He stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall, black hair tucked into his well-worn Idaho baseball cap, Vandal Dad T-shirt underneath a flannel shirt. He yells unabashedly at Idaho football coach Paul Petrino for calling a “dumb play.” His voice causes everyone in the stands to turn and look.
Despite my face turning red, I can”t help but love the fact that this dork is my dad.
For the past three years I have gone to every Dads” Weekend football game, and my dad, who I call Pappy, has been standing in the Kibbie Dome next to me every year.
Dads” Weekend has been a family tradition since my brother started college in 2011 and it is something Pappy looks forward to every year. The first thing he asks me when classes start is, “When is Dads” Weekend?” Of course that is always followed by asking who the Vandals are playing and a prediction that they will lose.
My dad is the guy that will cheer the loudest and criticize coaches and players with the most vulgar speech available. He has been doing that since I was in high school sports, and even before that since my elder sister was in the band at high school games.
The first time I remember him seeing a Vandal home football game was when I was in 6th grade. Our school band traveled north to participate in the homecoming parade and event. Pappy stood in the stands the whole time, arms crossed, mouth set.
From that moment on, he wasn”t a fan of former coach Robb Akey and Akey”s army, and I think he still isn”t a fan of Idaho”s football coaches.
Almost every game my father has come to see, the Vandals have lost. It is a running joke between him and the two kids who attend Idaho.
Whenever he asks what team we are playing, with a heavy sigh, he always says he guesses he can go to the game. Truth be told, he secretly loves the games, win or lose, because it is time spent with his family.
Does my dad think we will win this year? Probably not. Georgia Southern is 2-1 while the Vandals are 1-2, and Georgia Southern”s record will be 3-1 at the end of Saturday night.
The Eagles average 30 points per game, while only giving up 24. The Vandals average 26 points per game, while giving up 47.
It is a little bleak to say the least. It will be a sad football game, one of five my dad has seen in the past five years.
However, my dad has never really been in it for the football. He comes to the event because of the time he gets to spend with myself and my older brother, who graduated from Idaho last spring.
We go to the Block Party downtown, visit the tailgate with my brother”s fraternity, and in general have quality time with our dad. So, Pappy, I”m glad you are here and I am excited to watch the game with you Saturday.
To all the other dads out there, welcome to Idaho. Enjoy all the activities, such as the Moscow Block Party Friday night, a beer tasting sponsored by Vandal Meats on Saturday before the game and the time you get to spend with your children. We enjoy the time with you.
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24