Game Day

My mentor Ed, Mike's Dad, used to refer to the team from UF as "The Gator" - singular, not plural, since back then they were the singular team we despised most. It was a yearly rivalry -- I saw probably 10 games AT UF -- and the ones at the Orange Bowl and Joe Robbie and Bowl games were terrific. But the Gators then dropped us from their yearly schedule -- wimping out when the SEC made them play more conference games. We never forgave them.

Of course, my Ds and Jonathan are all alums -- D2 and Jonathan DOUBLE Gators. I love the school scholastically, and even abide the basketball team with the Tribal coach -- but football? Never.

Today ESPN's Gameday is on the Coral Gables campus. Mike and Chris took adorable Teddy there -- a 4th generation Cane! I've been drinking coffee and watching the scene by Lake Osceola -- site of countless amazing memories. I was a student there from '79-'86 ("7 years of college down the drain!") and taught 4 classes there -- 2 Freshman Comp, and 2 Religion classes with my friend Steve Sapp.

I've served on several committees. After graduation in '83, I went on a recruiting tour around the state with Eric and other friends, to try to poach Honors students from other schools. It was successful -- back in the day, I got a scholarship to attend. Pretty sure my grades and SAT scores wouldn't even get me admitted today...

And I admit I'm VERY excited. I'll leave here 215 and fetch crazy Joel, not a UM alum (Loyola in NOLA and New York Law) but born and raised in the County of Dade, as the song goes, and a lifetime fan. I'll have my large Absolut Mandarin chilling in a cooler, and when we park, will pour Joel and I a few red cups' worth.

I totally respect those who have given up alcohol. May well extend lifetimes. But for me, I subscribe to the philosophy of Dean Martin, who said that if you DON'T drink, when you get up in the morning, that's the best you're going to feel ALL Day...

Mike will have the tailgate roaring, I'm sure. My nephew of another brother, Scott, is coming from D.C. with his wife Samantha. His brother Josh is skipping for a comedy  show today, but I expect a parade of dear friends from over the years, in the charged air of our tailgate.

And if the huge underdog Gators somehow beat us? That's ok -- season can still be a success, and more importantly, the tailgates will always win.

I've said it for years. As a somewhat educated and cultured guy (I've seen all the museums around the world, and sipped martinis in Harry's Bar in Venice), part of me wishes my joy came from classical music -- maybe opera -- at least Broadway shows. 

But other than time with family, it gets no better for me than standing in a hot (sometimes pouring rain) parking lot, drinking and eating with my brothers and sisters of 4.5 decades.

We talk of days long past, and the kids who are the days of the future. We talk of The Gator. Jeannine, Ed's daughter, will be there today, and she and I will cry a bit talking about her late Dad -- a man who instilled the deepest love of the Canes into my bones. 

She'll see me coming, drink in hand, and make believe she's running away from me, but then we'll hug and share a moment.

So Go Canes! Beat The Gator. Regardless -- party with my besties -- here we come!