SEC Media Days Diary: Chapter 2

Day 3 at SEC Media Days is moving along as Florida head coach Billy Napier discusses his football program in the main ballroom. Napier followed Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman, who followed The King, Nick Saban, in the morning session. More on the morning in a moment.

First, an explanation of what we are doing here, in case you missed my first SEC Media Days diary entry yesterday. I am attending my first-ever SEC Media Days as part of Kentucky Sports Radio’s five-man team on the scene. It’s a non-stop grind of writing, videoing, radioing, podcasting, and, if we’re lucky, five hours of sleep at night. So I am documenting the scene and experiences at my inaugural SEC Football Kickoff with daily diaries.

This is Chapter 2.

We left Broadway at 9 p.m. like responsible adults.

Our parent company, On3, invited the KSR House downtown for some rooftop fun high above the madness. We met several of On3’s staff in person for the first time, plus the new college football hire, Andy Staples. Lots of ball was discussed.

Once the sun set on Broadway, we made the group decision to call it a night to recharge for today. I’m really proud of us. We caught a ride back out to East Nashville, went back to Joyland for a late-night burger, then headed back to the house to rest up.

We shut down The Stage. Whoops.

I hate it when that happens. You see, we did go home with the aforementioned intention of going to bed. I even changed into my jammies.

But some animals aren’t meant to be caged and this animal loves that distinct Nashville sound of beating drums and live country music. Once a couple “where u at” texts came through, it was too much temptation to fend off. Three of us went back out with a firm midnight curfew.

We missed it by about four hours. Let me tell you why.

SEC Media has some dogs.

“He’s got that dog in him.” It’s a popular phrase nowadays to talk about that dog within an athlete who is mentally tough or superhuman in big moments. Here in Nashville, I learned it’s more than just the best athletes who are dogs. SEC Media Days has some dogs. They’re sitting in the main ballroom on their computers or in front of cameras or microphones.

We’re not using names, but I have new levels of respect for certain TV and radio personalities. Let’s just say KSR wasn’t the only outlet with representation on Broadway after hours. SEVERAL of the faces from Media Days were also on The Stage dance floor, and several of those faces stayed out until 3:00 a.m.

When we answered our bell and arrived on time this morning, I was shocked to see everyone hard at work, like we weren’t just shouting Wagon Wheel together. It’s another long day and I assume many will run it back again for the last night. There are some Broadway All-Stars hidden in plain media clothes here.

Alabama fans were way too energetic this morning.

I get why Alabama leads off the day, but it’s too early in the morning for the Alabama experience. At 9 a.m., we were still looking for a hot coffee and a hearty breakfast while the lobby of the Grand Hyatt looked like a Buffalo Wild Wings in Huntsville.

Nacho Alabamo (pictured) was the man, though. Big fan. I got his card and email address. Maybe we’ll get our picture in front of the Nashville Wings later tonight or something.

Here’s a really blurry photo of Nick Saban

See you on November 11.

Blue Got In

Kentucky is in the building at this very moment. Mark Stoops is making his rounds on radio row, as are Eli Cox, JJ Weaver, and Octavious Oxendine, the player representation from Kentucky. Here very soon, we’ll be locked into our Kentucky Football coverage and there will be a lot of it. So, stick around for plenty more content and coverage of everything Stoops and the guys have to say.

Dr. Pepper, anyone?

For many, this is the fuel here at SEC Media Days. I prefer the hard stuff (coffee, not the hard-hard stuff) and we need gallons of it.

Thank You, Kroger

The trip was made possible by KSR’s friends at Kroger, your hometown, community spot for all your shopping needs. Kroger is proud to support local schools through Kroger Community Rewards. This includes up to 3.5 million in quarterly gifts to the non-profit of your choice. Sign up using your Kroger loyalty card at Kroger.com/communityrewards.

Go Cats.

Stoops coming up now…