101 Things All Sports Fans Must Experience Before They Die

[UNHWildCats]

30. Bayou Classic (November, New Orleans). It may not have the high-ranked teams of other rivalries, but the Classic matches two legendary football powers (Grambling and Southern), adds the Battle of the Bands and crams it all into one weekend in New Orleans. It certainly beats a Saturday afternoon in Norman, Okla.

72. The Beanpot hockey tournament (first two Mondays in February, Boston). Because you'll never see athletes competing this hard for a beanpot anywhere else.

(Northeastern and Harvard)

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=caple/070625

[already123]

i agree...anyone who hasn't experienced the Classic's amosphere really hasn't been to a football game down south!

[Eyes of Old Main]

I've got some work to do.

I've only checked off:
9) Wimbledon (1995)
15) Red Sox/Yankees (Early 90's, Clemens pitching for the Sox in Fenway)
41) NBA Courtside (13th Row, Maybe a Stretch, Hornets/Blazers in Charlotte)

[Grizalltheway]

33. The All-Africa Amputee Football Tournament (Sierra Leone). The first tournament featured African war victims, six one-legged players and a single one-armed goalkeeper to a side. If you need any more information than that to pique your interest, you might as well hand in your human race membership card.

xeekx How on earth does one kick a soccer ball with only one leg?

101. Driving the Ring (daily, western Germany). There is no speed limit on Germany's autobahn and there is nothing quite like doing 100 mph only to have a family in a station wagon honking at you to pull over and let them pass. But if the autobahn isn't fast enough for you, try out the 14-mile, 170-turn Nurburgring. The former Grand Prix course was closed to Formula One racing for decades before returning this year (too dangerous) but it's open to the public to drive at speeds of up to 150 miles. Just promise one thing: That you won't attempt this until you've accomplished the previous 100.

I haven't seen this, but I've driven it on Gran Tursimo. Taking a crotch-rockect on this thing without knowing what you're doing is basically a death-sentence.

http://www.nuerburgring.de/typo3temp/pics/0af188447e.jpg

[th0m]

I know he said at the top that he didn't want too many from one sport, but how can he possibly list a dogshow and not list, say, Real-Barca at Bernabeu or Nou Camp...

[Grizalltheway]

I know he said at the top that he didn't want too many from one sport, but how can he possibly list a dogshow and not list, say, Real-Barca at Bernabeu or Nou Camp...

Didn't you catch the part where he said "and if a team actually scores, so much the better!". The guy obviously doesn't respect soccer, he just put the World Cup on there because of it's undeniable popularity. He probably doesn't even know who Real and Barca are. xnonono2x

[th0m]

Well to his defense, he did put Chelsea-Arsenal in there.

[813Jag]

i agree...anyone who hasn't experienced the Classic's amosphere really hasn't been to a football game down south!
I agree and when the SWAC is on the line the atmosphere is even better. I think everyone should expierence the Classic, at least getting drinks on Burbon Street. xlolx xlolx

[spelunker64]

I was in New Orleans a couple years back during "Classic" weekend. What an awesome atmosphere. It was fun talking with some of the fans.

[spelunker64]

39. Town ball in Minnesota (summer, towns throughout Minnesota). Town ball (baseball played by amateurs for their local town teams) is the last pure sport in America. You know the diamond in "Field of Dreams"? There are at least a dozen such fields in Minnesota where the local teams play a couple of nights a week each summer. Many of them have a cornfield on one side and a cemetery on the other, which is a fitting arrangement: life and death with baseball in between.

North Dakota as well. McQuade tournament ring a bell...

[Tealblood]

did any of you watch the video from the tough guy race. That looked likea lot of nuts but I might like to try it.

[Cobblestone]

15. Red Sox-Yankees game (April-October, Boston or New York). Stories about this rivalry already run 24/7 at ESPN.com, so there's nothing more to add other than this warning to be sure and wear the proper "[NAME THE OPPONENT] SUCKS" T-shirt.


16. Hall of Fame induction (July, Cooperstown, N.Y.). Two things make baseball's Hall of Fame superior to the others: the sport's sense of history and the museum's location (let's just say that Cooperstown is slightly more picturesque than Canton). Anytime is a good time to visit Cooperstown, but if you can find a hotel room, it's hard to top induction weekend, when baseball's legends return so heroically, it's as if they're walking in from the cornfields.

I've done these two.

[Cobblestone]

64. Wife Carrying World Championships (June in Sonkajarvi, Finland). The hardest thing about the WCWC is telling your wife she needs to go on a diet. The best part is watching the Estonians virtually sprint over the hurdles and through the wading pool on this 253-meter course with a WOMAN ON THEIR BACKS in less than a minute. Goofy? Yes. Amazing? Yes. A hell of a lot of fun? Definitely.

