Post by BearDownMU on Nov 21, 2016 13:47:21 GMT -5
Since we just graduated our largest chunk of Seniors and the biggest group of Day 1's that re-booted the program, I thought I would just offer up a jumble of memories and thoughts about the last 5 years. Please feel free to add your own.
- Winning the first Mercer football game since the relaunch on a last second field goal, in a packed to the brim stadium, with everyone going berserk.
- Going down on the field after that first win and hearing Coach Lamb talk to the team. Most of the players were on a knee and fans were standing in a huge circle around them. As a side note, I REALLY wish we still did this. I know Coach has to go do press and the players run into the locker room and then come back out to see their families and friends, but I thought that would kinda turn into one of our "things". That fans would come down after a game and here a quick talk from Bobby to the team on the field. Alas, somewhere along the way, they stopped doing that. But I thought it was really cool.
- Being asked to participate in a panel discussion prior to the first game back and talking about what to anticipate regarding game days, alumni support, what people would expect and want when they came on campus, etc., etc. Just trying to talk through with some of the people from the University about what a game day on Mercer's campus would actually look like.
- How we actually guessed some things right in that meeting. And also guessed a bunch of things completely wrong. Lol.
- Getting an email from a friend in the University, just prior to the official announcement that Mercer would reinstate football, with just a picture of a Mercer football helmet.
- Bobby Lamb's press conference when he was announced as our head coach
- The first tailgate. Where we set up in kind of a a terrible spot. We proceeded to move the next week and have been in the exact same spot ever since. Just behind the right field wall of the baseball stadium
- Watching the baseball team practice and play during tailgates
- Having an infinitely better selection of Mercer gear in the bookstore.
- Nearly drowning at the Berry game in the first season.
- Watching Mercer sporting events on television
- Starting a message board. lol!
- Seeing the son of a dear friend enroll at Mercer, put on a football uniform, and be a damn good player.
- Going to Mercer's first game against an FBS opponent at Georgia Tech and seeing THOUSANDS (6-7k if the numbers I hear are correct) come into Grant Field to support the Bears.
- Watching Alex Lakes win the SoCon rushing title as a freshman
- Watching Chandler Curtis return FIVE kicks for touchdowns so far in his career.
- Watching Payton Usher do his thing when a lot of people might tell him he wasn't big enough be be a good college RB.
- Set an NCAA record for wins by a first year program (10-2)
- Join a storied conference like the SoCon, and start offering scholarships.
- Screaming myself into a headache after seeing TWCITHOCF (The Worst Call In The History Of College Football)
- My first away game (Tennessee Tech last year) and seeing TWNCIES. (The Worst Non-Call I've Ever Seen)
- My first in conference away game at Furman, having Tommy's Country Ham House cater, and getting a sideline pass. And then Mercer winning in spectacular fashion.
- The miracle to tie it up Cole Fisher kick against VMI, and then the walk of TD (John Russ to Avery Ward) to win it.
- Cole Fisher making a 50 yard field goal.
- Standing up and screaming "Victory Formation!" to beat Chattanooga, the #3 team in FCS, i our building on Military Appreciation Day, in camo unis.
- Watching Tyler Ward play his guts out every single week, no matter what.
- Watching kids that probably knew they wouldn't play a ton once we started recruiting with scholarships stick around and honor their commitment to their teammates and the University. The simple act of seeing things to the finish line will help you go far in your professional career.
- President Underwood being completely committed to athletics at Mercer being outstanding, and having the resources they need to do it.
- President Underwood walking up to me to talk football and knowing the name of Furman's kicker, among other things (he's studies this stuff, I think). lol
- Watching maybe the toughest football player I've ever seen in person (John Russ) suit up every single week for 4 years (along with his Center, Kirby Southard) and never miss a start.
- Creating a tradition for my family, having season tickets, and never missing a home game.
-Seeing Mercer get on SportsCenter. The amazing Alex Avant interception return for a TD and the Big Guy TD, bowling, and cartwheel from Thomas Marchman!
