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Post by Sly Fox on Jan 19, 2005 9:09:13 GMT -5
OK, so PAmedic's reference to the garbage strike of '88 brought back a few laughs. There aren't many old timers on this site (most seem to be somewhat recent grads & students). But I thought it'd be cool for those of us old enough to remember the ravine to share a few memories.
I'll start with my first significant LU recollection. Just a month or so into my freshman year in the fall of '85, we were deluged by fall thunderstorms. But the biggest result of all the rain was the flooding of the James River.
Now keep in mind that back in '85, there were no football facilities of anykind on campus as of yet. The team practiced and kept all their gear on the old Treasure Island facility. Well, the combination of flooding and substandard facilities brought about a shocking development. All of the team's gear was washed down the river. Now keep in mind THIS WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEASON! So the team no longer had practice fields, pads, helmets, jerseys, pants, you name it ... and there was agame on Saturday! Through urgent pleas, they managed to round up some generic uniforms to play the rest of the season.
The sad thing is the uniforms they started that season with were easily the coolest uniforms the team has ever had. And sadly, we have never recovered. The helmets were outstanding, particularly for their era. They were metallic silver with red/white/navy stripes across the top. If my memory serves me correct, I believe they had red facemasks. But the best part was the logos on the sides. The dorky navy blue eagle outline logo that the school has used forever was in a white circle with navy trim. But there was a multi-color trail of flames coming off the logo that really made them stand out. I know it sounds cheesy, but it really looked terrific on the field. The jerseys and pants also had finer touches not usually associated to this day with LU's plain jane unis.
Any other "old hags" care to share a memory or two?
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Post by eddantes on Jan 19, 2005 10:05:46 GMT -5
What was the garbage strike? Something they no doubt neglected to include in the magalogs, I bet.
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Post by SCAR on Jan 19, 2005 10:32:36 GMT -5
Eddantes,
the garbage strike was a Philly thing not a Liberty thing. It was aweful for those of us that actually lived within the City limits! One of my PA friends made me mad joking about it back then because one of the parks that they piled the trash at was around the corner from my house. Not to bring the board down but it really was a horrible experience. I am not mad now though :-)
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Post by PAmedic on Jan 19, 2005 11:40:40 GMT -5
I knew you'd get that one SCAR- it was funny only if you were living in the 'burbs like me! It must have been a year or so later that the football team switched to the uniforms that I liked- reminded me of Auburns': Navy over white, but red trim intead of orange and white military block-style numbers. Seemed more traditional, definitely a lot more plain. (At least, thats' how I remember them) And those bus rides to and from city stadium on game day were awful- come to think of it, that field was HORRENDOUS. how no one lost an eye or something, I'll never know.
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Post by PAmedic on Jan 19, 2005 11:45:12 GMT -5
the thing about the beloved ravine was that you'd head for class (in the ONE STORY DeMoss bldg) all cleaned up, and by the time you went straight down a quarter mile (about 3000 steps) and back up the other side you'd be soaked thru from sweat. And, I'm happy to add, smelling like a rose I'm sure. Good weight loss program though. *the above figures/units of measurement may be SLIGHTLY exaggerated for effect of course.
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Post by PAmedic on Jan 19, 2005 11:47:19 GMT -5
I don't know if I should even get into the security vs. students w/ Saran wrap stories.
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Post by Sly Fox on Jan 19, 2005 15:20:03 GMT -5
The ravine is the stuff legends are made of. Its hard for current students to grasp the concept of thousands of people being funneled down a gorge with steps made from railroad ties. When it rained, the steps were slicker than snot. There is no question it kept people in shape. But who is kidding who, back when we were that age our metabolisms kept us thin irregardless of exercise (unfortunately, those days disappear when you hit about 30).
The ravine was also a major source of social games. There would always be people lined up on the bridge or steps using the opportunity to work the opposite sex.
I actually hated to see the ravine disappear when they built Vines. Now I feel like I have become one of my uncles talking about some ridiculous thing that disappeared back eons ago.
