A Disturbing Trend in Higher Education

I recently attempted to give advice to the college students in America concerning the topic of college rap/pop videos.

apparently nobody listens to me, however there is another, perhaps more severe, issue facing higher education in America.

The Lip Dub

/rubs temples

Evidently the latest craze is to essentially lip sync a song, while walking through an environment. The goal is for the video to seem spontaneous, yet it is highly choreographed and organized.

An example from Xavier University.


I'll give credit, I like the Rabbi on a Catholic campus, however it seems that everyone at Xavier has failed walking backward 101, coolness 202, and Freshman seminar: When not to make it rain.

Also. Only 5 from the dance squad? Were the other 10 screwing the basketball team?

Next UVA


That's so typical. Why doesn't this surprise me? Where do I even begin? The execution was off, nothing inherently funny about it, not even in an ironic way.

Bias aside, this was just horrible.

It was so bad that I'm not even going to send it to VT friends. Part of a rivalry is having some semblance of competition between two schools. This...this would just be too devastating to overcome. Trust me, it's best if we keep this our little secret.

Here's more examples from Boston, Seton Hall, and Lehigh there's probably a lot more, but quite frankly I can't stand to watch them.

Look I get these are all about school spirit. Fine. I'm not against it. But we all have school spirit. I think most people enjoyed their college experience, so I'm sorry, your school isn't any better than mine or anyone else's. Your school may be unique in some way, but again every school is unique. That's why kids go to them, they fit their needs. So while you may love your wonderful family atmosphere, someone else may want to get ripped and not go to class. To each their own.

However, I fear these videos a false impression of what college is like. Sure, these videos have some truth to them. Girls will walk around in uggs and galoshes. Many will rep their frat or sorority. And yes, you will have guys walking around in ironic shirts or banana costumes in order to draw attention to themselves. But not everyone is like that. I swear. College can be fun without making lip dub videos. And that's the thing. Colleges have a club or organization for everything. EVERYTHING. You'll find your niche, whether it's heavy drinking, chess, or saving the world. If you're into lip dubbing? Well, they obviously have that for you too.

Now, I'm not all negative. I'm here to help you. I'll give you an example of a decent lip dub.


First off, this is From Emmerson. Emmerson is a four year Performing arts college, which is a trump card in this situation. If you are a drama/performing arts kid disregard everything I've just said. Why? Performing arts kids are typically pretty cool, and this is also their job.

you can see the professionalism in this video. It has a story line with the girl trying to find her way and seeing all the wonders of Emmerson. (I appreciate the creativity in an otherwise bland genre). The cinematography is second to none, and the choreography and acting is to be respected.(Note: The drama trump card is in play for the quidditch portion as well)

But like I said, this is what they do. I don't roll into the Science building and start performing experiments and shit. Science kids do that.

Anyway, if you MUST make a video about your college. May I suggest using a simple montage? Sports teams have been using this for years to great effect. It shows ACTUAL things that ACTUALLY happen. Second, use a cool song. I get Dynamite is appealing to you, but there are a lot of people who hate that song. And as always make it funny or creative on some level.

My biggest fear is that at some point my alma mater will make a stupid music video or even worse I'll be in one. On some level I know it's going to happen. And in that moment all my respect and my reputation that I had worked on for some many years will go up in flames. Like dynamite.

Friday afternoon Fun Bag!!!!

Should we get Wild On?

Let's get Wild On!!!

Weekend is here and the first thing everyone needs to do is go on a fantastic voyage....with a hover round.


Whenever I'm at parties or weddings people ask me to dance. I tell them I don't dance, i simply do football agility drills to the beat of the music. People thought I was crazy until now.


Icehouse is probably the best half court shooter I know, but I think he may have some competition.


Remember my advice on not making college rap videos? Just an FYI but that DOES apply to sororities. Who doesn't like Baylor KKG? Flavor. Flavor and self respect.


Finally, the BCS championship is on the horizon. If there's one thing I'll say it's that never ever underestimate the insanity of SEC fans. I don't know what I would do without you, you crazy lovable bastards.


On two on two, reaaaaaaaady

Break.

