What we need...

[JackJD]

Since the Jackrabbit football and cross country teams had the weekend off, I watched a lot of other schools knocking heads on the gridiron and I have an idea.

Have you noticed how, at the end of a big game, usually with schools in the South, the coach is escorted by one or two law enforcement guys in Smokey-the-Bear hats. You've seen it: escort the coach to mid-field to shake the hand of the opposing coach who has his Smokies with him and then escort the coach to the TV camera for a short interview, and last, escort the coach off the playing field.

Hmmm.

We're SOUTH Dakota. We need two beefy guys in uniforms with Smokey-the-Bear hats to escort Stig around at the NDSU game. How about a couple of those UPD guys from the tailgate area? They won't have anything to do when the team is in Fargo. The Smokey hats are pretty cheap (here's one for $9.99 link ).

[JackJD]

Re: What we need...

[ausbesticide]

Re: What we need...

get that Bada$$ upd cop that walks around the tailgate area with black gloves and shades to do it.

[JackJD]

Re: What we need...

Let's not bash the guys in blue again...but, for kicks, it would be funny to show up with some Smokey-the-Bear guys

[West-River_Jack]

Re: What we need...

I personally think that tradition of the Smokeys reeks of arrogance. It seems almost as if they think the football coach is so important as to merit protection similar to the president being protected by the secret service. I hope never to see that in Brookings.

[JackJD]

Re: What we need...

I wasn't serious. How about a couple of Smokey-the-Bear-hatted college guys escorting the managers on and off the field just for a little comedy.

[AnimalHouse83]

Re: What we need...

I wasn't serious. How about a couple of Smokey-the-Bear-hatted college guys escorting the managers on and off the field just for a little comedy.

That would be hilarious! Or maybe have them escort Weary Wil and Dirty Lil onto the field on Hobo Day?

Anyway, I've always wondered about the Smokies. I know they take their football seriously down there, but c'mon ... are they really a necessity, or as WRJ suggested, just a sign of arrogance?

[CatchEmAll]

Re: What we need...

When I was at DII Delta State all of the schools had the escorts, so it transcends multiple levels of NCAA football. Not just a big school thing. Never got an explanation as to why. And typically the home school provided the escort for both coaches in that conference, so smokey wasn't traveling with the team.

[1bunnies]

Re: What we need...

At ISU, the Iowa Highway Patrol escorted the team bus all the way from West Des Moines to Jack Thrice Stadium. They were on the field at the game and are for all ISU games. They were available afterwards to escort the buses out of town, had it been necessary.

[SturgisJeff]

Re: What we need...

I've got two smokey the bear hats I could bring down to the Indiana State game, but I have to leave the rest of the uniform home so I don't get into trouble.

[NorCalJack]

Re: What we need...

At ISU, the Iowa Highway Patrol escorted the team bus all the way from West Des Moines to Jack Thrice Stadium. They were on the field at the game and are for all ISU games. They were available afterwards to escort the buses out of town, had it been necessary.

Hell, as well as we played they are going to have a parade when the Jack's bus comes to town for another football game. The smokey will pick us up at the state line to make sure we make the game and don't forfeit.

[JackJD]

Re: What we need...

I think you can sneak a cowbell in under one of those Smokey hats.

[SF_Rabbit_Fan]

Re: What we need...

When I was at DII Delta State all of the schools had the escorts, so it transcends multiple levels of NCAA football. Not just a big school thing. Never got an explanation as to why. And typically the home school provided the escort for both coaches in that conference, so smokey wasn't traveling with the team.

I would assume (and this is purely speculation) that at some point there was an incidence/incidences of violence against a coach/coaches that prompted this tradition.