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2006 Champs Sports Bowl PicsThe
Maryland Terrapins football team played the Purdue Boilermakers in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec 29, 2006. Our beloved Terps came away with a very impressive 24-7 victory over the squad from the Big 10.
December 28, 2006
Carlos, Jackie, and I arrived at BWI Airport about 2 hours prior to our flight. I had a flask of Glenlivet ready for our pre-flight festivities. Unfortunately, the rest of the group had already arrived and were starting Happy Hour on the other side of security. Needless to say, I had to “drink up” - thanks to the damn terrorists. When I reached security, one of the workers forced us to sing the entire Maryland Victory Song prior to passing through the metal detector. For those who do not know me very well, I’m not very shy when it comes to public singing. At the airport bar, we met up with Richard, Deb, Paul, Doug, Mike (little did he know…), Ernie, and a few other Terp fans. At the gate, we met up with even more Terp fans – including the Gaither family. The flight was smooth and we when we landed in Orlando – many of us yelled, “TOUCHDOWN” and then started singing the Maryland Victory Song (again).
After checking in at the team hotel (Orlando World Center), we made our way to the hotel's sports bar for a night of drinking (imagine that) and mingling with other fans wearing red. Unfortunately, Jackie wasn't feeling too hot once we hit the bar and had to retire to the room a little early. We found out later that she wasn't the only Terp fan who got sick that evening. After tucking Jackie into bed, I went back down to the bar to find one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life – a beer tower on our table! The rest of the evening was spent either in the bar or inside the men’s bathroom - thanks to an amazing photo op.

Paul giving the thumbs up after hanging the MD state flag from our hotel balcony

Our hotel room's closet was looking good

Paul hugging his new love - the beer tower

This is what happens when you get food poisoning at The Champs Sports Bowl (zoom in at your own risk)
December 29, 2006
It’s game day and Jackie is feeling much better. We wake up to a beautiful blue sky outside of our hotel room. After showering, we go downstairs for a little breakfast with Rich. Stonewall later joins us for a cup of coffee and some good pre-game football talk.
Around 1:00, we all set sail for Parking Lot B for some tailgating – with Jimmy and Boozie bumming a ride in our sweet rental. Pictures speak louder than words…

View from our hotel room on the morning of the big game

Saddam and our mini-Terp helmet before the big game. Saddam missed the 2nd half of the game (he was hanged at half-time)

Ridin' Dirty in Orlando - this sharp rental can carry 9 people

The Tailgating Crew

Noli and Sam Hollenbach's parents

Noli, Coach Friedgen, and Jackie posing in a postgame photo op

Cory and Evan looking for their families in the stands

Sam (holding his MVP trophy) and Jackie

One last shot before gametime

Jackie, Noli, and "the tongue"

Here comes Cory!

Carlos next to the Maryland escorts

Carlos and Stonewall

Carlos, Jackie, and Noli enjoying another Maryland tailgate

Richard, Carlos, and Noli Makin' Maryland Memories

Carlos, Doug, and Yancey

Jackie getting undressed in front of everyone at the team hotel

Noli and Carlos sharing a special tailgating moment

Carlos and Noli sharing an even more special moment

Jackie, Denise, Noli (asleep), NCAA, and Southbeach

Richard, Stonewall, Noli, and Carlos posing for a post-game picture

Cory and Jackie outside the team hotel after the big victory

Noli, Joshua, and Richard smoking pre-Castro 1947 MonteCristo cigars at the tailgate party

Stonewall on a double date

AHHHHH - Here we are at the Fanfest - Hooter#1, Carlos, Hooter#2, Noli, Hooter#3, John, and Hooter#4

Noli and Jackie waiting for the team after the big victory

John, Noli, and Stonewall at the Fanfest