Pump the Owl

BOBBY THE OWL: BACK IN BOCA!

2009-04-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Bobby Johnsen has quickly become a founding fan of FAU Athletics. A business major, he's been one of the hardest working members of the Student Alumni Association - a group of students who know that being an Owl goes well beyond graduation. It's a lifetime accomplishment. As a former and future director of The Prowlers, Bobby the Owl has attended FAU's Treasure Coast campus for the last academic year. His absence was noticeable both on campus and at FAU athletic events.

But he's back! In a few weeks, Bobby the Owl will once again plant his claws in Boca and again take the reins of The Prowlers. I decided to get in touch with him and find out what he's experienced in his absence and what Owl fans have to look forward to in the next year. Our question/answer session follows:

Pump: So you're coming back to Boca. Talk about that decision.

Bobby: Well, a lot of things are changing. As far as classes, I looked at (my transcript) and to graduate on time and stay within my budget, I thought it would be best to come back to Boca.

Pump: You're also going to take over again as director of The Prowlers. You had a very productive year in '07-'08. You worked real hard. I remember when we ate Pump's ceremonial dinner at Baja for the departing Prowler director, you were stressed and felt a bit tired of the whole thing. What made you decide to take charge again?

Bobby: I figure that I'm coming back to Boca and I need to be involved. There's no better way to get involved then to take on The Prowlers again. I was at the games last year as a student and I found I liked working the games better.

Pump: What was the biggest difference between living and going to school in Boca and being a student and fan in Port St. Lucie?

Bobby: Well I missed being part of FAU athletics. Like Homecoming week. They had one tent on campus. In Boca, there's a whole week planned around Homecoming with tents, contests, and events. I started to feel homesick.

Pump: You weren't at the spring football game this weekend.

Bobby: No, I wasn't. I was out of town on a family vacation in Daytona Beach.

Pump: How do you live with yourself?

Bobby (somewhat insulted): How do I live with myself?

Pump: Yeah. You're team needs you. Everyone's out on the Oxley field showing their support. And you're splashing it up on the Daytona shoreline!

Bobby: Well, I'm sorry. It was a planned vacation and since I'm coming back to Boca I won't see too much of my family. I thought it would be nice to spend time with them before I move back.

Pump: Alright, you're forgiven.

Bobby: Thanks, Pump.

Pump: Word is that you carry the feather of a wild Owl in your pocket as a good luck charm. Is there any truth to that?

Bobby: No that's a rumor. That I believe you started.

Pump: So you didn't go out on a solitary mission in the wilderness, hunt down a parliament of Owls, and snatch a feather as symbol to your Owl strength?

Bobby: No.

Pump: Do you have any real life experiences with Owls?

Bobby: My first Homecoming, on a Thursday night, we had a bonfire and Wild 95.5 was there. They brought out all these Owls of various sizes. That guy Jason (a broadcaster) was there and one of the Owls went crazy, jumping all around. (Bobby laughs.) It hopped onto his head.

Pump: We've been on the sidelines together. While it can be said that football is a game that is best viewed at the fifty yardline a few rows up so you can see the stretch of the field and all the action, we both know that being on the sideline near the endzone can sometimes be the best seat in the house. What's the best play you've ever seen while standing with The Prowlers on the sideline?

Bobby: We were playing Louisiana-Lafayette at home and Corey Shaw jumped up and picked off a pass right in front of me. That was really cool.

Pump: You were one of the earliest followers of Paul Metcalf - The Living Owl. Whether it was your part in the Facebook group revering his Eternal Owlness or simply taking his perfect Owl teachings to heart. What is so inspiring about Paul the Owl?

Bobby: He's basically the right hand man of the Alumni and Student Alumni Association. He's always there when you need help with paperwork or you need to know who to talk to. He's the Father Figure of the SAA.

Pump: Is there any tradition that you invented at FAU?

Bobby: Yeah, I was responsible for - at away games - coming up with the idea to decorate the team's hotel. While I was director, we were fortunate enough to take two road trips. We decorated the hotel and greeted the team when they arrived. That's something that will continue.

Pump: Is there any sneak peak of what we can expect from your next tour of duty as Prowler director? We're headed for a monumental season with two Bowl game championships in a row under our belts.

Bobby: It's really time to tap into our creative sides. Because of budget cuts we're not going to be able to do as much as we used to. We have to run cheap and creative. But one thing I am planning is that we play FIU in Miami next year. I'm working on getting a student bus together that will meet up on campus, then go to the team's hotel, and then travel with the team buses to the game with police escort.

Pump: I'm in.

Bobby: Alright, I'm putting you on the list.

Pump: As you know, the Pumper has started a tradition of throwing footballs out to the student section after each home Owl touchdown. It's really caught on and it's a alot of fun. But last year I proposed extending the tradition to the bonfires. I want to ignite the tips of footballs and have me, Rusty, and the quarterbacks throw them into the bonfire. But nothing ever came of it. Bobby, I want your commitment to work to make the bonfire throws a reality.

Bobby: Okay. I'll work on your tradition in the making.

Pump: Thanks. Name your road trips.

Bobby: South Carolina. North Texas twice. Troy. The first Bowl game in New Orleans. And Austin.

Pump: We roomed together in Austin. Talk about how cool it was to hang with Pump the Owl in Texas.

