So, I was flipping around on TV, and I ran across an Arena Football game on the Worldwide Leader.
I know a lot of people, especially purists, scoff a bit at Arena ball, but, hey, I think it’s a fun game, especially live. Plus, heck, in many respects, it translates better to TV than hockey does.
But, there’s always going to be a fun set of memories associated with Arena Football …
When I was in Senior Semester, I spent the first half of the semester as an editor and Kevin spent time as a reporter. We had this system where each reporter had his own editor, and, hey, what do ya know, Kevin and I were teamed up.
This worked out well because, at the time, Kevin didn’t have a car, so I wound up driving, going with him on assignments, which helped out a lot on several assignments, such as his two-part masterpiece on SCETV and the struggles it faced with the impending switch to the all-digital broadcast signal.
Well, when it was time to switch, Kevin was, in turn my editor when I became a reporter. The system worked out so well the first time around that we continued on, with Kevin rolling around with me.
One of the first assignments I took on was a profile of former Gamecock quarterback Mike Hold, who was the head coach of the Augusta Stallions in the Arena Football League’s new secondary league, af2.
Well, Hold is famous for the key role he played in the 1984 “Black Magic” season. He is perhaps best known for his taunting of William “The Industrial Freezer” “The Refrigerator” Perry after the big comeback against clemson that season.
Hold’s only glimpse of NFL stardom came as he was a “scab” during the 1987 NFL strike.
However, he found a niche in the startup AFL, and went on to a great career. In fact, he was the last original AFL player to retire.
So, it was only natural that one with such a great AFL pedigree get a head coaching gig in the new af2 league.
So, I called up the Stallions, and we were invited to come to a practice, to watch Mike Hold in his new environment. Of note is the fact that Dave, who was at the time our grad assistant, took the call from Hold himself to confirm that we were coming. He claims he nearly choked after he heard the guy on the other end of the line give his name.
So, Kevin and I were off one afternoon, rolling west on I-20. If memory serves, we were jamming to any number of Pearl Jam live albums that Kevin had bought recently. There was a certain place on the interstate that had this horrendous odor. We termed it the “butt pocket” for, well, reasons you can gather for yourself.
We made it to the practice, being held at Augusta State University. Mike was a great interview, and was cool with us hanging around practice, taking pictures and the like.
We were even throwing one of the football around during part of the time. We thought about trying to make off with it for a souvenir, but, the equipment guy was keeping a close eye on us. He was a little dorky fellow, and I think Kevin termed him “cool guy.”
One memorable moment came when I was taking pictures of practice, and I got a little close to the action. A guy came around the backside of the line of scrimmage, I saw him out of the corner of my eye, and in a panic, I fell flat on my butt and the play was busted.
I thought we might’ve been in for it, but, Hold actually got on the player, saying something like, “Even if he wasn’t there, you still should’ve done ___.” Kevin, of course, couldn’t stop laughing as I sat there for a moment to gather myself.
The funny thing is, that moment summed up something that I remember writing in the article. He was very cool and calm with his players. He wasn’t a “screamer” by any stretch of the imagination.
All in all, it was a great experience, and one that I will not soon forget. I wish the Carolina Reporter still had the old stories somewhere online. One day I’ll have to dig up my hard copy at home.
A few notes of interest:
1. On the drive back from Augusta, we passed through it again. “Butt pocket.” I’ve not driven through there in years. wonder if it’s still there.
2. I actually gave a copy of the story to Hold later on in the season. My Mom’s company had season tickets to the Carolina Rhinos, an af2 team in Greenville. He remembered me and talked to me for a few minutes before the game, which, I thought was cool of him.
3. That same game, a nasty storm system rolled through the Greenville-Spartanburg area that night. Well, in the middle of a play, something knocked out the power in the Bi-Lo Center. I mean, it was something out of a movie. The quarterback unleashed the pass and *BAM*, the lights go out. The crowd just let out this yell of amazement. The lights came back on, and the players basically just starting tackling each other. It was nothing short of amazing.
4. I actually won an award for the story. Also of note on that page is the aforementioned piece Kevin did on SCETV.
