My first game as a Midnight Rider: Impressions, Stories, and Drunken Groove Steps

G-boot = The Dancing Kevin, a named provided by Sarah.

It started with the traditional flipping of the frozen finger to the away bus, and the pregame was underway. As it progressed I began a heavy drinking regiment, with King Cobra Malt liquor on my side. But I hid it in a cup, away from all you tasty brew snobs.

I met so many people, all good and all fun, but with so many names it would be hard to remember. I'm a writer of fiction, and I'm always looking for quirks, so I have to say the Midnight Riders are full of characters. From Monty and the cigar clenched in between his teeth, to Adam's wily smirk and his wise-guy chants during the game. Another Sarah let me try a bison burger for the first time, and boy, does that aftertaste stay with ya for long into the game.

Right before the game was to begin, I saw three girls dancing to some funky music, so I decided to capitalize on my buzz and join them with a little shuffle of my own. It was Sarah, Jen and another friend. I'm pretty sure we became partners in crime, from that point on.

The game was so good in the Fort. I stood next to Karen, and I found out she could out sing you all, haha. The last goal, on our end, truly capped off a great game. Then came the circle celebations after the game. The drum beat was so infectious that I had to push my way to the front and dance it up while getting down with my bad self. If I can do this every game, I think I can make my name as "The Dancing Kevin" among the rabid followers, like yourselves. I picture myself, even as an old man Midnight Rider Fan, still doing some type of hand jive.

After the game, in the parking lot, I met a bunch of cool dudes from Hopkinton. We played flip cup, in the wind, and I won the game for my side. A girl then invited me to a party, which I so wish I could have attended, but its wasn't to be. If any of you guys see this, how was the Party?

Well, lets not make this all about me. Feel free to take over the thread with stories of your first game of the season experience. Who did you hang with? How drunk did ya get? What was your favorite chant? Dont steal my hubcaps?

Thank you all, for making the game such a fun way to start the chilly spring. I look forward to meeting more of you at future games. Just put some bumping beats on you car stereo, and it will act as a magnet for my flash dance feet.

Rev-O-Lution!!

30 looks and no replies, either i didn't bait my thread good enough or you guys thought i was psycho.

Come on, ladies and gentlemen, describe how the game went for you. I'd be thrilled to hear, or maybe you guys are just used to that type of beer swilling aciton, i dont know.

Ding, ding, ding.

I now Sarah, NEspazz, said she was so new to the whole thing, she was a Midnight Rider virgin, so let us know, sarah, how'd the game go for you . . .?

Well technically yesterday was my first game as a Rider, but I'd consider opening day last year my first as I was in the Riders parking lot ever since then. Over time I just starting opening up more and now I fell pretty comfortable talking to everyone. It's just nice to know there are people out there like me, I'd imagine I'll be friends with everyone there for quite some time.

Technically speaking yesterday was my first tailgate as a Rider, but I've been to a bunch before. I'm a pretty quiet guy, but everyone there is welcoming and once you start to get to know people you find your way in to conversations with new groups of people.

"Ngower, man, it is cold" and "Ngower, my hands are freezing." I told you Ngower sounded like something you might say when you're cold. Haha.

Remember me? I think you were the only one to recognize me by my bigsoccer name.

You seemed like a real cool dude, so it would be good to hang again. I'll try to remember your face, but if some reason I dont, call out for G-boot, Kev, and I'll come a'runnin with beer in hand.

If were talking about the same Sarah, maybe she was saying her friends were newbies. I'm not sure.

With the weather and the win, I think we all broke away from the new status.

Same here, first tailgate as a Rider, but I've been to a few before. I'm extremely shy and I'm not the kind of person who will just walk up and talk to you. But, I'm very friendly, so feel free to come talk to me.
I made some friends at the Cup and the other tailgates I've been to, so I hung out with them 'Twas a good time had by all (I hope).

Will the real Sarah please stand up...

This is my 2nd full year as a Midnight Rider, but I (along with the hubby) have been coming to games and hanging out with them for years (at least since 1999). I brought along my 2 pals, Jen and Lynn, for their first game with us and they had a blast. I know they plan to come to more games and possibly become season ticket people like us. I am so passionate about this game and our "fruity little club" (I mean supporter's group, haha) and I want to get as many people as I can to games. Kevin, it's nice that guys like you come to us with so much excitement already--we need 100's, 1000's, more like you!