Bobby laughs: Hanging with Pump there's never a dull moment. He's always up to do something. (Bobby laughs again.) Always ready to have a beer on 6th Street.

Pump: Alright, Bobby, I love you. Can't wait until you get back to Boca.

Bobby: Thanks, Pump. When I get back to Boca we got to go over to Baja and have lunch or something.

Pump: Sounds good.

SEAN THE OWL: THE PARLIAMENT SOUND!

2009-02-28T15:44:00.000-08:00

The FAU Pep Band - now known as Parliament Sound - is a trimmed down version of the Owl Marching Band that, quite simply, lights The Burrow on fire every time they show up. A Parliament is a group of Owls and I, the Pumper, became addicted to the power of Parliament Sound when I heard them playing the Jimmy Buffet classic "Cheeseburger in Paradise" at a recent basketball game. At the bridge, they all stopped playing and in unison started singing, "I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57, and french-fried potato..." Whether they are jamming on a funk classic, "Eye of the Tiger" (Theme to Rocky III) by Survivor, or heckling the visiting team, Parliament Sound exudes a ton of energy and humor.

I decided to interview Dr. Sean Murray, the leader of Parliament Sound, to find out what the philosophy is behind the song selection, arrangement, and personality of the band. They just got new shirts bearing the new name and Pump is dreaming of the day they are all decked out in game-time wigs spread out in The Burrow, marching up and down the stands :)

Parliament Sound will be at selected baseball and softball games this semester so definitely be sure to check them out if you haven't done so already. I pulled Dr. Murray aside at a recent b-ball game in The Burrow and our question-answer session follows:

Pump: What's the goal of the band?

Dr. Murray: The point of us is to do exactly what we are doing right now - support the team. They're here all the time. They have a vested interest in it. Moreso than the average fan who comes to a few games a year.

Pump: Where did you graduate from?

Dr. Murray: I graduated FSU in 2006 with a Ph.D. in Music Education. I've been here three years.

Pump: What are some of the songs you play that gets the crowd pumped?

Dr. Murray: Oh, well there's a lot, but everyone always expects us to play "Iron Man" (by Black Sabbath). There's a Herbie Hancock song - kind of a funk tune - called "Chameleon" that everyone really likes.

(FAU President Frank Brogan suddenly appears as I conducted the interview and starts shaking hands with the band and giving high-fives. Dr. Murray notices.)

Dr. Murray smiles: I love that guy.

Pump: You guys are very vocal. Whether your screeching like Owls or heckling the visiting team, the band doesn't just play - they get involved in the game. Where does that come from?

Dr. Murray: It's kind of a rule to support our team but not belittle the other team. But if they are called for travelling or mess something up, we'll notice. (Murray laughs.) It's kind of written into the rules to raz the other team a little. We've got some guys that love that side of it - they try and get into the head of the other team a little bit. It's the culture of the group. I encourage it. It's more fun that way. They're here all football season, all basketball season. They've got to be fans of FAU sports to begin with to enjoy the gig.

Pump: I notice you guys have a full drum kit and an electric bass. Not always a staple of bands at basketball games. It sounds great, what's up with that?

Dr. Murray: Well, the NCAA has rules as to what you can bring come tournament time. The Sun Belt allows electric bass. It brings out the low end to the music. March Madness wouldn't allow any electric instruments. So we've got to be careful how many we have.

Pump: How are the acoustics in The Burrow?

Dr. Murray: Not bad at all. It's big but it's small enough and we project well in here. The cement walls all around really reverberate. When we get fired up it gets really loud.

Pump: Have you ever had a real-life experience with an Owl?

Dr. Murray: No. I've been expecting to see one perched out in the middle of the field, but I've yet to spot one up close.

TATER THE OWL : SUPPORTIN' THE LADIES!

2009-02-16T07:24:00.000-08:00

To be a fan of FAU is to know Tater. His real name is Adam Powell and he can be spotted at most any Owl event. Unlike the casual fan, Tater always represents with both style and noise. Whether it's a home-made t-shirt or a gorilla suit, Tater is usually the center-piece and mainstay of the Prowler student section - known as 'the rowdiest' of fans. A Criminal Justice Senior, Tater hails from Pembroke Pines where he attended McCarthur High School.

This semester Tater has been particularly involved with Lady Owl basketball. Tater has an Owl-like screech chant that he employs to make sure the Lady Owls know he's supporting. It is a high-pitched squeal that reverberates off the Burrow's concrete walls and adds an eerie prescence to any proceeding. I sat down with Tater during the second half of the FAU double-header against Denver this last week to find out more about what it means to support Lady Owl B-Ball. The Lady Owls had won 66-58 the night before. Our question-answer session follows:

Pump: How many Lady Owl b-ball games have you been to this season?

Tater: All but four.

Pump: So what's the difference that you see between tonight's Men's b-ball game and last nights Lady Owl b-ball game?

Tater scans the Burrow: Audience. There is one tonight.

Pump: What do you do to step it up for the Lady Owls?

Tater: Make as much noise as possible. Make sure they know I'm here. I try to get my roommates to go even though there not into basketball. And I bring a lot of girls to the games.

Pump: Do you know some of the Lady Owls personally?

Tater: Yeah, Brittney (Bowe), Carla (Stubbs), Janah Momoh, Breana (Turner).