I'd like to enter this. Since my wife weighs exactly 100 lbs. I think I might have a good chance of winning.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

No Lehigh/Lafayette? xconfusedx

[PaladinFan]

Paladinfan has 3 of the top 10 knocked off. Been to see a final round at Augusta, attended the 1992 world series in Atlanta, and attended the 1996 summer games in Georgia.

[OL FU]

I only have two.

ACC Tournament and Little League games.
I was suprised the MLB allstar game wasn't on the list. I have seen one of those.

Which confirms what I always knew. I am not really a "sports fan". My sports fanshipxconfusedx is basically limited to college sports. xnodx

[Eyes of Old Main]

I haven't seen this, but I've driven it on Gran Tursimo. Taking a crotch-rockect on this thing without knowing what you're doing is basically a death-sentence.

http://www.nuerburgring.de/typo3temp/pics/0af188447e.jpg

You hit the nail on the head. Nuerburgring is mega-tough on GT4.

[Ivytalk]

I've taken care of items 4, 6, 13, 15, 20, 34, 35, 62, 72, 90 and 99. Harvard actually won a couple of Beanpot tournaments while I was there, and the event was intense and fun. But miles to go before I sleep...xcoolx

[jessesd]

1 Barcelona, Atlanta and going to China next year, 2 Mexico 96, allof the monterrey games, 3 Salt Lake City, 4 score Tickets for a Marlin-Yanks game (use most of my year college budget), 5, 6 Tampa and Ft Myers, 9 My parents took me as a kid to wimbeldon when we live in Surrey,10 Le tour twice 2001 and 2002, 11 several games, Gunnies at old Stratford and the reds at Antfield, 12 rose bowl parade and game, Lived in LA for a while and our family camped for the parade and celebrated new years with the campers and my Dad and I went to the game later on; 14 CWS several times in the 90’s, 15 in Boston and New York, 16, 18, 20 Calgary and Tampa in Tampa, 22 not the bleachers tough, 27 ahhh the SEC!!!, 28, 29 booring!!! 32, 34, 35 I ran parts of it…didn’t finish bahhh!! 36 in Minneapolis, 38, 45, 46 in 2002, 49 in Mazatlan back in late 80’s as a kid, 53 Green bay game in 1999 it was cold!!!, 55 world figure skating my wife (g-friend at the time) made me do it,(didn’t like it….lol), 58 nothing exciting, just another rodeo, the one in Las Vegas is more spectacular, ,63 at Florida 3 days in the rain for a 2006 UK-UF b-ball and we won!, 67 sumo in Japan, don’t ask me, it was a tourist thing, it was weird!! 68 Le mans, its different type of car racing party…. Way too long if you ask. 71 Lived in South Dakota and went several times (look at my schools), 72 will be done this season!!! 73 did it shortly after the movie came out…. Not that excited, just another ball game! 74 Saratoga racing will be taken care this summer for sure, not too far from here. 75 beqach volley in LA, 77 Paris Dakar rally we drove several miles in a land rover following the route in Morocco a week after the rally, it was fun!! 79 I attended several games in London Ontario last season, 81 any type of hockey in Minnesota is crazy plus nothing to do at that time in the Midwest!!!, 84 former Raiders fan, 87 Raiders at KC, 90 little league game, played and also as spectator, 92 Cricket Pakis + Indians in England = insanity, fights and excellent game and I know nothing about cricket!!! 93 be there to cheer on the Japanese dude next week, 98 we lived and still have a winter home in Baja, 99 globetrotters many times, last winter in Syracuse was the last time, always a classic, and the 101 we did it on a 2001 Merc C-220,

Not many left to do…. Boy, I’m going to die soon, been around the block too many times.
I got to do the stupid dog show eventually before we leave NewYork (wife wants to!!). And Have to make it to Maracana some day!

[chantster]

1. Summer Olympics - 1996 Atlanta

4. World Series - 1967 Red Sox vs Cards Game two @ Fenway
1991 Braves vs Twins Game Four @ Fulton County

5. NCAA Regionals - A few times in Atlanta and Greensboro, NC

6. Spring Training - A few times. Red Sox and Dodgers. See Ted an Koufax.

7. NFL Conf. Championships - 1998 (?) NE Pats at Jax

8. The Masters - Almost every year since 1991

15. Red Sox vs NYY - At Fenway and the Bronx a few times

16A - Induction @ Cooperstown - Been there, but not for induction

19. Duke vs UNC Basketball - Mainly late 60's and early 70's. Big Heel fan.

24. ACC Tournament - same as above in Greensboro.

27. SEC Tailgating - A few dozen times. GO COCKS!

35. Boston Marathon - 1996 as spectator.

38. Auburn vs Alabama - 1974 with brother in law who played at Bama.

44. Play Pebble Beach - 1997

45. Daytona 500 - 1990 and 1991

84(A) - Raiders game in Black Hole. Walked and stood in black hole 4th quarter. 1997

90. Little League - should be a gimme for all.

99. Harlem Globetrotters - MSG in 1966 or 67.

On My Sports "To Do List":

1. Play St Andrews Old Course
2. Watch game @ Wrigley
3. Play Cowboy on Cattle drive
4. Watch game @ Notre Dame
5. Drive on Nascar track

[813Jag]

I've done 8 of them. (6, 27, 30, 34, 41, 61, 63, 90, 99) Got lots of work to do. I hate that the ACC tourney was in Tampa and I couldn't go. I want to play a little ball at the Rucker, I watched the EBC on TV all the time.

