What are your Tournament Traditions

[86PSUPaul]

Last year when our 5 final bouts were about to begin I poured a bourbon and sipped through all five! So this year, at the suggestion of our own Goldbanger, I purchased this. It will be opened for the BIGS finals and then NCAA finals.



Anyone else have traditions, new or old?

 

[jrd23psu]

I scare the shit out of the GF and the dog by yelling in excitement and then my GF scolds me for scaring the dog.

 

[GOLDBANGER]

Last year when our 5 final bouts were about to begin I poured a bourbon and sipped through all five! So this year, at the suggestion of our own Goldbanger, I purchased this. It will be opened for the BIGS finals and then NCAA finals.

View embedded media

Anyone else have traditions, new or old?

Now you've gone and done it!! I'm at work and need a Widow fix!!

 

[Ban Basketball]

Since 2000 (the last actual NCAA tournament that I attended), I park in front of my television for three days and record the show, all the while drinking way too much beer.

 

[a_mshaffer]

can't believe you didn't spill!! I would like to start the tradition of being at the event reveling... If not, finals on the big screen and prelim rounds on PC's and televisions - rehashing/texting with my son and screaming with and around my wife!

 

[86PSUPaul]

Never spill bourbon, take a quick hit, set it down,then jump up and act like a maniac, scaring the dog (wife is jumping too, GF doesn't exist)!!

My sons and I went to NYC two years ago and loved it! Tickets are just a bit pricey to go regularly. But already making a pact with my kids for Big Tens at PSU, and maybe sneak out to NCAA's at Pittsburgh.

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

For years we would watch the finals with my dad and sons. Last year was our first trip to the finals. Watched all 6 sessions. Road tripped 18 hours each way. Most of which is Nebraska and Wyoming. Not a scenic route. This year flying. Hoping to be able to make this a tradition with my sons and maybe at some point the girls. Hopefully in the future we can continue to take a coach or mentor along.

 

[HOCKEYGOD11]

We go every year and stay with several posters on this board.. tradition has started up (by myself) that I bring a cooler of the beers I collect from around the country that are generally not available except thru trade etc... and we have a beer tasting in the lobby of the hotel on Friday night... Roar/Tikk/Nova and probably a few others can attest to it.. Last year they wouldn't allow it and gave us the boot out of the lobby but most years it is a blast.. Will be hand selecting this years selection from the beer cave soon...

 

[nerfstate]

Not a tradition, but last year, my wife and I failed to coordinate calendars, and I wound up being on baby duty during the finals while she was out. Of Course, the little dude woke up during the 3rd of Heil vs. Mueller. So, I put him in the baby sling thing, sat in the rocking chair and got him asleep during Zain's match. Not wanting to miss anything, he stayed there through to the end. One of my greatest triumphs of will power in my life transpired during Cenzo's big stick. I have no idea how I did it, but the kid stayed asleep the whole time. I still feel like some of the screaming I suppressed that night is rattling around inside....

PS Whistlepig Rye was the flavor of the finals, and it was glorious.

 

[1AA]

Parked on my chair watching on tv with iPad for the matches that aren't on t.v. A bunch of us get together on buddies 10 ft projector tv for semis on Friday. I usually watch finals at home. Between to much spiced rum and the boys getting sick of my We Are chants its easier watching finals at home

 

[1AA]

For years we would watch the finals with my dad and sons. Last year was our first trip to the finals. Watched all 6 sessions. Road tripped 18 hours each way. Most of which is Nebraska and Wyoming. Not a scenic route. This year flying. Hoping to be able to make this a tradition with my sons and maybe at some point the girls. Hopefully in the future we can continue to take a coach or mentor along.

Good to see another PNW Penn St fan. Where are you located in Idaho?

 

[TangSoo]

Attend in the East (Albany, NYC, Philly, Cleveland), TV and 2 laptops when they're in the midwest. Frantic cursing when they start and I can't remember my Cable provider password to get in to ESPN 3. It's amazing from home. In-person are all-time great experiences. Loved wandering around NYC between sessions. Don't think that can be topped for me.

Oh, and I try to take off those days even if I'm watching from home, otherwise I "work from home".

 

[Idahopennstatefan]

Good to see another PNW Penn St fan. Where are you located in Idaho?

South East Idaho. In the corner near Wyoming and Montana. My avatar is taken from the front porch.

 

[Gebmo]

You guys are making me feel worse than I was. I will be on a plane out of JFK at 2:30 am Sat morning of finals, to China (my wife's family reunion). We will be going for about 18 hours all told, so IF I can get wifi that works, I will hopefully be able to at least watch Semi's on my tablet, but our second flight in country wifi will likely not be possible....for the finals. Glad I have a DVR, but after 30 years of marriage, I considered divorce. (JK)

As a result, I will especially look forward to the board's commentary, stories, and insights since I will be there for a couple of weeks. I guess I don't have to remind you that you should all be thankful....

