Scoreboard Gourmet

National Signing Day Party

TFMJ and I once watched a show that featured the parties hosted by the parents of football kids hoping to get signed. What was that show? Anyway, really fun to see how differently people party. One family got a room in what I believe was a Comfort Inn; another family had an outdoor-indoor BBQ.

The first Wednesday in February is National Signing Day. That's next week. It's the first day high school seniors are allowed to sign Letters of Intent agreeing to attend a designated college or university for one academic year. No prospective student-athlete or parent is required to sign the National Letter of Intent, and no institution is required to join the program.

It's not just football. February 4th is also National Signing Day for Field Hockey, Soccer, Track and Field, Cross Country, Men's Water Polo. And we're talking D1, D2 NCAA schools. Do I have a NCAA category?

So the point of this post is to ask if any of you are hosting or attending a National Signing Day party? I bet Wichita (KS) East High School RB Bryce Brown is going to one

Rose Bowl Game Kickoff Luncheon

Luncheon? Who uses that word? Anyway, here are the details because I'm guessing tickets are selling fast...

Date: 12/31/07
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Location: Kickoff Luncheon Pavilion Tent, Rose Bowl Stadium Area, Free Parking in Lot K
Admission: $85
Tickets: TBA

The Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Trader Joe’s, is a high-energy event that celebrates the exciting Rose Bowl Game on January 1st. Join us for this dynamic mid-day pep rally and tent lunch featuring celebrity sportscasters as they present the university coaches, athletes, marching bands and pep squads. Witness this year’s Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Rose Queen with her Princesses as honored guests. You won’t want to miss a single second of this spirited event! Attendees also receive a unique favor to commemorate this special day, so don’t wait, be the first to take advantage of this truly once-in-a-lifetime spectacular!

site: tournamentofroseskickoffluncheon

Ohio State in Pasadena

Ohio State will play in the 94th Rose Bowl game, following the 119th Rose Parade. I know this isn't news to anyone but maybe it is news to you that downtown Pasedena is like Anytown, USA. did I already mention this frightening news? Nothing about Pasedena is unique. Every store, shop and restaurant is a chain. So if you're not interested in something new or different, if you want to avoid experience of any sort, swing by downtown Pasedena before the Rose Bowl (you can catch a shuttle to the stadium) and have excatly the same crap you can have in 150 other places. so sad. I wonder what it was like in the late 1880's.

Roasted Corn & Baked Potatoes at the Rose Bowl

Don't get me wrong, I love baked potatoes, but in the California afternoon sun?
As TFMJ said, it's a total college eat. No?
Roasted corn, however, that's always appealing.

$6 for the baked potato; $4 for the corn.

The Bruins are home tomorrow (10/20) v Cal.

Anyone going to Ian Kennedy's wedding? Is he?

I haven't heard any updated news on the planned October 6th wedding of Ian Kennedy, and I'm pretty sure he's not on the playoff roster, but I feel like mentioning it/him anyway. The wedding was scheduled to be in Kirkwood, Missouri, which is easy to get to from Cleveland.

Torre, about a month ago, said he wasn't aware of the potential conflict. Here's my favorite part of his statement: "I didn't get one of the invitations," he said. "We just hope his prospective wife is very understanding."

Kennedy is marrying USC basketball player (year 5) Allison Jaskowiak. Imagine planning a 200ish person event around two sports schedules? I wonder what's on the menu?

Best wishes to the athletic twosome. The Yankees and Indians play tonight at 5pm at the Jake (see pic).

Fan Stand(s) at the Rose Bowl

Are the prices clear enough to read here? What I cropped out (for the sake of the $ clarity) is a cashier wondering what the heck I'm photographing.

Given the amount of tailgating I was surprised to see lines (short) at almost every Fan Stand outpost in the Rose Bowl. Given the amount of traffic, however, I'm not surprised at all. I didn't get food here though. did You?

The Bruins are home again 9/22 at 7:15p v Washington

UCLA Fan and Food Zone

UCLA has a massive Fan Zone in Area H. Parking is available starting 10 hours prior to game time, which is no doubt the best time to arrive. We, arriving about 1 hour prior to game time sat in about 1 hour of parking-traffic on the way in (read: one hour of hating each other). We missed  the tailgating because we underestimated parking situation. That's what happens when you usually take public transportation everywhere. 
The Food Zone starts 4 hours before game time. Vendors include: American Pretzel; Baja Grill; Carl’s, Jr.; Funnel Cakes Etc.; Now You’re Poppin; PSI Drinks; Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ & Grill; Ralph’s Grocery Co.’ South Street and Teri & Yaki.

The Bruins will be home again v. Washington at 7:15pm on September 22nd.

UCLA and Robin's Woodfire BBQ & Grill

Given the Anytown, USA feel/look/touch/smell and, yes, taste of Pasadena, CA, I'm surprised to know there's actually a restaurant that's not part of a chain. Sadly I did not discover Robin's until entering the Rose Bowl. I would have liked to check out the main shop. Anyway, here's a great picture of the great looking meat and staff. Anyone who can speak to Robin's food, please do. thanks

Robin's Woodfire BBQ & Grill
395 N. Rosemead Blvd.
Pasadena, CA

Carl's Jr's UCLA Claim

Thank you for tolerating my earlier post re: September 11th; hard today to write first about fast food.
but not hard to write second about fast food...

Sitting in the Rose Bowl on Saturday - yes I have tons of pictures and info that I will get to when I figure out how to upload from my new camera - I noticed an advertisement that made me think. It said: Without us some Bruins fans would starve and it was for Carl's Jr.

Because the food is so cheap? Then stop hyping your $6 burger. Because the food is so healthy? Click here to make your own decision on that one: Carl's Jr Nutritional Info
And why would you go to Carl's Jr when there's an In-n-Out near campus? Can someone explain this to me please?

what is Muscle Milk?

and why does it have such prominent ad space in the Rose Bowl?

A mainstay of effective and convenient nutritional programs for serious athletes, Muscle Milk® is an “evolutionary” muscle formula that promotes efficient fat burning, lean muscle growth and fast recovery from exercise. Designed after human mother’s milk, Muscle Milk is the perfect and complete protein supplement for your nutritional needs. Muscle Milk is arguably America’s favorite protein.

Hmm.

UCLA / Rose Bowl's FoodZone

(from their website) As UCLA's premier pre-game place to be, the FoodZone is the spot for food, fun and football festivities! Enjoy good food, the sounds of the Bruin Alumni Band, special promotional giveaways and other exciting activities. A great location for Bruin fans to come together and prepare for the game, the FoodZone is located just south of the Rose Bowl's main entrance in Area H.

Gates open 90 minutes before kick-off. You can bring in sealed plastic (2 quart size or less) containers of water and empty cups or sports bottles. You cannot bring in any other rs, including cans, glass bottles, thermoses and coolers (except those needed for medical purposes) outside the Rose Bowl.

the Bruins first home game is September 8th v BYU...and the Scoreboard Gourmet will be there, first time in the Rose Bowl.