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Post by PittLU on Jan 19, 2005 19:39:45 GMT -5
Is the ravine totally gone? I always used the ravine form the circle. I dont know the bridge you are referring to, but I do remember the steps. It was still the best shortcut on campus that I can remember.
Was the "Pit" around when you guys were there? If you lived on the circle and came back at curfew, that was the only place to park. Put it like this - you can almost see the airport from there. That was a hike - especially for my when you lived in Dorm 4. I must say that I spent one year in Dorm 12 and actually LOVED that location. At that time though I had many friends off campus and a work pass, so I didnt socialize much in the dorm.
As far as TV, we used it for games mostly. Reception was lousy even though you were on the mountain. We did get a VCR and rent some movies, but we did get busted watching a Freddy movie once......that was the end of the TV.
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Post by PittLU on Jan 19, 2005 19:40:12 GMT -5
Oh - I never thought I would be a hag while in my late 20's
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Post by Sly Fox on Jan 20, 2005 0:09:29 GMT -5
Hagdom is thrust upon us when we least expect it.
The Pit you refer to wasn't even on LU property when I was in school. I was in Dorm 25 my first two years (the 1st two years it was open) before they converted it over to a girls dorm. And there was a small lot behind them and then nothing but woods. Consequently, our miserable yet available parking was the lot between the entrance and the School of Religion. But since we couldn't have cars on campus as freshmen, I only had to endure the misery of that walk for a little over a year.
The campus has come a long way since my days in school.
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 7, 2005 17:41:31 GMT -5
found a link to an e-bay auction item we old hags would love and cherish. Old Morgan in all his glory. If I can figure out how to attach a picture to this post (somebody help me out here) , I'll add it, but here's the link for now. ***I figured it out (obviously)***
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 7, 2005 22:23:39 GMT -5
I'm telling you, I still like those uniforms best of all. Very Penn State/ Auburn-ish. (some had all white helmets, some a red stripe, also the stripe up the side of the pants was different.)
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Post by Sly Fox on Feb 8, 2005 13:11:53 GMT -5
Penn State & Auburn have some of the most boring uniforms in the world. Comparisons to those schools is not a compliment from my perspective. But then again, what do I know?
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 8, 2005 13:30:10 GMT -5
HEY NOW! "Boring"??? it's called classic, my friend. A major point of college football is tradition, kids becoming part of history, continuing the lineage, etc. I absolutely HATE when college teams start wearing gear that looks like it came out of the old USFL (neon, pastels, etc) Look at 'Bama- crimson on white, numbered helmets. No logo's, no advertisments, nothing. Classy. Same w/ PSU OSU, etc.
Then again, I'm an OLD HAG, what do I know! LOL
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Post by Sly Fox on Feb 8, 2005 17:49:45 GMT -5
Don't drag the Buckeyes into your plain jane uniforms argument. Those are distinctive & classy. Penn State's are representative of its coach ... old school and well behind the times.
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Post by SCAR on Feb 9, 2005 14:19:18 GMT -5
PAMedic,
I have a bunch of old stuff like that media guide from back in our day. How much is it worth? I wouldn't sell it because I love having that stuff but I can't help but be a little curious. Maybe I will put my old game film out there! ;D
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 10, 2005 12:53:30 GMT -5
no idea on the value- you could always put it out there (ebay) with a reserve of 1000.00 just to see where the bids start, though I don't know if thats approved by the powers that be running the site.
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Post by topcat on Feb 10, 2005 13:48:21 GMT -5
I think I have you all beat! The memories of the ravine are classic, but I can remember when there was NO DeMoss building, NO cafeteria, NO football field, NO 2 story dorms (except 2 & 13), NO jeans, NO facial hair, NO pavement in many places - just red dirt - try that in high heels (ok I'm also probably the only female that reads your comments!) and still to this day - NO parking!
1980-1985 - that's OLD!
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 10, 2005 19:27:31 GMT -5
oh crud- you may want to avoid my over the top male chauvenist posts on the ladies B-ball thread ("Lord I apologize...")
welcome aboard, and YES, YOU ARE OLD! LOL
I arrived as the "new" 4 story dorms were being completed but the mud will always be the same. maybe try a sensible pump w/ a square heel. (??? what the heck am I talking about???)
oh, and Topcat rules! though I'm sure no one under 30 knows what we're talking about. #nosmileys
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 10, 2005 19:32:01 GMT -5
had to help them out...