Pump: You see them on campus a lot?

Tater: All the time. They live on my floor.

Pump: What is exciting about Lady Owl basketball this semester?

Tater: They play very well together. They work together. They're aggressive. They take it right to the basket. Right to the hole.

Pump: What was your craziest fan moment?

Tater: Bury the Burrow in Red I. I got decked out in a gorilla costume (pictured above). I wanted to play like an animal. Let everyone know we're crazy. And I always wanted a gorilla suit.

Pump: We're friends on Facebook, but I never get any posts on Lady Owl b-ball. Can you create events so everyone knows when they play?

Tater: Yeah, I can do that.

Pump: Have you ever had a real-life experience with an Owl?

Tater: I've seen one. I almost hit one with my car driving in here (through campus). I had to call Smitty ('07 alumni and former director of the Prowlers), to find out what to do if I hit one.

Pump: I know we both went out to Texas. Where else have you road-tripped?

Tater: Yeah, Austin was great. I went to Denton, Texas. South Carolina. Gainsville. And Miami.

Pump: So you're graduating this semester. What are you going to do to keep supporting the Owls?

Tater: I'm gonna turn into one of these four gentlemen. (Tater nods to the four recent-alumni fans in the row ahead of him.) I'm gonna turn into a Dirty Bird.

Pump: What are the Dirty Birds?

Tater: An alumni shouter. A crazy bunch of fools who love to support FAU.

Pump: Any shout-outs, Tater?

Tater: Shout out to the Dirty Birds! SAA!! And the Prowlers!!!

RAMONA THE OWL: THE REAL DEAL :)

2009-01-31T23:26:00.001-08:00

When I, Pump the Owl, first met Mark McCarthy he was walking with a bit of gimp and a brace on his right leg, nursing the white tiger bite he had recently received. Every time I've seen him since, he's got another great wildlife adventure story. Whether it was the elephants that dug up his friend's irrigation system buried in the African desert, the time he was driving home from an exhibition and he collected a monstrous snake trying to cross Okeechobee Boulevard, or the time he placed an Owl on Coach Howard Schnellenberger's shoulder during a photo shoot for a sports magazine.

Hearing him talk of our beloved coach, I thought he would be the perfect person to talk to about what an Owl is. After all, FAU is marching into the national arena cloaked in feathers and hooting like the true fans we are. But do we really know how an Owl personally represents us as students and citizens? I went out to McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary in Royal Palm Beach for a quick tour and interview. When I arrived at Mark's compound, I immediately noticed he has a wooden Owl atop the western fence post overlooking the entrance. I felt right at home. As Mark walked me around the acreage, I conducted my inquiries as to the nature and instinct of the Owl. He would answer my questions in between greeting and petting the beasts.

Pump: What does McCarthy Wildlife Sanctuary do?

Mark: The animals come to me when they're injured. We take them to the vet. Take them back. Give them a home until they're ready. We do a lot of rehabing hawks.

Pump: What are you up to now?

Mark: Right now we're rebuilding the leopard cages. (Mark first stops our tour at the parrot cages.) I have a lot of parrots. That's snowball. That's Bubba. When I first got him out to the grounds I kept hearing a cell phone. I figured out it was Bubba. He sounds just like a Nextel.

Pump: Why do Owls hoot?

Mark: Calling other mates. "Ooo, Ooo" - Here I am.

Pump: What do they eat?

Mark: Anything that moves. Primarily rats, snakes, lizards. (Mark nexts stops at the lion's den.) They don't eat lions.

Pump: Do they eat lollipops like in that commercial when I was a kid?

Mark laughs: No. Don't think they'd pay any attention to it.

Pump: What do you feed your Owl?

Mark: Everything here eats mostly dead food. We'll get it frozen, then thaw it and give it to them.

Pump: Would they eat another Owl?

Mark: Under certain conditions maybe. If one of the larger Owls needed to. But it's not likely. Maybe if you put a horn owl with a screech owl and there was no food.

Pump: What type of Owl is the one on the FAU helmets and shirts?

Mark: That's just a cartoon they drew up, but FAU has burrowing Owls right there in Boca. They're very small - six to eight inches. They burrow in the ground. Most Owls burrow in the hollows of trees.

Pump: Talk about your white tiger bite.

Mark: Sabi (pictured above) bit me during the Rick Robsin video. It was very quick. I took her out of her rolling cage and walking her to her mark. The chain hit one of her paws and started wrapping around her mid-section. It started tightening up on her. I stepped in to get her untangled when she bit me. (Sabi runs up to Mark and rubs her side up against the fence as he pets her.) It was an accident.

Pump: If I walked up on an Owl, what would happen?

Mark: There gonna be shy - probably gonna run from you. Not gonna hurt you unless you grab them. You grab them, they'll grab u right back.

Pump: How do they kill?

Mark: They grab with their talons. They're claws are extremely powerful. Generally, once they get their talons in they sever the neck and incapacitate. They usually rip the head right off. Alright, stay here, I'm gonna go get the Owl. (Mark runs behind the panther and buzzard cages and disappears for a minute, then comes out with an Owl resting on his gloved hand. He hands me a glove and then lets the Owl hop on to my hand.)

Pump: What are some things most people don't know about Owls?

Mark: Their ears aren't like ours. They have one ear up on one side of the head and on the other side it's lower. The way their head is shaped it makes the sound come right into them like a cone type thing.

