A Year To Do What I Would Like

"This is the most beautiful sight these eyes have ever seen!" - Daniel Ruettiger in the movie Rudy.

Rudy's father said that upon entering Notre Dame Stadium in the movie.

The following is a list of what I would do in a year to make me say that (keep in mind I am leaving off events such as the World Cup, Olympics, other events that come around every few years, and events in other countries because the list would be too deep):

The Super Bowl: Easy pick. The mecca of all sporting events in the United States of America. Tickets are at absurd prices for the event and offers you a big party to partake in. And not just one party, but a week full of parties. Celebrities and former athletes would be all over town for the best sporting event of the year in America. What better way than to celebrate the biggest event for the most popular sport in America with celebrities, beers, and the best tailgating foods ever?

NCAA Basketball Final Four: March Madness. The biggest, and most exciting tournament of the year. America's basketball amateurs playing for the pride of their school, instead of a contract like the professional basketball players, in a 65-team tournament. Buzzer-beaters, upsets, cinderella stories, side-stories... the tournament has it all. Hell, even businesses suffer in work efficiency during that time of year because of the time spent on office brackets for the tournament.

Baseball stadiums: The World Series is an easy choice, but who knows if I would pick the championship-deciding game. So instead I am going to pick the stadiums I would want to attend.

Yankee Stadium: Of course I would have to do it by the end of this upcoming baseball season because their stadium is being torn down for a new facility. But I would love nothing better than to walk into the old and legendary Yankee Stadium. Monument park would be a must see on the day, and I would prefer to sit in the bleacher seats with the "bleacher creatures" with an opposing teams' jersey on.

So much history is in the stadium, and my life would not be complete without visiting the "house that Ruth built." I am saving up to go this year.

Wrigley Field: Ah Chicago. Anytime you think of Chicago you automatically think of Wrigley Field if you are a sports fan. Crazy wind patterns, the ivy laced outfield walls, Chicago dogs, bleacher babes, etc. One of the world's most recognizable stadiums is a definite must see for me. It was built in 1914 and the Cubs started playing there in 1916. Not only that, but it is surrounded by bars and restaurants to fatten me up before and after the game.

Fenway Park: Oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. The Green Monster. Chowda Heads and the possibility of punching them in their own house. I have a strong displeasure for the Boston Red Sox, but the stadium is legendary and would love to attend a game. Then leave immediately to have myself disinfected.

I could name a lot more MLB stadiums that I would like to attend, but those are the top three. Really though, the ultimate would be for a road trip with a stop at every MLB stadium.

The Masters: I have never attended a PGA Tour event, but know about the Green Jacket, and Tiger Woods. Plus I heard people get hammered all day long following the players. Oh, and I guess Augusta National is a great golf course.

The Kentucky Derby: Big hats, lots of celebrities, horse betting, and mint juleps.

Who cares about those things when you have the infield to party at? People getting drunk, women lowering themselves, mud fights, and of course port-a-potty racing.


Outdoor NHL Game: The first outdoor NHL game in the United States was played on New Years Day this year between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres, and it looked like a damn good time. The game was a success ratings-wise and we will most definitely see it again in the near future.

Basketball Arenas: I would love to attend a Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals game, but here is a short list of the arenas I would want to see a game at...

Madison Square Garden: New York. Spike Lee. "Fire Thomas" chants. MSG is the arena that every player gets pumped up to play at. It brings out the best in all the players, well, except for the Knicks. But New York is considered to be one of the top basketball cities in the world. This is the first arena I would visit.

Boston Garden: Another choice for historical reasons. And I would prefer to see a game there when the Lakers were in town to face their old rival.

And that is about it. NBA arenas do not really carry the mystique of say, a football stadium carries.

Football stadiums (college and pro):
Texas A&M - Kyle Field: Many rank this stadium as having the best atmosphere in all of college football. Not based on the stadium alone, but for the whole atmosphere leading up to game day.

Notre Dame Stadium: Again an easy choice based on tradition, but would love to see an USC game there.

I also would have put the home of USC, the L.A. Coliseum, but have already been there and done that. Tailgating was great, the stadium legendary, and the after-parties bountiful. Plus, you can never go wrong by downing ghetto-dogs on the SC campus while carrying your drunk friend proclaiming, "this is what happens when SC fans drink!" all with UCLA apparel on.

Green Bay Packers - Lambeau Field: With Favre starting the game... and with snow coming down. The legendary field was voted number one in game day atmosphere and fan experience by a Sports Illustrated online poll.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Heinz Field: $4 16-oz beers. Enough said. What the hell. I thought the Angels Stadium beer prices were cheap. Mustard-colored seats and Terrible Towels waving all game long.

Indianapolis Colts - RCA Dome: Rest in peace. I would have loved to attend a game at the loud RCA Dome, but the last game was played in it after the early exit from the playoffs this year by the Colts. That just means I have to attend a game at their new home, the Lucas Oil Stadium.