Friday, December 31, 2010

A shout out from Boston.



A couple of proud Horned Frogs are shining their light for their team as the boys prepare for the Rose Bowl.


Bryan Koop ’80, senior vice president, regional marketing at the Prudential Center in Boston, Mass., along with his wife Susan ’81, (above) are lighting Boston’s iconic Predential Tower purple tonight to welcome TCU to the Big East and support the Horned Frogs as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl.


The Prudential Tower is an internationally recognized Boston icon and became infamous for being lit up during the Boston Red Sox’s “Reverse the Curse” World Series in 2004. The Tower has, quickly since then, become the Beacon of Boston and Red Sox Nation.


"Tonight this Beacon will shine on Frog‐Nation and hopefully bring about the same luck," the Koops say.


Northern exposure


Caroline Wiersgalla, academic affairs chair for the Student Government Association and Neeley school student, wanted to share her Horned Frog pride and cheer on the Frogs from enemy ground — her hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin — home of the dreaded Badger.


Caroline writes: “Here is a quick snapshot of a very cold afternoon that involved my little brothers and I trying to get to the Wisconsin sign. We were facing treacherous highway traffic and unforgiving Badger horns while trekking through 4-feet of snow and ice to get this photo! Have a very Happy New Year while celebrating with the Horned Frogs! GO FROGS”

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

It Never Rains in Southern California.....Wrong!!!!


Heavy rains moved into LA overnight and had made for a wet Wednesday as the Frogs prepare for Wisconsin and the 2011 Rose Bowl. There's no indoor facility at the Home Depot Center, so the Frogs practiced in the rain today. An early morning press conference featured Co-Offensive Coordinators Jarrett Anderson and Justin Fuente and QB Andy Dalton, WR/KR Jeremy Kerley, Remington Award Winner Jake Kirkpatrick, WR Jimmy Young and OT Marcus Cannon. Immediately after Wisconsin's Defensive stars showed up with nothing but good things to say about the Frogs' offense and the way they play.

More later from LA!


John Denton
Color Analyst
TCU Sports Network

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Frogs have Spirited practice, "Rudy" Visits the Frogs!




Tuesday meant a full-pads practice for the Frogs as they start to sharpen their preparation for Saturdays 97th Annual Rose Bowl Game. Lots of full-speed hitting was punctuated with several visitors including ESPN's TV crew of Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit (who apparently is a believer in the Frogs!). Also on-board for today's practice was former Miami Head Coach Randy Shannon and Fresno St. Head Coach Pat Hill. The big visitor today was "Rudy"...that's right Rudy Ruettiger, the famous former walk-on at Notre Dame upon whom the movie "RUDY" was based. Rudy addressed the Frogs after practice and told them to make the most of their "moment" in the Rose Bowl. It was a thrill for all the Frogs to meet him and especially for your reporter, who's a big fan of the movie.


More from Pasadena later.

John Denton
Color Analyst
TCU Sports Network

Monday, December 27, 2010

An Insider Look at the Rose Bowl











Monday morning, I took a trip with the Frogs out to the Rose Bowl to do a walk-through and get a look at the most famous stadium in college football. Here's a look at what the Frogs will see when they go from locker room out to the field....are you ready?? Get those chin straps buckled!








John Denton




Color Analyst




TCU Sports Network

Frogs Get Royal Welcome at Disneyland


Sunday afternoon, TCU Head Coach Gary Patterson and players Andy Dalton, Tank Carder, Tejay Johnson and Jake Kirkpatrick recieved a Rose Bowl-sized welcome from Mickey Mouse and the folks at Disneyland. Players, coaches and families enjoyed the day at Disneyland!
John Denton
Color Analyst
TCU Sports Network

Friday, December 24, 2010

Just back from a visit to Pasadena and the Stadium


A late lunch today with the family at Pie 'N Burger in Pasadena and then a quick visit to the center of the college football universe....THE ROSE BOWL. Although I've been there before for Super Bowl XXVII, college football games and even been on the field with ABC's Keith Jackson, let me tell you there was something extra special this day about coming over the hill into the Arroyo Seco and seeing that stadium in a different light....a PURPLE light.
No doubt in my mind that this week will be special and will forever stake a new path for Frog fans everywhere. Let me be the first to welcome you to the Rose Bowl...."The Granddaddy of Them All!!!"


John Denton
Color Analyst
TCU Sports Network

Frogs land in LA for Rose Bowl Prep


Friday morning the TCU Horned Frogs and their travel party arrived at LAX to start the week-long run up to the 2011 Rose Bowl. We landed at 10:30 a.m. PST. Sunny, clear skies met the Frogs, along with an escort by the California Highway Patrol (CHIPS for those old enough to remember the hit NBC TV show from the 1970's) to the Frogs' hotel. I'm off to the Rose Bowl this afternoon to get a look at the stadium and find my way around Pasadena. And, oh, by the way -- speaking of CHIPS - I couldn't help myself - had to get a photo with em! Those standing around were encouraging the officers to take me in!!

More later from LA!


Merry Christmas and Go Frogs!


John Denton

Color Analyst

TCU Sports Network

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bowl tickets on the way to Frog Fans!

If you were among those Frog fans who gobbled up 20,000+ Rose Bowl tickets, be watching your front door because your tickets were sent out today via FedEx! We're only 16 days away. Wear Purple, Be Froggish!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Jay Leno tied up for TCU


Lynn Miller ’03 (MSN ’10) and her husband Matt are currently in California during her Nurse Anesthesia clinical rotation and decided to attend a live taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

By making an online reservation, they received free tickets to the show – but that is only the beginning. Next, they had to drive through L.A. traffic to arrive four hours early, lining up behind sixty other people who arrived slightly earlier. After sitting, eating and chatting their time away, the group was escorted into the studio.

Although free ticket holders don’t get to choose their seats, Lynn and Matt made it in the first row of grandstand seating near the stage for the guest musician of the night. The show was full of laughs, the guests were interesting and the music was a surprisingly good live performance.

And yet, the most interesting part of the night happened before the cameras started rolling. Along with several other announcements and warm ups, Jay has a tradition of coming out to greet the audience prior to the show and answering a few questions. It’s said that it loosens him up, and he enjoys hearing from his fans — some of whom have traveled many miles to be there.

The first question of the night was from a school teacher, and Jay cleverly responded with quips and amusing faces that made the group laugh. Next, Lynn’s husband got Jay’s attention and asked the following question, “Jay, since your alma mater Emerson College doesn’t have a football team, would you consider rooting for TCU’s Horned Frogs this season?”

Without a pause, Jay enthusiastically said, “Sure”! They sat down satisfied and awaited the start of the show.

Ten minutes later, he came out to deliver his monologue, and what did Lynn see, but Jay was wearing a purple tie!

She leaned forward and asked the staffer whether this was a color he normally wore. He said, “Frankly, no. He’s more of a straight red or blue guy. Purple is a little unusual.”

So, fellow Horned Frogs, not a coincidence!

We hope everyone (Jay Leno included) keep rooting our Frogs on to a BCS Championship this year!