The feathers around their eyes and on they're faces are shaped outward. It absorbs the sound better. They're feathers are very light too. They are silent when they fly. Most birds you can hear coming. But you won't hear an Owl. Very helpful in the night.

Great vision. Great nighttime vision.

They have 14 vertabrae in their neck and do a 180 turn of the head.

Pump: Do Owls have friends?

Mark: They're solitary except when they're breeding.

(Pump note: Insert your own joke here :)

Pump: Would it be possible to train an Owl to lead the wave?

Mark: Well, I could get him to flap his wings.

Pump: No, I mean, could you train an Owl to release and fly out over all around the stadium leading the wave, then landing back where it started?

Mark: It may be possible. You would have to have an Owl that's been trained as a falconer. A falconer is a bird that people hunt animals with and they're flight trained. They're trained to come back. I don't know of any Owls that are used as falconers. But I'll keep and ear out.

Pump: If you can do it, you'll be everybody's hero.

Mark laughs: Alright.

If you're interested in getting involved with, donating to, or visiting Mark McCarthy's Wildlife Sancutary : click here www.mccarthyswildlife.com. If you can prove you're a real-deal Owl, and give a real-deal 'hoot' with FAU i.d., Mark said he'll give you the 'kid' discount. Tours are given and they are really cool - $10 for kids and FAU students - $20 for adults.

JULIE THE OWL: FAU BRINGS IT!

2009-01-17T18:15:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I, Pump, am a huge fan of the FAU Dance Team. I've been on plenty road trips and I've never seen another team - whether from a big or small school - that can bring it like they bring it :) They're a pro-quality troupe that really elevates the FAU fan experience every time they're out on the floor.

Senior Julie Cosgrove is definitely a major force on the team. A double major in Marketing and Bio-Chemistry, Julie is a four-year veteran and her flow and energy on the floor are unparalleled. I pulled her aside just before the opening tip-off of a recent FAU b-ball game for an interview. Before the night was up, she and the team lit the place on fire with a half-time routine that featured a little basketball in each dancer's hand. During their complex yet fluid moves, they would flawlessly pass and roll the basketballs - passing to each other in perfect rhythm. While dance is as intense as any athletic sport as far as conditioning and preparation, my conversation with Julie revealed that is also something that reveals much of what life is all about. Our question/answer session follows:

Pump: Where are you from?

Julie: Rochester, New York.

Pump: Why FAU?

Julie: Get out of the cold. (Julie laughs.)

Pump: Where did your dancing begin? Did you come out of the womb a dancer?

Julie: I started when I was three. I danced all my life, all over New York. I danced in high school, of course, and I was in the New York City Ballet's "The Nutcracker". I knew I didn't want to stop and this team won 2nd in Nationals the previous year before I got here.

Pump: What's the biggest trophy you guys have won since your time here?

Julie: We won second in open category at Nationals in 2007. We haven't been able to go back to Nationals since then due to financial reasons. We have to raise enough money each year. But this year we're really trying to get our name out there. We're going to fundraise a lot this summer.

(Pump Note: If your interested in either donating or helping fund-raise, contact Dance Head Coach Lisa DelPozzo (email: faudance@gmail.com)

Pump: Talk about the auditions.

Julie: It was nerve-wracking - I didn't know anyone at all and being around all these girls to compete for the one spot you want. But all the veterans comforted me.

Pump: You travel with the teams and use the same facilities. What's something about athletes that people may not know?

Julie: They're not as intimidating as you may think. I'm actually more intimidated by everyday college students than athletes. Like in my science major classes, sometimes I get stereotyped as the athlete and people treat me differently.

Pump: Have you ever worn an FAU game-time wig?

Julie: No. But two of my friends are both wearing wigs tonight. They have a big "FAU DANCE" sign. You'll see them up there.

Pump: Do you guys have any dances with FAU game-time wigs planned?

Julie: No. (She smiles slightly, thinking.) That would be fun though.

(Pump can't wait :)

Pump: What's your signature dance move?

Julie: Oh, no, I won't tell. I actually got in trouble for that before at a basketball game. The athletic department didn't like it too much. You know sometimes we dance to, you know, (sexy) music. I did what the music made me do, but it was a bit too much.

Pump: Look me up and down. (Pump straightens up and puts on a his 'cool look'.) Do you think I can dance?

Julie: I've learned never to underestimate people. So, yea, I believe anyone can dance. It's what you do with it.

Pump: What are your favorite FAU road trips?

Julie: Both Bowl games. Being in front of a crowd like that was amazing - to dance in front of all those people. And we received so many tremendous complements. The President (Frank Brogan) and the Athletic Director (Craig Angelos) personally thanked us. Nothing can compare to the Bowl games - we weren't supposed to win but we did.

Pump: How has the FAU dance experience changed you?

Julie: It made me feel very welcome at the university. It's been an amazing experience and opportunity. It's matured me as a person. It showed me that college isn't just about grades, going to school, and then going to bed. It's an experience you'll cherish for the rest of your life.

DEXTER THE OWL: FAU IS A HOMETOWN TEAM!

