CollegiateLuggage.com - Where facts, opinions & laughter share equal time.

One day a housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to his wife, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"

"It depends," she replied, "What does it say on your shirt?"

He yelled back, "University of Oklahoma."

CollegiateLuggage.com - Where opinions and facts come to party.

I have been watching a bunch of college football games on television. It helps that some of the games are played on days other than Gameday Saturday so we fans can fit more viewing in. I realize that this makes me one of only 49.7 million Americans who enjoy viewing the games, but like so many others, I think I have insights about the Game that everyone else does not have.

I am wrong of course. There are no NEW college football insights left to have - just insights that someone already had before, inside a new wrapper. My favorite refried insight is someone telling us why one team defeated the other.
Interviewer: So, Biff, why do you think your team defeated their opponent?
Biff: It was because we scored more points than they did.

And, speaking of scoring more points...

Recently, the South Carolina football team defeated their opponent in a game where (based on the point spread) they were supposed to lose. In the days afterward a number of worthy sports news articles about the game referred to their coach, Steve Spurrier, as The Evil Genius. Setting aside the oxymoronic nature of this title, let us be honest, the only people inclined to call his coaching evil are the ones who wanted his team to lose.

If you are a Carolina fan, on the other hand, you probably think Spurrier is a fine coach and exactly what the Gamecocks need to make a difference. So really, the title bestowed on Coach Steve Spurrier is a function of where YOU stand and has nothing whatsoever to do with where he is standing. That would be on the sidelines with his visor on.

Feel free to e-mail me back with your insights. After all, I sell travel and business gear for a living, so what do I know about the nature of evil (or genius)?

I grew up in the Northeast and moved to the South from Oregon in 1974. This month marks my 33rd full year living in Atlanta, so folks here have generally been willing to drop the "Damn" and when I mark 50 years here my understanding is that they will consider removing the "Yankee".

That said, I am here to tell you that you have not experienced anything like the scene on campus for an SEC (Substitute ACC where appropriate) College Game Day. The entire campus suddenly comes alive with football mania. Everyone is dressed in school colors. Tents of every shape and size are filled with food, beverages, barbecue grills and fans holding tailgate parties. Car sound systems and boom boxes play a cacaphony of music and the smell of grilling fills the air. If you look a little closer you will see that some of the folks have painted their faces to celebrate their team, and others have colored their hair to match.

The people range in age from babes in arms to senior citizens on motorized wheel chairs with the college team flags attached to the back. It is a sea of color and sound and aromas that fold together to let you know: "It's Game Day."

Now, to quote Bill Cosby, "I told you that story so I could tell you THIS one."

The statisticians at the NCAA have up to date tallies on collegiate football attendance for the 2006 season. Here are just some of the mind-blowing numbers they provide:

1. National attendance for the 615 schools in Divisions I, II and III came to 47,909,313. Yes, some people were counted as many as seven times if they had season tickets.

2. The Top 20 schools in this ranking (all in Division I) had a combined total of 1,788,000 behinds in the seats.

3. Of these 20 schools, the SEC Schools held positions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 19 and 20. Never for a moment doubt which conference brings the crowds!

4. Depending upon the school and its proximity to the nearest metropolitan area, anywhere from 60% to as many as 80% of the attendees are NOT students, and include alumni and fans coming from nearby and also from all over the Country.

5. Travel and lodging are a BIG part of Game Day weekends, which is why so many universities have their own Hotels and Hospitality Centers as part of the campus.

The next "hot" item that is starting to catch on with these travelling fans is collegiate logo travel gear. Whether for a single overnight trip to their alma mater or if they are part of a "fan caravan" everyone is looking for the next clever way to show their school spirit and team support, and the Swiss Army brand luggage and business gear decorated with their schools' logos makes one fantastic impression after another.

Additionally, one of our newest items - the CHILLIN' BOWL - is starting to make its presence known at the tailgate parties both there on campus and at people's homes during game-watching get-togethers. It allows for a nice display of beverages and the neoprene foam lining provides perfect insulation and NO condensation so these Chillin' Bowls can be set up and used outdoors or inside.

So, when we say Collegiate travel and business gear, you know that as a fan, you need to check it out and then get some. And while you're at it, tell your friends and family so that they can visit our Collegiate Luggage website and join in the fun. We are the only luggage line available with your favorite college's logo, so show your support.