Looking to the Winners of this Weeks BIG Game
October 6, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
CollegiateCamo loves a good football game and there are several coming up this weekend.
Our “kick off” decal promotion for the winners of last week’s games has been a big success!
This decision isn’t like the games the big boys pick…it’s not a “Game Day” event.
But still, it’s a tough decision to choose just one game as our big game of the week . However, this weeks choice is clear. It has to be an inter office choice–Kansas State verses Mizzou.
CollegiateCamo has many connections on both sides; makes for an office divided for sure!
Which team will come out to be the big winner?
The local sports writers have it a “neck in neck” game. Mizzou had last week off so will that give them the needed rest for their injured weary team to play to victory or will K State continue the momentum from their good fortune streak of wins this season and have the bragging rights?
Could Mizzou be distracted about moving to another conference?
Could K State have the advantage playing at home?
Well, whatever the outcome there will be lots of “jabs taken” at the office next week.
Our BIG promotion for the BIG Game this week is that the Winners team FANS will receive 20% off their entire decal order. (Discount Code posted after the game)
Good luck to all…..
Best Season Openers
April 13, 2011 by MattTruesdale · Leave a Comment
Pittsburgh Pirates Home Opener
Written by Pro-Staff Team Member Matt Truesdale
On Thursday, April 7, I had the opportunity to continue a tradition started by my hunting buddies and me - the tradition of attending the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener. This is the 3rd consecutive year that we have been to the home opener, and regardless of whether the Buccos win or lose, it is still an extremely enjoyable time. Nothing can compare to a full day of tailgating in the parking lot with the American and Jolly Roger flags flying high, supporting our favorite ball club at one of the best ball parks in the country and throwing down a Primanti’s sandwich with an IC Light.
As the game rolled into the bottom half of the 7th and we sang “take me out to the ball game” I began to wonder what are the year’s best season openers? Here at Collegiate Camo, we not only get pumped up for the start of hunting and fishing seasons, but for athletic seasons as well! Because of the bonded love affair of outdoorsman sports and athletic sports being a common trend that we all share, I have put together what I consider to be the most anticipated opening seasons of each year from the least popular to most popular.
12) NHL and NBA: I understand that these two sports are completely different, especially during playoffs in the post season. Heck, the playoffs for both of these leagues are an entirely new season and a different more exciting game. Even though I am a fan of the NHL I just cannot get as excited for the first game of the year like I can other sports. I’ll just wait for the start of the playoffs…
11) Small Game: Have you ever felt that heart pounding, nervous, exciting feeling as a big fox squirrel slowly comes down the path toward you? Yeah, neither have I. Although I do enjoy small game hunting and the camaraderie with my friends, small game is more of a thrown together afternoon activity than anything else. Even grouse and pheasant are more annoying and frustrating than they are enjoyable to hunt. But seriously, have you ever heard of “squirrel drives”? Exactly.
10) College Basketball: How long is it until March? This year VCU proved that the college basketball regular season does not matter and the big tournament is the only excitement worth watching. Yes, the end of the season tournament may possibly be one of the most exciting post seasons in any sport, but the opening game is just a tease until all the madness.
9) Waterfowl: I will hand it to the waterfowl hunters. I have yet to get fully enveloped into the sport, but these guys are crazy. Blinds, decoys, boats, face paint, calls, you name it. This season requires a lot of attention to detail, equipment, management and site location which could only lead to excitement on the opening day. Seasons in, migration’s cancelled.
8 ) White Tail Deer, Archery: Why did I separate archery and rifle? If you have to ask this question, than you must only hunt deer with a rifle. There are not many feelings that come close to having a deer walk within yards from you, and the practice and preparation needed in order to slay a buck with a broad head. Unfortunately, the first day of archery cannot quite contend with the first day of rifle. Be sure to bring enough scent eliminator as the first of archery always seems to be too hot, sticky, and muggy.
