Burgos: Snow days and sports

I don’t know a student in the world who doesn’t adore snow days. Not only do you… I don’t know a student in the world who doesn’t adore snow days. Not only do you get the gift of a day — or two or three — break from classes, but a cushiony bed of white dust also provides the perfect arena for recreational activities in the great out(or in)doors.

After a heavy snowfall, it is practically obligatory that you bundle up and head outside. You can build a snowman, construct a cavernous fort or even get out there and partake in some competitive sports. So when a precious few free passes fall into the laps of a welcoming student community, one gets to think how droves of undergrads are filling in the free hours. The list that follows are my top sports related activities on snow days:

1. Snowball fight. Obviously. It’s the winter’s equivalent to a summer Super Soaker skirmish. There may not be clear-cut rules or winners and losers, but by the time you’re done hurling your powdery orbs, it’s usually apparent who has come out on top. Sock someone in the face, and it’s pouring salt on the wound. What if Gilbert Arenas pulled out four unlicensed snowballs in the Washington Wizards’ locker room instead of real guns? Instead of being nailed with a felony charge, Arenas probably would have just gotten a little wet and icy.

2. Much to the chagrin of the Oakland Raiders fans and the infamous “tuck rule”, snow football comes in at number two. Tackle all you want and no one will get hurt. It’s a pretty iconic American game. Moreover, football is really the only game that snow won’t prevent you from playing outside. The only group of sports lovers that I know who aren’t into a little snow football are the Indianapolis Colts. They prefer to rest up for the Super Bowl, as evidence by their reclusion from their week 17 snow bowl at Buffalo this year. I suppose they figured they’d be rested up for their eventual Super Bowl victory … guess not.

3. The next item on my list isn’t an outdoors activity, but it’s great to play for hours when snowed into your apartment — or any day you don’t have something more productive to do. It’s the video game FIFA 2010. I know soccer isn’t big in the U.S., but trust me, soccer aficionado or otherwise, you’ll love playing this game. Better yet, if you have a household of roommates who like to play, you can create something called Lounge Mode, which allows players to compete while the game tallies statistics and win-loss records. So, if you’re more inclined to Madden football, and are up for a change, hit the pitch. I suggest playing with Spain’s national team.

4. A free admission men’s varsity basketball games. Who wouldn’t want to see a team that struggles offensively, plays erratic defense and whose go-to scorer could build a house with all the bricks he’s chucked up in his last few games? Pitt students surely wouldn’t be interested in that, would they?

5. Sledding, cool runnings style. Stash an egg in your jacket pocket and see whose egg busts first on the way down the slope. There’s no practical purpose to this, but it at least spices up an otherwise noncompetitive activity.

Now for some rapid fire:

— I’m not sure what a loss in the Super Bowl does for Peyton Manning’s legacy, but it definitely takes him out of the running for the “best ever” tag — for now. Peyton needs three Lombardi Trophies to be able to stake that claim, and many thought this year would get him one step closer. I know Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw have four rings, but Manning needs three because Tom Brady has three and their careers will forever be wedded to each other. You can’t be the best ever if you’re not the best of your era.

— Drew Bress is officially the third best (in no particular order) quarterback in the NFL with Manning and Brady. He’s statistically prolific and now has a ring too.

— The slam dunk contest this coming Saturday will be the most boring of all time — with all due respect to Nate Robinson, the worst champion the contest has ever seen. Robinson holding two slam dunk crowns in like Steve Nash holding two MVP awards: it’s ridiculous.

— That’s all for me. I have to get back to playing some FIFA. Stay warm out there, kids.