The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Mayor Paul Fraim is a football aficionado who played at Norfolk Catholic High School and Virginia Military Institute and coached at the University of Virginia.
As a child, he remembers watching many an Oyster Bowl at Foreman Field, including the 1959 game in which Syracuse beat Navy before 31,000 spectators on the way to winning the national championship.
Yet Fraim said no football game in Norfolk approaches the importance of Saturday's NCAA playoff between Old Dominion and Norfolk State.
"It would sell out a 50,000-seat stadium if we had one," he said.
"It's the game of a lifetime."
Although the schools are only 4.2 miles apart, it's the first football game between them. And Fraim is soaking in the excitement.
Most members of the City Council hope to attend, although some still are searching for tickets. The game is sold out, with scalpers asking as much as $250 per ticket on the Internet.
Councilman Paul R. Riddick, a Norfolk State alumnus, said he had to "twist some arms" to get two tickets.
Fraim, who said he isn't rooting for either team, and council members Theresa Whibley and Barclay C. Winn will have great seats for the game. They share a luxury suite for ODU home games.
Whibley, a William and Mary graduate who has a master's degree from ODU, said she roots for the Monarchs, even when they play the Tribe.
Riddick and Winn bet a six-pack of "adult beverage" on the game, Winn said.
When asked who will win, Vice Mayor Anthony L. Burfoot and Councilwoman Angelia Williams donned their political hats.
"It will go into overtime,," said Burfoot, who plans to attend the game.
"I just want a good football game," said Williams, who is working on a degree at ODU.
Councilman Andy Protogyrou, whose parents hail from Sparta, Greece, has ODU season tickets. This time, he predicts an NSU victory.
"I always root for Spartans," he said.
Councilman and ODU graduate Tommy Smigiel, who like Williams does not have tickets, said he thinks his alma mater will win. Counters Riddick: The Spartans will win by 12 points on the strength of their defense and field goal kickers Ryan Estep and Everett Goldberg.
"We're going to beat the brakes off of ODU," he said.
Harry Minium, (757) 446-2371, harry.minium@pilotonline.com
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Councilman Paul R. Riddick,
Councilman Paul R. Riddick, a Norfolk State alumnus, said he had to "twist some arms" .Riddick and Winn bet a six-pack of "adult beverage". "It will go into overtime,," said Burfoot
Theresa Whibley and Barclay C. Winn will have great seats for the game. They share a luxury suite."It would sell out a 50,000-seat stadium if we had one," he said.scalpers winning
Football game? This sounds like another city council meeting...
ODU, ODU, ODU
ODU, ODU, ODU
Tammy
Paul Riddick bet...
Paul Riddick bet a ham on the outcome of the game
Ok but if Riddick-ulous
Ok but if Riddick-ulous loses, will he hand the ham to the victor or hurl it at them? Inquiring minds want to know!
Who's observing the commonwealth's sunshine laws?
"Fraim, who said he isn't rooting for either team, and council members Theresa Whibley and Barclay C. Winn will have great seats for the game. They share a luxury suite for ODU home games."
The least the "old guard" could do is invite Angelia and Tommy, who don't have the connections like Riddick to get the sought after tickets, to eat drink and discuss city business in secret too.
Way to go Pilot. Keep on
Way to go Pilot. Keep on trying to make the Norfolk City CLOWNcil look respectable and/or human. There are only two who deserve to be re-elected and that is because this is their first term. Those two are quickly losing their re-electability as they are assimilated into the crony practices of the others. Are you listening Tommy and Andy? The rest need to go and they need to go NOW!
Remember people, we won't get change unless we get new leadership. The current council is drunk with power and, in my opinion, are losing their minds.
Mark Twain said it best, "Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often and for the same reason." Vote them OUT! Take our city back before they put us all in the poor house!
Why was Fraim left out of
Why was Fraim left out of the bobblehead collection ? Now you went and hurt his feelings.
Riddick looks good though, lost some weight.
For once, he's right.
Ask Pat Robertson if this is a "black thing."
and this "excitement" too
will pass! Most could care less!!
Big Game
The person who said they would pass, most don't care must be from up North somewhere. We need to put you in the sleigh of the "Grinch who stole Christmas" and send you back home.