2009-01-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Last night The Burrow was rocking during the pre-game ceremonies of the now heralded FAU/FIU rivalry. The band was playing, the Owls were howling, and the b-ball team was swarming, warming up for their first meeting with FIU this season. It was an electric atmosphere that has not necessarily been the norm for FAU games of the past. But things are changing, and the intensity surrounding FAU Athletics gets stronger each semester.

The guy in charge of letting the metropolitan area surrounding - and stretching between - FAU campuses know about the latest and greatest sporting events in the region is Dexter LaMont. Dexter heads the "Hometown Team" program as Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing, Sales, and Licensing at FAU. Armed with an FAU-logoed van, a bevy of cheerleaders and dancers, and one "Owsley the Owl", Dexter travels to local gatherings and sets up shop letting people know that there's a hometown team that deserves their cheers and commitment.

I sat down with Dexter behind the court-side media table in the midst of the pre-game noise to talk about his plans to make the FAU Athletics scene even more energetic - and the stands even more packed. I could barely hear him over the crowd and the band, but it was worth the effort. My interview with Dexter the Owl follows:

Pump: In your words, what is the mission of the "Hometown Team" program?

Dexter: Our goal is to make sure we're out in the community and getting our brand out. We want to show people who we are. There's great college basketball or football right here in their backyard. We have alot of snowbirds in South Florida and they went to other universities. But you can be a fan of Syracuse or Rutgers and still root for FAU. And unlike other places, they can be a real part of it. At a lot of other universities, you can't get this close to the athletes.

Pump: Where exactly do you go?

Dexter: We're going everywhere. Community centers, youth groups, fairs. We're a big part of the Palm Beach Sports Commission group. Anything that's going on that we can be a part of.

Pump: What's your background?

Dexter: I came from Oklahoma State. I was there from 2000 to 2002 as Director of Marketing for Women's Athletics and Assistant Director of Marketing for all of athletics. Before that I was at Florida State from 1997 to 2000 as a Marketing Assistant.

Pump: Where did you go to college?

Dexter: I went to FSU from 1995 to 1998. I majored in Sports Management with a minor in Business.

Pump: So FSU has to hold a place in your heart. How are you a fan of your alma mater?

Dexter: My wife is an (FSU) grad as well. We each have FSU license plates on our cars and we get season tickets every year.

Pump: FAU's colors are red, white, and blue. It seems we're poised to be America's team. What do you think of that?

Dexter: I think the second bowl game (Motor City Bowl Dec. 26th, 2008 - FAU defeated the University of Central Michigan) was an opportunity to showcase our university to the nation. We have great potential. We're doing things on campus, making it more of a traditional college. FAU is a four-year school but it still has the perception of being a commuter campus. When the student village and the stadium gets built we're going to be right up there, ready to go. I left two big-time athletic programs (Oklahoma State and FSU) to be a part of building this tradition. Big programs have been around for a long time and they're not interested in changing. FAU allows you to be more creative.

Pump: Do you know Paul Metcalf?

Dexter nods affirmatively.

Pump: Many say he is an angelic prophet of FAU Athletics. What do you think of Paul?

Dexter: Paul Metcalf is a great individual. He's been heavily involved since he got here. He heads the Student Alumni Association which chairs The Prowlers. It's very helpful to have those two groups be as instrumental as they are to FAU Athletics.

Pump: Predict tonights score.

Dexter: FAU - 68. FIU - 61.

(Pump Note: Unfortunately, FAU would lose 58 - 53.)

Pump: You've obviously been to a myriad of events since your arrival here in 2002. What's your favorite FAU athletic moment? A time when you were really happy to be on the scene to check that out.

Dexter: My best FAU experience would be the Troy game that gave us a chance to go to the New Orleans Bowl last year. It was amazing to beat a team that you've never beat. And go to their place and beat them. It gave us a chance to win the Sun Belt Championship. Dexter nods with nostalgia, cherishing the memory. I look forward to many more.

MONICA THE OWL: THE ALUMNI EFFECT

2008-12-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

It is fair to say that graduation is a crucial time in any student's life. It is the culminating moment of four years of hard work. But in a lot of ways it is a new beginning. For many, it is a time when being an FAU sports fan is most important because it can be the one link back to what they are most proud of. Cheering for one's alma mater is to celebrate all one has accomplished as an Owl.

With all this in mind, I decided to chat up a recent graduate of FAU - Monica Santana - and delve into how her graduation might possibly create an FAU sports fanatic. Our conversation follows:

Pump: What was your major?

Monica: International Business.

Pump: When did you graduate?

Monica: Last week!

Pump: How many FAU sporting events did you attend in your time as an Owl?

Monica: None. I never had any time. Between school and working. I was so busy. Now that I've graduated, I may have more time.

Pump: Do you own any FAU gear?

Monica: I have a sweater. It says "FAU" on the front.

Pump: What if I told you that there are usually free give-a-ways at FAU sporting events and they are alot of fun. Would you come?

Monica: Yes, ofcourse. That sounds fun. I've met alot of people at FAU that I want to keep in touch with too. It would be a great way to see everyone if we all went to the games.

Pump: You are from Colombia. When did you move here and how is college different here than in your country?

Monica: I moved here 9 years ago. In Colombia you have to take 7 classes - there's no choice. Here you can take 1, 2, or 3 classes at a time - whatever you want. And you have more opportunities here than in my home country. Here, you're one hundred percent certain you'll find a job. In Colombia, it's not one hundred percent.

