Alas, said trend of being fascinated with how we Southerners have been “conducting business” since Moby Dick was a minnow, the Kentucky Derby has been the talk of the town, even down here in Texas.

I was invited to a handful of Kentucky Derby parties that were being hosted in the Lone Star state.  I was ready to resign to a day of explaining how to properly wear a hat; how to make the perfect simple syrup; and how to box a trifecta at the betting window. I was prepared to enjoy one of the South’s greatest traditions with my Texas friends.

Yes, this happens!

And then it happened.  I started to receive real invitations to real Derby events being held in the real Kentucky.  One mention of a historical plantation, box seats, a new dress, and a brunch consisting of tenderloin, cheese grits, and Mint Juleps served in polished silver… well… the light went on… this Kentucky belle just couldn’t resist the trip home.  Again.

Why I thought I would sit out this year’s run for the roses beats the heck out of me.  Some people have family reunions or family vacations— we have family days at the track– Churchill Downs to be exact— and there is no family better than the one you’re with on Derby day.

If you’re heading to the legendary Churchill Downs or just to your neighbor’s back yard keep these tidbits in mind:

Belles, make sure you have your hat and dress ready!  You’ll want to wear a brightly colored dress with a hat and shoes that compliment. Your hat should be worn low causing you to raise your chin to see those around you.

KY Gents post races DERBY 137

Gents, make sure your khaki or seersucker suit is pressed and ready to go with your pastel bow tie, white buck shoes, pocket square and cigar.

Dr. Billy will be wearing this gem on Saturday... He's a UK fan!

Betting. Always bring cash for betting.  It doesn’t matter if you study the odds, trainer, and winnings of a horse or if you simply like the name or the color of the jockey’s silks.  Just be sure you participate in the fun!

Note, Win= 1^st place, Place= 2^nd place, and Show=3^rd place.    Gridiron Belle inside tip:  I always bet “$2 across the board.” This means that the horse I choose can win place or show and I’m still considered a winner.  Not a winner of very much, but a winner all the same.  I’ll be betting on Hansen this year—the white horse favorite! But I always bet on two and the second thoroughbred that gets my money is “I’ll have another…”  the trainer is staying at my sister’s house!

With a sprig of mint for your nose...

Mint Juleps. Mint Juleps are the official drink of the KY Derby. These world-renowned beverages are made of crushed ice, smashed mint, simply syrup, and bourbon. You’ll enjoy them over brunch out of polished silver or at the track out of a collectable Derby glass.  If you’re in the infield you’re likely having an abbreviated version – just bourbon. Usually without ice.  And usually with blurred vision.

Mmmm.... Heaven... "I'll Have Another"

It’s natural to want to be Bob Baffert (a famous and successful horse trainer) after a May trip to KY.  I leave Churchill Downs every year wanting to give up football and purchase a horse farm.  The spirit in KY is just infectious.  It’s a beautiful part of the country that celebrates years of hard work while displaying its Southern roots.

If you’ve never been, add it to your bucket list.  If you’re going for the first time this year, enjoy it.  It only takes one “call to the post” to appreciate what it means to be part of the legendary Kentucky Derby.

Happy Derby Day!

Xs and Os,

Christie Leigh

If you’re looking for a great book, or four, to keep your SEC-Saturday-craving-souls alive during the dreaded off-season, I’ve got three books for you to indulge in—again, assuming you’ve already read Gridiron Belles. And yes, these are quite the indulgences—you’ll be laughing at the authors and yourself– because we’ve all crossed that line between fan and fanatical at some point. All of us.

These books aren’t new, but they are classics.  So classic that I’m sure by the time my unborn children get to middle school in the Deep South, all three will be on their summer reading list. A Gridiron Belle can dream, can’t she?

Warren St. John in NYC. One good-looking BAMA gent.

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer , Warren St. John

Alabama native, and mildly obsessed BAMA fan, brilliantly takes his readers through his season long tour with the Crimson Tide. His quick wit, smooth writing, and dry intellectual humor (St. John is a Columbia grad who works with the New York Times), has you wishing you could have his social ease and unwavering support of his team.  Well, your team at least.  He paved the way for the rest of us to write about the Southern football culture.   You can also thank him for Gridiron Belles.  Yes, he came to Rhodes College my senior year and I opted out of studying for a Political Science mid-term to hear him speak. Thankfully, I still have the signed napkin and a published book to show for how much he inspired me.

