CSNbbs

Finally, I have found a successor.

There have been other crazy radical fans before me...and now there are others coming up after me.

Due to me not currently taking classes, I won't be able to attend the Memphis game...

So sadly, this Saturday's afternoon game will be my last real home game as a prominent factor in the Student Section.

I'm becoming increasingly more busy with Church, volunteering, and work...and I just started a new relationship that I want to put a lot more time and energy in.

I'm getting older and its time to focus on more things in my life right now that being an ultimate UAB fan.

Believe it or not, being so crazy in the student section takes a toll on you, and I've been glad to be able to do it as often and long as I have.
I always feel like total crap the day after a game, win or loss, just because of the physical strain I put myself through during the course of a home game...but it was still worth it.

I just don't think it's in me anymore to be on the front lines. Sure, I could still be in the student section and stand and yell. But if I'm not going all out, then it's not worth it to me.

My time as a Blazer "radical" is coming to an end.

I want to thank everyone that has ever supported me and cheered me on as I cheered on the Blazers through thick and thin.

I want to thank anybody that has saved me a seat or given me a free ticket...and especially those that showed their support whenever the security people started to threaten me.

The UAB Communications department just shot a news piece with me and I think it's a nice send off. I'll post it on here when they post it.

Through the years of my ridiculous fandom I've been a Rapper, Dancer, Drummer, Singer, and Mascot.

I remember in High School telling everybody that..."I was going to be UAB's Mascot"...and my freshman year, I was the primary Blaze for the UAB Basketball season.

It's been a fantastic journey and I cherish all the friendships I've formed through all the home games, away trips, and tailgates that we've had.

After this Saturday, I will continue to support the Blazers with my presence at the games for as long as I remain in the city of Birmingham, but I'll be off the radar and enjoying the games as a normal fan with friends and family.

I would love to meet up with some of you Blazertalkers after the game on Saturday! Afterall, I could be sitting with some of you next season (if I'm here)!

I know there are a couple of you that always made a point to come up and talk to me before the games, and I really appreciated it.

Even though I got reamed on here for being "Dancing Inferno II" last year, I appreciate the support you guys gave me as I came into my own identity as a fan.

Thanks so much for everything!

I never did any of this for an ego trip or confidence boost. I don't need any of that. I did this because of the energy UAB gives me. I did it because I wanted to give back to the players and fans what they gave me - a good time.

I'm going to leave everything on the court on Saturday. I hope the team does the same.

It's been a great run!

-Mitch
a.k.a. Blaze
a.k.a. Dancing Inferno II
a.k.a. Green Wig Guy

Some awesome pics to commemorate the stages of my Blazer development :-D


Marching Blazers!


Me as Blaze!


Vaden dominated Kentucky on the Road!


Napoleon Dynamite says Vote for Vaden!


Me dominating PD3 in Wii Tennis.


The refs' infatuation with me begins.

Mitch! Don't tell me you're getting old! I know all these other farts are old, but not you! If you're old, then I'm...

I hope you keep comin' to the games as long as you can; forever and ever, amen. It's been a great run, time to end it on a great note!

Mitch, you've never met me or my son, but we as out-of-towners usually make one away game and one or more home games. By far my funniest memory of you and your antics was at the T-roy game last year when UAB had one whole side of the venue, you were dancing at a break, and all (50) of the T-roy students were standing up with their cell phones recording you dancing. That was priceless.

And BTW, you ain't old son. Just more experienced... (Learn to love and use that line!)

No really, if you're old, then I and others "More Experienced" than me on this board are making ancient seem well,,, ancient.

Haha I didn't say I was "old", I said I was "older". :-P

And besides, my bad knees and terrible circulation sure do make me feel "old" after the games :-P.

Thanks for the kind comments. The Troy game was a blast.

dude you cant do this! The Blazers need you. I do respect your reasoning behind the decision though. I will only be able to be nuts one more season myself. But really think man, no reason to retire, maybe just take a step back and skip every other game.

(02-22-2010 04:58 PM)stc Wrote: [ -> ]dude you cant do this! The Blazers need you. I do respect your reasoning behind the decision though. I will only be able to be nuts one more season myself. But really think man, no reason to retire, maybe just take a step back and skip every other game.

Yes, this is a great idea. Skip every away game. !

bring back the guitar hero guitar to the Tulane game!

ive seen many a rabid blazer fan (including former mascots) graduate and drop of the blazer fandom planet...dont let it be you...dont let it be you

Later, dude. Have a good one.

Definitely a first ballot hall of fame. You will be missed.

I've watched you and IMO there is no way you will be an ordinary fan. UAB is too thick in your blood. I salute you.

You will be missed by all.

Uh, somebody get this guy a courtside ticket to the Memphis game!

So you are the crazy wig/green vest guy! It's gonna suck not seeing you down in the front. You are the most entertaing person I've seen since the dancing inferno in the Murray days.

(02-22-2010 10:28 PM)Homewood_Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]You are the most entertaing person I've seen since the dancing inferno in the Murray days.

Here we go again.

Dancing Inferno was not entertainment. He was distraction from what was on the basketball court . How many times do I have to tell you guys this.

"Dancing Inferno was not entertainment."

Is he still alive?

Blazer basketball truly started its rebirth on the day when the Amazing Blonde Sparkplug wrested RocknRoll Part 2 out of his sweaty grasp and made it her own.

Our young brother will discover that with Belief, you never outgrow Blazer basketball. Belief teaches us that passion matters. Hold the fire in your heart, stoke that green and gold passion and you will be rewarded in all that you do. There's no need to put aside Belief to pursue a new love - if you can channel this much intensity over a basketball game, there is no limit to what you can give a lover.

It's not about basketball. It's a way of life. Believe in everything you do: in your work, in your love, in your life. And you will be better for it. We can make great things happen, we can control our own destiny. WE create our own reality. You've seen it on the court. Now make it really matter.

YAAWWWWNNNNNNNNN

There will always be someone to step up in the student section. Now, someone else steps in.

No big deal, there are plenty of folks out there wearing wigs and feeling that the crowd came to the game to see them dance.

i'm kind of sad too.. after this year i have do my third year in huntsville.. i've never been one of the crazies, but i've spent 7 years now in the student section through undergrad and med school :(

(02-23-2010 08:30 AM)RazerBlazer Wrote: [ -> ]YAAWWWWNNNNNNNNN

There will always be someone to step up in the student section. Now, someone else steps in.

No big deal, there are plenty of folks out there wearing wigs and feeling that the crowd came to the game to see them dance.

Gosh... somebody must be on their period.

(02-23-2010 08:30 AM)RazerBlazer Wrote: [ -> ]YAAWWWWNNNNNNNNN

There will always be someone to step up in the student section. Now, someone else steps in.

No big deal, there are plenty of folks out there wearing wigs and feeling that the crowd came to the game to see them dance.

I think that is men's figure skating that you are talking about.