Louisiana- Sportsman's Paradise ~ essaypremium

Rabu, 30 November 2011

Louisiana- Sportsman's Paradise

November 30, 2011 No comments

If you've ever driven around Louisiana, you'll notice that the nickname "Sportsman's Paradise" is imprinted on all of our license plates. The nickname has its roots in Louisiana's rich history in fishing, hiking, hunting and it's beautiful bayous where much of these sports take place. But in recent years, the saying has come to take on a whole separate meaning. Why? Well Louisiana, New Orleans, and Tulane, are all one heckuva sports paradise.

Hopefully you all were able to catch the New Orleans' Saints trouncing of the New York Giants on Monday Night football this week. I was able to head over to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to check out the game, and it was a blast. The 'Dome is also where the Tulane Green Wave football team plays is games, (although rumor has it that this may not be the case for much longer...). And if the Saints and the Green Wave weren't enough to satisfy your football palate, I hear there is a team up there in Baton Rouge that is evidently having a pretty good season as well...

The Super Dome all lit up for last week's Tulane game

More than just the sports that take place in our great state is what is to come for athletics and sports in the state of Louisiana. In fact, I would venture a guess and say that this is probably the most exiting time ever for sports in this city. Why? Over the next 18 months, New Orleans will be hosting the college football National Championship game (in January), the 2012 NCAA Final Four and SEC men's basketball tournament, the 2013 Women's Final Four, two Sugar Bowls, and of course, last but not least, the 2013 Super Bowl. I mean, this is unprecedented to have so much going on so soon in this town. See what I mean? Sportsman's paradise!

And the best part of all, Tulane students and the rest of the New Orleans' community get to take a large part in all this excitement. Tulane is the host institution for the 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four and for the 2013 Women's Final Four as well. Campus is already buzzing with excitement for these events. Along those lines, just last week, Tulane cut the ribbon on the brand new Hertz Practice Facility. It's a brand new basketball and volleyball facility right on our campus that is one of the most state-of-the-art in the country. I got to tour the 43,000 square foot facility during its grand opening last week. The film room rivals any luxury private movie theater!

Tulane students were also invited to help in various capacities for the upcoming Super Bowl. The Greater New Orleans sports foundation reached out to our students to help whit a variety of tasks from "welcoming visitors, teams and coaches as they arrive in the Big Easy [and] assisting with the complicated logistics of those major events."

Mardi Gras Indians welcomed the Super Bowl
Host Committee to the Super Dome!

Speaking of being invited to help... well let's just say that yours truly is pretty pumped about his opportunity to help in the planning of Super Bowl XLVII. I was asked to be a member of the 2013 Super Bowl Host Committee. I think the last time I was this excited to be asked to help with something like this was never.

Being a part of the Host Committee has been awesome. Two weeks ago, the NFL and the Super Bowl Host Committee held a three day FAM meeting for the NFL and all of their affiliates. FAM being familiarization, so nearly 100 people from various companies and NFL affiliates (think Under Armour, Play60, FedEx, DirecTV, Nike, etc.) all sent reps down to New Orleans to get familiar with the city as they plan their major events and parties that will take place over Super Bowl weekend. I got to spend three days with these awesome folks showing them all that NOLA has to offer. And the lunch on the field of the Superdome wasn't too shabby either! The whole event was hosted by Super Bowl Chairpeople James Carville (The Rajun Cajun! And Tulane professor!) and his wife Mary Matalin. It was the coolest experience. I am sure I will have more on this to come.

Mmmm. NFL Cookies!

Lastly, speaking of coolest experiences. I suppose you are wondering about that photo at the top of this blog. I was able to meet my hero, Saints QB Drew Brees, while at a layover at the airport in Houston. He just so happened to be next to me in line as I ordered a quick BBQ sandwich before the second leg of my flight back to NOLA. For years, I had rehearsed in my head what I would ever say if I ever happened to meet the Modern American Hero. When I finally did, I was so awestruck, so baffled I barely could formulate sentences. Finally I got up the courage to chat with him about NOLA, etc and we ended up talking for a few minutes. I got to meet his wife Brittany as well, who is also a delight, and snapped that photo of Drew and me. Drew was a total class act and one of the genuine nicest guys I have ever met. So that picture there, next to the Saints Super Bowl win in 2009, is probably the single best moment of my life.

I mean, talk about PARADISE.