Thank you, Professor Nelson, for bringing W. St. John to campus--I wouldn't have written my book without it!

God and Football, Chad Gibbs

Imagine this guy in church. Read his book to find out why you want to go with him!

Mr. Gibbs tries to answer the south’s age-old question, is football God? Gibbs’ takes a pilgrimage to the 12 SEC homelands in search of answers, or at least perspective, from religious co-eds and indoctrinated leaders in the college towns.  Don’t like to talk about God publically? You don’t have to. Just be willing to laugh your backside off as you relate to Gibbs and realize that your god may also consist of first downs, 20-yr-old student-athletes and 50 yard-line tickets!

Dixieland Delight, Clay Travis

I know this is a nerdy picture of Mr. Travis, but I swear you'll want to hang out with him.

I thought Dixieland Delight was going to be a copycat version of Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer so I gave it the old stiff arm for years.  My copy sat unread on my shelf of all-books-football for many seasons.  Until, I needed some inspiration and realized that this Vandy law graduate also knew a thing or two about having fun at SEC stadiums.  Travis gives his personal accounts of his visits to each SEC stadium in one season.  He explains such phenomenons as why LSU fans smell like corn dogs and attempts to explain the logic behind Vandy students forgoing watching the game from inside the stadium.  He’s hilarious. He uses other people as the butt of his jokes but it somehow comes off as self-depricating. He’s the most endearing smart-a** I’ve ever never met.  You end up loving him and wanting to be his friend. Even though he points out all of your team’s shortcomings.

Let’s face it, you were already starting to plan your next season’s travel schedule—these three reads are just going to help you add a handful more, because who doesn’t dream of attending a game at every SEC stadium?

Happy reading!

Xs and Os

Christie Leigh

Nothing tells his friends that he "frats hard" like a " ' Merica cooler."

Coolers have always been a must-have for fraternity boys on game days, spring break and weekend parties at the house. It has become a Southern tradition for girls to paint their men coolers for all types of occasions, especially for formals.  And every once in a while, we paint one for ourselves!

Your beau wear bow ties? Of course he does!

Getting asked to a gents formal in the South is a cause for celebration. In return, for what is to be a fun-filled and ever so memorable evening of events, the belles paint their dates coolers.

14. It makes us all proud.

The girls take pride in their coolers, making sure their date is fully satisfied. The girls paint anything from Southern Tide and Patagonia to their date’s favorite alcohol brand and fraternity’s flag. Even though it isn’t spoken about, the girl’s compare their coolers to every other cooler they see. It’s a silent competition to see which girl went above and beyond their dates and this unique southern tradition’s expectations.

This is the equivalent to a man's monogram. Put their name in a beer logo and you just might be asked back to next year's formal.

Guy Harvey, Vineyard Vines, and Fraternity Letters are among the popular things painted on the guy’s coolers.

Enough said.

The Confederate/Fraternity Flag are also very popular on the Southern Gent’s coolers. Also putting your date’s name or fraternity’s name into a well known emblem such as alcohol, hunting and Southern clothing companies’ logos.

For the ultimate Tweeter...? #OrMaybeHeJustParties?

Since Old South usually lasts all weekend, you need a very large cooler!

If the painting coolers tradition has fallen by the wayside at your school, there is no better time to bring it back!  If this tradition is running full force on your campus, use these pictures as some inspiration.  Consider this a belles “pre-thank-you-note–” because with works of art like this accompanying you and your date to formal, how could it not be a fun time that he’ll always remember?
This post was written by Gridiron Belles intern, Caroline Whorton, from Ole Miss.

The dating world can be challenging, but not if you know what you want. And through trial and many errors, I know what I want. An SEC fan. No questions asked..

My prince charming doesn’t have to cheer for my team, but he wont be MY prince charming if he doesn’t at least cheer for the Southeastern Conference.