[SU Jag]

The CIAA Tournament really should be up here!xnodx

[UncleSam]

How can you have a list of the Top 101 things sports fans must experience before they die and NOT have an ARMY/NAVY game on the list???

[Lehigh Football Nation]

How can you have a list of the Top 101 things sports fans must experience before they die and NOT have an ARMY/NAVY game on the list???

Nor "Harvard/Yale" or "Lehigh/Lafayette". xsmhx

[T-Dog]

I've only done 61 and 75 and I found this funny


18. The F.A. Cup (fall-spring, England). You think your NCAA office pool is over the top? England's F.A. Cup, which was first held in 1871-72 -- eight decades before the first Xerox was released -- had 687 teams competing last season. And better yet -- Billy Packer didn't call a single one of the matches.

BURN!

[mcveyrl]

I only have two.

ACC Tournament and Little League games.
I was suprised the MLB allstar game wasn't on the list. I have seen one of those.

Which confirms what I always knew. I am not really a "sports fan". My sports fanshipxconfusedx is basically limited to college sports. xnodx

All-star game was No. 42

[blueballs]

I reviewed the list and have done the following:

1) Summer Olympics- in Atlanta in 96
2) World Cup- in Orlando in 94
4) World Series- in Atlanta in 91,96,99
5) NCAA tourney- in Orlando, a few times
6) Spring training- in FL, all over, every spring
8) Masters- in 1983
13) NBA Finals- 1995 in Orlando
20) Stanley Cup playoffs- in Tampa a few times
27) SEC tailgate- many times, I grew up in a UGA household
42) NBA in the springtime courtside- I have Magic season tix 11 rows off the floor
43) MLB All Star game- 1993 in Baltimore
46) Daytona 500- a few times
89) Monday Night Football- in Tampa, Jax, and 2 Labor Day games in Athens
91) Little league- played, umped and coached
100) Globetrotters- when I was a kid every year in Macon, GA when they had Lemon, Neal, Haynes, etc. and my hero Red Klotz

So, overall 6 out of the top 10 and 8 of the top 20; not bad for a boy from South Georgia.;)

A couple of events not listed would have to be the UGA/UF game (the world's largest outdoor cocktail party) & the Army/Navy game.

[already123]

a few rivalry games I think they could have thrown on there
1)Texas/Texas a&M game...anyone who has been in the entire STATE of texas during that weekend sees only two colors, burnt orange and maroon.
2)UM v MSU...the brawl is a FCS classic. Year after year it is the game of the week
3)the Red River shootout is also a good one as well

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

I'd also add onto that list a Redskins vs. Cowboys NFL game. I also agree about the Army vs. Navy game.

Can't remember the numbers, but I think I did about 4 on the list, and I'll add to it by going to the US Open in August. Wish I could have made it last year being Agassi's final year and all...

[NDSUFREAK]

I've got some work to do.

I've only checked off:
9) Wimbledon (1995)
15) Red Sox/Yankees (Early 90's, Clemens pitching for the Sox in Fenway)
41) NBA Courtside (13th Row, Maybe a Stretch, Hornets/Blazers in Charlotte)

You've been to wimbledon!!??? I envy you

[NDSUFREAK]

....What with the setting, the tennis and Maria Sharapova....

xnodx xnodx xlolx

[already123]

yes, Army Navy game def should have been on there. You not only enter that game excited about football and the rivalry, but you leave with an overwhelming sense of pride and honor as you watch these young adults cheer for a greater cause (represented by a team on the field). It is truly an exciting and humbling experience!!

[PantherRob82]

six isn't bad...

5. NCAA subregional (March, various sites). The only problem with March Madness is that the championship game too seldom lives up to the previous two weeks of cuticle-devouring excitement. For the best experience, steer clear of the actual Final Four and go to a subregional instead. You get more games (four the first day), more upsets, more spirit and enough excitement to leave even Dick Vitale hoarse.

22. Cubs game in the Wrigley bleachers (April-September, Chicago). If a foreign tourist flew into the U.S. and asked for the quintessential American experience, the first choice would be Disneyland. The next would be a day game in the Wrigley bleachers with the sun shining, a breeze blowing out, the ivy crawling up the outfield wall, a cold beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other. Just plan your trip before October.

