**HOW TO GET FREE TICKETS: Beginning Monday, December 12, 2007, students may come down to the Ticket Office during normal business hours (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and pick up their ticket to the bowl game. Students will need to show their BC ID in order to receive their ticket and there is a limit of one ticket per BC student. Additional tickets may be purchased for $60 each. This offer will end on Wednesday, December 19, 2007.]

What's real and what's spin in ESPN's Peach article

Many of you have sent the ESPN article on the Peach Bowl's selection. It is an interesting look at how the teams are selected. However, some of it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. There are some sad truths about BC in here but you also have to realize that in exchange for the access the Chick-fil-A Bowl granted the writer, they used the article as an outlet for their spin too. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl wants it to appear that they struggle over the teams. The reality is they want the best event possible. The game is secondary.

Here are some key quotes:

It was another bad weekend for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Nerves seem to be on edge and not just because the committee's food -- Chick-fil-A nuggets, what else? -- has yet to arrive.



"Too many teams lost, we canceled the food," Robinson joked.



Last week's preferred flavor -- Alabama vs. Clemson -- won't happen. Boston College beat the Tigers 20-17 at Death Valley to win the ACC's Atlantic Division. The Eagles have now beaten Virginia Tech and Clemson, two of the more attractive teams for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Worse, the Crimson Tide lost to Louisiana-Monroe 21-14 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., dropping their record to 6-5 overall.

My take: even when things were going good, they were thinking of other teams.

"We haven't made a decision," Stokan said. "I can't remember it ever being like this. You've got so many situations where it's going down to the last game."



Boston College and Virginia Tech will play in the ACC championship game in Jacksonville, Fla., the following Saturday. If the Eagles win, the Hokies will return to Atlanta for the second season in a row. If the Hokies win, things get more complicated. Stokan has had positive discussions with Boston College athletics director Gene DeFilippo, but Chick-fil-A Bowl officials remain concerned about the Eagles' traveling fan base.



Stokan changes his weekend plans to attend both the ACC and SEC championship game. He wants to see how many Boston College fans make the trip to Jacksonville.



"I'm going to watch them play and see how they do," Stokan said. "I'm going to see what the injuries are. I want to talk to people and see if I can get a feel for how many people they'd bring to Atlanta. We do know we'll take Virginia Tech if they lose."

Before the meeting is adjourned, the committee gives Stokan authority to ultimately decide which teams will be invited to play in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The guy left the game while the score was tied. He wasn't concerned about how we played. He was concerned about ticket sales. This is how our poor showing in Jacksonville is going to stay with us for a long time.

The ACC choice still hasn't officially been made. Since the Chick-fil-A Bowl selected Miami in consecutive years in 2004 and 2005, Stokan feels he can't afford to select a school that might not sell its required ticket allotment of 17,500. The Hurricanes sold fewer than 10,000 tickets in each of those years, making the Chick-fil-A Bowl a soft ticket. After discussing the situation with Robinson and Chuck Fruit, the Chick-fil-A Bowl's chairman of the board, he decides to select Clemson over Boston College.

What they fail to mention is that those Miami games sold out. BC would have sold out, especially with Auburn there. But it is more than selling out. They want fans to show up and spend. They want it to be a destination. And they want a sure thing. A game between BC and Auburn probably would have sold out. A game between Clemson and Auburn did sell out.

In the end, Stokan's decision proved to be the right one for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Clemson sold its allotment of 17,500 tickets in less than 24 hours. Auburn's pool of 15,700 tickets was gone by Tuesday morning.

I don't think we were ever as wanted as the article portrays. Stokan needs to give lip service to the process and merit. But if we want to be part of this process we need to change our behavior. We need to start traveling.

Jacksonville list of events

Looking for something to do in Jacksonville? Here are a few events set up by BC, the ACC and the city of Jacksonville.

FRIDAY

Gridiron Club Event
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk
Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar
$10 members, $20 non-members
Please reserve tickets at gridclub@bc.edu
Only cash or checks accepted at the door

ACC FanFest
5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Public event with free admission
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Pepsi Plaza

ACC Firework Display
10:00 p.m.
St. John's River

SATURDAY

Pre-Game Event
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk Ballroom
Included in official ACC Tournament air & land tour
Limited walk-ins available at $25 per person
Breakfast buffet and cash bar
Reserve walk-in tickets at alumni.comments@bc.edu
Only cash or checks accepted at the door

Transportation to Stadium
Water taxis are available within walking distance of the hotel for $10 roundtrip.

Pep Rally
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Free

EVENTS AND PLACES OF NOTE IN JACKSONVILLE

This is only a bit of what they sent me. For more information go to visitjacksonville.com.

Be a part of the excitement at the Jacksonville Landing, located along the Northbank of the St. Johns River in downtown. Experience the live entertainment on the famed courtyard all weekend long. The action starts on Friday, Nov. 30 at 5:00 p.m with the Rhythm Cure Band. Saturday, the party starts early and continues throughout the evening. The Jacksonville Landing is home to restaurants and nightlife along with the Twisted Martini, an upscale entertainment and dining venue with South Beach sophistication. Call (904) 358-1188 or visit www.jacksonvillelanding.com.

Enjoy Downtown’s premiere riverfront restaurant, the River City Brewing Company, located along the Southbank of the St. Johns River . Try a taste of local flavor with Mayport Shrimp, brought in fresh daily from the Northeast Florida waterways. The Brewhouse Lounge offers live entertainment weekly along the river deck, providing a breathtaking view of the Jacksonville skyline. Also check out the on-site brewery and see the beer brewing process, as the restaurant creates its own flair with flavors such as the Jag Lite, Jackson Pale Ale, Red Rooster Ale and Riptide Porter. Call (904) 398-2299 or visit www.rivercitybrew.com.

