Wingette recaps 2008 Wing Bowl

NOELLE PENNEY GUEST WRITER LILBUNNI888S@COMCAST NET

This past Friday, I participated as a Wingette in the Philadelphia Wing Bowl. Doors opened at 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1 at the Wachovia Center.

When I first said I would participate, I had no idea how early it started. I had to be there by 4 a.m. to check- in and put on my naughty nurse outfit. The contestant I escorted to the stage is known as Dr. Bigtime, a professional eater from Tennessee. Interestingly, he is also an orthopedic spine surgeon, thus why his entourage of men dressed as doctors and I as a naughty nurse. Before escorting Dr. Bigtime on stage, I was interviewed by FOX news and I told them I was surprised as to how many people turned out for this year’s Wing Bowl.

Every contestant had a float, but Dr. Bigtime wanted to be remembered so he brought $1,000 all in single dollar bills and had his girls throw money out into the crowd. People asked me why I just didn’t keep the money, but where was I supposed to keep it? I was wearing a string bikini at that point.

Once we circled the stadium we were brought up on stage. Basically my job was to stand there and look pretty while handing Dr. Bigtime a new plate of wings every time he finished a plate. It was a great experience to be able to be up on stage with my friend Stacey, who also happens to be Miss 610 sports radio, and listen to the crowd cheer.

Unfortunately Dr. Bigtime was eliminated in the first round so we exited the stage and watched the second and third round from backstage. I think it was staged so that a Philadelphia guy would win, but that’s my opinion.

The winner ended up being Joey Chestnut, a competitive eater from Cali. who once ate 59.5 hotdogs in 12 minutes and because of those wins, won a motorcycle and a Toyota Tundra. Maybe I should enter into competitive eating!

I had a great time participating in the Wing Bowl and it was very flattering to have guys coming up to you asking if you’ll be in a picture with them. I did expect to see more celebrity athletes, however the celebrities there consisted of Pat Croce, who was the announcer of the contest, and Nikki Benz, an adult film star. There were way too many drunken women in the audience taking all their clothes off just to get on the jumbo screen, which made me feel embarrassed for them because it was really tacky.

Although I had to be on stage in front of hundreds of people in a hot pink, sparkly bikini, I was not nervous. I loved walking around the arena while the men cheered and took pictures; I got to feel like a celebrity for a day.

When the Wing Bowl was over, all of the Wingette’s rushed to the dressing room to take off their costumes. The No. one complaint was definitely how much our feet hurt after wearing platforms for three hours. When we exited the Wachovia Center, men continued to cheer for us as we walked to our cars. Then the men probably went off to the nearest strip club, while I went home to get some sleep. So the event began at 5 a.m. and ended by 10:30 a.m.

I would not hesitate to participate in the Wing Bowl next year; it was a great experience if you don’t mind an occasional man grabbing you as you walk past.

My only regret is that Dr. Bigtime got eliminated after the first round; it would have been cool if he won. But, my friend did win a diamond necklace for being runner-up in the top ten wingette contest so all in all, the day was a success.

JESSICA HAGERTY SPORTS EDITOR JH729@CABRINI EDU

Spygate controversy meeting in planning

The tapes turned over by the New England Patriots last September as a part of a spying probe are being questioned by Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. Specter has been critical of the league’s handling of the controversy and is questioning NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s handling of the situation. Specter’s staff is working to finalize a meeting time in order to discuss the controversy. He also said he is interested in speaking with Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady to see if he may have benefited from any of the materials that were gathered illegally, according to ESPN.com.

Texas Tech head coach resigns misdeason

Bob Knight resigned unexpectedly as Texas Tech’s head basketball coach on Monday, Feb. 4. In his third season at Texas Tech and Knight’s said his mid-season resignation was due to the fact that he is ready to quit battling the ref’s, according to espn.com. Knight, in his 42nd year of head coaching, has the most wins in Division I men’s basketball and has turned the team over to his son Pat Knight for the remaining 10 games of the season.

Santana signs contract with Mets

Former Minnesota Twin Johan Santana agreed to a $137.5 million, 6 year contract with the New York Mets. The two-time Cy Young Award winning pitcher finalized the trade on Saturday, Feb. 2, according to ESPN.com. The Mets are predicted to be a National League favorite in the upcoming season.

Pat’s Andrews pleads not guilty for possession

After authorities found New England Patriots defensive back Willie Andrews with a half-pound marijuana, he pleaded not guilty to the charge, according to espn. com. Prosecutors said Andrews had $6,800 in cash, three bags of marijuana, yet no means to smoke the drugs. He has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and driving an unregistered motor vehicle. He will appear in court on March 18 for a pretrial conference.

Upcoming Games

Thursday, Feb. 7

Women’s Basketball at Immaculata University (7 p.m.)

Men’s Basketball vs. Misericordia University (7 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 9

Women’s Basketball at Centenary College (1 p.m.)

Men’s Basketball at Centenary College (3 p.m.) Track and Field at New Balance Collegiate Invitational - All Day (NY)

Monday, Feb. 11

Women’s Basketball vs. Neumann College (6 p.m.)

Men’s Basketball vs. Neumann College (8 p.m.)

Wednesday, Feb. 13

Women’s Basketball vs. College of Notre Dame (7 p.m.)