62. Midnight Madness (October, all over the country). An annual late-night party at campuses across the country. (Say hi to Larry Eustachy if you see him.)

64. Camp out for tickets (any event). If a game isn't worth investing a cold, wet night in a tent with hundreds of other rabid fans and sharing your love for a common goal, then maybe you should reassess your priorities in life.

91. Little League game (spring, early summer, everywhere). The Little League World Series always seems a bit much, what with the national cameras and all. Better to see the game at the local level, where all the joys, pressures and obnoxious parents can be seen for the price of a snow cone.

100. A Harlem Globetrotters game (many dates, many cities). Forget the trick plays and the Gilligan's Island movie -- this is an extremely talented, very entertaining team. And admit it. You can't hear "Sweet Georgia Brown" without feeling good, can you?

[NDSUFREAK]

82. Minnesota high school hockey tournament (March, Minnesota). As with Indiana basketball, this tournament isn't what it once was when all high schools competed together regardless of size (Roseau, with an enrollment of about 400, won the last single-class tournament). But it remains as much a part of state culture as Prince, tater tot hot dish and "Fargo."

tater tot hot dish.....

[chattanoogamocs]

1. Olympics
(Atlanta, Opening Ceremonits, Field Hockey Medal Round, Last Night of Track and Field)

4. World Series
(Atlanta, vs. Blue Jays...bonus point: I was at the game that Toronto won the title...while not as cool as seeing the Braves win it, it is still a pretty rare thing to get to actually see a team win it all...great game too, Game 6, went to 11 innings)

5. NCAA Subregional
(Providence vs the MOCS in 1996!)

6. Spring Training
(Braves, others)

22. Cubs game in the Wrigley bleachers
(bonus point: also got to take a tour of the stadium and field on an off day, double bonus point: have also sat in the stands on top of one of the apartment buildings across from the outfield)

27. Tailgating in the SEC
(many times, many places)

35. MLB Opening Day
(Multiple times...the last being just about 7 weeks ago! bonus point: went to "THE" opening day...Cincinnati Reds...the parade and everything)

36. Boston Marathon
(My dad ran it...I watched from a secure, undisclosed, location...aka a Bar on the route...on Comm Ave?)

49. Lady Vols game
(many times, mainly vs the Lady Mocs!)

53. Golden Gloves tournament
(right here in Chattanooga!)

62. Midnight Madness
(Back when Midnight Madness was still cool...Go Mocs!)

64. Camp out for tickets
(so many times, for so many reasons)

79. Rickwood Classic
(bonus point: also went to the last home game of the Durhman Bulls before they moved to their new stadium, bonus point: also been to many great games at Chattanooga's old Historic Engel Stadium...two favorites, the first time Jordan played there as a B'ham Baron...they sold 13,000 tickets to a 9,000 seats stadium and USA vs Cuba the week before the Atlanta Game...we sat in the outfield and kept chanting that the right fielder should defect)

88. "Monday Night Football"
(Titans/KC...snowed most of the game...cooooold...packed in like sardines)

91. Little League game
(who hasn't?)

100. A Harlem Globetrotters game
(one of my favorite early memories was being the kid that held the finger up, while Meadowlark Lemon spun the ball on it...I was about 5 (1974?), it was back when our old Memorial Auditorium had a basketball court)


Near Misses:

15. Red Sox-Yankees game
(Haven't been to a Yanks/Sox game...but have been a number of times to Fenway...and I have touched the green monster...that ought to count for something!)

74. Field of Dreams Ghost Sundays
(Haven't been for a Ghost Sunday...but I have been...in August, when the corn is near its highest)

94. Hot dog eating championship
(how about the Krystal World Championships at Finley Stadium!?)

[AZBison]

Can't believe he left off watching the Phoenix Open (FBR Open) also known as "The Greatest Show on Grass" from the 16th Hole. It's more like watching a football game. the crowd is rowdy and drunk and after the days golf is over you head over to The Birds Nest for live music, girls and more booze!


The most popular hole for spectators to watch is the 16th hole due to the "Amphitheatre" atmosphere of the hole, created by the stands erected every year before the tournament. The hole could be described as "one big party", with many students from the nearby Arizona State University. Poor shots at the 16th hole receive boos, because the hole is very easy by the PGA's standards. Good shots, however, are cheered for loudly.


This is the best attended golf tournament of every calendar year, and in 2006 the FBR Open set a PGA Tour single day attendance record with over 168,000 fans in attendance on Saturday, Feb. 4, as well as a tournament week attendance record of 536,367 fans.

[Grizalltheway]

You've been to wimbledon!!??? I envy you


My sister was in Paris during the French Open this year, but doesn't have much interest in tennis, and didn't feel like spending the money to attend. I wanted to strangle her!! xbangx xanim_chaix