Let’s dissect:

Sweatshirts and “going out tees.” Sweatshirts are reserved for the coldest of nights at home on the couch or for me to borrow during the dreaded drive home on Sundays.  Going-out-tees are only for those dwelling on the Jersey Shore, not a Saturday in Dixie.  As a Southern Belle I am innately attracted to men in shorter shorts, pastels, boat shoes and/or loafers, bow ties, rolled sleeves, and croakies… among other things

The accent. There is something infinitely sexy about a southern drawl.  A man without a hint of one, just it’s going to work.  With A&M now a part of us, accents have gotten even thicker and my ears are ever so appreciative!

Understanding rivals. Please don’t judge me on being selfish, but how could I care about other so-called rivalries when the SEC is overflowing with them?  I would have a hard time investing four hours on a Saturday to watch Oregon v Oregon State.  Alabama v LSU is a rivalry.  Florida v Tennessee is a rivalry.  Auburn v Georgia is a rivalry.  Ole Miss v MS State is a rivalry.  Arkansas v LSU is a rivalry.  And I’m sure Mizzou v Texas A&M is going to be a heated addition to our list. How could I date someone that doesn’t appreciate this?

Dedication: Dedication to one team shows how much dedication the gent is capable of expressing toward me. Dedication, however, should stop short of tattoos—of his team and my name on his bicep—but not a sticker on his car or a team logo washed out on his favorite hat.  An old faded Gamecock hat is much more appealing than a straight-brimmed The Ohio State hat.  Wouldn’t you agree?

My Stubborn Flat Screen. Despite the Geek Squad’s best efforts, my flat screen is conveniently incapable of letting a Little 12, Pac 10, or Big East game dominate the airwaves while an SEC game is on.  If my gent requests the UCLA v Cal game over the Georgia v Tennessee game, we would have more than probable cause for spending game day in two different locations.

The Language Barrier: Perhaps I could get over this if it was really love, but why would I want to date someone who doesn’t speak the same language? 

• “Yes ma’am”
• “No sir”
• “Third Saturday in October”
• “Y’all”
• “d’geatyet?”
• “That’s just not right.”
• “How’s your mama?”
• “Third Saturday in September”
• “Frat Beach”
• “I loved your thank you note”

All SEC faithful know what these mean, why waste time translating? If my beau were to ever use words like, “wicked,” “you all,”  “Go Utes,” or need to read the lyrics in order to sing the National Anthem, we’d be walking down Irreconcilable Differences Lane.

Manners. Being chivalrous and mannerly is in a gents DNA down here. An SEC gent is considerate of the Belle he calls his—and all of her friends—as well as a stranger on the street. Even if they are displaced in New York City, a southern gent’s manners shine through.  How could I settle for anything else?  (this is not to say that I’ve never met perfect gentlemen that cheer for non-SEC teams…)

Let’s be clear.  I don’t say this to be hurtful to all of the wonderful gents out there that may have been raised to cheer for another conference.  (My mama is likely going to find a way to black out this little post as she’ll think I’m eliminating 75% of my potential dating pool….) And I don’t say this because I think I’m some catch that all male fans are lining up to date.  I just think this is something that most Gridiron Belles can relate to. We like to share our favorite fall pastime with our gents. And our favorite fall pastime happens to revolve around Saturdays in Dixie.

In an effort of full disclosure, I’ve tried dating Big 12 fans in particular.  It works in the spring and summer, but come the fall—we are in different worlds.  This fall, I will be practicing counting to 7 for championships and he will be practicing counting to 7 for the number of teams left in his conference.   Wouldn’t it be more fun if we were both celebrating number 7 in Miami this year?Of course, I’ll never say never, but I’m going to say that a non-SEC gent has a better chance of winning the Heisman than getting me to share the remote with him during the fall!

Xs and Os,

Christie Leigh

You made us Southerners proud, Bubba!

Masters week is a special time in the South. It is a week where the rest of the nation can marvel at the beauty of Augusta National. It is also a time where the “frat boy” in all of us can come out. We watch the world’s best because it is the closest thing to a college game day that we have at this time of year. Some of us (me and my buddies) convince ourselves that we could be the world’s best and go hit the links with unreachable expectations.

So, in the spirit of the Masters I decided to go play a round of golf yesterday. Unsurprisingly, I’m not nearly as good as I convince myself that I am. It’s easy to pump yourself up when you watch 25 pro golfers make it look easy every day, but that’s beside the point. I was an abysmal 15 shots over through seven holes, though I cleaned it up on the back 9. Oh well, I’ll get ‘em next time.