 

[Cowbell Man]

This better not be a tradition. I’ll be flying back into Ithaca Wednesday night from Berlin Germany. Driving to Cleveland Thursday am in time to get a beer somewhere. Leaving at 5:30 am to get back to Ithaca to catch a 12:30 flight to Granada Spain.
Wtf

Before you ask why I didn’t just fly to cleveland..... I need to grab my 21 year old daughter who loves wrestling. And....it has to be said....Cleveland may as well be Siberia when flying to and from Europe.

 

[CholleyVandine]

Not a tradition, but last year, my wife and I failed to coordinate calendars, and I wound up being on baby duty during the finals while she was out. Of Course, the little dude woke up during the 3rd of Heil vs. Mueller. So, I put him in the baby sling thing, sat in the rocking chair and got him asleep during Zain's match. Not wanting to miss anything, he stayed there through to the end. One of my greatest triumphs of will power in my life transpired during Cenzo's big stick. I have no idea how I did it, but the kid stayed asleep the whole time. I still feel like some of the screaming I suppressed that night is rattling around inside....

PS Whistlepig Rye was the flavor of the finals, and it was glorious.

Ain't it just like a little one to wake up when the grownups are drifting off to sleep ...

 

[Lyco1990]

Now you've gone and done it!! I'm at work and need a Widow fix!!

So now I need Widow for finals? Well ok.

 

[RoarLions1]

Hockeygod mentioned one we enjoy (post 8), for sure.

Another is meeting fellow fans for the first time, and seeing old friends.

Lastly is a fantasy "league" that NoVa, oldlion and I participate in, picking our wrestlers the evening before the start of NCAA's. 13 teams (last year) from around the country...just plain FUN.

 

[CholleyVandine]

I'm afraid there will be a new tradition in my house this year. I made the mistake of complaining about the ice dancing my wife had on the TV the other night. She reminded me that she has sat through more than her fair share of wrestling, football, baseball, basketball, & ice hockey over the years. I conceded the point but fully expect to be reminded of it when we're watching the finals on TV next month.

 

[aalion]

Not a tradition, but last year, my wife and I failed to coordinate calendars, and I wound up being on baby duty during the finals while she was out. Of Course, the little dude woke up during the 3rd of Heil vs. Mueller. So, I put him in the baby sling thing, sat in the rocking chair and got him asleep during Zain's match. Not wanting to miss anything, he stayed there through to the end. One of my greatest triumphs of will power in my life transpired during Cenzo's big stick. I have no idea how I did it, but the kid stayed asleep the whole time. I still feel like some of the screaming I suppressed that night is rattling around inside....

PS Whistlepig Rye was the flavor of the finals, and it was glorious.

I love this story... perhaps because I was in the same position 17 years ago when the Flyers beat the Penguins in the 5th overtime in Game 4 of the playoffs. To this day I marvel that my daughter didn’t get thrown straight up through the ceiling.

PS she starts at PSU in 3 months!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Having my girlfriend Julianne Hough give me a back rub at tense moments during sessions. I usually tell her to skedaddle to her room when I need to concentrate on the action, though. She can be quite needy

 

[1AA]

South East Idaho. In the corner near Wyoming and Montana. My avatar is taken from the front porch.

My son wrestled down at Pocatello for western regionals a few times and he was in a Jr high dual tourney in Cody WY. Love that country! I have read so many books on early 1800s trappers and that was there country back then.

Pretty sure we are bringing a crew to the finals in Minn.

 

[CropDuster507]

Get drunk and cuss at the tv, regardless if it's in public or not.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Get drunk and cuss at the tv, regardless if it's in public or not.

Yo Crop - did you see the cute Minnesota lass who helped us get our first Olympic gold in cross country skiing? Hamm’s and Lutefisk didn’t miss her

 

[1AA]

Yo Crop - did you see the cute Minnesota lass who helped us get our first Olympic gold in cross country skiing? Hamm’s and Lutefisk didn’t miss her

God Bless America

 

[86PSUPaul]

Yo Yo Ma
Boutros Boutros-Ghali

For Seinfeld fans....

 

[Ski]

I like to check in to HR after each round and enjoy the progression from faint hopes, to reality setting in that this isn’t the year either, to petty jealousy, to ex-spouse level anger and bitterness. Good times!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I like to check in to HR after each round and enjoy the progression from faint hopes, to reality setting in that this isn’t the year either, to petty jealousy, to ex-spouse level anger and bitterness. Good times!

Then we’ll read about the predictions of multiple titles for Max Murin

 

[GOLDBANGER]

So now I need Widow for finals? Well ok.

I hope you can find it Lyco, I don't believe PA liquor stores carry it. We have a few traditions, some good and some REALLY bad. For B1Gs, a core group of 6 guys always get together for the finals. For Nationals we have a tight knit group of 8 guys that go together, last year we drove to Missouri to get out of PA before the snow storm that hit, THAT was an adventure. The BAD tradition, every year it seems someone misses an entire round due to excessive "milk" consumption. In NYC we actually had a guy miss the semis, he will NEVER live that one down!! Lyco also reads me what I call "bedtime stories", which means he reads me the posts from HR, it's a good laugh before falling blissfully asleep for the last ten years at Nats.

