This and That

Coach Teevens' annual barbecue for players on campus this summer turned into a celebration of the announcement that the Oct. 1 opener against Penn will be the first night game in Dartmouth football history. (Thanks for the photos.)

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Although he was cleared to play in today's New Hampshire-Vermont Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl game after breaking a rib during practice a week ago, incoming freshman running back Cody Patch is being held out of the contest to make sure he's ready to go when Dartmouth practice begins. The New Hampshire head coach who made a tough decision in the best interest of Patch: Chris Childs, his head coach last fall for undefeated Lebanon.

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Assistant coaches Chris Wilkerson and Sam McCorkle along with director of football of Brian Mann are competing in the "Spartan Race" series as it comes to Killington, Vt., today. Check out the video to see what kind of obstacles the three are in for ... and you might want to wish them luck ... surviving.

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The 2011 University of New Hampshire media guide is online (link) and it includes a confirmation that veteran radio play-by-play man Bob Lipman, "a two-time N.H. Sportscaster of the Year, joins the network as color commentator in 2011. Lipman is the longtime voice of the N.H. Fisher Cats’ baseball team and former voice of Dartmouth College football." That means a new play-by-play man for the Big Green this year.

While we're at it, don't be surprised if news breaks before long regarding Dartmouth football and TV. Nothing official yet but there could be something in the works ;-)

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The Herald-Tribune down in Florida notes that Dartmouth defensive back Garrett Waggoner is one of a pair of Riverview High School teammates who have been named to Phil Steele's preseason All-Ivy League team. Waggoner is joined by Yale offensive lineman Colin Kruger.

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Mrs. BGA and I went to the seriously fun Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Mass., last evening to see former Big Green gridders Gordy Quist '02, Trevor Nealon '02 and the Austin, Texas-based Band of Heathens. Trust me, all the mentions here on the blog for the past few years were worth it. The fellas put on one heckuva show and had the place absolutely rocking. I told Gordy afterward that I'd buy stock in them and he told me, "That could be arranged." I wish I could hold up my end of that bargain because that's how good they are and how good a show they put on. Check out these press quotes.

(Mrs. BGA overheard someone saying that "Trevor Nealon also played football at Dartmouth," which led me to wonder if maybe, just maybe, the blog helped sell a ticket or two ;-)

By the way, bass player Seth Whitney challenged former defensive back Nealon to a 40-yard race on Memorial Field during yesterday afternoon's stopover at Dartmouth. Gordy recorded the race on his iPhone. Hint: Trevor won. Find the short video here.

The Heathens are in suburban Philly today at the Sellersville Theater and then head to Exton, Pa., Easton, Md., and Washington, D.C., before making stops in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C. Tour schedule. If you are in the area, check 'em out. You can thank me later ;-)