Shoppers will delight with the opening of 40 new stores exclusive to Northeast Florida market at the St. Johns Town Center . Home furnishings, jewelry, footwear, specialty stores and of course, fashion, are among the highlights opening just in time for holiday bargains. New stores include: Abercrombie, Aldo, Arden B., Baker’s, Bebe Sport, Betsey Johnson, BCBG, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Guess, MAC Cosmetics, Marciano, Pottery Barn, Sole Mio, The Walking Company, Tommy Bahama, Urban Outfitters and West Elm. Call (904) 998-7156 or visit www.simon.com.

There is still time

You are probably reading this post in an office or a classroom. It is probably Thursday morning. You're thinking about the big game but are not going (friends didn't want to, funds, etc.). Now you're regretting it. Embrace that feeling of regret. There is still time. There are some cheap flights and hotel rooms out there. You can fly into Orlando and drive. Now is your last chance. If you're on the east coast and want to drive you need to hit the road Thursday afternoon. So think about it. This is a huge moment in BC sports. You should be there. Even if you are going solo, there will be plenty of BC fans around. You've got a few hours to say "what the hell? I'm going!" Friday will probably be too late. Think long and hard about it. You could pull this off.

I hope I'll see you there.

Peach put off by BC's travel rep

Many of you have already read this. For those who haven't, here is the key paragraph:

Boston College – Obviously, Boston College is thinking Orange Bowl. We spent more time talking about B.C this week than any other team, but probably not for the reason you think. Let me say this first: We really like this team on the field and Ryan is a great quarterback. Period. But, in all honesty, our committee is leery of the Eagles and we’re not convinced their fans will support this team on a bowl trip to Atlanta – particularly after having to travel to Jacksonville for the ACC Championship Game. No one doubts that B.C will provide a great team for our game, but the Chick-fil-A Bowl has a long tradition of sold-out stadiums and an atmosphere that is as loud as any stadium in the country and we’re not sure a pro sports town like Boston can support their team at that level. We’re hoping the Eagles’ fan base will make a statement on behalf of their program and give us a reason to be high on them.

Looks like Orange Bowl or bust. I don't know why people didn't get motivated by the ACC Championship, but our showing this weekend is going to stay with us for a long time. We need to change the culture of BC sports. Any suggestions? I am all ears.

Announce our presence with authority!

Photo courtesy of the Ryan for Heisman Blog

ACC Championship Game ticket sales are going slower than any of us would like. Hopefully the donation push will get us to 10,000. To make this a successful, program changing trip we really need the 6,000 or 7,000 of us who actually attend the game to make our presence felt. We need the locals to believe the BC fans were everywhere...eating, drinking, and spending money. We need the Jacksonville Visitors and Convention Bureau to give BC a ringing endorsement that Gene can use to shop us around to future bowls. How can such a small group make a big impression? The Three Amigos approach. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the classic comedy, here is summary of the brilliant denouement:

The Amigos organize the villagers, using their sewing skills to create an army of "Amigos" by replicating their mariachi costumes. The villagers defeat the bandits by appearing clad in the costumes and shooting from all sides, creating the illusion that the Amigos are everywhere. Thereafter, the Amigos ride off into the sunset.

The few of us there have to act like many. Wear BC paraphernalia everywhere you go. When you check in to your hotel, let the front desk know that you are in Jax to support the Eagles. When you see another BC fan, give a loud “Go BC!” Write “Go BC” on all your cash. After you sign your credit card receipt add a little “Let’s go Eagles” to the slip. Hit the Landing and sing “For Boston.” If you are slipping in a round of golf, bring your BC headcovers. Anything and everything counts. Make an impression. Then, like the Amigos, we'll ride off into the sunset after our upset victory.

Jax or Orange Bowl? Answer: Jacksonville! Jacksonville! Jacksonville!

Photo by Ryan for Heisman blog

I don’t think all BC fans know what is at stake in Jacksonville. A SuperFan won’t catch a pass or make a tackle, but how BC fans support the school will have long-term ramifications on the program. If you can make it, BC needs you to be there and BC needs you to buy your ticket through the school. (If you buy through TicketMaster the school does not get credit for your appearance.) The temptation to “hold out for the Orange Bowl” is understandable. As I mentioned in my letter to current students, once you hit the real world funds and time become precious commodities. However, if BC fans don’t show up for this game we will confirm our poor travel reputation and will never be invited to a big bowl.

I’ve spoken to many of you of the years and heard “I would go to a bowl if BC ever got into a real one.” I understand. I’ve missed more Tire/San Fran/Motor City Bowls than I’ve made. This is different. This is a really big game. This is for the school’s first conference title. It is on a Saturday. It is on the East coast. There are numerous travel options and affordable hotels. Go to Jacksonville! If you wait for the Orange Bowl and we lose you’ll never have this chance again. This is our “bird in a hand…”

The reality is that if BC loses the ACC Championship Game we will fall to either the Champs Bowl or the Music City. But if 15,000 to 20,000 BC fans show up for the ACC Championship Game our athletic department will have proof that we are worthy for bigger and better bowls in the future.

I understand if you have real world obstacles. If you don’t have anything holding you back and can make it, you need to be there. The Orange Bowl is a long way away and far from a sure thing. This is for a championship. This is what we’ve longed for. This is the game and the moment. BC needs you!

That's just how BC fans roll

Interesting article in the Globe about BC fans getting private charters to away games. This service is another product of the Red Sox deal. Anything that helps our travel rep is welcome.