Timing is everything, right?  Thus the shirt I’m rolling with today is a New York Rangers classic, inspired by their Game 7 victory on Saturday over the Caps, and their Eastern Conference Finals border war showdown with the uber-bitter rival New Jersey Devils in Game 1 tonight!

While I love the Rangers “Original 6″ classic crest, I tend to lean toward loving the diagonally spelled out team names on t-shirts more, as seen below (the young lady wearing the shirt simply closes the deal).

"MANLY YES, BUT I LIKE IT TOO!"

YOUR "MADISON SQUARE" GARDEN VARIETY

Well there you have it for today, Vintage T-shirt fans.  Cannot wait for the puck to drop tonight!!

I’ll be posting a new ORB Cool Vintage T-Shirt of the Day mostly every other day during the week.  Have a shirt you’d like to see featured, or have a photo of yourself in one of our shirts you think is cool, and want to share?  Tell us what it is or send it in, and we’ll post it up!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.  WE’RE NEW ON PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM TOO!

Outside of McRibs (when available) & M&M’s w/nuts (readily available), there is nothing that I am more addicted to then vintage t-shirts.  And since I am employed by the Original Retro Brand, I do not see an intervention in sight, nor do I want or need one (addiction denial).

I haven’t counted lately but the last time I did a few years ago, I was near the 400 mark, and I’ve definitely added a bunch since then.  Basically I can wear a different shirt every day of the year and I usually do.  My wife thinks I’m crazy of course, and rolls her eyes when I ask her things like “Does this Quebec Nordiques shirt make me look fat?”  I’m so obsessed that I’ll actually “feel bad” for shirts I haven’t worn in awhile, so yeah, I’m crazy.

I’m not alone though, right?  So for those of you who are as crazy as I am about Original Retro Brand’s great feeling, great fitting, old-school shirts, or just mildly so, I bring you the “ORB Cool Vintage T-shirt of the Day”*

COOL CROWN (shirt, not head).

For Men...

...and for Women.

I’ll be posting a new ORB Cool Vintage T-Shirt of the Day usually every OTHER day during the week.  Have a photo of yourself in one of our shirts you think is cool, and want to share?  Send it in, and we’ll post it up!

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.  WE’RE NEW ON PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM TOO!

*You may not think it’s cool, but as a vintage t-shirt snob, I offer it as my “kinda-expert” opinion.

Rock The Vote is where music and politics meet.  Original Retro Brand had the pleasure and good fortune to meet R&B singer-songwriter and rapper, John West, at the recent Rock The Vote-Original Retro Brand apparel launch.  John was kind enough to answer a few questions for us…

"...love the Rock the Vote sneaker t-shirt, it’s just got a really fresh/retro vibe..."

Andy:  Before you began your music career, you had other plans to make a living as a cartoonist.  Do you still want to pursue this other art form professionally, or is it more of an enjoyable hobby on the side now?

John: Yeah, cartooning used to really be my thing; political cartoons, comic strips, caricatures – but once I started taking music seriously near the end of college, I haven’t really looked back.  That being said, there’s a children’s book concept I’ve been sitting on for years that I look forward to getting published once I’ve built up a name for myself.

Andy:  I think you’ve achieved that goal John – Let’s see the book (I have a 7 year old who loves to read)!  Coincidentally you and I share the same birthday of May 11.  I have 23 years on you so I was 11 in 1971 when one of your musical influences, Carole King, released her epic “Tapestry” album.  Were there any songs specifically from that album that influenced your music and style?

John: Nice, same birthday!  Carole King’s entire album was so good, from the very first bars of “I Feel The Earth Move” .. My favorite track is probably “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.” Such a great concept and melody, and then with a crossover ability that got Aretha Franklin wanting to cover the same song.  Pretty dope (Speaking of “Pretty dope,” check John’s video below).

Andy:  Is it also safe to assume that growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had a profound effect on your musical influence as well?  If so, can you specify?  Or maybe it had more affect on you being an LSU fan?  Perhaps I’m assuming wrong on both?  Please clarify.

John: Baton Rouge definitely had an impact musically.  Some of my good friends in high school were jazz musicians so I used to catch my guys playing all the local spots every weekend.  That taught me a lot about the groove of good live music.  Plus there were a lot of jam bands playing around the LSU campus, so by the time I moved to Chicago at age 19, I had been influenced for sure.  And let’s not forget about gumbo.  I’m just saying.

