CASEY, CASSIDY, MARC & KAT @ THE BIG GAME

Let’s hear it for the women!  Cassidy Moore kicked some major butt.  The Original Retro Brand’s VP of Marketing & Licensing dusted the boy brass in the “12 Bowls of Christmas” contest.  In a dead heat with ORB CEO Marc Herman going into the last week of BCS bowl games, Cassidy swept the last 3 games, officially winning the contest after Iowa smothered Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. CFO Rick Schwartz had a brief winning streak midway in the contest, but ultimately could never overcome his slow start to get back in it.  Pathetic is the only word to describe my implosion.  I jumped out with a 7-1 record before tanking, and dropping 14 out of my last 18!  The final standings look like this:

Cassidy 15 – 11         Marc 12 – 14         Rick 11 – 15         Andy 11 – 15

Heath Cline of Columbia, South Carolina, had put his faith in Cassidy, and therefore he is the lucky winner of 2 FREE Original Retro Brand shirts of his choice.  I notified Heath of his good fortune this morning, and once he tells us what shirts he has chosen, we will post them on our Facebook Fan-page.  Congrats again to Heath and Cassidy.

1935 ALABAMA ROSE BOWL TEE

Of course I have to congratulate the Alabama Crimson Tide on their victory over Texas at the Rose Bowl.  They bended, but did not break, and held on after early domination.  Would you believe that I had a ticket to go to the game with my fellow competitors in the “12 Bowls of Christmas” contest, but bailed because I was sick??!!  The only place in the country where it was 75 degrees, sunny, and NOT SNOWING and I came down with the frickin’ flu!!   I did manage to watch the game from my hotel sick-bed and thought the kid (Garrett Gilbert) from Texas really rose to the occasion, despite what his stats showed.  Mark Ingram proved (again) that he is worthy of the Heisman Trophy, and Mack Brown completely lost his mind when he called a time-out with 17 seconds left in the first half to run a PITCH-PLAY deep in his own territory with a freshman QB still playing ice-cold?!  Ya’ll know what happened.

I will miss College football greatly, but as luck would have it, NCAA hoops is starting to creep into the consciousness (how about those Vols knocking off # 1 Kansas last night?!) and March Madness isn’t far behind!!  It won’t be long before we start another Original Retro Brand contest that will offer you weekly chances to win FREE gear, so stay tuned.  Please look for updates on our Facebook Fan-page and Twitter.

BRONCO BEATERS

THE CINCINNATI BEARCATS ARE 12-0, AND WILL BEAT THE FLORIDA GATORS IN THE SUGAR BOWL!

Who wrote that?  Yes, I wrote that, and perhaps I was off just a tad?  One prediction I did make correctly, was that the standings in the “The 12 Bowls Of Christmas Contest“ would drastically change over the weekend. Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman fared the best, picking 7 winners out of the 12 games played since our last update, while I imploded (Northwestern, Michigan State SHOULD have won!) dropping 9 games….P&U!!!  With 3 games remaining, the top dog is in a deadlock for first place with Marketing VP Cassidy Moore who has been the most consistent throughout the contest (CFO Rick Schwartz and myself are officially OUT of the running), and the standings now look like this:

Marc 12-11         Cassidy 12-11         Andy 11-12         Rick 10-13

This contest won’t be decided with the outcome of the Fiesta Bowl tonight when TCU faces Bosie State, but could be over after the Orange Bowl tomorrow which features Georgia Tech and Iowa. Marc and Cassidy have both picked the last 3 games differently (Marc has TCU, Georgia Tech, and Texas), so if they split the first two, the contest won’t be decided until the BCS Championship between Alabama & Texas on Thursday and that’s what I’m hoping for!

During the regular season, I made the mistake of picking against TCU twice.  I have learned my lesson.  The Frogs will out-gun the Broncos in an offensive explosion.  TCU – 45, Boise State – 38.

THEY HAVE THE HOOK-UP

The Georgia Tech-Iowa game is one of the tougher games to pick out of all the Bowl games.  Having attended a few Tech games this year, I can vouch for their explosive offense (they are my third favorite college team due to the fact I married into the situation, and have begrudgingly learned to accept and enjoy them over the years), but at the same time, the Hawkeye defense has yielded half the amount of points the Yellow Jackets have given up.  So who wins?  Gotta go with the heart on my sleeve.  Georgia Tech – 24, Iowa – 17.

And speaking about wearing your heart on your sleeve, I’ll have to go with my second favorite college football team (as written about in this prior blog post) to win the National Championship, and here are my very scientific TOP TEN reasons why:

10.  Tommy Nobis, the most underrated linebacker in NFL history (should be in the Hall of Fame!) and one of my very favorite people, played for Texas.