I would like to point out that Auburn native Jason Dufner was 11^th through Saturday at -2. Unfortunately, the back greens got the best of him, as he finished +1 for the tournament. War Eagle anyway.

My favorite golfer, Phil Mickelson, has a scorching round Saturday, but finished tied for third at -8. Before any of you Phil haters start, I’d like to go ahead and counter you by saying that Tiger Woods finished at +5 and he probably has shown the least amount of class I’ve seen out of a professional golfer in a long time. It’s one thing to know you’ve hit a bad shot, but it’s completely different to kick your own golf club at Agusta! Not exactly a Southern gentleman’s way of handling the situation.  

The Masters never fails to live up to my expectations, and this year was no exception. The playoff between Georgia graduate Bubba Watson and South African national Louis Oosthuizen was magnificent. Bubba ended up winning due to a marvelous recovery shot from the pine straw. I was very glad that the SEC could bring home another trophy, but the most important thing is that the USA is back on top of golf.

And the green jacket fits!

“Go DAWGS” or “S-E-C”— either way, it was a heck of a final.

This blog post was written by Gridiron Belles Intern, John Burns, from Auburn University

“You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You’ll never remember class time, but you’ll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don’t have. Drink ’til sunrise.

Tom Petty was right, you know. College does end. The “best days of our life” last around four years for most, five or six for some. And so, although I was raised under a conservative roof by very financially-responsible parents, I am using my four years to play the college card and follow Tom Petty’s advice. I am typically cautious with my wallet and protective of my time, but there’s one weekend every year in which I surrender all my worries for a greater cause…

GEORGIA vs. FLORIDA

The GA/FL game is always played on the last weekend of October. The University of Georgia has a one-day fall break the Friday before the game, when a majority of the student population relocates to St. Simons Island, Georgia. “Frat Beach,” as it has come to be known, is the perfect place to prepare or “pregame” (as we college students like to say) for the big game on Saturday.

St. Simons, an easy 1.5 hour drive from Jacksonville, is the prime spot for UGA students to stay before and after the game. Houses are rented, condos are packed to the max (and beyond), and restaurant lines are outrageous from Thursday night to Sunday morning. SSI hot spots like Crab Trap, Mullet Bay, Barbara Gene’s, Brogen’s and Gnat’s Landing are the obvious dinner favorites, but nothing—I repeat, nothing—compares to the lines at Chick-fil-a on Saturday morning. A chicken biscuit is the perfect start to a true Southerner’s game day experience.

Frat Beach

Chick-fil-a, though, can also be found in Athens or at home, which is perhaps why some students opt out of the infamous GA/FL road trip.  It’s easy to understand why an away game would not be an affordable priority for all students, especially in today’s economy with such high gas prices.  But, if you follow Tom Petty’s advice to “spend money you don’t have” just this once, I guarantee you won’t regret it. Memories trump money any day of the week. And a little hard work to earn some extra cash never hurt anyone…just saying.

DAWGS win!

GA/FL budget (when sharing costs with friends):
Hotel: $250
Food & Beverages: $200
Gas: $60
Ticket: $80
Beating Florida (24-20): PRICELESS

This post was written by a Gridiron Belles intern, Darby Thompson, from the University of Georgia

You can meet them here.

Starting next week, the Gridiron Belles interns will be contributing blog posts so that you can get to know them a little better before August.   If you have a topic you want to hear about from a student’s perspective, let us know!  Otherwise, just enjoy and share what you are about to read from a collegiate co-ed’s perspective on life in the SEC.

Because, after all, isn’t/wasn’t college the greatest 4-7 years of our lives?

Hope you’re drinking an Arnold Palmer and wearing a green jacket!

Xs and Os,

Christie Leigh

For the first time in history both teams from the Bluegrass State, the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky, will meet in the Final Four.  This basketball match up between the CARDS and the CATS is as heated a rivalry as the football match up between Auburn and Alabama. Perhaps even more. In fact, one writer even calls it “deep fried hell.” as he depicts the history of this rivalry. 

Just as nearly every other major sporting event finals this year, the NCAA Final Four is being played in New Orleans. (My sources say the city is currently bidding for the next Olympics and the 2013 Masters… ) In addition to the civil war that will be played on Saturday at  5:09pm CT, let us not forget about a little street that feels like home to every fan hailing from the great Commonwealth, Bourbon Street.