 

[86PSUPaul]

I hope you can find it Lyco, I don't believe PA liquor stores carry it. We have a few traditions, some good and some REALLY bad. For B1Gs, a core group of 6 guys always get together for the finals. For Nationals we have a tight knit group of 8 guys that go together, last year we drove to Missouri to get out of PA before the snow storm that hit, THAT was an adventure. The BAD tradition, every year it seems someone misses an entire round due to excessive "milk" consumption. In NYC we actually had a guy miss the semis, he will NEVER live that one down!! Lyco also reads me what I call "bedtime stories", which means he reads me the posts from HR, it's a good laugh before falling blissfully asleep for the last ten years at Nats.

PA State stores have Widow! Just bought it today. But maybe not all stores. The website has a search feature that will tell you a stores inventory, not sure how accurate it is.

 

[bowandarrow]

I'm afraid there will be a new tradition in my house this year. I made the mistake of complaining about the ice dancing my wife had on the TV the other night. She reminded me that she has sat through more than her fair share of wrestling, football, baseball, basketball, & ice hockey over the years. I conceded the point but fully expect to be reminded of it when we're watching the finals on TV next month.

I know this all too well!

My wife doesn't mind going out, but generally she is a one drink gal and allows me to drink what I want and she will safely drive us home. However, for better and for worse, her friends have gone to the city (Chicago) for St. Patrick's day every year since college. It's her super bowl of drinking for the year- she goes all in and has a blast.

So, for the past few years, fortunately/unfortunately my early afternoons have been spent paying far too much for an Uber home to the burbs, getting some Portillos, taking care of the lady, praying she doesn't puke (too much), and ensure she is sleeping by time the finals come on so I can continue drinking and yelling without fear of her wrath.

 

[TangSoo]

Yo Crop - did you see the cute Minnesota lass who helped us get our first Olympic gold in cross country skiing? Hamm’s and Lutefisk didn’t miss her

Very nice looking girl. And that finish was epic. She showed the heart of a lion. Haven't heard what kind of hula hoop game she has for Crop.

 

[Hartzie]

Last year when our 5 final bouts were about to begin I poured a bourbon and sipped through all five! So this year, at the suggestion of our own Goldbanger, I purchased this. It will be opened for the BIGS finals and then NCAA finals.

View embedded media

Anyone else have traditions, new or old?

Much better bourbons out there IMO. Not a fan of distilleries that bottle other people's bourbon instead of distilling it themselves.

 

[NoVa Lion]

We go every year and stay with several posters on this board.. tradition has started up (by myself) that I bring a cooler of the beers I collect from around the country that are generally not available except thru trade etc... and we have a beer tasting in the lobby of the hotel on Friday night... Roar/Tikk/Nova and probably a few others can attest to it.. Last year they wouldn't allow it and gave us the boot out of the lobby but most years it is a blast.. Will be hand selecting this years selection from the beer cave soon...

Beer tasting is great for any beer snobs out there as HOCKEYGOD and Mrs. have a lot of great beers, at least so I'm told. My atrophied taste buds have me drinking basic beers like Yuengling.

 

[GOLDBANGER]

PA State stores have Widow! Just bought it today. But maybe not all stores. The website has a search feature that will tell you a stores inventory, not sure how accurate it is.

PSUPaul is the bearer of good news, now if you could only assure a Jason Nolf at 100%!

 

[NoVa Lion]

Hockeygod mentioned one we enjoy (post 8), for sure.

Another is meeting fellow fans for the first time, and seeing old friends.

Lastly is a fantasy "league" that NoVa, oldlion and I participate in, picking our wrestlers the evening before the start of NCAA's. 13 teams (last year) from around the country...just plain FUN.

Those fantasy leagues are especially FUN when you win, like we did last year, after a number of years finishing in the middle of the pack. Thanks to Kolat and Nathan Kraisser (Campbell's first ever AA) who put us over the top.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

Last year when our 5 final bouts were about to begin I poured a bourbon and sipped through all five! So this year, at the suggestion of our own Goldbanger, I purchased this. It will be opened for the BIGS finals and then NCAA finals.

View embedded media

Anyone else have traditions, new or old?

how about the traditions of those who attend? our group of 4 meets on wednesday, checks in, then finds a hooters(preferably) or a bww. wednesday is wing day at the nationals. at the end of each day, we go to rooms to rehash the day over more than a few johnny walker blacks. anyone else with event traditions?

 

[mattu12]

Last year when our 5 final bouts were about to begin I poured a bourbon and sipped through all five! So this year, at the suggestion of our own Goldbanger, I purchased this. It will be opened for the BIGS finals and then NCAA finals.

View embedded media

Anyone else have traditions, new or old?

Lasted for 5 bouts? Hope it was a big glass. Fo NCAA finals, if I can keep it to a pop per match I'm doing well.

 

[86PSUPaul]

Lasted for 5 bouts? Hope it was a big glass. Fo NCAA finals, if I can keep it to a pop per match I'm doing well.

I never said I didn’t refill a few times!

 

[Lyco1990]

PSUPaul, come to Danville Next Saturday for Bigs, meet the banger it’s a treat.