Guys and ladies, you would not believe how much fun I have been having this semester. Recently I had the chance to cover my first college football game. When I heard from Charlie Ehrenfeld, who is my journalism instructor and the person who has taught me so much while I have been here at SPC, that I was going to get press passes to the Texas Tech and Baylor football game, I was so excited. The last time I went to a college football game was about four years ago when Tech hosted Iowa State at Jones Stadium, before all the renovations.

There I was, about one hour before kick-off, looking for a parking spot that was at least five miles away from the stadium. (Note to self, next time get there sooner) When I finally found one, I was so happy. Then I had to go and hunt down Billy Close my photographer, and get to the west side of the stadium to get my press passes. As I was walking with pen and notepad in hand Joe’s journey had begun. Before I get more into my experience, let it be known that my favorite college football team is the Okalahoma Sooners. So I felt a little out of place in all the red and black. But hey, I was getting into the game free, so how could I complain?

So when my journey to the ticket booth finally ended, thanks to that nice girl in the golf cart who offered me a ride, standing there with camera in hand and ready for some action was Billy the photographer who hands me my press pass that he had already picked up for me, and, oh yeah, the PARKING PERMIT that was also in the package. What luck, right?

As I started walking up the hall to the elevator to take me up to the press box, the butterflies in my stomach were going crazy. You probably don’t understand, but when you have that pass hanging around your neck, you sure do feel important. When we finally made it to the top after numerous stops and I took my first step into the press box, I kept telling myself, “ dude don’t trip or do anything dumb.”

As I made my way through the long hall to the press box, I was passing all the luxury suites that the important Red Raider fans owned. They sure did seem happy. Was there something in the punch? When I finally made it to the press areas, I was amazed. The place was huge. All the other sports writers and photographers were there helping themselves out to the free food that was being provided. People, when I say free food, I mean buffet line. It was huge and free. After sitting there for about 20 minutes, eating and talking to some fellow media folks, I made my way to my seat. All I could say was “Wow, this place is amazing.” I was there looking down at the field and could see the whole stadium. It was breathtaking. There in the distance were both teams going through pre game warm-ups and getting ready for some football.

After about five or six minutes of getting myself together, I was ready for some football. After every quarter and even between quarters, you have someone bring you stat sheets for each quarter and updates of other games going on at the same time. I started thinking to myself, “ Man I could really get used to this sort of treatment. Now if they just would refill my cup of PowerAde and bring me more cookies I would have had it made.”

Hey, before you start thinking otherwise I was also paying attention to the game. The score at the half was Texas Tech 14, Baylor 10. Now back to the press box experience. With about 10 minuets left in the fourth quarter, they made an announcement that if anyone in the media was to get an interview with a coach or player, they needed to submit a list of the players and coaches you wanted to interview. I just waited and started to make my way to the field, and then it hit me “ I have no idea where I am going.’

That’s when I ran into Patrick Gonalez, the sports editor for the Lubbock Avalanche- Journal. I introduced myself to him and talked for a little while, and then I asked him where I was supposed to go for the press conference. Patrick was really cool. He just told me to follow him, and he would get me to the press area. As we were making our way through the tunnel to the field, it was such an awesome feeling. I could hear all the fans cheering for the Red Raiders as they were pounding the Bears 42-10.

When I finally made my way on to the field, I was in shock, looking around at all the people, which were reported to be around 53,000. It was wonderful. I could not believe it. I wanted the final minute of the game to last a little longer. I was not ready to go.

As the Red Raiders and Bears made their way off the field, there I went walking behind Patrick again and headed to Mike Leach’s press conference.

As I sat there listening to Coach Leach talk about the game and the players, I started to think about what I had just had the chance to do. The experience is something I will never forget. Now all I have to do is find a way to get some press passes to a Dallas Cowboys football game.