7) NFL: The NFL opener is similar to a family reunion. Every year there is a reunion, you generally see the same people, there is usually something or someone new that brings interest and then there is something or someone that embarrasses you. The majority of NFL fans already know what they have regarding their teams. The NFL opener is exciting, but the NFL opener lacks some of the glamour and anticipation of other season openers.
6) NASCAR: Yes, NASCAR. I know you are all wondering how and why NASCAR is as high as it is on this list. The answer is that the “Super Bowl” of NASCAR is the Daytona 500, the season opener. You can disagree all you want, but you cannot argue the fact that Daytona 500 is a hugely popular event full of everything needed for a great opening day.
5) Turkey: The elusive thunder chicken is by far one of the most frustrating and fun species to hunt. Combine this birds characteristics with the preparation it takes to bag a bird and 2 opening seasons throughout the year, you can’t beat turkey hunting. No other species or sport has 2 openers in a year, and doubling proves this sport aint no turkey.
4) MLB: Our nation’s pastime. The spring weather. Smells of popcorn, hot dogs and beer. 9 innings of excitement and a packed house. The MLB season opener matches and exceeds the excitement, anticipation, and popularity of any sport. Yes, the 162 game season is long, but every game counts in the attempt of achieving one of the few post seasons spots. The fact that the MLB opener does not just bring baseball back, but also brings back the warm weather and the thought of summer heralds the MLB opener high in this list.
3) Trout: The opening day of trout season may be different for many people throughout the country. But where I come from, the trout season opener is a right of passage for children and a day long family fun event. Everyone, literally everyone comes out to the streams for the first day of trout, which does have a drawback. Although some lines may get tangled between those fishing, the trout opener continues to be a spectacle year in and year out. Each cast of the line holds suspense of the possibilities of pulling back a 24 inch brownie, or just a 8 inch rainbow.
2) College Football: Do I honestly have to make an argument for this one? College football is simply American and brings an eruption of pent in anticipation into each fall from the past season. Every year is different in college football. Unlike professional sports, lineups and rosters change on a routine basis, keeping the game fresh and new. But most importantly, with the college football comes the tailgating. Other sports have their loyal and crazy fan base that do provide a spectacle of amazement when showcasing tailgates, but college football fans do it best and on a larger scale. Every school has their traditions, their massive tailgates and their crazy fans. Walk around any college stadium on any home Saturday afternoon and you will find the most die hard and loyal fans of any sport. The fans and tailgaters could only relate to college football as having the best season opener of any athletic sport.
1) White Tail Deer, Rife: I should not have to explain why. There is no more popular, exciting, anticipated day for any outdoorsman than the first day of rifle season for deer. There is nothing more important for an outdoorsman than bringing home the venison and bragging about the previous days hunt over the water cooler at work. The first day of rifle for deer is essentially a national holiday in most areas. No other season opener is built into work and school schedules, allowing individuals the day off to continue the American tradition and to spend time with family members at camp.
Penn State Basketball – Short History, Current Look
March 11, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
Written by Pro-Staff Team Member Matt Truesdale
Penn State Nittany Lions
When college sports fans hear the name, Penn State, many thoughts may be compiled about the University. Great atmosphere, beautiful campus, ecstatic tailgating, and surrounding farm land are just to name a few thoughts about the Penn State Nittany Lions. But subsequently football is the primary focal point. The Penn State football program built by Joe-Pa has a rich history of tradition and excellence that is never overlooked. But far from the train of thought regarding Penn State athletics is the men’s basketball program. As a Big 10 school, and one that is highly regarded in popularity, it is astounding that the Nittany Lions have a history of poor basketball performance. As a graduate of Penn State and a huge sports fan it is personally upsetting that a relevant basketball program has not been established at PSU.
The PSU men’s basketball program is almost as old as the football program, both establishing inaugural seasons in the late 1800’s, with football first being played in 1887 and basketball in 1897. Although Penn State has not played a dynamic role in postseason play throughout the team’s history, there are some instances where the Lions have been able to light up the scoreboards. The following is a list of notable accomplishments that the Nittany Lions basketball team has scratched into the record books.
