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Volume CXXXII, Number 4 |
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Fans of the Week!
BECKY TANENBAUM
STAFF WRITER
Since its establishment as a varsity sport in 1889, football has been one of Bowdoin's most time-honored and successful programs. Our Bowdoin Athletics Fan(s)-of-the-Week award goes to the Polar Bears' two biggest supporters, Scott Brien '04 and John Gregory '04.
When the Orient notified these super fans, they said it was both an honor and a privilege to be recognized for their commitment to Bowdoin Football. In an interview with Brien and Gregory, the Orient was able to get a glimpse into the lives of the Fans-of-the-Week.
Scott "The Annihilator" Brien and John "The Grizzly Bear" Gregory said that there is a driving force behind their desire to be football's greatest fans: "We want Bowdoin Football to live forever in the minds and the hearts of every alumni, student, and fan."
Brien and Gregory have the opportunity to share a floor in Coles Tower with several Bowdoin Football greats including juniors Gilman Barndollar, Jeb Boudreau, Brandon Casten, Mike Costello, Bobby Desaulniers, and Chris Wagner.
"We live with a bunch of the guys, so we definitely support them. They also keep us in check," Gregory said. Brien added, "It's an all around great feeling just to be with the guys. Hanging out with them, watching them, cheering for them all the way."
Because the Fans-of-the-Week are around the players both at games and during the week, they witness the team's cohesion on and off the field. Brien noted that you can always see the desire to win burning in the players' eyes. Brien noted, "The guys always have a good time and give it their all."
Bobby Desaulniers was mentioned as one of their favorite players because, as Gregory put it, "He is a very good center with a lot of fire." Brien continued, "He is also an extremely sexual player."
Brien and Gregory also commended Jaime Salsich '03 for his immense amount of heart on the football field. However, these fans recognize that every person plays a pivotal role on the team. Brien likened each player to a unique butterfly in that each one is distinctively valuable.
Brien and Gregory's dedication to football does not go unnoticed by the players. Jeb Boudreau, Bowdoin's tenacious inside linebacker, agrees that the Fans-of-the-Week deserve their title. In an exclusive interview with the Orient, Boudreau said, "Scott and John are kind and supportive. And they are such studs."
Robert Desaulniers also recognizes their spirit. In a letter to the Orient, he wrote: "John and Scott deserve to be the fans-of-the-week. Even though we have not had the most incredible success over the last few years, they have always supported the team. There are not many people who have done this. They have faith in the team and in me. Sometimes that is all the inspiration a player needs."
Jaime Salsich also wanted to show his appreciation for Brien and Gregory: "They're the rowdiest ones out there. It's not uncommon to see them with their shirts off and faces painted. Every home game they wake up at 7 a.m. to start the pre-game breakfast of Polish sausage on the grill. A few beers later, they're ready to cheer on thePolar Bears the way only they know how. No matter the outcome of the game, you can always be sure that Scott and John are going nuts up there in the stands."
Another special part of football for the Fans-of-the-Week is that at the games they are able to see their former roommate Mike Healey '04, whom Brien and Gregory fondly refer to as "Dawson." He is an aspiring filmmaker who masterly wields his camera and tapes the football games for BCN sports.
A moment that will forever stick out in the Fans-of-the-Week's minds, and in those of all Bowdoin football fans, was the celebrated win last year against Hamilton during Parents Weekend. This weekend also promises to be very exciting when the Polar Bears take on the Jumbos from Tufts this Saturday.
Brien and Gregory shared one of their original cheers with the Orient. They urge each Bowdoin Football fan to memorize the words and join them this weekend at Whittier Field where they might even perform the choreographed dance. The Orient congratulates Scott Brien and John Gregory on earning the title of Bowdoin Football's Fans-of-the-Week and leaves our readers with their cheer:
Go Team Go,
Go Team Go Go Go Go.
Go Go Go Team,
Go Go Team.
Bowdoin Football Go,
Score a wicked good touchdown.
Will the other team win?
NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!