My first Apple Cup
I'm a big college football fan, one who values the tradition, the pageantry and the rivalries. Finally, after 13 years in Spokane, I'll be attending my first Apple Cup on Friday. UW and WSU are great rivals and there is plenty at stake in this game to be played in Pullman. I can't wait.
But first, some background. Rivalry games are something special, much more so in football than basketball. I've had the opportunity to attend some special ones, such as:
The Old Oaken Bucket game, featuring Purdue University and Indiana University. I attended the game with my brother Dennis in 1966, when the Boilermakers pasted IU, 51-6, in 1966, en route to Purdue's first-ever Rose Bowl.
A Purdue-Notre Dame game, again with my brother, a proud Purdue alum. The Irish won that year, more than three decades ago.
A Kansas State-University of Kansas game when my son Chris was a senior at K-State. K-State won in a thrilling game in Manhattan, Kansas, known as the Little Apple.
The Penn State-Ohio State game in 1993, with my stepfather, Joe Maksl. It was Penn State's first game in Columbus as a new member of the Big 10 conference. Pop was a loyal Ohio State grad and he loved sitting in the snowflakes to see his team win.
The Ball State-Indiana State Blue Key Victory Bell games back in the 1970s when I was a student at Ball State. Humor me on this one, OK? I'm a loyal Ball State alum, class of '72.
I was blessed to attend several of the above-mentioned games with family members, which is really the reason I'm writing about all this. It took me years to realize that attending football games with my family members was every bit as much about the fellowship and mutual respect as it was the excitement and outcome of the game. Following sports teams with family is very much about having a common language and sharing of experiences. Even now, although my sweet brother and my good-hearted stepfather are no longer alive, sports is a common language I share with my son, my sister, my nieces and nephews. It binds us in ways that can't be measured or calculated. I like it that way.
As I head to my first Apple Cup game by myself, I am respectful of what this game means to families, friends and players on both sides. It is an experience to be savored. It will also remind me how deeply I miss Dennis and Pop. But I am confident my son Chris and I will carry the torch forward. In fact, we'll have fun freezing our butts off together at the Chicago Bears-Green Bay Packers game on Dec. 18 in Chicago.
In the meantime, I'll be Tweeting from the WSU stadium on Friday. @glgraham. I'll do my best to entertain you.
