Dave from Carter-Finley

This is so intimidating ... right?

I’ve waited to discuss the new logo in hopes that it was a April Fools joke or something.  You know like those hideous new basketball jerseys that were unveiled on Twitter to then be scrapped a mere two days later.  Unfortunately it appears this design is here to stay as you can now buy it on t-shirts at the GoPack.com store.

The logo was designed by Jim Cox, a 1966 graduate of NC State, because he thought NC State was lacking a logo with intensity.  I promise I’m not making this stuff up.  He wanted to design a logo that would “get people fired up.”  After tinkering with this design, which was based off a painting, Cox boasted, “it’s intimidating – you can get fired up over this.”  Huh?  What?  When I look at this logo I want to go to sleep … or more like go and hide under a rock in embarrassment that our University would actually approve it.

I can’t really get mad at Cox.  He’s a proud alumnus that seems to love his school.  Although really looking at this logo I’d say that’s a little debatable.  Are we sure he’s not a “sheep in wolf’s clothing”?  He’s obviously a little out of touch at age 66, but he is a businessman and this is a good way to boost that bank account in these tough economic times.  I can’t blame him there.  I guess instead of doing this lame blog that is burning a hole in my pocket, I should be creating some lame logos that could set me up for retirement.

Maybe I’m just a little irritable from being cooped up in my house all weekend by the snow/ice storm?  Nope.  This logo sucks.  I still can’t believe the University “powers that be” approved it.  Unbelievable.  Never thought I’d say this, but I’d rather bring this back.

The Original Jersey Shore Cast: Pauly D, Mike "The Situation", Ronnie, and Vinny

So if you haven’t seen MTV’s Jersey Shore you really missed out on some ingenious cinematography. Okay so maybe that’s going a little too far, but it was very entertaining. There’s no denying that it has become a pop culture phenomenon. I’m not a big reality TV fan (the only ones I like are Hard Knocks, Amazing Race, Deadliest Catch, Dancing with the Stars, and Top Chef … well maybe I’m a bigger fan than I thought … no really, there’s like a million reality TV shows on nowadays, right?) so when I first heard about it I quickly disregarded it. Then the more and more I heard about it I had to check it out and I got hooked.

While I was watching the finale last week I began to wonder what Jersey Shore would be like with a cast of NC State football players. Excuse the double negative, but as I’ve told you before I’m never not thinking about NC State. There are a number of ways I could have gone with this, but I decided to limit my selection to Seniors and not even mess with re-casting the female characters. These football players are big strong guys and I don’t want to piss any of them off so they track me down and ruin this beautiful face of mine. Haha! Jimmy V said we should laugh every day. Your welcome.

Without further ado, here is how I would cast the NC State Football Jersey Shore. If there are any TV execs out there my contact info is here.

The NC State Football Jersey Shore Cast: Jamelle U, Willie "The Proclamation", Teddy, and Toney

Jamelle U – The level headed guy that gets along with everybody. A little self-conceited spending 3 hours a day on his hair and never missing his daily appointments with the gym, tanning bed, and laundry (“GTL”). Great wingman that never hesitates to jump on “grenades” for his friends. Doesn’t understand Judaism at all.

Willie “The Proclamation” – The audaciously witty guy that is always the life of the party. The ladies love him because of his “proclamation” and the game he has to back it up. He’s never afraid to perform a “robbery” of another guy’s girl … even a friend’s. Spends more time in the jacuzzi than anybody else. Knows he is the coolest guy in the group.

Teddy – The juice head that doesn’t really hang out with the rest of the guys because he’s busy wasting his time with a whiny spoiled bitch. Supposedly the best dancer of the group, but that’s very debatable “bro”. Always manages to find himself in the middle of a fight, but he’s a lover at heart. Loves to “pound it out.”

Toney – The down to earth mama’s boy that is overshadowed by the rest of the guys. He doesn’t let “pink eye” (or a torn ACL) hold him back from his dreams. He quietly goes about his business and everybody adores him. While the other guys GTL he’s busy doing “BPB” (basketball, pool, beach). Makes everybody laugh.

Disclaimer: This post is for comedic value only. The character descriptions are from the actual Jersey Shore and the cast selections are my attempt at humor and do not reflect entirely on the individual football players.

The above picture was taken at Oktoberfest this past year.  It’s a little grainy since I took it in low light with my iPhone, but it still says it all.  Go to hell Carolina!  Go Pack!

After reporting this I might have my NC State superfan card revoked, but it looks like I will not be attending the Kay Yow Spring Game on April 17th.  I petitioned TOB to push it back a week, but he’s a tough dude to negotiate with.  I will have internet access that day … at least I think so … so I just need somebody to take a video camera and live stream it on the world wide web.  I’m not joking.  GoPack does do that right?

I almost feel sick to my stomach, but an opportunity came along that I just can’t pass up.  Or should I say if I were to pass it up Mrs. DFCF just might kick my ass.  That is my birthday weekend so I’ll be another year older, but if you’re hoping for another year wiser too don’t hold your breath.  I will still follow Spring Practice closely and give my unbridled, insightful commentary.  Also National Signing Day is a little over a week away (February 3rd to be exact for all you lame people that don’t follow recruiting 24/7 … oops, I probably shouldn’t be calling my readers names huh? … oh well) and I will have a few posts on that as well.