9.  The Longhorns have a cooler uniform.

8.  I am an old Baltimore Colts fan.  Joe Namath beat my Colts in Super Bowl III.  Joe Namath went to Alabama.  I’m still bitter.  Also the Texas quarterback is a Colt.

7.  I’m a Georgia Bulldog Fan.  You’d think I’d pull for the SEC.  Nope….Georgia ONLY.

6.  Since both teams have been in existence (Texas 1893, Bama 1892), they have played each other 8 times.  Texas has never lost.  They will keep that record intact.

5.  1977 Heisman Trophy Winner Earl Campbell is my favorite running back of all-time.  Yeah, he went to Texas.

4.  Mean people suck.  Nick Saban’s a meanie. He made Timmy Tebow cry!

3.  Texas mascot “Bevo” has been called “the toughest-looking animal mascot in sports”  Bama mascot “Big Al” is a cuddly lil’ ol’ elephant.

2.  Texas was ranked # 2 to finish the regular season in 2005, and a slight underdog when they ended up winning the BCS Championship by ending USC’s 34 game winning streak.  # 2 ranking and slight underdog is where Texas is now.  It’s De ja vue all over again.

1.  My boss loves the Longhorns.  I love my job.  HOOK EM HORNS!

Good luck to both Marc & Cassidy as they battle for the crown.  Please check back next Monday when we announce the winner of the contest.  I will also be reporting on my experience of attending my very first BCS Championship game, and announcing the first Original Retro Brand Contest for 2010.

CASSIDY'S HOT

With each couple of Bowl games played, a new staffer on a hot streak in the 12 BOWLS OF CHRISTMAS contest emerges.  After losing his first 4 picks, ORB CFO Rick Schwartz reeled off 5 straight wins before the Miami Hurricanes got man-handled by Wisconsin last night in the Champs Sports Bowl.  The latest  to catch fire is ORB marketing guru Cassidy Moore (pictured right of the gentleman), who has won 4 straight, after being the lone employee to pick the Badgers to win last night.  Meanwhile, I have lost 3 of my last 4 (You killed me Temple!) and feel the heat from the ORB Arizona Alumni triumvirate!  Word on the street is that Marc, Rick, and Cassidy, will all be in San Diego tonight to watch the Holiday Bowl featuring Arizona and Nebraska (I’ve got the Huskers!).  Here are the updated standings:

Andy 7-3         Cassidy 6-4         Marc 5-5         Rick 5-5

13-0

With all the hoopla surrounding the Urban Meyer resignation, non-resignation, leave of absence nonsense (actually made Tiger Woods a footnote for a few days!), and the Tim Tebow era at Florida coming to an and chatter, AND former Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly headed to Notre Dame chatter, the media in its lust to make a big story a behemoth of a story, has forgotten about something:  THE CINCINNATI BEARCATS ARE 12-0, AND WILL BEAT THE FLORIDA GATORS IN THE SUGAR BOWL! Now that will be a behemoth of a story. Bearcats – 35, Gators – 18. (Marc, Cassidy & Rick all have Florida & I’m home alone with Cincy)

The Grandaddy of them all features the Oregon Ducks versus the Ohio State Buckeyes.  The last time these teams met in the Rose Bowl was 1958, and Oregon quarterback Jack Crabtree won the Outstanding Player of the game award in a losing cause, as the Buckeyes were outplayed in every aspect of the game, but still managed to win 10-7.  The Ohio State defense has been stellar this year, but Oregon will outplay the Buckeyes again, and this time they will win behind Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli & freshman running back LaMichael James.  Ducks – 21, Buckeyes – 20. (All staff picking Oregon)

OREGON HAS ITS DUCKS IN A ROWS

Have to feel for Bobby Bowden this year.  He really doesn’t deserve the beating he’s taken from the press and fans, after being such a positive force for Florida State and college football for the past 50+ years (388-129-4 record!).  Will have to add a little more sympathy after West Virginia caps another beat down on the Seminoles in the Gator Bowl, at the hands of senior quarterback Jarrett Brown.  The Mountaineers put together a solid season, while FSU was plain lousy.  Sorry Bobby.  West Virginia – 28, FSU – 13. (Cassidy on her own with FSU pick)

While we are discussing legendary coaches, Joe Paterno (393-129-3!) put such chatter of his demise to bed a few years back by winning 50 games (13 losses) since going 4-7 in 2004.  The Penn State Nittany Lions go into the Capital One Bowl versus the LSU Tigers boasting one of the strongest defenses in the country.  Meanwhile, LSU has been very inconsistent running and passing all year.  It’s weird that I am a complete SEC snob, yet I have Florida AND LSU losing?  Penn State – 24, LSU – 17. (All by myself in picking Penn State)

And now we can add Auburn to the list……The Tigers lost their last 2 games of the season, while the Northwestern Wildcats stunned Big-Ten rivals # 4 Iowa with a victory, and then finished off their schedule with a huge win over Wisconsin.  Big “Mo” is with the ‘Cats in the Outback Bowl.  Northwestern – 23, Auburn – 21. (All by myself again picking Northwestern)

Enjoy the action tonight, and please check back tomorrow for more picks.

