Consuelos enjoys first USF game

Had a fun interruption during halftime of Thursday's USF-Rutgers game: actor Mark Consuelos, one of USF's most recognizable alums from a pop-culture standpoint, had wanted to say hi while stopping in the press box.

We'd done a note on Consuelos a few weeks back, and he was amusingly honest about being a bandwagon fan -- USF didn't have football when he finished his college years there in the early 90s. Thursday gave him his first chance to watch the Bulls in person, attending with Jim Ornstein, a Rutgers alum and the agent for Consuelos' wife, actress Kelly Ripa. (I forget to check "Live with Regis and Kelly" this morning to see if she mentioned the game).

Give Consuelos credit -- he wore a dark green "FINISH STRONG" shirt in the middle of a red Rutgers section. He e-mailed me a great cellphone photo he took during the game -- that's Ornstein on the right ("He's keeping me safe over there," Consuelos said.) Anyway, just thought he was a good example of how USF's success in the past month has them reaching out to new fans, even within their own alumni base.

You can juxtapose Consuelos with the person generally offered as USF's most recognizable non-sports alum, comedian Gallagher, who was actually in New Jersey this weekend for a show. He declined to be interviewed through his publicists, who said he isn't a sports fan and didn't want to talk about USF's football team. I offered to talk to him solely about USF as a university whose exposure is growing nationally, but haven't heard back on that request.

Comments

[Seth]

Hey Greg,

This weekend if WV beats Rutgers, Louisville beats Pitt, and we beat Uconn, That leaves USF, WV, and Uconn with 1 loss. So USF would have the tie breaker over both teams, and control its own destiny correct? And not to mention WV still has to play Uconn.

[High Tech Bull]

It is sad that Gallagher is not a sports fan, and is probably not interested in talking about USF. He is a student of the Vietnam era who were typically in school for education and to stay out of the Vietnam War. That era of students traditionally does not have a lot of school spirit or school pride.

I was a huge Gallagher years before I ever became a USF student, fan, and alumnus (in that order). I wish Gallagher would talk about his views on USF.

[Sherrie]

How about another semi-famous USF alum, longtime (20 years plus) Days of our Lives actor Drake Hogestyn? He even played on the USF baseball team in the late 70's/early 80's so he would likely be more interested in the football team than Gallagher.

[Ralph Janotti]

Do we know yet what time the Cincinnati game is benig played? It would be nice for those who need to make plans.

[Dave W]

Someone hired Gallagher?

He's from a bygone era at USF- his views would be interesting. My guess is that he is ambivalent to the school and probably doesn't have the same fond memories that my class will have.

[nybullsfan]

Hi Seth,

Only Rutgers and UCONN can control their own destinies - if either of them run the table, they go to the BCS. Everybody else needs help.

If UCONN loses any two of their 4 remaining BE games and PITT runs the table, PITT goes to the BE.

If RU loses any one of their 4 remaining BE games and USF runs the table, USF goes to the BE.

If USF loses any remaining game and WVU runs the table, WVU goes to the BCS.

If USF and WVU both run the table from here, they're both likely to go to the BCS - as long as one of us is ranked #1 or #2. Otherwise, it's probably just USF in the BCS, and WVU goes to the Sun or Meineke

How about a USF vs. WVU rematch in the NC game???

Go Bulls!

[nybullsfan]

Isn't Lauren Hutton a USF grad?

Let's get her opinion too...

[JL]

I think Gallagher is a waste of time, and not really good for the school's image anyway.
We should be asking grads like the current CFO from Google. USF grad as well...no, not San Fran.

http://www.google.com/corporate/execs.html#george

[JL]

Even though he is on his way out...

[DELdaBULL]

NYbull,

If both USF and WVU win out, USF will go to the Sugar or Orange as the BE rep, and WVU would be an at large (and man do they travel well).

[Rob]

I'm surprised Hogan hasn't jumped on the USF bandwagon. He sure hopped on the Lightning ASAP during the Cup run. Maybe Greg could get Hogan to make a few comments about the team -- and while you're at it Greg ask Hogan to give me back the money I wasted on his lousy grill (yeah it was my own fault for buying it but even so ... back to Foreman for me ... at least until Fedor Emelianenko makes a grill).

[g-man]

You would think a comedian whose best days are behind him would welcome the chance to get some face time on national TV.

Guess it's off to the "Where Are They Now?" Web sites for Mr. Gallagher and his tired watermelon-smashing schtick ... I mean, crazy antics.

[Daryl]

How about USF Grad Greg Pitts who has been in Coyote Ugly, Office Space and other movies, currently is the blonde guy in all the Allstate commercials. He is more recognizable as the O-Face guy in Office Space than some lame soap star married