I’m trying to come up with a cool, catchy sign-off like Adam Carolla’s “Mahalo!” but just can’t seem to come up with anything.  I’ve thought of the wolf howl, but how in the world do you type that … Ow-Ow-Oooowwww!  It sounds cool, but doesn’t look so cool written out.  Oh well, back to the drawing board.

When I remember Kay Yow this is the image that comes to mind.

Today is the one year anniversary of the beloved Kay Yow’s passing.  I’ll never forget how I found out.  The wife and I were down in the Dominican Republic for a friend’s wedding.  We were partying and have a great time totally oblivious to what was going on up here in the States.  I went to the internet cafe at the resort to check in for our flight home and saw the news on ESPN.

If anyone has ever bled “Red and White” that person is Kay Yow.  What an ambassador she was for NC State.  She also was a great voice for women’s basketball, cancer research, and her devout Christian faith.  During my time at State I attended many women’s basketball games mainly because I wanted to support and cheer on Kay.  Who couldn’t root for Kay?  She would grab the microphone after almost every game (win or lose) and thank all the fans for coming to support the team.  What a great woman.

Everybody knows what a great coach she was, but I still want to list a few of her career highlights:  729 career wins, five ACC regular season titles, four ACC tournament titles, a 1988 Olympic gold medal, a trip to the 1998 Final Four, and induction into both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  What a career.  NC State fans have endured a lot of mediocrity in the athletic program, but we were so blessed to have Kay Yow for 33 years.  In addition to all that she partnered with the Jimmy V Foundation to start the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

I had the privilege of attending two of her milestone games:  career win #600 on January 11, 2001 against Temple (pictured below) and win #600 at NC State on December 2, 2004 against Seton Hall.  Both games were special events that celebrated Kay Yow the coach and Kay Yow the person.  I’ll always remember those two nights.

Wish I had kept my sign as a memento.

In Tom O’Brien’s short time as our football coach he has done away with a lot of “NC State” people and things (more on that in an upcoming post), but the one class thing he has done is name the Spring Game in Kay Yow’s honor.  Thank you Kay for everything.  We will always hold a dear place in our NC State hearts for you.

Yesterday the Raleigh News & Charlotte Observer (until somebody comes up with something better that’s what I’m calling it)  reported that former NC State football player and head coach Chuck Amato has cancer.  He was diagnosed with a cancerous spot on his tonsil back in December and will soon undergo treatment.

The doctors expect a full recovery since the cancer was discovered so early.  DFCF sure hopes so.  My thoughts and prayers are with you Chuck.  If anybody doubts Chuck’s resolve just listen to this quote from the man himself, “Now that the word has spread, I want to assure everybody that I will tackle this challenge just like I’ve tackled coaching throughout my career – full speed ahead.”

I have always had a soft spot for Chuck.  He was the coach while I was a student and we won a lot of games.  He single-handedly changed the culture of the NC State football program.  Every Saturday that I walk into Carter-Finley and look around at top-notch facilities we have now I’m grateful for Chuck.  I still think he got a raw deal on how he was forced out, but that’s a topic for another day.  Chuck is still a member of the Wolfpack Nation so we all need to get behind him and support him through this ordeal.

The best graduation present I received. It is still proudly displayed on my desk.

Haven’t posted anything in a couple weeks because I’ve been working on DFCF v2.0.  Hope you like it.  Leave feedback in the comments.  While the design of the website may have been upgraded, I’m sad to say I have not been.  Oh well.  DFCF v2.0 will allow me to expand my NC State fanatical reaches in this vast cyber universe.  Enjoy!

It’s been a depressing bowl season in the DFCF household with the Pack not participating.  Watching also-ran teams like Temple and East Carolina playing for a chance at a 10 win season, something the Pack has only done once in the history of our program (thank you Philip).  Both Temple and ECU ultimately fell short, but it was still a kick in the gut watching them play for that distinction.

Then Virginia Tech, a program that was an equally mediocre football program as the Pack as recent as the early ’90s, completed their sixth consecutive 10 win season with a spanking of Tennessee.  The only team with a longer active streak is Texas with nine.  Congrats to the Hokies!  They have proved that it can be done … take notes Lee Fowler.

My breaking point came on Monday night watching the Fiesta Bowl.  Yes Boise State plays in the weakest conference in the country, but even still they have done an outstanding job of putting together a very very good football program.  Sorry, that is as far as I’m willing to go in my praise of the Broncos.  I don’t know, maybe if they change their home turf color to green I’ll be able to take them serious.  Just seems too self-righteous and gimmicky to me.  Anyway, let me get back on topic.  With Boise State’s win in the Fiesta Bowl it gave them their second BCS win … let me repeat that … their second BCS win … in the last four years.  That is two more BCS wins than State has winning seasons in the same time frame.

I’m not some insane lunatic that thinks NC State football should be a top 10 team every year.  More like top 5, right?  So maybe I am an insane lunatic, but with our football facilities, die-hard fan base, fine academic university, and desirable location there is no excuse why we shouldn’t at least be playing in a bowl every year.  Is that too much to ask?