UNANIMOUS CHOICE!

For the first 12 Bowls of Christmas, the Original Retro Brand will give to you…….Our expert football picks (and a chance to win 2 FREE Original Retro Brand tees)!!

For most of the College football season, you have been blessed with only my superfluous insight and expertise at picking the weekly winners of the most significant games.  Reality painted a picture of mediocrity however (expertise duth not equal a record of 23-23!), and therefore it is time to bring in some fresh perspective for the REALLY SIGNIFICANT games.

I figured why not go to the folks in my own backyard, and have a little fun.  With that in mind, I summoned Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman, CFO Rick Schwartz, and VP of Marketing & Licensing, Cassidy Moore, to have them join me in picking the winners of the upcoming Bowl games.  We’ll keep it simple  for you too, ok?  (Who has time to break down every single game in detail anyway?  WE MAKE SHIRTS!!).  We’ll just give you each person’s list of who will win each game.  I will keep a tally up to, and including the BCS Championship game, and then post the winner.  The winner will receive a laurel and hardy handshake, and the loser will have to go to the Original Retro Brand warehouse and do inventory (have you seen how many shirts we have?!!).   You can win 2 Original Retro Brand shirts by sending yours truly an e-mail (andyphyman@gmail.com) no later than this Monday evening, 12/21/09, advising on which Original Retro Brand “expert” will be the overall winner!!  Any ties will be broken by picking names out of an Original Retro Brand hat.  So…….here are the Bowls and the ORB expert’s picks:

MARC              RICK              CASSIDY              ANDY              BOWL GAME

Wyoming          Fresno           Fresno                  Wyoming          (New Mexico Bowl)
UCF                 UCF               Rutgers                 Rutgers         (St. Petersburg Bowl)
Oregon State    Oregon State  Oregon State         BYU         (Las Vegas Bowl)
CAL                 CAL               CAL                      Utah         (Poinsettia Bowl)
UNC                 PITT              PITT                      PITT         (Car Care Bowl)
USC                 USC              BC                        USC         (Emerald Bowl)
Clemson           Clemson        Clemson                Kentucky         (Music City Bowl)
UGA                 UGA              UGA                     UGA         *(Independence Bowl)
UCLA               UCLA              UCLA                    Temple         (Eaglebank Bowl)
Miami               Miami            Wisconsin             Miami         (Sports Bowl)
Arizona            Arizona           Arizona                 Nebraska         (Holiday Bowl)
Oklahoma        Oklahoma       Oklahoma              Stanford         (Sun Bowl)                 VTech              VTech            Tennessee             VTech         (Chic-Fil-A Bowl)

ROSE BOWL PICK NEXT WEEK

Don’t ye fret, lest you think we’ve forgotten the rest of the BIG BOWL games.  This is just a taste to get warmed up for New Year’s Day & beyond.  Look for those picks next week.   Remember it’s time for gift giving, so send us an e-mail, and maybe you’ll be receiving the gift of Original Retro Brand.

*nobody picked Texas A&M

LOOKIN' GOOD @ TRUNK SHOW

It was a mere three weeks ago when Original Retro Brand CEO Marc Herman and Original Retro Brand retail marketing director Cassidy Moore, both University of Arizona alums, eagerly headed to Tucson for a *boondoggle weekend that featured the Wildcats first-time historical hosting of ESPN’S  College Game Day (see blog post here).

OFF TO THE ZONA ZOO!

Herman and Moore flew in bright eyed and bushy tailed, and full of optimism.  They made an appearance @ the College Bookstore on “Big Cat Friday,”  for a trunk show featuring the latest and greatest from the Original Retro Brand’s Arizona Collection.  The student body in attendance were happy with what they saw, and gobbled up plenty of new gear to wear to Arizona Stadium on Saturday night.

The game versus the # 11 ranked Oregon Ducks had Rose Bowl implications for both teams, and a win for the Cats would leave them in position to control their own destiny.  Alas, the Wildcats played their hearts out but came up short in an overwhelming and deflating overtime loss 44-41.  This setback only dampened the duo’s enthusiasm momentarily however, as they headed to the only place they knew could make them feel better – Dirtbag’s.  Yes, Dirtbag’s has been the Tucson institution for partying during the highs, and drowning all sorrows during the lows, since forever.  This night was no different (the slogan for the bar is “Dirtbag’s….A Part Of Growing Up”).