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Post by Sly Fox on Feb 10, 2005 23:14:18 GMT -5
Topcat's on Boomerang all the time. Quality Hanna-Barbera metrial. Although I was always a Droopy fan myself (Senor Droopy from Guadalupe). And yes, it is very cool to have a lady on the board. WE need someone to keep us in check sometimes.
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Post by PAmedic on Feb 10, 2005 23:38:40 GMT -5
yo Sly- whadaya doin- selling ad space on the side now? (of course, when you remove it, this post won't make sense!) As far as Boomerang goes- between that and the History Channel, my DirecTv is always on! Love it!
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Post by SCAR on Feb 11, 2005 9:33:24 GMT -5
I love Top Cat and Droopy Dog. Hanna Barbara was a huge part of my life back in the old days as a kid in Philly. I liked Tom and Jerry too but it depended on the year the toon was made. Great top cat picture PAMedic. Top Cat you should register and stay for a while.
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Post by PAmedic on Apr 2, 2005 10:02:39 GMT -5
OK, on behalf of all my fellow O-H's, can one of you current students post a map, link to one or something showing the current configuration of LU's campus?
from what you are all describing, LU is NOTHING like it was in the 80's.
Bear in mind- we JUST got the football stadium, the Vines (for most of us) was a ravine w/ 10,000 log steps (or so), GE was GE, not Errickson or whatever.
They were building a shopping ctr accross from GE, but I never got to go there, above the circle were 4 (I think?) 3 story womens' dorms, and they were building a few apt style dorms for SENIORS only behind that.
That construction aggrevated everyone cause they tore up our intramural fields to do it.
All around everwhere else was Rt 460 (or whatever it it) and RR tracks, so I don't see where they are building, unless Jerry had them level the mountain! Oh, and crossing the tracks got you in a world of hurt- IF you got past security (No LUPD back then either)
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Post by PAmedic on Apr 2, 2005 10:14:57 GMT -5
oh yeah- the track/soccer field was BRAND NEW as well.
one other thing- do they still have a guard shack at the main entrance after the bridge? Was manned 24/7 and they checked almost every car back then. One way in- one way out.
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aLUmnus
Full Member
old school LU
Posts: 192
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Post by aLUmnus on Apr 2, 2005 12:23:57 GMT -5
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Post by topcat on Apr 2, 2005 16:43:59 GMT -5
PAMed - you REALLY need to get out of PA! You have really dated yourself and I'm sure the current students don't know half of what you're referring to!
The guard shack is still there, but not manned. Only a symbolic reminder of yester-years! There's also a new entrance - University Blvd. , instead of the bridge. The construction is wherever there is space - mountain or no mountain!
Pack up the wife and kids and take a trip down memory lane sometime - but be prepared - things aren't how they "used to be!"
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Post by ATrain on Apr 2, 2005 17:01:18 GMT -5
Yes-things definitely aren't how most people would remember them-Ericsson/GE/whatever is now North Campus with an NCAA size swimming pool and TWO hottubs, there is a Campus East with 19 4-story dorms and a Clubhouse that has an outdoor pool (the only place on campus where guys are allowed to be without shirts)...we now have FREE pool tables and a FREE air hockey table too...
PAmed-come down here, I'll give you the royal tour of the place
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Post by PAmedic on Apr 2, 2005 22:05:42 GMT -5
I can't even IMAGINE the place w/out security sitting in the guard shack glaring at ya as you came in or out!
Man, have times changed! I bet its even FUN to attend the place now! (kidding- it wasn't THAT bad in the 80's)
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Post by LU Fan on Apr 3, 2005 4:09:09 GMT -5
It is actually not bad to attend here now PAMedic...cute girls on the bball team, 6 courts to fulfill your "has been" basketball days....and yes it is true, im posting at what is i guess 4 am? Day light savings time...and the light at the gaurd shack was GREEEEEN! wow!
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