Who Do We Think We Are?

I’m back from vacation, rested, well, not so rested, but feeling better about life in general.  Sorry for the short absence.  While I was vacationing in Mexico, I ran into two Boise State fans and the families.  Really nice guys and as usual when a Southern Miss fan meets a Boise State fan, mutual respect.  I’ve invited these guys down for the game.  I hope they can make it!

Since the departure of Coach Bower, Southern Miss has accomplished quite a bit.  Below is a list of items:

• Hire Coach Larry Fedora, a young, hungry coach who, as an offensive coordinator featured a high energy, no huddle offense.
• Coach Fedora revamped the entire coaching staff with a strong emphasis on recruiting strength (Coach Hughes).
• A signing day part that filled the Hattiesburg Convention Center.  And thoughts that next year they may have to have it in the Rock.
• Coach Fedora signs the #1 recruit in the State of Mississippi, beating out LSU and having limited opportunity due to a late start.
• A halftime speech by Coach Fedora at the home basketball game featuring #1 Memphis.  And shooting off one liners that speak to his wit and presence.
• Coach Fedora and the administration opt for no weeknight games.  This is a huge step for fan attendance.  Sorry ESPN, guess you can show Rice versus Marshall this year.
• Coach Fedora holds open spring practices and Ray Guy is present to further engage fans.
• Spring game attendance at an all time high of 12K, which is 50% higher than the previous record.
• While I don’t have the numbers, I also understand that our presold season tickets and Eagle Club contributions are at an all time high.

But then, no list can do justice to the change in attitude.  THE CHIP IS BACK ON OUR SHOULDERS! Thank you Mark May!

How to Appreciate College Football

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

You wonder what all the hype is about for college football games. It’s similar to the NFL (National Football League), however, because college football comes from universities and colleges, it’s about personal school and individual pride.

Steps

1. Wear school colors or something with their school name, logo, or motto. Whether it’s a shirt, jacket, baseball cap, or a football noodle to carry around - it’s showing support one way or another.



2. Know the players and coach of the team. Feel free to associate players with their numbers.



3. Go to a game in person. Since it’s a college game, there ought to be more supporting students and fans than anyone else. Bring a friend with you and have fun throwing confetti when your team makes a touchdown.



4. Acknowledge the fact that these players have a chance to be drafted in the NFL or AFL. The guys are widely recognized by their statistics and plays.

Tips

• If you’re not a football fan, try to see if you’re interested in becoming a fan or spectator of another sport like baseball or the Olympics.

Warnings

• When visiting an opponent’s state, please be courteous and don’t flash any attire or accessories from your state - especially on game day.

Related wikiHows

• How to Love an Unsuccessful Sports Team
• How to Enjoy Watching Baseball Games
• How to Be a Los Angeles Lakers Fan
• How to Enjoy a Nascar Race
• How to Have Fun at a Penn State Football Game
• How to Throw a Tailgate Party

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Appreciate College Football. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

I challenged some of the EaglePost Community to come up with their best Southern Miss Spring Game Haiku.  This is purely based on my subjective judgment, if you disagree, you’re welcome to comment below.

Here are the results:

#10 - Kickingtee

coming from the rock
a runner has a clump of grass
dangling from his azz.

#9 - Golden Evil

How many damn times
Do you guys have to be told
It’s five-seven-five?

#8 - Nugget’s Ghost

Fedoras the man
we will crush, kill and break spleens
you will be amazed

#7 - Tator25

Hardins film on the scoreboard,
Fedora’s offense takes the field,
perfection at the “Rock”

#6 - RockTheRock

Did that old ball coach
He who must never be named
Move to the dugout?

#5 - usmintexas

An era begins
As spring unfolds its glory
Renewed hope now lives…

#4 (tie) - Black Diamond Reb

All hail Fedora
Improve our maths and tacklings
How much to park then

#4 (tie) - killer_eagle

Black and Gold Game Starts
Thirty Thousand Fans Screaming
Southern Miss Attack!

#3 (tie) - UsMmba90

Southern Miss Football
Just who do we think we are?
Prepare to find out.

#3 (tie) - Goldeneagle33

Under the hot lights
Fedora’s offense shines bright
We are Southern Miss!

#2 - USM08

Fedora the Man
Nasty Bunch is returning
Hit’em in the mouth!

#1 - Harbor Pointe

Fedora thinks big
Says there’s no reason we can’t
We settle no more

Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora has the guts to ask for it.  Writer Patrick Magee has the guts to say it ain’t gonna happen.  Who’s going to be right?

Patrick Magee makes a good argument.  The best showing we’ve had for a spring game is 8K.  Do we almost quadruple that?  Magee concludes that the best we could hope for is 16K (double our previous best).

It Shouldn’t Happen

The Southern Miss fanbase is an interesting marketing study.  I’ve posted on this several times.  The Southern Miss fan wants more for less.  When things are going well, they stop showing up.  And we’ve only had 30K fans show up when things were really good and the game mattered.