Pump: How has FAU changed in the years you've been an Owl?

Monica: It's more expensive. And it's harder to park. (Monica laughs.) No, it also has more buildings and more people.

Pump: How has FAU changed you?

Monica: I'm proud of lots of things. It's made me a better person and better prepared for my future. It made me grow up. I know that I've learned alot of things and I know I am more knowledgeable about business and my major.

Pump: Alright, now that you have more time, I want a commitment from you. How many FAU sporting events do you promise to attend in the next year?

Monica: Oh...um, five.

Pump: Wow! That's good. What sport would you most like to watch?

Monica: Soccer.

Pump: Now will you be willing to wear an FAU game-time wig at these events?

Monica laughs: Sure. Why not?

Pump: FAU is playing in their second bowl game this Friday night - The Motor City Bowl. There are some watch parties in Boca and Palm Beach Gardens, will you come to the one in Palm Beach Gardens?

Monica: If I don't have to work the next morning. Definitely!

PAUL METCALF - THE LIVING OWL - SPEAKS!

2008-11-24T13:51:00.000-08:00

To many, Paul Metcalf is more than the Coordinator of Student and Recent Graduate Programs, he is the Incarnate Owl - a modern-day, collegiate prophet - who does it all selflessly for FAU.

I, for one, have witnessed this young man's rise from masters student neophyte to doctoral student hero. Like the centers of all the great religions of our millennia, Paul the Owl has been the central force behind building the faith of the many Owl fans and alumni that are now scattered across the globe. Housed in his newly-constructed 14,000 square-foot temple - the Marleen & Harold Forkas Alumni Center - Paul the Owl guards the book - the Owl Book -as tradition-keeper and scribe for Florida Atlantic University.

It was with great honor that I, Pump, sat down to chat with the man that will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of real-deal FAU Owls. What follows is more than a question-answer session. With his deep voice and statue-esque presence, Paul turned our conversation into more of a revelatory awakening as to what it means to be an Owl. He is part preacher, part hero. Part servant, part dream-maker.

Pump: You work with the Office of Alumni, but what is your major?

Paul: I am a doctoral student. I will earn a doctorate in Education Leadership.

Pump: Many have used the term 'prophet' when referring to you. Many things you said some four years ago have come to pass. What is one of your prophecies that you are most proud of?

Paul: The Owl Book. It's a spirit and traditions guide for incoming freshman. It's an anecdotal history of Florida Atlantic University. It provides points of pride for FAU students. Students are encouraged to create a scrapbook - if they complete 10 out of 30 traditions they receive a 'tradition-builder' pin. It's to promote a culture of pride at FAU.

Pump: You know better than anybody that the Spirit of the Owl is a real thing. I've personally seen you possessed by the Spirit - whether it is with a microphone in hand or behind the scenes. Talk about a time that you were overtaken by the Spirit.

Paul: One time definitely was the bonfire we had last Spring. It was to congratulate not only the senior players but all seniors graduating from FAU. It was April 2008. We had a big bonfire and basically we lit up an effigy of the University of Texas Longhorns. I could feel the energy and excitement and the gratitude everyone had for the football team that year after winning the New Orleans Bowl and becoming champions of the Sun Belt Conference.

Pump: What are your athletic experiences as a player?

Paul: I played football. I played center at Strongville High School in Strongville, Ohio. And I was a wrestler.

Pump: What weight class?

Paul: I was in a bunch of different classes. It ranged from year to year. I was co-captain of the freshman wrestling team.

Pump: Many have come to call you "The Living Owl". What does that name mean to you?

Paul: Somebody who is truly committed to FAU and really cares about the future of FAU.

Pump: As The Living Owl, you have vowed to forever crush the chants of "F - A - Who?" into "F - A - U - The Finest American University". In what ways has FAU already earned the title Finest American University?

Paul: Well, if you turn to page 15 and 16 of The Owl Book you would notice the various points of pride we can boast over other various schools of higher education. It reads:

The Living Owl reads from the Owl Book:

-- FAU and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine created the nation's first public-private medical school program.

-- FAU established the nation's first ocean engineering degree program in 1965 and now conducts millions of dollars of research annually for the U.S. Navy.

-- FAU's School of Accounting is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the United States for its high pass rate on the national CPA exam.

Pump: Thank you for your reading, Paul. When we were out in Texas for this season's opening game, I remember you boarded the student bus before the trip to the stadium to rally the fans. We yelled out the FAU Fight Song, but you shook your head disappointedly, saying, "Is that all you got? It's not good enough." What did you mean?

Paul: Well, there are a few core people that know the FAU Fight Song and shout it out. But last year I went to the University of Florida/FAU game and the entire stadium knew the UF Fight Song. The entire stadium cheered along. I will know when it is enough when it comes to fruition at FAU that the entire stadium sings in a collective voice.

Pump: What do you say to the so-called 'born-again' FAU fan? The student that was always downing FAU sports but has now changed their tune. Due to the many championships we have brought home, they are now big supporters of FAU.

Paul: I say keep supporting this university. The more you get behind it the more it will produce.

So it is that The Living Owl is a forgiving prophet who cares not about the past, but is solely concentrated on the potential and future of Florida Atlantic. May we all properly follow in Paul's footsteps and seek his inspiration and leadership as we cheer our Owls to victory!