HAPPY HERMAN

After a long night of cocaine shooters (fyi: vodka, raspberry liqueur, grapefruit juice) and “healing” at Dirtbag’s, both Herman and Moore headed poolside at their hotel Sunday morning to reflect.  Gazing around the scenic view of palm trees and the Arizona mountains, they realized how things were not so bad after all.  Nothing feels better than catching some rays in the middle of November in Tucson.   Little did they know that things would definitely get better….

DIRTBAGS?

In case you did not know, the Wildcats made sure things got much, much better.  They would go on to win hard fought, back to back victories over arch rivals Arizona State and USC, earning them the right to play # 22 Nebraska in the Pacific Holiday Bowl.  Those Cornhusker dirtbags don’t have a chance.

*boondoggle: a business trip that combines both business AND pleasure.

Both have a superior product.  Both have a huge following.  Both are the best at what they do.  College GameDay airs the most comprehensive and entertaining College Football show (and have been doing so for the past 23 years), and the Original Retro Brand produces the softest, most durable, most comfortable t-shirts, with the largest variety of vintage graphics on the planet.

LANCE IN ORB,ON THE SET

The two will collide this weekend on the campus at the University of Arizona in Tucson, as College GameDay makes it’s first appearance there in the history of the program.  Original Retro Brand founder, CEO, and UA alum Marc Herman, will be there putting on his own show (as in trunk) at the College Bookstore Friday.  It is there where the apparel guru will talk retro, and unveil the latest & greatest Arizona Wildcat Original Retro brand collection (see details here).  What better way for the rabid students in “The Zona Zoo,” to get geared up in red?!  Marc is slated to speak with the Fashion and merchandising classes as well.

Of course the real collision will take place on the field, as the # 11 Oregon Ducks come in and try to put the kabosh on any thoughts of a PAC-10 run to the crown, and first ever Rose Bowl berth for the Wildcats.  Even though the Cats hit a bump against CAL last week, doesn’t mean they can’t knock off the mighty ducks (see ORB pick of the week).  Lest yee forget that Oregon came in ranked # 2 just a few years ago, before being whacked by a not so strong Arizona team.   Arizona is much stronger now, and will have a College GameDay student body gone mad, backing them up.

ZONA ZOO

Speaking of student body, Original Retro Brand Marketing Director, and Marc Herman’s fellow UA alum, Cassidy Moore (left, 2nd from right), will be joining him for the trunk show and subsequent pep rallies, parties &  and pandemonium (they’ll be attending the actual game too!).  I have asked them to take plenty of pictures, and plenty of notes describing what their College GameDay experience will be like.  I will be sure to post their findings and photos next week.   Another UA alum, and member of the Original Retro Brand family is CFO & partner Rick Schwartz.   Although Rick won’t be attending the big game in person, he will be there in spirit (may the Schwartz be with you! …sorry, couldn’t help myself).  Rick actually met Marc back in the summer of 1994, in a real estate & tax finance summer school class (oy vey!).  Both avid sports fans, little did they know then, that they would end up partners in a successful sports apparel business.  At that time, the Arizona football team was on the rise under coach Dick Tomey, and 2-time All-American Defensive End, Tedy Bruschi.  It was Bruschi who spearheaded the vaunted defense known as  “Desert Swarm.”   By the time Schwartz and Herman graduated however, the football program was going south, while Lute Olsen’s hoopsters were in the thick of a long run at NCAA tournament supremacy.  Fast forward ten years to the victory over BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl last year, and # 17 national ranking before the loss to CAL, and you have signs that football may be on the way back to Arizona.   A Pac-10 title would make it official.

This won’t be the first time the Original Retro Brand & College GameDay have been intertwined.  Back on September 19th, 7-time Tour De France Champion, Lance Armstrong, appeared on the set of College GameDay for the Texas-Texas Tech game.  Lance (Lance takes a stance) left no doubt of his allegiance, by donning his Original Retro Brand Texas Longhorns shirt.

CORSO WILL WEAR WILBUR!

So be sure to tune in to College GameDay this Saturday morning.  I’m guessing Lee Corso will end the show (as he always does, wearing the mascot headgear for the team he believes will win the game)  with a big WILBUR on his head!  And if you want to see the craziest, and loudest, screaming guy and girl in red Arizona Original Retro Brand shirts, you should be able to spot Marc and Cassidy on College GaneDay!