[NU Sports] Dispatch from El Paso

[cherron604 at aol.com]

I will agree with Jim, I was kinda tip-toeing around the 'church-state' issue.  The rest of the El Paso experience had me feeling good, so I did not want to negate that with a remark that was more a surprise than anything.  I doubt if we would hear that kind of pre-game music in any mid-west state university stadium, but I did not notice too many of the locals paying much attention to the issue one way or the other.  
 
I mentioned before that the festivities seemed to have an air of a local party, full of family and friends, and while we were treated very well, it was still their party, done their way...hehe.
 
This view was further reinforced, when I saw some El Paso billboards last night.  A sampling:
 
They Play.  We Party
 
Cinco de Mayo in December
 
So I figured, it's their town, they're having fun.  I am having a great time (except for 45 minutes of football...).  So I guess chalk it up to the fact that Illinois is Illinois, and Texas is Texas.
 
 
Chuck Herron   Tech '85
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Bendat <thehaze at earthlink.net>
To: nwu-sports at tssi.com
Sent: Sat, 31 Dec 2005 11:00:10 -0800
Subject: Re: [NU Sports] Dispatch from El Paso


Back home from El Paso. I agree with everything Chuck wrote, except for the country music band. I felt their Jesus music was inappropriate, particularly with the game being held on a state university campus. 
 
The game itself proved to be very painful. The first quarter was amazing, of course, with NU fans having a great time handing out high fives all over the place. As for the rest of the game, well, other list members have already done the correct analysis. My wife (a UCLA alum), to her everlasting credit, was very supportive. She and I both hope UCLA and Northwestern never again play each other. 
 
Keep expecting victory, Cat fans, as we will win a bowl game one of these years. 
 
Jim B. 
 
cherron604 at aol.com wrote: 
 
>First, the niceties. 
> >- Perfect weather, brilliant sunshine. 
> >- A nicely sited stadium, convenient parking and shuttles (but not enough restrooms...) 
> >- Extraordinarily fun and friendly hosts. More than the other bowls, this seemed to be a West Texas annual party, as families and football fans filled the stadium, exchanged good natured ribbing with both sides, and (especially) asked frequently 'What do you think of El Paso ?' They seemed genuinely pleased when we praised their friendliness, weather, facilities, etc. The partying/barbecuing/tailgating started early, and was still going after the game. 
> >- A nice pre-game, both bands featured, the crowd was very appreciative, and the Army parachute drop was very impressive. Not a country music fan, but Diamond Rio even seemed to do a nice job. 
> >Chuck Herron Tech '85 
>__ 
> 
 
 
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