The year was 1986 and I was a fresh faced 14 year old. Now those of you who know me know that I’m not a small person, even when not being a complete fat ass. Well my curse was, I got to be about this size when I was 14 and then stopped growing. But like I was saying, it was 1986, I was 14 and having delusions of getting to 6-4 or so.
We lived in Evanston, WY and Dennis Erickson had just been hired at Wyoming as the new football coach. It was exciting because he was bringing the forward pass to Wyoming. It was to be known as Erickson’s Air Express and the world would be our oyster.
The Cowboy Joe Club, Wyoming’s Booster Club, was holding events all over the state to introduce Dennis Erickson and his staff to the boosters, and my parents and I went. I knew things would be interesting as I arrived. The first thing I saw was Coach Erickson and his Defensive Coordinator named Del Wright doing shots of Jack Daniels.
Del Wright was introduced to us first. Let me say first that Del was a bigger drinker than Coach Erickson and quite drunk already. He also thought it was amazing that I was only 14. Now Del takes me away and starts introducing me to the other defensive coaches and begins discussing his plans to make me an All-American defensive tackle. Which I have to say is a really cool discussion to be having had about you.
He then calls Coach Erickson over by screaming, “Dennis get the hell over here, you have to meet this kid.” Coach Erickson comes over and Coach Wright tells him I’m 14. Erickson then looks me square in the eye and says, “Holy Shit, son I’d like to give you a scholarship right now.”
At this point he turns to the bartender and says, “Give me another beer.” It was a Budweiser for those of you playing at home. He hands me a beer and says lets drink to the newest Cowboy and clinks bottles. I’m on friggin cloud nine. I imagine its how every Athletic Director Dennis Erickson has told he was going to be their coach for life felt.
I go to take a drink but just short of the beer bottle meeting my lips my father grabs it and gives me that special what the hell are you doing look that fathers give sons. I actually go with, “dad, Coach Erickson just offered me a scholarship and we were celebrating.” At which point, Del Wright chimes in with, “hell yes, I’m going to make your boy an All-American.”
My dad tells me to go find my mom and then sits and bullshits with the coaches for 20 minutes or so.
To conclude the story, Dennis Erickson left for Washington State after one season, not even telling the Wyoming A.D. he was leaving. Neither he nor Del Wright ever did sign me to a scholarship.