A Decade of College Football

I guess it's just dawned on me that the year is in fact 2010 and we are ten years removed from VT's attempt to knock off the Florida State machine. Looking back it would've been hard to imagine that Florida State and Miami are trying to get out of their rebuilding stints, Michigan is fighting for relevancy, and USC would rise to national prominence only to (possibly) fall from grace.

If you think about it we've had 10 amazing years of College football.
-We got to see 2 of the greatest players in CFB history.
-The best MNC Championship game of all time.
-Navy beating ND....twice.
-Arguably the greatest upset of all time.
-One of the greatest games of all time.
-Mike Leach
-Return of the Messiah
-One of the greatest athletic talents to play the QB position.
-Increased parity
-The move to mega-conferences
-The move towards a playoff (or at the very least a +1 format)
-New schematic innovations
-An offseason that rivals any professional sport in terms of exposure.
-A ND bowl victory
-Rise of the SEC
-A gamble by the ACC
-A marriage proposal
-A straight cold cocking punch
-Brawls (one including a crutch)
-The rise of fan rap videos
-The last game of Bobby Bowden
-The last game for Keith Jackson
-And of course Joepa still ballin in Happy Valley.

So let's hope for another ten great years, and and early good luck to the next 4-5 headers at Notre Dame.

Your favorite moments in the comments.

More Leachiness

Avid readers will know that GRH is heavy on the Leach love. Above is the newest jam from Kain & Ryze, they of the "Crank That Crabtree" track. All of this is just to fill space until Lattimer offers a proper eulogy.

CFB Preview

#9 THEgay Ohio State University

Initial Reaction: This hurts me more than it hurts you.

Offense: Other than C Mike Brewster (1st team Frosh AA) WR Dane Sanzenbacher, and the RB tandem Of Saine and Herron you have to think it's going to be the Terelle Pryor show.

Defense: 7 returning starters. 3 out of the 4 D-lineman return. The most notable however are LB Ross Homan and the solid safety duo of Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell.

Special Teams: Probably helped to make this "rap" video.

Ok take the hate glasses off for a while. The vest is 83-19 at Tosu and has led the Buckeyes to top ten finishes in the past four season, and on paper 09 should be number 5. Looking at the schedule they have 5 key games in my opinion. Tosu will receive their ritual slaughter to a superior team when USC comes to town followed by a tough Illinios squad two weeks later. Finally they face a three week stretch in November where they travel to Happy Valley, get Iowa at home, and continue the pwnage of noob Rich Rod and Michigan.

It's safe to assume that the the Penn State game on the 14th will be the de-facto Big Ten (11) championship game. It's probably also safe to assume that they'll get outclassed by USC. I said earlier that it would be a ritual slaughter, which it could easily turn into, but since it's in Columbus I don't think it will be anywhere near the types of embarrassments they received in the past couple years.

Iowa and Illinois will be tough games, but I think Tressell will have the team ready. Now the Penn State game is obviously the big one, and I just think Penn State has more weapons to go to offensively, and the defense should be fairly good this year. The game is also in Beaver Stadium so I just don't think the Buckeyes win it. Most likely scenario, two losses and a chance to back into a BCS bowl, but crazier things have happened.

There are two X-factors in this season. The first is that it reminds me of an emerging year for the Buckeyes. What I mean by that is there is a good chance for younger guys on the team to become big time players. (Think Troy Smith, Laurinaitis) Tosu traditionally recruits very well so some young buck may start off the year on the 2 deep and end up being the next guy touted by Herbstreit as the next big thing.

The other X factor is Terell Pryor. Yes, he's as good as they say he is. It's also interesting to watch him, to me he makes it look so easy. He doesn't have the insane moves like Vick, the pocket poise of Bradford, or the effortless glides of Vince. He's just Pryor, he makes plays. The Penn State game from last year is a good example. Nobody could run that day, and PSU sent the dogs after him, Pryor made some plays with his feet, and nearly pulled out the win...as a freshman. Bottom line is that he's the type of guy who will pull shit out of his ass that COULD help Tosu to put together big wins. (USC/PSU) And I think you know what that means.
/collective groan.