By David Gonos
Morning traffic is starting to thicken again with sporadic stops from school buses and slow-motion school zones. College students are trading in their beach towels for overpriced books and beer pong. On Thursday, Aug. 28, there are 14 Div. I-A college football games scheduled.
Ladies and gentleman, this is – Back to School Week!
Over the next few days, our staff will celebrate “Back to School Week” with some entertaining blogs and lists that directly (or indirectly) have to do with sports and the fall semester.
Back to School Week Blog Schedule
Monday
Head coaches that love the college campuses: The pro game isn’t for everyone and Dwyne Philippin points out a few that couldn’t quite hack it at the next level.
Top 12 College/High School Football Movies: “Hoosiers” was a sweet movie, really, but it lacked broken bones and bone-jarring hits. John Hett delivers his favorites.
Tuesday
Sports’ Lunchroom Cliques: Where did you sit? With the jocks? The preppies? Were you at the cool table? Hett takes his seat at the nerds table and he separates the sports class of ’08.
Wish They Were Back in School: Think Eric Crouch and J.J. Redick have big parties like Matthew McConaughey’s character Wooderson from Dazed and Confused? “That’s what I love about these high school girls, man. I get older and they stay the same age.” Will digs deep.
Sometimes College is Overrated: Xavier breaks down the best of those that were much better in the pros than in college (if they went at all).
Wednesday
Best College Mascots: Lexi lists the most outrageous college mascots in a way only she can. My hope is that the West New Mexico Ass Pimples didn’t make the list.
Prom Kings and Queens: Amber Wilson knows hot. She matches up the sexiest men and women in sports to bring you a prom that's fit for a king -- or queen.
Thursday
Top 12 School Movies: Great movies about school often define a generation. I’m not talking, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” circa 1939. This blog will refer to John Hughes classics and any coming-of-age film involving being an outcast, finding out who your true friends are and the loss of one’s cherry.
Bad Excuses: “My dog ate my homework.” ... “The sun was in my eyes.” ... “This has never happened before – it must be because I’m so tired.” The real world is full of bad excuses, and according to Lexi, so is the sports world.
Friday
Party School Redux: A few weeks ago, Lexi reported that the University of Florida was named the top party school in the nation. John Hett, an FSU grad, makes his rebuttal.
Midterm grades: Some athletes came into the pros with a ton of upside, but now, just a few years into their careers, they have yet to play up to their potential. I hand out the early report cards.
We want to hear from you
Feel free to write a “Back to School” blog of your own or send us some ideas. We plan on doing several themed weeks (or days) throughout the year, and we want you to be a huge part of it.
So while many are getting ready to go back to school, remember this: American philosopher Allan Bloom once said, “Education is the movement from darkness to light. “
But another great American philosopher, Thornton Melon, once told a woman who declined a date invitation because she had class, “Why don’t you call me some time when you have no class?”