Omaha Observations - Day Two

Greenies at Gorats

Friday, June 17, 2005
By Debbie Grant

As Coach Rick Jones said last night at the opening celebration of the College World Series, today is the day to get back to business, which the team did by practicing at a local high school field.

Meanwhile, Green Wave fans are coming to town. While there was only a light sprinkle of Tulane green at Rosenblatt for Thursday's opening ceremonies, the pace has certainly picked up. The Crowne Plaza is team headquarters, but the Hilton Omaha where I am staying is housing its fair share of Greenies as well. Section A from Turchin is well represented here and Times Picayune columnist and Tulane fan Angus Lind was spotted roaming the lobby with a couple of pals. Of course, make no mistake about it--the Hilton is Husker Headquarters with the Nebraska team staying here, and if you miss the sign proclaiming Husker Nation out front, the waitresses in red polo shirts with the Nebraska logo will set you straight.

At a local steakhouse called Gorats, pronounced GRRRR-ATS, which I am told is one of Warren Buffet's local favorites, there were several tables of Green Wave faithful happily working away at some prime Midwestern beef. Cool place with actual cheek to cheek dancing in the bar—a real Omaha experience.

Greenies at Gorats

Big day tomorrow and most fans are planning to meet at the Pavilion Tent near Rosenblatt for a Tulane-style tailgate before the game. Sponsored by the Tulane Alumni Association there will be live Dixieland music, and enough food and cold drinks to help settle our pre-game jitters. Expect to see Rick Dickson there, as well as Tulane basketball Coach Dave Dickerson, who's been to enough baseball games to be an old pro at the Hullabaloo. Maybe they'll lead the Tulane faithful in a couple of rounds of the cheer, just to warm us up and give the fine folks here a preview of a Helluva Hullabaloo.