We've had some really great weather here lately, almost too nice. The temperatures were into the 80's this weekend and it never even crossed my mind that sitting in the full sun at a football game would leave us with a sizzling sunburn. But it did!
It was worth it, however. Andy and I went to the University of Cincinnati game against Big East rival Rutgers on Saturday. I've been a big football fan for most of my life, but I hadn't been to a college game in quite a while. Honestly, I had kind of forgotten just how much fun it really is! Between the band, and the fired up crowd, and the cheering (oh yeah, and a team that actually WINS games!), it was such a great time!
It was also UC homecoming, so we got to see some of those special events as well. The reigning Miss America is also a current UC student, and she sang the National Anthem as well as crowned the Homecoming Queen.
But the neatest part was when they honored Olympic medalists over the years that have been students of The University of Cincinnati, including 2008 gold medalist Mary Wineburg and 2008 silver and bronze medalist David Payne. It was neat that they were on the field at half time,
but it was even better that they came right up our aisle in the stadium and we got to see them up close and personal. Andy got to talk to and congratulate Mary Wineburg. For an Olympics junkie like me, it was a real thrill. I actually got to see a real Olympic Gold metal up close! Mary's got a great smile, but unfortunately, in the smile pic that I got, her eyes were closed. Here she is showing her medal to the lady right next to me.
And here's David Payne talking to people in the crowd right near our seats. It was just so neat to see these athletes, and have the opportunity to get up close! That was a thrill for me!
It was a really great afternoon, with the Bearcats pulling out a 13-10 win. We were really hot, sweaty and sunburned, but it was only fitting that our faces were bright red, given the school colors. Now if only my blog photos could be as bright and shiny as my nose. I still can't figure out why Typepad washes out my pictures.
Happy Columbus Day! I know I'm pretty happy that he ended up landing his ships where he did.
In fourteen hundred and ninety two,
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.....
Sounds like it was a blast! I got sunburned on Saturday too and thought "WTH? It's October!
Posted by: Amanda | October 13, 2008 at 07:18 AM
What a big event!!! It looks great ! I live in Norway, and have never been on this kind of collage-game...
Interesting :)
Posted by: Pingus (Kristin) | October 13, 2008 at 07:50 AM
I too am a huge college football fan, UC being Ed's Alma Mater, we go to many of their games. So, I completely get the vibe of the band, the cheering, the whole college campus environment is cool! That's awesome that you got to see the Olympian's!! So glad you got photo's!!
t.
Posted by: Tina | October 13, 2008 at 07:54 AM
omg - how cool is that? I would so love to see a medal up close!
As for the sunburn - OUCH. It sounds gross, but I heard vinegar can take the sting out, if you can get past the smell.
Posted by: Andrea (Creative Junkie) | October 13, 2008 at 10:15 AM
fun pictures!!
Posted by: laura | October 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Sounds like a fun time and you caught some great photos too. How exciting to meet the olympians :) Sounds like a great weekend!
Posted by: Alissa (tsajones) | October 13, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Hi! Great pics! Visiting via the DST blog train - you can visit me here: htpp://isladeangela.wordpress.com/
Posted by: Angie (mighty-nice) | October 13, 2008 at 12:40 PM
WOW!! Looks like alot of fun!! Nice pictures!!
Posted by: OneScrappyMom | October 13, 2008 at 02:45 PM
UC is my alma mater and my son's (16) favorite team. He's a walking billboard with all his Bearcats T-shirts. Great pictures. My in-laws are both alumni and are season ticket holders. Neat to see some pictures all the way down here in Florida!
Posted by: Kim | October 13, 2008 at 03:49 PM
How cool. I would love to see a medal up close :)
Posted by: April Oaks | October 13, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Isn't this weather crazy?!!?!? I'm sitting here writing this in shorts! Just saying hi!
Posted by: Sue | October 13, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Such awesome pictures Barb!
Posted by: Lisa Dorsey | October 13, 2008 at 04:59 PM
That is incredibly cool. My Bitter Half is going to be SO jealous!
Posted by: Heather (Woman in Training) | October 13, 2008 at 10:47 PM
great photos! :)
Posted by: Tina (mummifiedx5) | October 14, 2008 at 01:14 AM
I agree - we love going to Gators games. Of course, we haven't had the chance to go to the Swamp, yet, but Gators fans usually outnumber the home team anyway. LOL! Vandy was a great time!
Posted by: Ginger | October 14, 2008 at 09:01 AM