We have the Ladies covered too...

Andy:  Even as a Georgia Bulldog fan, I can appreciate the best gumbo in the world… Ok, how did you get hooked up with the folks at Rock The Vote, and can you explain your role/what you do as a performer/music ambassador for the movement?

John: I met Kelly Fogel of RTV through our mutual friend Emile Kelman, who’s a fantastic producer/songwriter that I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot over the years.  It’s been great coming out to some of the RTV events like Rock the Vote and Original Retro Brand’s t-shirt launch during Grammy week.  I’m down to help spread the word however I can – voting means having a say in where the country is headed. That’s important to me.

Andy:  As you know, the Original Retro Brand has a line of Rock The Vote apparel that we’re very proud of.  Can you tell us what you like about our shirts?

John: I particularly love the Rock the Vote sneaker t-shirt, it’s just got a really fresh/retro vibe and meanwhile works as a great reminder to get to the polls come November.

Special thanks to John for his time, and especially for his Music and commitment to Rock The Vote!

Be sure to check out more on John West on his website at http://johnwestsongs.com/, and for more information on Rock The Vote, visit their website at  http://rockthevote.com/

What makes a Snapback truly a Throwback Snapback? Having a vintage logo helps, but how about one that looks & feels like it was worn by the old full service gasoline attendant you remember from the good ol’ days?  Not the clean cut guy from Texaco, but the one who worked under the cars too, and had tears and oil stains and smudges on his lid.  Well if you don’t remember the full service days, then that proves we’re really talking throwback here!

Original Retro Brand mudwashed Snapback Trucker caps ARE these caps.  Our mesh backs are the broken-in-anti-stiff style, so it’s like slipping into your favorite pair of jeans, but on your head!  I really like all of the caps in our current collection (and there is a whole new shipment about to arrive very soon…), but I can’t help but lay out my personal favorite TOP TEN, and here they are….

10. I'm a carpetbagging Yankee living in Atlanta 21 years via Long Island. Can't forget my 4 Cup Isles! Plus the dang Flames & Thrashers skipped town on me..

9. Can't you just hear Tone Loc referring to Alex the Dog in "Funky Cold Medina?" The Stroh's advertising pooch was a hit before Spuds Mackenzie.

8. Happy to don this Dons.

7. Always loved the Capitals Red, White, & Blue patriotic logo with the stars & stick. A Caps Cap for a Man's Man, I always say..

6. "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen" - UCLA Legend John Wooden. All ORB truckers have the vital little details.

5. Have to include any Hockey team that had a Hall of Fame goalie named Gump Worsley.

4. The bleacher bums at Wrigley stop drinking Old Style only long enough to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch, unless they’ve already spilled it on the ivy-covered outfield wall.

3. "You can observe alot by watching." Ok, this is the Scanton Wilkes Barre Yankees, but I can never pass up an opportunity for a "Yogiism." AND it's the only hat on our site that has 3 images!

2. Amazing to realize Hockey legends Gordie Howe & Bobby Hull played on the same Hartford Whaler team that made the playoffs in their first NHL season.

1. It's late Friday, and clearly the hat speaks for me: "LONG LIVE LONG NECKS!"

Like I said, I like all the truckers in our collection, but these are the 10 I’d like to hang my hat on (You can always count on me for cheesy references like that).

Before you go, please take a minute to follow us on Pinterest.  We’re totally into it, and would love to see your pins & boards.  We’ll be having a pretty awesome “Pin it to Win it” contest coming in the next few weeks, and you won’t want to miss it!

ALSO, FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER TOO!

10. Palm trees and Party like it's 1999. Oh, the Huskies won.

9. Fab 5 wasn't sleepless in Seattle.

8. King me! Crowning achievment for the Hogs first and only title.

7. First & only non-Wooden title for UCLA

6. Louisville would like to make it 1980 all over again. Maybe Kenny & Robin will bring them good luck..

5. 50th anniversary of the Championship nice for Danny Manning and Kansas. 2012?

4. Appropriate logo for long shot long horse # 8 seed Villanova who went on to win it all!

3. Phife Dawg from "Tribe Called Quest" down with UNC in 1993.

2. "Don't Give Up . . . Don't Ever Give Up."

