DCI Minnesota - July 11, 2015

Very hard to believe that it's been over seven months since my last blog...yet, here we are seven months later.

It has truly been a pretty busy seven months...Jan-Mar, I was down in Phoenix helping with my airlines Merger Integration training, then back to flying Apr-present.

It's been a very interesting summer for Drum Corps, as many corps are really pushing the envelope for new pageantry. It's nice to see some new corps reaching the top spot at different contest shows, and after the first regional, an undefeated corps had finally been de-throwned, albeit for a night.

I didn't take a lot of pictures this year, however it was great to run into some old friends I haven't seen in over 20 years. A friend who marched along side me who yelled out "Sluggo" in the middle of a crazy, busy mezzanine at TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota.

We palled around, chatted, and caught up quickly, feeling like it hasn't been over 20 years since we last saw each other or marched next to one another.

After watching The Cavaliers horn-line warm up, and before settling into our respective seats for the rest of the evening,  we were walking again in the stadium mezzanine and I saw a gentleman whom I've followed since I started marching.

Mr. Steve Vickers, who is an editor and publisher since 1973 (first as editor and then owner and publisher since 1974) of Drum Corps World.  Steve Vickers led Drum Corps World to be a primary way of getting information disseminated throughout the drum corps activity. Through Vickers' leadership, every drum corps show - no matter how big or small - received coverage. It was truly an honor to chat with him for a brief moment, and for him to ask about my blog.

After I let him back roaming the mezzanine during the break, another familiar face came into view of whom I hadn't seen since my marching days.





Mr. Tim Salzman, who was our Brass Caption head, was running around and watching the different corps. So of course we just HAD to chat with Tim and catch up.



Unfortunately for this year, I wasn't as prepared as years past with a charged phone and/or camera as I had just flown in from London, England earlier in the day. As beautiful of a day it was, my heart was getting back to Chicago, then home to Minneapolis so I could watch as much of the drum corps contest I could. 

I really wasn't too late, as this was the first regional show, not all corps were performing. Since I was running around with my friend, I didn't get the chance to see some of the early corps, but I was able to go to the Cavalier buses as they were pulling into the truck lot, chat with some familiar faces, and meet my Cavalier initiate who I had the honor of talking to before the season started. Even though it was a brief chat...as he had to get going for warm-up, it was nice to finally put a face to the name. (sadly, I didn't get a picture of us...but he did get a picture of us after the show)

I was able to watch Phantom Regiment, The Cavaliers, Carolina Crown, Santa Clara Vanguard, The Cadets, and the Blue Devils. Each show was just as unique as the other.

As I said before, I didn't get many pictures of the corps as my phone and camera both died, however I was able to get The Cavaliers on the starting line.

It was an awesome show, and wonderful time to see what the corps has been producing. Each young man that I chatted with from the corps, was so gracious that I took the time and talked with them. I was more than honored that a few of them even knew who I was and called me by my name. (I know I didn't know many alumni when I marched, so it truly was an honor when the current drum major said hi to me)

Sorry there isn't more detail about the shows, or the corps. I felt I just had to get something in writing and let everyone know I'm still alive and well!

Until next time,
Sluggo

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Hard to believe that ESPNs College Football is gearing up for another exciting season already. Seems like we just finished watching the NCAA Championships, (as well as the Super Bowl for the NFL). Having never been to college, I never really got into the games until I was in the Air Force and a few of us would get together every Saturday to watch the University of Michigan Wolverines dominate someone.

If it wasn't it wasn't Michigan, then we'd watch Penn State University Nittany Lions dominate. Can't forget the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame, they were (and still are) a dominance in College football and always a treat to watch.

Being from Virginia, I always kept track of the Virginia Tech Hokies, The University of Virginia Cavaliers, and the James Madison University Bulldogs. My mom always loved it when Tech would beat the Cavaliers because she worked for an Orthodontist who was a die hard Virginia Cavalier. (at least I think it was the Cavaliers....been so long)

I still keep track of my home state teams, however living the past 15 years in Minnesota, I've now become a fan of the University of Minnesota Gophers. They've had their ups and downs just like the rest, but this state really seems to get behind them completely.

I did want to become a Badger at University of Wisconsin, not for football, but for their Music program. They really have an awesome program, as well as a top notch football team. I think it's funny that my 2nd brother and his family are diehard Cornhuskers for the University of Nebraska. They really dress up to the hilt in Husker outfits and red to support their team.

Another great team that I remember from growing up, besides the Virginia teams, was the West Virginia Mountaineers. They had a very good team and was always one of the top contenders in College Football.

When I was in the Air Force, I did follow the Fighting Sioux from North Dakota University. They played hard, but always came up short on the rosters I felt. Even though I never went to a game in North Dakota (too cold) I always rooted for them when they were in playing at home.

I still love to watch College Football. I often think it's more exciting to watch College football than it is professional football. Maybe it's because the players in the pro-teams get paid too much money to run around a football field, while those at the College level are going to school in between games.

So with that, I'm ready to hopefully be home on a Saturday afternoon, watching a bit of Football, drinking some cold beer and rooting for my favorite team(s)!