This pains me a lot. It's like tearing off a band-aid, eating my greens before desert and watching the Oprah Winfrey Network.
I'm going to start a Griz column.
Now I understand that growing up near Spokane and going to school at Eastern Washington University doesn't qualify me as a University of Montana fan but it did give me a pretty
good understanding of the Big Sky Conference and how it works.
And with that, I realize that college football is just around the corner and before we know it, Highway 93 is
going to be clogged like Dick Cheney's arteries as the Griz fans make the exodus down to Missoula for their beloved team.
However, unlike years before, Montana isn't exactly the favorite in the Big Sky going into this season. I understand that this is probably an unsettling feeling, perhaps even a little scary. Trust me folks, I'm an Eastern Washington University Eagles fan, I know how this feels and here are a few tips to deal with it.
You Griz fans have this weird habit, not usually seen in football fans, of being classy. When EWU won the national championship, University of Montana fans were rooting for us the entire way. Every Griz fan I've run into has said "good for you!"
I'd be lying if I said EWU fans would do the same. It may seem like the up and up thing to root for teams in the conference but it's just not mentally healthy. Let that angst out. The next time you see an EWU fan remind them that they probably weren't a fan until last season or that the Eagles have more NCAA violations than Terrelle Pryor's car salesman. Heck, even mention that you guys have TWO national championships.
Oh and if you really want to get dirty... just remind EWU about their men's basketball team.
Otherwise that angst will build and build and build and before you know it, Griz fans will want their field to be Maroon of something.
Set new expectations for your QB Manage expectations folks! Don't expect the next coming of Joe Montana, assume Montana is going to be more of a quirky John Daly. Then when he comes out and lights up the Big Sky Conference, it's all the sweeter.
Think of all the other mascots in Big Sky? What does Sac State have a gigantic hornet walking around the football stadium? I'm sure that's a big hit with kids. Heaven knows what the heck Northern Arizona uses... Paul Bunyon? When they play Stanford in basketball that must be fun for the Tree mascot they have.
One suggestion for Monte... he needs to go after Northern Colorado's mascot. The Bears? Way to be creative UNC.
Push for the spring Griz game to be played in Ronan
What's this "Lets go play in Billings, we have Alumni over there" business, get the Griz to play their Spring game in Ronan!
Why? Because it's probably one of the best fields in the state, not kidding, and we're talking about a Mission Valley athletic event that would be worth thousands of dollars to the local economy.
So hopefully this can tide you all over until football season starts. Again, make sure you work out all the angst from last year and be sure to hug Griz voice Mick Holien if you see him around town.
He didn't ask me to say that, so I'm pretty sure he's going to run me over with his truck.
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