1. Magic meets Larry. Still the highest rated College Basketball game ever.

Will we be adding the 2012 winner to the list?  YES.  We will be adding a 2012  Championship shirt to our Victory line for the winner, so get ready….

"VOICE YOUR SUPPORT WITH A VOTE!"

A lot of radio stations have Two-For-Tuesdays.

Today is Super Tuesday… and while it is mostly a Republican affair this time around, it is the perfect opportunity to understand the power of the vote… your vote.

That is what Rock the Vote has been about since its inception… getting young people to connect with politics and political movements, to organize and take action.  It does not matter what party you support, but that you voice your support with a vote!

Look at some of the artists who have been involved with Rock the Vote:  R.E.M, Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Blink-182, will.i.am and The Ramones, to name a few.

Do you think they all share the exact same views on everything?  Of course not, but they are out there to make sure you realize how important your opinion is… How important your thoughts are… How important your vote is.

We make choices every single day, from the simple to the complex.  We decide what to eat and what to wear, and then what to dream and what to do with our lives.

TO THE POLLS!

It’s easy to sit around and complain about the way things are.  It’s easy to look at politics and see the ugliness and not want to get involved.  It’s just as easy to take a stand, and that is what your vote is.  If you don’t think that every single vote counts, that your vote counts, just take a look at some of the election results in the past few years.  Every vote matters.

I remember being in Washington, D.C. on a lobbying trip several years back and realizing firsthand that I actually had a voice in this process… that these folks in DC were actually and truly MY representatives.  It was uplifting and empowering.

It goes like this… When people did not like something they would call and complain or send a nasty note.  This sounded like me.  I was and am a great letter writer… when there is a problem or something wrong.

So what if something good happens?  What do we do when our reps take a stand and put themselves on the line?  A lot of the time we do nothing, but that’s when we really need to call and write… perhaps even more so.  We need to make sure that we are being heard… and they do hear us, they do listen!

Each and every phone call and letter that comes into a senator’s or congress- person’s office is tallied… each and every one.  So if they are putting themselves out there, it is our job and our duty to let them know that we appreciate those efforts and approve.  This is key.  If all they are hearing is how bad they are doing things, then that is how they will vote in the future.  For better or worse, Washington is run on the almighty vote.  A politician cannot do anything if they are not voted into office.

So you see that one voice, one vote does makes a difference… a huge difference.

HIS VOICE (and yours) MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

When you purchase Original Retro Brand’s Rock The Vote gear that makes a difference, too, for you are showing your support for this important organization.  You are also giving folks a visual cue to engage and start a conversation.

“Hey, cool shirt.  Tell me more about Rock The Vote.”

Suddenly a t-shirt has opened up a dialogue, and a dialogue can become a movement.  It can be as simple as that.

Wear something cool.  Support a great cause.  Make a difference.

It’s your vote… use it!

Marc Goldsmith (pictured left) is an actor, writer and true music aficionado.  He is also a huge New York Rangers and Original Retro Brand fan (he’s got over 65, and counting, ORB shirts in his closet!). Thanks for your support and the guest post today Marc!

We highly recommend you check out his daily music blog at Marc’s Muse. http://marcsmuse.wordpress.com/

You can also check out the official Rock The Vote web page here.

That’s what happened for Samantha Ortiz when she answered our first Rock The Vote trivia question correctly on Monday.  But now it could be your turn.  Check the 1-minute video below, and then leave your answer in the “Leave a reply/Comment” section at the end of this post.  We’ll randomly pick a name from all those that leave a correct answer, and that person will win a FREE Original Retro Brand Rock The Vote t-shirt from our new line.

LET'S SEE THOSE ANSWERS AND GOOD LUCK!

Tonight marks the Rock The Vote – Original Retro Brand apparel launch being held at RON ROBINSON|Fred Segal Melrose. Rock the Vote and Original Retro Brand have partnered to celebrate Grammy week with the kick-off of the 2012 election and the launch of the exclusive Rock the Vote apparel line. Hosts for the 2012 Rock the Vote kick-off event include actor and singer/songwriter Bryan Greenberg, Grammy award nominated recording artist Keri Hilson and Kevin and Joe Jonas of the Grammy nominated, multi-platinum band, the Jonas Brothers.  Guests of this exclusive private event will be treated to a night of music, fun and fantastic fashion at RON ROBINSON|Fred Segal.

