And so it starts...free food cut from Mizzou pressbox

That is one of my favorite bowl stories. Our writer told me that after the last one we covered, I thought that was great.

 

I did a D-III playoff game last year where they had sandwiches in the press box. They came from a local restaurant, and they were just soaked in mayonnaise. I stayed away, although some of the other guys said the sandwiches were good.

In the second half, all of these boosters came into the press box and devoured whatever food was left. The woman who was standing behind me was eating as loud as anyone I'd ever heard eat, talking with her mouth full and spitting crumbs all around. I was hoping that sandwich had sat out long enough that the mayo had gone bad and she would get food poisoning from it.

 

Bravo ...

 

The Sun Bowl was great when I covered it. Booze flowed like water all week and always had good food available. Can't say I needed any shots after I left El Paso, but I never crossed the border.

 

That just made me laugh REALLY hard. Like snort loud.

 

Some of these stories are pretty entertaining, but dang, who gives a crap about free sandwiches and pickle chips when jobs are disappearing left and right?

 

Yes, but it happens. You bring a Subway sandwich and Quiznos is a school sponsor? They'll throw your sandwich in the trash at the door. Ask anyone who has covered a televised NCAA event like basketball, where press row is visible on camera: they'll throw your drink away or make you pour it into a [insert soda sponsor here] cup.

Also, if the event is in a stadium or arena that doesn't allow outside food, you're screwed. Even if there is no sponsor conflict, if a catering contract has a venue by the balls, your food won't be welcome. Happened to me one time ... arena on the outskirts of town didn't allow outside food, governing body didn't provide media food (workers/officials only) and concessions were slim pickings. It sucked.

 

I was telling a baseball beat newcomer that there used to be a press room bar where scribes and scouts hung out after the game, drinking and/or sharing rumors and opinions.

He looked at me like I'd told him there was a land called Oz.

 

I covered the Sun Bowl once (called the Hancock Bowl that year). They wouldn't give you your credentials until you did a shot of tequila. You walk up to the room, identify yourself and somebody drags you into the hospitality room, shouting, "Hey, listen up everybody; this is Joe Blow from the Daily Bugle. SHOTS FOR EVERYBODY."
They always called it the Hospitality Bowl.

 

For all the games I've covered, I can't remember the last time I ate the press meal. Although I'll confess to grabbing a cookie when they're available. If they want to charge me for that, I'll cough up a buck or two.

 

Tech was BETTER than Colorado and it's fresh shaved beef sammiches? Must be some spread..