CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions share equal time.

Recently, the Georgia State House of Representatives passed a bill that the media has referred to as the "Anti-Gator Bill". It was launched in reaction to the fact that the University of Florida's Gator Clubs will be getting a special logo license tag in the State of Georgia.

While it appears the original intent of this bill was directed at the Gators, the language of the bill would scuttle any and all out-of-State collegiate tags in the State of Georgia. Rep. Barry Fleming, who is from Augusta and represents District 117, was a main sponsor of the legislation. He is the majority whip and happens to be challenging U.S. Representative Paul Broun for northeast Georgia's 10th District congressional seat.

This legislation has now been forwarded to a State Senate committee, and there could be a hearing in that committee as soon as the first week of March. The decision would affect other schools (such as Auburn University) seeking a Georgia license tag featuring their school's logo as well.

Perhaps the best solution would be a reciprocal agreement between Georgia and Florida, with each State allowing their neighbor to create the special-edition logo license tags. Once ratified, this agreement could then become the standard for a new era of collegiate auto license tags. The "Reciprocal Interstate Auto Tag" (R.I.A.T. - pronounced "riot") would generate revenue for each participating state and make a lot of folks happy.

Here at CollegiateLuggage.com we support reciprocity. Our company's continued success relies upon enthusiastic fans and alumni purchasing our Swiss Army Brand travel and business gear decorated with Georgia, Florida, Auburn and a host of other favorite school logos. We understand that folks want to proudly display their university's mark on their vehicles as well. When it comes to supporting your school, too much is never enough.

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions share equal time.

For 26 years, aficionados of NFL football called Joe Montana's pass to Dwight Clark to defeat the Dallas Cowboys on January 10, 1982 "The Catch". It is commonly regarded as one of those amazing plays that folks remember long after the Game is over - hence the special name.

Well, now that Superbowl XLII (that's fancy-schmancy Roman numerals for "42", otherwise known as the Answer to Life, the Universe and Eveything) is in the sports history books, we have a new play to ponder and savor and remember: In fact, I am calling it a "play" since there is thus far no consensus as to what Eli Manning's amazing "escape" from the clutches of three defensive linemen followed by the 29 yard pass he threw that was hauled in by David Tyree who out-leaped tight double-coverage (using one hand plus his helmet to catch the ball) ought to be named. Perhaps we could call it the "Escape/Catch"? Or as my wife uttered after we watched the first of many instant replays: "What in the name of all that's holy do you call that?"

Clearly the honor for the "Play that hath no name" must be shared by both Manning and Tyree since both contributed mightily to its success. But darn it, we need a name here, and nobody in the sports world has come up with a catchy phrase (pun intended) to sum it all up. A number of sports radio shows around the Country are already holding contests to "Name the Play".

My closest friend of many years is an alumnus of Ole Miss. He remembered his student days in Oxford when Archie Manning (father of Eli, and Peyton and another son who doesn't play football so I don't know his name) was their starting quarterback and developed his scrambling style to confuse and confound the other team. Apparently this ability to evade the defensive linemen got passed along to his son Eli (I know, it's not the same thing as having red hair or green eyes, but have you got a better explanation?).

Keep in mind that CollegiateLuggage.com sells Swiss Army Brand collegiate luggage and business gear. We have no business stake whatsoever in the NFL. You would think that this wouldn't even be on my radar. But I am big on clever, memorable names and phrases and this is creating a gap in my consciousness. We need a title comparable to "The Immaculate Reception" to commemorate the thing.

P.S. I don't mean to call it "The Thing". I'm just using this as my place-holder until something better comes along. What about "The play formerly known as Prince"? Or perhaps "The Play of 3 Consecutive Miracles"? Feel free to e-mail me with your suggestions.

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts and opinions get equal time.


New Orleans Saint RB George Rogers when asked about the upcoming season:
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first."


And, upon hearing Joe Jacobi of the Redskins say:
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl," Matt Millen of the Raiders said: "To win, I'd run over Joe's Mom, too."


Torrin Polk, University of Houston receiver, on his coach, John Jenkins:
"He treats us like men. He lets us wear earrings."


Football commentator and former player Joe Theismann, 1996:
"Nobody in football should be called a genius. A genius is a guy like Norman Einstein."


Senior basketball player at the University of Pittsburgh:
"I'm going to graduate on time, no matter how long it takes."


Bill Peterson, a Florida State football coach:
"You guys line up alphabetically by height." And, "You guys pair up in groups of three, then line up in a circle."


Boxing promoter Dan Duva on Mike Tyson hooking up again with promoter Don King:
"Why would anyone expect him to come out smarter? He went to prison for three years, not Princeton ."


Lou Duva, veteran boxing trainer, on the Spartan training regime of heavyweight Andrew Golota:
"He's a guy who gets up at six o'clock in the morning regardless of what time it is."


Chuck Nevitt, North Carolina State basketball player, explaining to Coach Jim Valvano why he appeared nervous at practice:
"My sister's expecting a baby, and I don't know if I'm going to be an uncle or an aunt."


Frank Layden, Utah Jazz president, on a former player:
"I told him, 'Son, what is it with you? Is it ignorance or apathy?' He said, 'Coach, I don't know and I don't care.'"


Shelby Metcalf, basketball coach at Texas A&M, recounting what he told a player who received four F's and one D:
"Son, looks to me like you're spending too much time on one subject."


Amarillo High School and Oiler coach Bum Phillips when asked by Bob Costas why he takes his wife on all the road trips, Phillips responded:
"Because she is too ugly to kiss good-bye."

The preceding light-hearted sound-bytes were presented to you by the friendly folks at CollegiateLuggage.com We offer Swiss Army Brand travel and business gear embroidered with your licensed college logos.

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where opinions and facts share equal time

On February 4th, UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, the world's second-largest carrier, will boost income by charging some passengers $25 to check a second piece of luggage.

United, the first major U.S. airline to announce such a policy, said it expects $100 million in savings and new revenue from the change. The fee applies to travelers with cheaper tickets who aren't among United's most frequent fliers.

United and other airlines are trying to offset a 50 percent jump in jet-fuel prices over the past 12 months. Some, such as Chicago-based United and American Airlines, are studying ways to charge for non-ticket services, allowing carriers to collect more money without raising fares higher than competitors.

Industry observers believe that other airlines will watch and see how it works for United. The response from their customers will determine whether it sticks. Spokesmen for American parent AMR Corp., Delta Air Lines Inc., Continental Airlines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. declined to comment on whether they are considering a similar fee. A US Airways Group Inc. spokesman said the carrier doesn't plan to follow United's move.

Some discount airlines such as Ryanair Holdings PLC, Europe's largest budget carrier, charge to check any bags at all. Southwest Airlines Co., the world's biggest low-fare carrier, began assessing $25 for a third checked bag on Jan. 29.

We here at CollegiateLuggage.com believe that the joy of travel needs a helpful boost to counter the negative aspects of paying for your luggage when you fly. With that in mind we offer our new WT-22 "Werks 22-inch Wheeled Upright Bag." It is designated as carry-on size for most domestic airlines in the U.S. Just extend the telescoping handle and wheel it aboard the aircraft. Six round trips and the bag will have paid for itself! Luggage is our bag baby, yeah!