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

STATES BRAGGING RIGHTS

With College Football ending just a short week ago, it’s time to segue into what is already shaping up to be an incredibly entertaining College Basketball season.  Who saw FSU tarring & feathering the Heels by 33?

With the 2nd annual Original Retro Brand “High-5″ College Football contest officially ending last week too, it’s now time to segue into what will surely be an entertaining 2nd annual “What’s Your College Knowledge?” Basketball contest!

For those of you familiar with our aforementioned contests, you already know how this pick ‘em works.  For those of you just joining us, or for those who need a refresher, here are the rules:

1) Every Monday, I will post my 5 top college basketball games of the week and give you my predicted winners and why.

2) You will enter your picks for the same games (no point spreads; straight up wins & losses) in the “leave a reply/Comment” section at the end of this post no later than the following Wednesday by 6pm eastern standard time.  ****ONE ENTRY PER PERSON ONLY!!****

BEARS GET THE TIGERS BLOOD

3) Each following Monday I will announce which person picked the most winners, and that person will win a $50 Original Retro Brand Gift Card! In the event of a tie, all of the entries will be entered into a drawing to determine a winner.  It’s FREE, FUN, and that simple!

We’ll run this contest right up until the opening round for March Madness.  At that time we’ll step up our game with our 2nd annual “Bracket Ballers Challenge,” in which you’ll get the opportunity to test your picking prowess for the full bracket of 68 – $700 worth of Original Retro Brand gear will be up for grabs! Now let’s get this party started….

GAME 1:  1/17 – # 9 Michigan State (15-3) @ # 19 Michigan (14-4): Might as well start with the big in-state rivalry.  After Sparty dropped their first 2 games to UNC & DUKE respectively, Big Green reeled off 15 straight w’s, before being upset by Northwestern Saturday.  The Wolverines beat those same Wildcats just a few days before being upset by Iowa.  So who’s going to drop 2 straight?  Michigan.  Coach Tom Izzo will get MSU back in the win column in hostile territory.  SPARTANS – 56, WOLVERINES – 50.

COMMODORE'S COMMANDEER A VANDY VICTORY.

GAME 2: 1/21 – # 5 Missouri (16-1) @ # 3 Baylor (17-0): Sorry I couldn’t have tonight’s Baylor-Kansas game on the slate, but this is not a bad second choice.  My guess is the Bears will have a loss in their column when they host Mizzou this Saturday, and they will not lose a second straight game on their home court.  Perry Jones III is the sophomore stud who’ll lead the way.  BEARS – 63, TIGERS – 58.

GAME 3:  1/21 - # 15 Mississippi State (15-3) @ Vanderbilt (13-4): Vandy guard John Jenkins is scoring 20 points per game & will first take out Alabama on Thursday before heading home to repeat the feat versus the visiting Bulldogs.  I’m feeling the Commodores will give Kentucky and the rest of the SEC field a real run for the conference crown this year.  COMMODORES – 68, BULLDOGS – 60.

GAME 4:  1/21 – Alabama (13-4) @ # 2 Kentucky (17-1):  I hate to pour it on Alabama because they’re solid across the board, but this will end up being their 3rd straight defeat. Kentucky is just MORE solid, and “Big Blue Nation” will be vital in rolling the Tide right out of Rupp.  WILDCATS – 75, CRIMSON TIDE – 63.

RIP - TIDE, AT RUPP

GAME 5:  1/21 – # 21 Louisville (14-5) @ Pitt (11-7): If you think I felt badly for BAMA, I really feel badly for Pitt.  They take a 6 game losing streak into # 1 Syracuse at the Carrier Dome tonight (make that a 7 game losing streak).  Regardless, I am picking this game for my first upset special of the year!  I wouldn’t care if Louisville were 19-0 too because for this game, it’s all about the OAKLAND ZOO! PANTHERS – 55, CARDINALS – 52.

NO PITTFAIL

Clearly the Student cheering section for Pitt – The Oakland Zoo – can influence the outcome of any home Panther game.  Who do you think has the best student cheering section in the country?  Our friends at I Love College Hoops are giving you the opportunity to vote on the subject.  Cast your vote for the 2012 Naismith Student Section of the year.  Nearly 80 schools representing 21 Conferences are vying for the title.

