 |
| Thanks fellas! |
Trip Fun Facts
1. 150 Gopher hockey fans went on the trip
2. Chartered a plane from Sun Country Airlines
3. Departed Minneapolis on Wednesday, April 4th at 6:00 pm
4. Stayed at a hotel in downtown Tampa...walking distance to hockey arena
5. Soda Social (pep rally) on Thursday afternoon
6. Gophers vs.Boston College - Thursday night
7. Clearwater Beach - Friday - all day
8. Tampa Bay Downs Horse Racing Track - Saturday afternoon
9. Frozen Four championship game - Saturday night
10. Arrived back in Minneapolis at 2:00 am Sunday morning, April 8th
I can't go anywhere without writing up a quick recap of the trip's highlights. With that thought in mind here is another one of my rambling prattles.......
Here we go.....buckle up!
----------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Our group of Gopher hockey fans arrived in Tampa on Wednesday night in the middle of a huge thunderstorm.....rained hard all night but it was very nice the next morning and it remained that way for the rest of our stay.
 |
| The weather was beautiful....the people were great....my fun bag was filled |
 |
| The Tampa Bay Times Forum.....site of the Frozen Four...this is why we came here |
Thursday - April 5th
There is an entertainment district called Channelside Bay Plaza located only a few blocks from the Forum and this is where the big pre-game parties took place on Thursday afternoon. This area can best be described as a cul-de-sac lined with bars and restaurants. Each team that was participating in the Frozen Four had a designated bar at Channelside Bay Plaza that served as their official fan headquarters. In the middle of this cul-de-sac type area was a large plaza where fans from all four teams were able to meet and mingle. It was quite a scene to behold....everybody was decked out in attire that represented their school....music....bands....cheerleaders.....adult beverages....food.....anticipation....excitement....beautiful weather....it was as good as it gets.
 |
| Gopher Fan Headquarters...the place was buzzing at noon on Thursday |
 |
| The plaza area outside the bars was the place to meet and mingle |
One of the things I always like to do when I'm attending these type of events is to try and find any luminaries who may be milling around in the crowd. Even though I didn't find as many of these type of people as I thought I would, I did spot a few individuals who were somewhat well known in Minnesota. My list is obviously pretty weak but at least I avoided the shut out.
1. Lou Nanne - played hockey for the Gophers, the USA Olympic team and the Minnesota North Stars (NHL); coach and general manager of the Minnesota North Stars; considered to be the expert on all things hockey in Minnesota.
2. Pam Borton - head coach of the Gopher women's basketball team
3. Judd Zulgad and Joe Anderson (Mr. Phunn) - "Judd and Phunn" radio show on ESPN 1500
 |
| I just love talking "puck" with Lou Nanne |
 |
| Hey Pam, any openings on your staff....I was a BB coach once you know |
 |
| Judd and Phunn did their daily 9 to noon radio show from Tampa |
It was now time for the official "Sota Social" to begin.....or pep rally / pep fest if you prefer...
 |
| Every pep rally needs cheerleaders..... |
 |
| .....and every cheerleader needs their picture taken with me |
 |
| Judd and Phunn ask Lou Nanne to give his expert opinion on the upcoming game |
It was now time to get out "amongst 'em".....this big crowd needs to be "worked".....and that is what I do best (well, at least I think I do).
 |
| Do I know you?....cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend....(bad start, huh) |
 |
| Time to get out on the plaza and start "working" the fans from the other teams |
 |
| Got off to a great start.....you don't meet women from Union College everyday |
 |
| Fraternizing with the opponent is a "no no"... sorry, couldn't pass up the BC gals |
 |
| I think it's your lucky day....I can talk hockey all day long |
I was sorry to see the party end but it was time to head to the big game....let's play hockey!......Gophers vs Boston College.......Ferris State had defeated Union in the first semi-final game.
 |
| I love my seats....Row 6...top of the faceoff circle....don't you just love Goldy? |
 |
| My Gophers run into a buzz saw....BC has them down early |
 |
| Not a good night for my Gophers....Gophers lose big.... 6-1 |
Friday - April 6th
The very disappointed Gopher fans had to rally on Friday morning because we still had two more days to spend in Tampa. (the trip package was based on a Saturday night departure no matter how the Gophers did in the semi-final game on Thursday night).
 |
| It was a gorgeous day at Clearwater beach...lots of things to see and do |
 |
| I was with a group who went on a boat trip aboard a million dollar catamaran |
 |
| You serve beer on this boat?....I guess I will need to keep an eye on our guests |
 |
| It's "bizzaro world"..... women now want me to pose with them... gotta love it! |
Once the boat ride was over it was time to check out some of the bars and restaurants on Clearwater beach.
 |
| Yes, my strategy does really work...meet my new friend Sandy |
Saturday - April 7th
On Saturday the charter company lined up a bus to take people out to Tampa Bay Downs, the local horse racing track. I was again in charge of making sure that all of the guests made it back to the hotel safe and sound. There were only 19 people who went to the track so my job was pretty easy for this outing.
 |
| Big crowd....beautiful day....ready to lose some money |
 |
| "6th race....$10....trifecta... #4, #3, #2....Box.".. how's that for some lingo? |
 |
| Won some money but had no good photo ops.....where were all the women? |
On Saturday night most of the 150 people who came on the trip elected to attend the Frozen Four championship game. The plan was that once the game was over around 9:30 pm the buses would be waiting outside the arena and we would head straight to the airport. This whole process of getting people back to Minneapolis is where I earned my keep on this trip...lots of logistics to manage.
 |
| Do we have everyone?...if I lose someone I'll never work a trip again |
 |
| Tired bunch of fans....but I have to be as engaging as ever...it's my job |
 |
| My suggestion would be to just go to sleep....of course I can't say that to them |
 |
| Landed at 2:00 am......time for a quick nap before Easter sunrise service |
-------------------------------------------------
BONUS - MINI PRATTLE
Once I returned home I needed to stop and take the time to really appreciate the great run of fun that I had just completed. The quick recap listed below would confirm that my strategy for handling retirement has worked out quick well.
February
- Second Week - Orlando, FL - golf community - golf, golf, golf
March
- First Week - Siesta Key - Sarasota, FL - beach, sun, fun, spring training baseball games
- Third Week - Scottsdale, AZ - Sun, fun, golf, hiking, biking, NCCA BB, baseball games
- Fourth Week - New York City - NIT Basketball tournament* (Gophers) - Broadway plays, site seeing
April
- First Week - Tampa, FL - Frozen Four Hockey Tournament (Gophers) - beach, party, race track
- Second Week - Starter/Ranger at Rush Creek Golf Course - Maple Grove - free golf all summer
 |
| Finally....I'm a starter at a nice golf course....my life is now complete |