Here are only a few reasons that it shouldn’t happen:

1. This is a spring game.  The results don’t matter.  While mildly entertaining, only the best of fans will show to watch something like this.
2. Teammates playing teammates.  There won’t be any big hits.  I’ll rephrase that, there shouldn’t be any big hits.  And hits are what we go to see.
3. To get to 30K, we’d need a very strong student turn out and a good out-of-towner showing.  The weather is getting nice and for many of the students, the beaches beckon.  With this being a night game, many out-of-towners won’t be willing to fork over the cash for a spring game.

It Could Happen

As I break down the idea in my head, I see the following supporting themes that make 30K achievable:

1. Fedora, Flecher, Nelson, McGrath and Abanikanda.  With new offensive and defensive schemes, many of us are interested in seeing how they put this all together.
2. There is also a baseball series against Arkansas State.  While it would be better if it were a C-USA foe, it makes for a better deal for out-of-towners.
3. Old paradigms lead to standard results.  Would anyone believe a company could accomplish what Google did, before they did?  Giannini and Fedora are pushing for a new day and a new way to approach Southern Miss football.  With the determination and success that Coach Fedora has shown since he arrived, I wouldn’t bet against him.

Will It Happen?

I really hope so.  But I’m just not so confident that it will.  What I do know is that they will blow the old record off the books.  Those who go will have a great time.  And at $5-$10 a pop, the M-Club will get a nice kick in their budget.  Enjoy!

This is probably the hardest blog I’ve ever written, but I feel compelled to ask the question: Would Jesse Jackson have met with the Southern Miss Golden Eagles if they were in the Final Four as he did for Memphis?

I’m the last person to have a racial bias. On the contrary, I am a strong proponent that we just move on because racism will exist only as long as we let if affect our decisions. I won’t let it affect mine, which is why I am so pushed to write this. I hope that none of the EP members think less of me, but alas, if you do then you’re missing the bigger point.

Let’s forget for a moment what the current perception of Mississippi is. Jesse Jackson’s mentor Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis. Isn’t it strange that he would appear here and now? Why not meet with UCLA? Or Kansas? Or North Carolina? Why Memphis?

Despite having a white coach (they all do), Memphis is the only all African-American roster. Not a single white player on the team. UCLA and North Carolina do (and they happen to be pretty good), as does Kansas.

So, I ask again, would a Southern Miss team get the same treatment from Jesse Jackson?

Welcome to the real world! If you seek to differentiate, then you must accept that you’ll be treated different. I will still be pulling for Memphis because they are like us, a member of Conference-USA. Not because of the color of their skin. The sooner Jesse Jackson (and everybody else) clues into that, the better off we’ll all be.

When you’re in town for a Southern Miss game, you might be looking for a place to eat. This series will have critiques of various places in and around Hattiesburg. I’m not a food critic, or even a foodie. But I am a college sports fan who enjoys experiencing the local eateries when traveling for a game. To see all the reviews click on the Hattiesburg Eats category. If you’d like me to post a review of a restaurant you enjoy, send me a note.

Donanelle’s Bar & Grill - Hwy 49S (near the Camp Shelby north gate)

There are hole in the wall places the world round, but it takes on a whole new meaning in Mississippi. When you walk in, you’ll have to let go to the roadhouse experience or you’ll lose it. You won’t forget where you are from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave.

This wasn’t a random pick. An Eaglepost member recommended this place as the place in Hattiesburg to get a good steak. He did warn me about the look of the place. He’s a good friend (the kind that will offer you a cold beverage at a tailgate and/or the roost) so I won’t dis him now.

The decor obviously cost more than the building. And it is easy to value the decor if you can count.

The beer was cold. The steak was average. The experience was priceless. If you’re only coming to Mississippi once, and want something to talk about when you go home, do Donanelle’s.

Baldeagle Rating - B-

When you’re in town for a Southern Miss game, you might be looking for a place to eat. This series will have critiques of various places in and around Hattiesburg. I’m not a food critic, or even a foodie. But I am a college sports fan who enjoys experiencing the local eateries when traveling for a game. To see all the reviews click on the Hattiesburg Eats category. If you’d like me to post a review of a restaurant you enjoy, send me a note.

Angus Jacks - 3200 Lakeview Road

Maybe I should preface this with an understanding that I was disappointed before I even got out of my truck. I had planned on a meal at Cane Creek Seafood (I hadn’t been there in years). Where it had been, Angus Jacks now stood. The walls that had been lined with business cards were now bare. And with the construction of the convention center, the rustic feel is gone as well. But, it is a steak place so I go in.

Life gets a little better when I see the wine list. They carry a Pinot Nior that I like (basic and typically inexpensive), but it isn’t priced to sell if you get me.

Despite being a recently opened restaurant, the service was excellent. The steak was cooked as I ordered, but it was not a very good cut. So, in a nutshell, I paid too much for an average meal. I won’t be going back.

Baldeagle Rating - C-