We also have a new College Hoops poll over on the right, so place your vote over there, and then submit your picks for WEEK # 1 OF OUR “WHAT’S YOUR COLLEGE KNOWLEDGE?”!  Enjoy the action and GOOD LUCK!

In honor of the annual John R. Wooden Classic being played tonight, and the official launch of the Original Retro Brand John Wooden Collection, lifelong basketball and Original Retro Brand fanatic Steve Hufford has some very personal insight to reveal when it comes to the Coach…..

The 7 year old author in the middle with Coach Wooden on the far right.

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

“Before you can be a good leader, you must learn to be a good follower.”

“Be more interested in finding the best way, not just in having it your way.”

“Success is not something that others can give to you.”

“Discipline yourself and others won’t have to.”

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can.”

“It starts with hard work and enthusiasm.  There is no trick, no easy way to achieve competitive greatness and success – in basketball or in life.”

“Don’t try to be better than someone else, but never cease trying to be the best you can be.”

Coach Wooden’s wisdom is good for all eras.  That’s why I love the new “John Wooden Collection” that Original Retro Brand has rolled out.

You just can’t have enough of the coach’s aphorisms floating around out there.  Nor can you have enough tributes for this great coach and gentleman, who passed away at the age of 99 in 2010.

I had the good fortune to meet him twice.  First, when I was seven years old (see picture above), I had my picture taken with him at a sports camp at Bridgewater College in Virginia.  You’ll likely laugh at this, but I was more interested in getting to know the coach at the far left, Bucky Waters (then the head man at my dad’s alma mater, WVU), than Coach Wooden.  As absurd as that sounds, you should cut me some slack; though he had won a couple of national titles by the time that picture was taken, he hadn’t yet reached icon status.

Another UCLA legend

I didn’t meet Coach Wooden again in 1970, but I was an eyewitness at Cole Field House in College Park, Maryland, when his powder-blue clad UCLA Bruins beat Jacksonville University (whose legion of fans wore green and gold buttons loudly touting “JU can do”) in the NCAA final.  My dad had purchased floor-level seats for that one (is that a great dad or what?).  After the game I was able to walk onto the court and stand between the Bruins’ stars, Curtis Rowe and Sidney Wicks, as they were interviewed (on the radio).  In the picture to the left, Sidney Wicks sports a championship net and his Most Outstanding Player award; I was likely somewhere lurking in the background, trying to get a little bit of championship mojo to rub off on me.  By the time the tournament was over, I had set aside my Chuck Taylors in favor of Adidas Superstars with three powder-blue stripes, and I also began perfecting my Sidney Wicks glare.

The years passed.  My passion for basketball did not abate (and still hasn’t).  I was a decent high school player.  Sadly, not only did UCLA not come calling, but neither did Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Indiana or any of the other traditional powers.  Come to think of it, none of the non-traditional non-powers took an interest in me, either.

And so my basketball “career” ended after high school.   I went on to become a lawyer and investment banker.  For years I thought to myself, “I should find a way to get that picture autographed by Coach Wooden.”  Eventually, I hatched a plan.  Coach Wooden reportedly had breakfast every day at a tiny diner in Encino called Vip’s Cafe.  It was 2009 and I had an upcoming trip to LA.  I decided to build an early morning visit to Vip’s into my schedule, taking my picture with me.

Steve today, with his prized photo.

I got there at 7am.  It turns out that the Coach didn’t typically arrive until about 9am.  So I had plenty of time to get to know the waitress, who advised me in no uncertain terms, that “YOU MAY NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, REQUEST AN AUTOGRAPH.” Ok, ok, I get that.  I could just meet him and maybe shake his hand.  Got it.

Indeed, the Coach rolled in (literally, via wheelchair) at about 9am.  I got nervous.  After a few minutes, the waitress invited me over to his table where he sat with a caretaker and a couple of guys who had also stalked him and professed to ‘know him’ (though I was pretty skeptical of that claim, even more so after I saw them sitting at his table).  Tentatively approaching his table, I pulled out my picture and asked, “Coach, do you remember any of the people in this picture?”  At this point, he was about a year shy of passing away.  With a confused look on his face, he identified himself, but none of the others.  I suddenly felt bad for asking him the question.  I told him the boy in the picture was me, and that it had been an honor to meet him, then and now. Then I named the other coaches.  Even when prompted, he still had no recognition of the others.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then I shook his hand and left.  He obviously wasn’t all there by then, but given his accomplishments and the way he had lived his life, he was still a moral force.