- Watching John Russ hit his roommate JoJo Marshall on the 16 yard line, and JoJo break tackles and get into the end zone for his first TD of the year, in his last college football game, to beat Furman.
- Winning the first Mercer football game since the relaunch on a last second field goal, in a packed to the brim stadium, with everyone going berserk.
- Going down on the field after that first win and hearing Coach Lamb talk to the team. Most of the players were on a knee and fans were standing in a huge circle around them. As a side note, I REALLY wish we still did this. I know Coach has to go do press and the players run into the locker room and then come back out to see their families and friends, but I thought that would kinda turn into one of our "things". That fans would come down after a game and here a quick talk from Bobby to the team on the field. Alas, somewhere along the way, they stopped doing that. But I thought it was really cool.
- Being asked to participate in a panel discussion prior to the first game back and talking about what to anticipate regarding game days, alumni support, what people would expect and want when they came on campus, etc., etc. Just trying to talk through with some of the people from the University about what a game day on Mercer's campus would actually look like.
- How we actually guessed some things right in that meeting. And also guessed a bunch of things completely wrong. Lol.
- Getting an email from a friend in the University, just prior to the official announcement that Mercer would reinstate football, with just a picture of a Mercer football helmet.
- Bobby Lamb's press conference when he was announced as our head coach
- The first tailgate. Where we set up in kind of a a terrible spot. We proceeded to move the next week and have been in the exact same spot ever since. Just behind the right field wall of the baseball stadium
- Watching the baseball team practice and play during tailgates
- Having an infinitely better selection of Mercer gear in the bookstore.
- Nearly drowning at the Berry game in the first season.
- Watching Mercer sporting events on television
- Starting a message board. lol!
- Seeing the son of a dear friend enroll at Mercer, put on a football uniform, and be a damn good player.
- Going to Mercer's first game against an FBS opponent at Georgia Tech and seeing THOUSANDS (6-7k if the numbers I hear are correct) come into Grant Field to support the Bears.
- Watching Alex Lakes win the SoCon rushing title as a freshman
- Watching Chandler Curtis return FIVE kicks for touchdowns so far in his career.
- Watching Payton Usher do his thing when a lot of people might tell him he wasn't big enough be be a good college RB.
- Set an NCAA record for wins by a first year program (10-2)
- Join a storied conference like the SoCon, and start offering scholarships.
- Screaming myself into a headache after seeing TWCITHOCF (The Worst Call In The History Of College Football)
- My first away game (Tennessee Tech last year) and seeing TWNCIES. (The Worst Non-Call I've Ever Seen)
- My first in conference away game at Furman, having Tommy's Country Ham House cater, and getting a sideline pass. And then Mercer winning in spectacular fashion.
- The miracle to tie it up Cole Fisher kick against VMI, and then the walk of TD (John Russ to Avery Ward) to win it.
- Cole Fisher making a 50 yard field goal.
- Standing up and screaming "Victory Formation!" to beat Chattanooga, the #3 team in FCS, i our building on Military Appreciation Day, in camo unis.
- Watching Tyler Ward play his guts out every single week, no matter what.
- Watching kids that probably knew they wouldn't play a ton once we started recruiting with scholarships stick around and honor their commitment to their teammates and the University. The simple act of seeing things to the finish line will help you go far in your professional career.
- President Underwood being completely committed to athletics at Mercer being outstanding, and having the resources they need to do it.
- President Underwood walking up to me to talk football and knowing the name of Furman's kicker, among other things (he's studies this stuff, I think). lol
- Watching maybe the toughest football player I've ever seen in person (John Russ) suit up every single week for 4 years (along with his Center, Kirby Southard) and never miss a start.
- Creating a tradition for my family, having season tickets, and never missing a home game.
-Seeing Mercer get on SportsCenter. The amazing Alex Avant interception return for a TD and the Big Guy TD, bowling, and cartwheel from Thomas Marchman!
- Watching John Russ hit his roommate JoJo Marshall on the 16 yard line, and JoJo break tackles and get into the end zone for his first TD of the year, in his last college football game, to beat Furman.