RUSTY SMITH: GAME TIME!!! (AN INTERVIEW)

2008-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

As a real-deal Owl fan, I am always on the lookout for greatness in FAU Athletics. It is fair to say that FAU is still a growing university and, as such, the various teams assembled can make mistakes, get side-tracked, or have bad games. But FAU Football's last minute victory over University of Louisiana Monroe (Oct. 25, 29-28) is the stuff that makes up Hall of Fames.

So, via conference call from the Oxley Center, I spoke to Rusty Smith about that 72-yard drive that, put simply, is what defines game-time.

Pump: The look on your face as you rallied the offense before the last drive at Monroe was intense. I've seen it on guys like Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Talk about your motivation as you spoke to the team.

Smith: The only thing I was trying to say is that we've come from behind before. We had a minute plus on the clock. We just needed to believe in each other and get it done. Get it behind the goal-line and take a win.

Pump: Aside from individual plays, what were the key elements to that drive that made it so successful?

Smith: The confidence Rob Housler (Junior tight-end) brought to that drive was everything. He had a drop earlier in the game, but was able to make three great catches on that drive. He knew when to get out of bounds and he was moving the sticks.

Pump: On television, there seemed to be a lot of confusion as to whether it was a touchdown. When did you know it was a touchdown?

Smith: I know the announcers were confused and my mom and dad at home were confused, but I saw the whole thing. I was moving to the right and threw back to my left - which is a big no-no - but sometimes you got to take a chance to win the game. As soon as he caught it I threw my hands up and knew it was a touchdown.

Pump: Who was your favorite quarterback growing up?

Smith: Danny Wuerffel (of the UF Gators). I followed him and I guess he was my favorite.

Pump: What major attribute of his have you most assimilated into your game?

Smith: His major attribute was that he was very strong in Christ. He walked the walk as well as talking the talk. In my point of view, that's the most important thing.

Pump: Any real-life experiences with Owls?

Smith laughs: No. Not so much.

Pump: What about the Owl for you is the most relevant to being an athlete?

Smith: Bird of prey. Wise. And silent.

Pump: What do you think of an FAU tradition where a trained owl is released and leads the wave around the stadium?

Smith: I actually think it's a great idea. We've got to get an owl that will do it and enough fans in the stands so that it actually looks good. If we can do that, then let's do it.

JORDAN THE OWL: AN EXPOSE!

2008-10-30T12:27:00.000-07:00

Sophomore Jordan Chang can be spotted at most any Owl Sporting Event. Whether it's soccer, football, or basketball, he is committed to his role as Owl. Further, he proves that - much like being an athlete - being a true blue Owl fan doesn't just happen. It takes preparation and determination.

So as a reporter covering "the fan beat @ FAU", I, Pump, thought it would be a good idea to get to know what makes this guy tick. My question/answer session with Jordan follows:

Pump: What are some of your top moments as an Owl Fan?

Jordan: Bury the Burrow III (Feb. 20th B-ball game) was rowdy. Even though we lost to FIU, the crowd was louder than ever. Homecoming '07 was great. I met all the alumni and other hardcore FAU fans. My group, the Student Alumni Association won the Homecoming Spirit Award. And FAU v. Troy in Alabama last December was the best football game I've ever been to. The Owl fans were loud and rowdy - louder than the entire Troy student section. The game came down to the wire and we won even though we were supposed to have lost.

Pump: Growing up, did you have any actual experiences with owls?

Jordan: No.

Pump: You were born in Jamaica - came to the U.S. when you were 15 and FAU when you were 17. What makes Florida Atlantic a unique experience for you as opposed to other universities?

Jordan: It's a school still in the works. We don't already have traditions like other schools. It's great to be a part of the making of traditions. It's a lot of fun.

Pump: What's your favorite of the early traditions @ FAU?

Jordan: The Owl Hands. (pictured above)

Pump: What are some of your crazier fan outfits?

Jordan: For the Troy "Blue Out" this year, I painted myself in blue with white down the middle. I had an FAU tat on my neck and Nike shoes with the blue stripe. Wrapped a blue bandana around my neck to keep it gangsta.

Pump: Weren't you dressed up as a Trojan for the pep rally before that game?

Jordan: Yeah, and that was very uncomfortable. We went down to Coach's radio show and all the alumni wanted me out of Coyote Jacks. Everyone on campus was boo-ing me.

Pump: But the intent was for the Prowlers to kill you, right?

Jordan: Yeah, it was for the Spirit Cup contest. Owsley picked me up to put me to the sacrifice and he almost dropped me.

Pump: Are you excited about the plans for an on-campus stadium?

Jordan: I believe it will be great for national coverage and building spirit throughout our campus. I can't wait.

Pump: What do you think of having "wig-outs" where all Owl fans wear their game-time wig?

Jordan: I like that. I think it would be hott.

GAME-TIME WIG: THE EXPERIMENT IS A SUCCESS

2008-10-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

I decided to use the FAU v. Troy game as a testing ground for the "Owl game-time" wig.

Will this tradition bring FAU to new heights? Will game-time wigs be what Owls do to revolutionize fandom? Will game-time wigs someday be at the core of what it means to cheer Owl athletes?

The answer to each question is an overwhelming "yes"...

My report follows:

HYPOTHESES: Owl fans sporting game-time wigs bring with them an added energy that creates positive momentum and result on the field.