As for newbie, nope, I am definitely not one of those. And virgin? Heh. Not since my first night of wedded bliss! Heh heh. And oh yeah, shut up, Monty.

Spazz

I don't know what you're talking about, I am a very quiet person...unless I'm drunk....but I never get drunk at home games....

"Is there a Rachel83 here? I hear she's shy!"

Your going to have to do better than that.

Heh. Funny. It's something I'm working on...

I'm just as shy, I understand.

I wouldn't have recognized you if you weren't standing next to Karen and said, "This is Kevin"

Going back, my first real experience with the Riders that I can think of was the Ra-Cha-Cha road trip. Monty drove me down to the "gathering" area where we all met up and got into vans. I know Karen and Chowda were in mine at one point, and I think Adam might have been there too. Umm...kinda far back, but I do remember having a great time

I met some of the Riders in 2006 while on a train to Gelsenkirchen. I hung out at their tailgate for all of 2006. I officially joined for 2007. I am now on the Volunteer Board.

The Riders are a great bunch. They offer something for everyone. You'll fit in well.

I saw you dancing at the post-game drum circle and remembered thinking to myself "What the hell is that?"

We drove up with Ian and Adam. Monty, Ed and Drew drove up with Uncle Mike. They had the party car. I didn't know anyone so I didn't talk, you didn't talk, it was a very quiet ride. Monty and Chowda were in the car on the ride back to Mass. That was my first ever tailgate, first roadtrip, first time standing with other supporters. Total blast....and Ed told me I could come to Columbus but only if I would sing louder.

Glad to see someone new, this is my first full season as a rider. I met you at the tailgate......hope lots of good times to come!

I guess that this is my first season as a rider, although i had season tix last year i only tailgated with most of you for the second half of the year. From what I have been told, Seamus, Joe, and Kim kinda scouted me out before hand (but never came over) cause of my Newcastle kit, but it was because of Carmel (my real seats are right next to her and Pete) that I actually came down and met some people. She invited me to the tailgate after one of the games and introduced me around. Have had a blast ever since and have brough along many friends and roommates who have all loved the experiance!

If Sarah is a Virgin, I get 71 more right! If not I've been screwed!!!

That's pretty much how it happened. Kim came over to me and said, "That one over there's wearing an old Toon away shirt!" haha...

I had been to only a few games last season with my friend Dan (aka The Kilt) and had such a great time, I took the plunge and bought season tickets. That wasn't enough, however, and because it was hanging out with the Riders that made the games so fun, I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to join.

Since then, I've had a great time meeting new people (not as many as I would like, but will keep at it), attending bars for away games, even volunteering to assist the web committee in modernizing the only part of our club that requires modernization, and anxiously awaiting my first game as both a Rider and a season ticket holder.

Armed with the warmest gear I could don while still displaying my Revs colors, my friend and girlfriend, and the two kilt-wearing idiots with whom I have had the honor of making an ass of myself in public on multiple occasions, I happily rolled into the Rider's parking area with a few pounds of meat, many pounds of beer (which I got at a discount thanks to my Rider's card) ready to enjoy myself.

There was no part of the evening which went wrong. The grill was hot and churning out virtually endless bites of chargrilled goodness, the multiple Revs and Riders scarves I wore helped protect me from the cold wind, the view of the game from the Fort was as glorious as ever, I lost my voice and the feeling in my toes cheering the Revs on to an exhilarating 3-nil victory, followed by more grilling, drinking and yelling afterwards to finish out the night. With the help of the watchful eye of Monty who saved a possible identity theft crisis, the entire day/evening went off without a hitch.

While I wasn't in the least bit doubtful, my experience at this game more than solidified my faith that I made the right decision joining up and I look forward to countless adventures this season and beyond. I have purchased tickets to the Toronto trip, I'll be at DJ's on Thursday and I look forward to the many good times this organization is sure to offer me.

Thanks for having me as a Rider and I look forward to meeting all of you.

- Zach S.

Yes, that may just be my style. A little "What the hell is that?" mixed with some "Aint it funky now?" crossed with some "Get up offa that thang!"