That one cliché pretty much sums up my family’s trip down to the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl over Christmas break. Pain came from sharing the back seat of our cramped Volvo sedan for an 8 hour drive with my sister. But the glory came from Baylor wrecking UCLA 49-26, and that is much more memorable than driving.
Our family of four started our trip early on December 26, driving from our home in Saratoga down to San Diego in hopes of making it in time for the Baylor Pep Rally. There was the obligatory stop at In-N-Out for lunch (a California tradition), and we rolled in with just enough time to settle into a beautiful view at the hotel before heading down to the pep rally.
Amanda Tran (junior), Cody Wetsel (senior) and me at the Pep Rally!
Even so far away from Waco, there was so much green and gold spirit as there is at Floyd Casey Stadium! The Baylor University Golden Wave Marching Band did a great job of keeping the music loud as the spirit squads led us in cheers. Finally, the football team walked in and we all got an inspirational talk from Coach Art Briles. In a very packed ballroom, filled with green and gold, there was one sign for a specific football player – my sign! My friend Cody plays safety, so I worked hard the night before to make him a great (and very glittery!) green and gold sign to cheer him on during the game. He really appreciated the extra support.
Before the game, my family had quite a morning adventure. About 300 Baylor students were being bused from Waco out to San Diego for the game, and some of them had volunteered to hold the Baylor balloon in the Holiday Bowl parade! However, a series of unfortunate events made the buses arrive late to San Diego, so my family literally got roped into helping walk the balloon through the streets of downtown San Diego. My dad got really into high fiving the children along the side of the road, my mom was trying hard not to float away, and Katrin and I were just laughing.
Mom, Dad, Katrin and me walking the huge Baylor Bear Balloon through the Holiday Bowl Parade!
Finally, it was time for the game. We put on our green and gold, bundled up for the cold evening weather, and headed out to Qualcomm Stadium. It was so great seeing all the Baylor fans that made the pilgrimage from Texas to California! Even though there were more UCLA supporters than Baylor fans in the stands, we were louder cheering. It was so great to see our defense come together, Nick Florence throwing amazing passes, and our offense blowing past UCLA in every way. Our team played so strong, and they deserved that win!!
Tired as cold as we were, we headed back to the hotel late that night and got up early the next morning to trek back home. We flung our green and gold afar down in San Diego and helped bring home another bowl game win to Waco!