Sunday, October 20, 2013

Arizona vs Utah football game

I went to the University of Arizona football game versus Utah last night.

I sat in one of the luxury skybox suites.  It's not only offers a spectacular view of the entire field, but there is a food buffet and the owners of the box had beer, wine and two TV's to watch the game besides what I could see live outside of the window.

I brought Anthony with me.  It was his first time going to a sporting event.  He's not a fan of crowds.  Considering that, the fact that he went was pretty remarkable.  I think he didn't love the experience but it was fun bringing him.  His lack of enjoyment could be partially blamed on the fact that he is not a sports fan.

I brought my Canon SX50 superzoom bridge camera.  It has the most ridiculous zoom lens you could imagine, with a 1200mm focal length, 50 times optical zoom, and 200 times digital zoom.  The photos with this post will give you an idea of what kind of zoom it has.  You'll see wide shots of the entire stadium, as well as close up shots of people across the stadium.  It is not an interchangeable lens camera, all these shots were done with one lens.  I think it is an impressive camera.  Unfortunately, there is minor distortion with the shots from the skybox because the photos were shot through the window glass but they still came out pretty good.  (Click on any photo to see them enlarged, they are better that way).

The best news of the day:  Arizona won the game, 35-24.

Anthony's first football game ever.
We parked across from Arizona Stadium.
I bought him the shirt so he'd look the part of a football fan.

Skybox Entrance... yes please.

Waiting for the gates to open.

Sunset over the mountains looking over the north end of Arizona Stadium

Another photo of the north end of the stadium.
A construction project was completed just before this year's football season
to build those stands, new concessions, and sports training facilities underneath.

Wide shot of Arizona Stadium at sunset, about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Zoom shots below will give you an idea of the
camera's abilities.

South end of Arizona Stadium and the Catvision video board.

Arizona players warming up for the game on the field

Arizona marching band on the field for the national anthem

Lined up for the Arizona players to come out of the tunnel and onto the field

View looking down directly below the skybox

Football game underway

Arizona quarterback BJ Denker running with the football

Anthony and I in the skybox

These guys in the Zona Zoo student section are #borntobewild!

A glass of wine helped to ease Anthony's nerves

See the moon beyond that stadium lighting tree?

Here's what the moon looked like at 100 times zoom.
You can even see the craters along the top.

They put the Utah / visiting marching band at the very top of the stadium

Here's the Arizona marching band in the stands

Food buffet that included Mexican food and bacon wrapped hot dogs

Anthony and Anthony watching the game in the skybox

Four guys with green hair in the Zona Zoo student section

These guys found out what happens when you make love to a Smurf

Arizona cheerleaders stopped by the skybox

Former University of Arizona and New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi
was honored during the game.
That's Athletic Director Greg Byrne on the right wearing red shoes.

Arizona marching band at halftime

Mariachis and dancers joined the halftime show at Arizona Stadium

They had cookies at halftime!

A colorful group in the Zona Zoo

Here's Arizona football player Jared Tevis, who was a guest on my TV show a couple
of weeks ago, sidelined with an injury

This UA Police officer keeps people in line with his finger

The A in the middle of the field at Arizona Stadium needs to be vacuumed.

Here's what happens when a Smurf goes wild.

Wilma and Wilbur Wildcat

I'm not the only person taking pictures at the game

The last points Utah scored was this field goal

We left with 1:45 remaining in the game.
The final score turned out to be 35-24 when Arizona scored
one additional touchdown to seal the win.