Johnnie Fans, I know it has been awhile since we have last seen each other but the wait will be worth it for sure. We have had two weeks to prepare for the Auggies and one might ask: Does it get boring when you don’t play anyone on your bye week? The answer is of course, YES! We have a tradition that keeps us out of the usual practice routine and keeps everyone spirits high during a time that can lull and drop off as the week winds closer to game time. This event is affectionately known as “Bas-A$$ Thursday.” It originated on the defensive side I’m pretty sure, though the tradition has been here longer than the current players. On Thursdays, people sort of “dress up,” or wear things that they may not wear during a normal practice.
In my time here there have been some whoppers in attire. This year the crown so far is Kyle Schroeder’s. If he is not wearing his disco outfit complete with bell-bottoms and a whig, he is sporting his short-shorts. Joe Luke was a fan of coming to practice in a cape and he was just that much scarier on Thursdays. Shawn Schoenberg would wear his spandex shorts and a flannel shirt under his pads and ride a bike to his spot on the field. He declared himself Lance Armstrong, Jerry declared him something else. Billy Lawrence even pulled out his wind-suit and gave us his best Gary rendition, which was met by cheers and smiles by all. My personal favorite was last year when Derek Stifter, Ryan Wimmer, and Ethan Eid came to practice as Jerry, Novak, and Gary. Those were some huge shoes to fill and that kind of pressure could only be handled once in a lifetime.
The norm, however, seems to be that people will put a visor on their facemask or wear every arm band that they own. The scout offense has gotten into the act as well. This year the offense has gone where no offense has even dreamed of before, participating in this event. Ben Vanderheyden, and the recieving corps wear grean tights and pink socks. You may have noticed their attire when Channel 5 came to do a story on the Johnnie/Tommie game. The occaisonal poem may be read as well. Dan Franta has taken this task to new heights. He may not be the best poet in the world, or even on campus, but his stanzas rhyme and with this crowd, that is good enough. His poems include the team we are playing the upcoming saturday, and the starters on defense.
Eventhough we had a week off, it did not mean we took a break from having fun and staying loose. We have to leave the cold this week for the friendly confines of the Dome and the Twins Moving Sale. As always, we hope to see you at the game and your cheers will still be very much needed this week as well.
Have a great rest of the week and we will see you on Saturday.