Come Saturday evening, half of the Kentuckians who made the trip south will be weeping after a loss and the other half will be flamboyantly flaunting a victory. Thankfully, both fan bases will find common ground in the Big Easy where the name is all too comforting to a Kentuckian—the street of Bourbon.   What basketball divides, bourbon unites.  Wait. I actually don’t believe that at all.  That’s like saying a slab of ribs from Dreamland BBQ in Birmingham is going to be a nice band-aid post the Iron Bowl.   It’s just not going to happen.

What is going to happen is a little bourbon showdown. Yes, I know, every team thinks they rule the roost when it comes to celebrating a win in N’awlins. And I know the locals think they’ve mastered Bourbon Street.  But as a belle who was raised on the brown drink in the Bluegrass, let me prepare you for the Commonwealth of Kentucky coming to town. Bourbon may be a street in your city, but we created it in the Commonwealth and y’all a’int seen nothing yet!

Kentucky: Where we like our bourbon straight up with a touch of class

Happy NCAA Final Four; go Commonwealth!

Xs and Os,

Christie Leigh

I’ll admit, there was a large part of me that wondered if I would be able to stomach a similar scenario if football was being played in a single-elimination-post-season-tournament. Then I realized that almost every weekend is single elimination in college football and I seem to handle it rather well. But I digress…

Almost on cue, my mama called just as I was growing wearing of temporarily training my brain to extend both arms in the air over my head for a 3 point shot… which most certainly went through no uprights that I could see.

My mama, being the tireless athletic supporter of almost every sport, called to discuss brackets and upsets. Once we had reviewed all of the games, I could tell my mama was trying to get off the phone.  “Well, I’ve got to go fill in my bracket” she said.  I pulled the phone away from my ear to make sure it was working. “What do you mean? Isn’t your bracket already filled out?” I asked incredulously.  “Well, it is… up until tonight’s games.  I like to keep track of the games…”  she trailed off as she realized just what this might sound like.

“Mama, you’re telling me that you fill in your bracket after the games are won?  So you have a perfect bracket??” I could hardly get the words out through my laughter.  “Well,” she started “it is looking pretty good. And no, I don’t fill them all out after the games. I filled out all the teams/games that I knew were going to win before the tournament started. But I just didn’t know how they would all turn out.”  At this point all I could do was smile in appreciation of mama.

See, my mama is one of the biggest sports fans I know.  She also happens to be the most organized and meticulous woman I’ve ever met.  So it almost didn’t surprise me that she wanted her bracket to be as neat, clean, and orderly as the home I grew up in.  This of course, leaves no room for mistakes and messy lines from crossing out teams that couldn’t make it to the next week.   No team was going to create disorder on her bracket.

“Just to be clear, Mama, you’re winning.  Your bracket is beating… everybody’s…“

“Well, when you put it that way,” she delighted, “it is looking preeeetttyyy gooooodddd.”

Love you, mama!

XOXO

Christie Leigh

Amongst the chatter about spring practices, these radio hosts were analyzing a sophomore running back’s ability to “keep the chains moving.”   They said this 19 yr old kid has gotten stronger, developed more muscle, and gained speed during the brief off-season.  “He may not be a Heisman this year, but he’s going to keep the chains moving.” Isn’t that all any coach can dream of? Someone who is persistent and keeps the team moving down the field toward the larger goal?

This idea struck me as something we should all strive to be—a chain mover.  Everyday we wake up and have the opportunity to punt, or move the chains.

• We could be lazy at work and play on facebook all day. Or we could be proactive and impress our bosses.
• We could watch The Bachelor instead of being on the treadmill. Or we could DVR The Bachelor  for post-gym entertainment and do our sit ups and push-ups during commercials.
• We could be too busy when a friend calls. Or we could take the extra step and call someone we know needs extra support.
• We could let life run us. Or we could run our lives.

Either way, we have the choice. Every second of every day.  Do we punt or move the chains down the field of our lives?  One loses championships; the other puts banners on the stadium.

Set a goal.  Be who you want to be. Make a difference. We don’t have to win the Heisman everyday; we just have to keep the chains moving.

Xs and Os,

Christie Leigh

Start practicing this pose, you'll get there soon enough!