A moral force – let those words sink in. We need a few more of those, don’t we?  I love the saying on one of these shirts, “What would Wooden do?” The top sports story of the year we just completed involved sad and tawdry events at one of the nation’s traditional football powers.  Pondering those events – who knew what, when did they know it and did they do enough to put a stop to it? – I found myself asking that question even before I saw the shirt.  What would Coach Wooden have done?  I’m guessing the right thing.  Doing the right thing was essential to his Pyramid of Success and the way he lived his life.  If we had a few more John Woodens in the coaching ranks – hey, forget that, if we had a few more John Woodens throughout all of our ranks – just maybe we wouldn’t face the same daunting moral, financial, political and other challenges that we have today.

So much for wishful thinking.  Here’s to you, Coach.  Thanks for the memories … and the wisdom.

Steve with his brand new Original Retro Brand JOHN WOODEN BASKETBALL CAMP shirt.

Steve Hufford currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his beautiful wife and three equally beautiful daughters.  I can vouch for this as I know Steve personally.  Having played several pickup games with Steve, I can also vouch that despite what he says about his basketball prowess, the man can still shoot the lights out!  Thanks for the great write up Steve and I know you’ll be watching the Classic tonight.

The Original Retro Brand exclusive UCLA John Wooden vintage t-shirt collection donates portions of sales to the Nell and John R. Wooden Scholarship Fund. The UCLA Wooden Collection by Original Retro Brand is being officially unveiled in conjunction with UCLA’s Wooden Classic game tonight at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

FOR UPDATES ON CONTESTS, FASHION, AND FUN FROM THE ORIGINAL RETRO BRAND,  LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER.

Time to put all the BCS whining and Heisman snub chatter to the side for a minute (we’ll get BACK to that another time soon!).  Let’s talk about the only College D – I football game being played this Saturday -  The 112th annual ARMY-NAVY game.

BEAT NAVY!!

The Midshipmen have won the last 9 meetings in a row, and lead the all-time series with a record of 55-49-7.  It has not been a particularly good season for either academy (Army 3-8, Navy 4-7), but you know this all goes out the window when the whistle blows.  Will the men from West Point get back in the win column for their 50th all-time, and bragging rights, or will the men from Annapolis rack up their 10th straight?

BEAT ARMY!!

I’m looking forward to finding out, but for now I’ll just embellish you with 10 straight that I KNOW are winners – The Original Retro Brand TOP 10 ARMY-NAVY shirts! SALUTE!!

10. Could this be Hanibal I, also known as "BUD"? Hannibal died after being kicked by another mule!

9. Bill the goat about to drop anchor on Army again!

8. This looks like "Buckshot", the only female Army mascot in their history.

7. Zipped & Navy sealed.

6. Never go wong with the basics. Army basic training, sir!

5. Navy to pull 'goat' - wool over Army's eyes.

4. Time to buck the Navy winning streak!

3. Middies are a "stand-up" bunch of guys!

2. Best of the basics!

1. "El Cid" was the very first Navy Goat mascot to GET 'EM!

I’m glad we have the tradition of this game to look forward to this weekend.  Can’t believe we have to wait until the 17th for the first bowl games!!  Seems strange not having a “High-5″ contest this week.   So strange that I can’t stand it.  What kind of Christmas spirit is this?  No FREE Original Retro Brand t-shirt to give away?  Gotta change that.  How about we have a special edition of the “High-5″ contest called “BOWLS IN THE POLLS!” ? Gonna do it.  Gonna go head to head with ya’ll on the 10 Bowl games featured in our polls (scroll up on the right hand side ->) that kick off with the Champs Sports Bowl on 12/29/11.   More games, more prizes.  Also going to have an “I LOVE COLLEGE HOOPS!” Basketball contest kicking off the first week of January with more games and more prizes given out EVERY WEEK.  I’ll even throw in some NHL action too – Hello WINTER CLASSIC!!  Keep your eye out for details next week right here, on Facebook, and Twitter.  So long sailors!

ANCHORS AWAY!!!