 By
definition, at all Digger events, we have to have a Frankie and Johnny
picture. So we got this one out of the way while they were still
sober.
|
 Shown
here are two of the Digger Elder Statespeople, Sarah and Mitchy.
Neither of them could make it out the next day for the digger, something
about "creaking bones" and rheumatism, I'm not exactly sure.
(sarah, I couldn't resist, this one was a slam dunk)
|
 Jack
has this agonizing look on his face because he is currently going through a
"Detoxification" period for the month of August - no
booze, no red meat, no
fun.
It was too much pressure for Jack -a pre-digger and no booze. In a last minute appeal to the
Governor, Jack was able to have his sentenced reduced to allow for having a
glass of red wine. Although on closer inspection, that doesn't look
like red wine in his hand (don't tell Jen!)
|
 Where
be da women?
|
 That's
better! Shown sandwiched between Johnny, Tommy, and Stevo, were
Digger
Virgin Sisters Jen and May. Digger Virgin May would go on the next day
to make the finals.
|
|
More Digger Virgins
|
 Shown
here next to Russell and Melissa, are Digger Virgins
Tom and Carol.
Carol would set a record the following day at the Digger, going 7-0 in
regular season.
|
 Shown
here next to Randy, is Dan, another Digger Virgin. The leading scorer
on my soccer team, Dan, kept trying to do a bicycle kick
with the volleyball and finally figured out when you kick it into the net, it
doesn't count as a point.
|
 Talk
to the hand! You can't see his face, but deducing by the color of the
t-shirt I believe this is Frankie. I'm not sure why he doesn't want to
have his picture taken, he's usually a camera hound!
|
Well, Frankie didn't want to have his picture taken, but he was on a mission
to take some pictures. He decided he was going to try to have
every
girl in the bar kiss me on the cheek. Who was I to refuse?
|
    It's
Good to be the King!
|
 How
the hell did that get in there?
|
 Congratulations
to Pete and Catie! They just got engaged. Catie keeps promising
to come to the Digger, but she's always got some excuse, like I'm out of
town, or got an infectious, contagious disease.
|
 It's
getting past midnight and gang is just gettin' going.
|
 Here's
some of the locals enjoying the festivities.
|
 For
the first time this year, we rewarded people with 1/2 bonus point at the
Digger for staying until 1am at Durkin's.
Here is the Official 1am Crew.
|
 Here
is the last official picture taken at the
pre-Digger. This would be an
example of foreshadowing. Johnny B, seen here carrying four beers,
would go on to party into to the evening, stumbling home circa 6:30am!
Waking up at 1:30pm, he was a little late for the start of the digger.
Even with Johnny's vast recuperative powers, he was unable to overcome blood
in his alcohol system and crawl to the beach. He would make a
triumphant appearance at the post-digger and once again be one of the last
people standing.
|
The Day of the Digger was at Hand. I made it down to the beach at
8am! Seriously, no kidding. I decided to go with a subtle shade of
purple this year for my hair. For whatever reason, it was not captured on
film, so it can only live in the memories of the players.
 One
of the early arrivers, we see Greg Woodard being escorted down the aisle by
his two year old twins, Jared Scott and Jessica Rae
Woodard. Greg was
one of the guys who played on my first indoor Volleyball team and helped to
get the digger website started! He has certainly had his hands full
lately!
|
 Here's
Gretchen and Rob chillin' on the beach. Nice shirt Robaho, what-are-ya?
a tourist in Key West?
|
|
The day went by quickly, with us finishing a record number of rounds in the
regular season (7).
|
 The
Group Shot! (captured on Panoramic film)
|
|
After a couple of marathon semi-final matches. . .
|
 The stage was set for the
finalists to battle.
|
 Wait,
wrong picture,
these are the real finalists!
|
 With
May and Greg
on one side vs.
|
 Melissa
and Todd
on the other.
|
|
With a Notre Dame grad on each side, there was
no hope to rig the finals so a Domer would not take the crown.
|
 Here's
the gang watching the finals. As the Kentucky Derby has it's
Mint Juleps, the Digger Finals usually has Joanie's "Bay
Breezes". Unfortunately, Joanie and Web were flying in from
Ireland and we're unable to air mail the drinks. Brently helped ease
the pain with some Vodka Lemonades.
|
 When
all was said and done, the Illini were victorious.
Melissa, the pride
of Illinois, carried Todd, the domer, to victory.
|
|
After the Digger, we started a new tradition - the Apres
Digger
It's a simple recipe: 3 Parts
Illini, several parts Refreshments, 1
part Tunes, 1 stray Domer, 1
UPer,
and 1 Polaroid Camera
Directions: Put Illini, Domer, and UPer on the
Beach. Give UPer camera,
turn on tunes, add
refreshements, and stir for an hour and
half. Now you've got an Apres
Digger.
|
   The
Players
|
  The
Partiers
|
   
The Dancers!
|
|
Next came the Post-Digger. The post digger was held at Marigold bowl
on Friday evening. Unfortunately, security confiscated our cameras
because it exposed sensitive material and the seedier side of the bowling
underworld. But the camera resurfaced briefly at the Post-Post
Digger festivities at
"Retro on Roscoe". Chris & Dawn Lynch, Mo & Jim
Merkel, and Buzz all had parties throughout the day.
|
 Muck
Fichigan!
|
 Buzz
loves this pole!
|
|
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