- 8 appearances within the NCAA Tournament (1942, 1952, 1954, 1955, 1965, 1991, 1996, and 2001)
- 1954 was PSU’s best showing by advancing to the Final Four, losing to La Salle 69-54
- In 2001 the #7 South Regional Bracket ranked Lions upset #2 South Regional Bracket ranked North Carolina to advance to the Sweet 16, only to lose to in state adversary Temple, 84-72
- Along with the 8 NCAA appearances, PSU also has 10 appearance within the NIT Tournament
- In 2009 Penn State beat Baylor to win the NIT Tournament Championship
As of March 10, 2011 the PSU Men’s team, led by Taylor Battle, reached the 2nd round of the Big10 tournament by way of a grinding win over Indiana. The 2010 season has been a mediocre year with missed opportunities as the Lions carry a record of 17-13 overall and 9-9 in the Big Ten. Today, the #6 Big Ten Ranked PSU men walk into Conseco Fieldhouse to face the Big 10’s 3rd ranked Badgers of Wisconsin at 9:00 pm ET. As the Nittany Lions are still on the bubble for a birth into the NCAA Tournament for the 9 possible time, this game is shaping up to be, by far, the biggest game for their 2010 season.
Will PSU notch another upset, with the opportunity for a win to propel them into the big dance? Only time will tell. If fate is on the side of the Lions for a birth into the NCAA tournament, Taylor Battle must continue his dominance and be lights out. But as the proverb states, there is no “I” in team. Battle cannot, and I mean cannot, do it on his own. Fellow team members Jeff Brooks and Andrew Jones must provide a big down low presence by scoring and controlling the rebounds in order for PSU to maintain possession and have more shot attempts by Battle and fellow guard Tim Frazier. It’s too obvious to state that if PSU wants to beat Wisconsin, who routinely owns PSU, the entire team must cowboy up and play with everything on the line. Why? Because everything regarding a 9th NCAA dance birth is on the line tonight at 9:00 pm ET.
WE ARE! PENN STATE!
GO STATE, BEAT THE BADGERS!
Is the BCS Bowl Bunk?
January 14, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
Is the BCS Bowl Bunk? Does it have to be so complicated?
If this topic were determined by democracy, the BCS system would be voted out as the method for determining the top teams in the country, and play offs would be in.
If the game of football was an exact science (no consideration of referees, suspensions and injuries) then the BCS system might be a viable method; not discounting the economics.
We live in a capitalistic country where money talks and football is enormous. Once the top teams are determined via some sort of play off, let the bowls bid and let the cash flow.
Ok, so let’s pare it down. Let me ask you – if you were the father, mother, brother or sister of a collegiate football player and you had watched him give his entire life to football at all levels from Kindergarten on, would you be in favor of the BCS system? Doubtful.
Sure, the really great athletes will move up to the ranks of the NFL, that might “one up” their college experience, but the majority of them will not. But this is a team sport and it takes a team to win. These are guys playing at the collegiate level and will not pass this way again.
There is just something so wholesome about the concept that, a) teams should advance on merit of their abilities and strength of schedule, and b) our country should thrive on the economic impact of the bowl games by allowing the free market to determine the exact bowl per team by bowl bids.
Why does life – and BCS – have to be so complicated?
Rivalry ON!!!
July 26, 2010 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
We are preparing for college football season the same way you are — by enjoying some ice cold drinks, grilling outdoors and talking about our favorite college sports teams!
Here in the Midwest, depending on what neck of the woods you’re in, we love our Kansas State Wildcats, Mizzou Tigers and Nebraska Cornhuskers! What is your favorite team?
We will be able to tell by our web store customers! From August 1 through October 31, every web order will count as a “vote” for your favorite college athletics team. We will tally the votes on November 1, and every customer that ordered items from the winning team during the contest will get 30% off your next order!
Let the rivalry begin!