PARAMETERS:

1. I used the official, Owl-standard game-time wig available in the FAU Bookstore.

2. I designated one quarter to wearing my usual FAU cap; I designated the next quarter to wearing the game-time wig.

3. I isolated myself in the top bleachers of the home end-zone as to not be influenced by any other Owl fan.

4. I documented Owl play during each quarter.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:

1. The Owls, without a doubt, executed their most aggressive and flawless drive of the entire game when I switched to the Owl game-time wig. Truth is, I went for hot-dog at the beginning of the 2nd quarter and didn't get back to my seat with my beer until six minutes in. It was less than two minutes after I slipped my Owl game-time wig on that FAU charged 65-yards to their first touchdown.

2. I was comfy. The standard-issue, bookstore game-time wig has a snug fit and in the cool October nite, I felt warm and safe.

3. I was much more "in the moment". I had a greater sense of supporting the team. Wearing the game-time wig, I knew what I was there to do. I was a fan on a mission.

THE FUTURE:

1. I see a day when FAU football players run off the field, removing their helmets to reveal their own game-time wigs. I see them ripping their wigs off to rally the crowd and throwing their "scalp" to the fans.

2. I see "wig-outs" - games where all fans sport their game-time wig. I see the monstrous wave rushing around the stadium with the added power of the flowing Owl wigs.

PUMP'S ON THE FAN BEAT!

2008-09-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

So, a few weeks ago, I was appointed a new position within the sports division of the University Press. I, Pump, have been placed in charge of covering the "fan beat".

I like the idea of having a "beat". After all, to date my only real responsibility at the paper was to randomly show up at athletic events and then interview and write about those said events. But a "beat" is totally different. It's like being a real deal reporter. Plus, it kind of makes me feel like a cop. Or a gumshoe.

But the problem is that I'm a sportswriter. How do I cover fans? They just show up and watch, right? They scream and they eat hotdogs. They don't train year-round. They don't study game films or practice at 6 a.m. in the cold weather, rain or shine. There's no technique or strategy to write about; fans are just fans.

But then I got to thinking.......Fans are part and parcel - if not the all-engulfing power of athletics. They play a crucial role in great sport moments. What follows are a few considerations that I will use as the foundation of my coverage of the "Fan Beat @ FAU":

1. THE ROAR AS WEAPON: Athleticism is about the senses for sure. A quarterback is at an advantage, for example, when he can hear his attackers about him. But at crucial moments in a game, in the roar of the crowd, athletes are placed in a "sound" vacuum. A quarterback's opponents are rendered a new power of silent stealth to combine with their 300-pound bodies. The roar of a crowd is a weapon for its hometown team.

2. THE GREATER WORLD IS ALWAYS PRESENT: There are many examples, but Iraq's 2004 Olympic Semi-final soccer appearance was connected in the most real ways to its country's peril. Despite entering the tournament as non-contenders, Coach Adnan Hamad's team fought so fiercely to, as he put it, "put smiles on the faces of our people" (SI.com @ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004). The greater world's struggles and wars are played out on the field. Heroes play for their deceased fathers or relatives. The thoughts of fans on the other side of the world can inspire an athlete in any given moment. Sports have the power to move and motivate people through the darkest times possible. And, the thoughts of fans in the minds of athletes can be the source of triumph.

3. SHIT IT'S FUN: Between the tailgating, the face painting, and the acting like a complete idiot, there's simply no better way to have a good time. Like blind patriotism can build a nation, being a hardcore fan can make a life. To celebrate a team is to celebrate ourselves and our traditions.

I LOVE CHEERLEADERS

2008-09-04T18:07:00.000-07:00

Now it's not to say that I don't love cheerleaders in the typical ways and for the usual reasons - athletic moves, hot outfits, flirty conversations. I do, but it's more than that. It was my trip to the University of Texas for the FAU Football season opener that made me realize it. Let me digress.

That was the f'in longest 4th quarter I've ever experienced. With the score 52-10 and the second string teams battling it out, I have to be honest - if I wasn't all the way out in Austin I would have been beating the traffic and heading home. But there was no early exit - I had to stick it out with the team. And I'm not a fair weather fan. I painted the face, wore the shirt, screamed my lungs out, but there was nothing left to cheer. In that 4th-quarter moment, I felt that it would actually be more respectful to let the team finish the game without me. But then - with my head down and shaking back and forth - I heard the cheerleaders.

"F! A! U!" "F! A! U!" "F! A! U! Let's GO!"

I looked down over the first few rows of FAU fans and there they were - unchanged, undaunted. They weren't even faking. If anything, they were more inspired. With the same smiles and the same attitude they had during the Owl first quarter drives - every cheerleader belted it out. And they even stared down the sullen FAU fans as if we were all disappointing them. They made me believe it. I sat up a little in my seat. I raised my head. I realized being an Owl in defeat is still a powerful thing. The underdog who doesn't upset can still be a worthy opponent. A heartfelt loss can be a valuable experience.

So it was that my revelations in Texas were two-fold: I am a real-deal Owl fan in victory and defeat, and my obsession for cheerleaders runs deeper than borderline gawking :) I admire them for what they are and what they do. They are a bright light in dark times. A call to dignity despite scoreboard shame. And, best of all, they are right.