FULMER CUP ACCOUNTING: TAMPA ALWAYS = FUN

by Orson on Apr 30, 2007 11:06 AM EDT

Matt Grothe, simply earning some extra money as an intrepid, hardworking college student, picked up an unfortunate citation for serving alcohol to an 18 year old during his shift as a bartender at "The Bull Ring," a Tampa sports bar within puking distance of the USF campus. We had no idea serving 18 year olds any kind of booze was a problem in Tampa, as we've seen toddlers doing shots at Dave's Aqua Lounge out on Gandy before crawling into their Power Wheels and weaving home.

They're not the only ones, either: Tampa has to lead the world in alternate forms of transport on the road used as a direct result of DUIs. The Barbie Power Wheels Jeep is prime real estate, automotively speaking, for the interlock crowd.

Greg Auman, a journalist who displays some fine blogging fundamentals on his St. Pete Times blog, has the full (and we mean full) story of the Grothe arrest. In summary: it's no big deal NCAA-wise since athletes are allowed to work as long as they're properly compensated, and legally it's no biggie since 18 year olds may work as barkeeps in the state of Florida. (Odd, but true.)

What is troubling for enforcement types is the open possibility of illegal benefits channeled through tips. Anyone who's ever worked in a bar might recognize this as a real danger; bartenders consistently underreport their tips due to intentional and unintentional bad accounting. In an all-cash economy with few receipts, the potential for cash flowing into player's hands is endless. Unless they're serving toddlers--those little bastards tip like cash-strapped Baptists, dammit.

One point for USF for a paltry underage serving charge in the Fulmer Cup. Oh, and one for UGA, too, while we're clearing house, because Akeem doesn't want the terrorists to win.

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If you ever actually visit the Bull Ring, it’s the dingiest place on Earth. If someone is going there for anything less than Sub-Bennigan’s food, you are shit out of luck. I’ve never seen more than three cars in the lot, even during football season. Besides, if you offer deals for students with meal plans and they refuse to go, who honestly will go there?

by That 5.0 Guy on Apr 30, 2007 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Is it just me, or are there MANY more entries in the Fulmer cup this year? It also seems like the point totals are much higher. Did you guys change the rules, or is this the end of the world as we know it?

by adam on Apr 30, 2007 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

I think Bama needs some Fulmer Cup points for losing to Mississippi State last year. It’s six months later and I bet that one still burns.

by And Eye on Apr 30, 2007 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

That was a crime And Eye… but the person responsible is no longer with the team, therefore, no points

by PeterPumpkinhead on Apr 30, 2007 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Like anything else, once people or sensitive to an issue, it becomes more noticeable. Consequently, or readers make sure we don’t miss any entries this season. Chalk it up to a few major infractions which dwarf last years Fulmer cup efforts coupled with gross underreporting of minor infractions last year.

by Stranko Montana on Apr 30, 2007 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

Akeem should probably get an extra point for getting arrested 10 days short of his probation expiration thereby earning himself automatic suspension for the rest of spring sememster and all of fall semester effectively eliminating himself from playing for the Bulldogs next season.

Add to that, the fact that he was arrested trying to enter a pub named The Villiage Idiot and when refused admitance he pointed his finger, cocked his thumb and “shot” the doorman thereby ganering the attention of Athens finest. Classic.

http://media.www.redandblack.com/media/storage/paper871/news/2007/04/30/Sports/Hebron.Suspended.After.Second.Alcohol.Violation-2886919.shtml

He’s probably gone for good…..

by godawg on Apr 30, 2007 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

When we were in the Tallahassee Toys R US some time last year…i think someone needed a video game or something…we saw this bad ass escalade power wheels. It had a radio, and it had a microphone system for hollerin’ at hoes. I’m pretty sure that kid-QB from last week has one in his driveway.

See, this kid is pulling down crazy boy band ass with his ride:
http://www.toysrus.com/sm-power-wheels-escalade-with-fm-radio—pi-2299197.html

by Brian on Apr 30, 2007 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

aww, sorry the link doesnt work.

by Brian on Apr 30, 2007 1:23 PM EDT reply actions

Can you imagine the tips if Tebow worked at Lillian’s? What a great gig that would be.

by Stretch on Apr 30, 2007 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

Stretch,

Where would I go cougar hunting then?

by AtomicDog on Apr 30, 2007 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

Michigan attempting to regain the lead. Very preliminary (as in so much so that not even identities are released yet)but, there it is:

http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070430/NEWS01/104290030

by Jackwraith on Apr 30, 2007 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

As a USF alum, I am pleased to see that USF is not wasting opportunities to get into the news this offseason in the company of such distinguished schools as Penn State, Florida, Illinois, and Idaho. Hopefully, we can continue this streak.

Also, I am glad to see that the Bull Ring now has two connections to USF, the other being the name. I haven’t been there in a year, but I’ve never seen a sports bar in an area near a Div-IA college that had less sports stuff in it or even semblance of recognition to the nearby school (although in fairness, it used to be almost impossible to get USF gear at University Mall, an irony I always loved).

by Chris Bohnker on Apr 30, 2007 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

Orson,

While the idea of a student athlete working a tipped job could cause all sorts of problems in theory, I’d say USF has nothing to worry about – unless maybe one of their female athletes were to take a job at a “bar” like 2001 or Mons Venus.

by Chas on Apr 30, 2007 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

Atomic Dog, the cougar hunting would be just as fine. All would have an opportunity to fill all tags! I’ve bagged several myself. God bless that place.

by Stretch on Apr 30, 2007 4:20 PM EDT reply actions