1998 AZTRACK Alumni Annual Excursion

USATF National Track and Field Championship

New Orleans, LA

June 19 - 21, 1998

Aztrack Highlights

1998 New Orleans, LA,  

AZTRACK Attendess:

Rich Fox, Tyler Garein,  Andy Sythe, "Beef" Wellington Pendell,
Gary Stathas, Carrie Stathas, Jennifer Nanista

HONORARY AZTRACK Members:

Dave Cupples - Voted in Unanimously

Memorable moments:

(French Quarter & Bourbon St, girls in and out of our group
flashing for beads), riding the trolley home each morning, daiquiri drive through, hot humid days, the House of Blues, and Dinner at St. Patricks!)

To set the stage, Fox located a house for rent, via remote contacts, we will not go into at this time.  But it involved buying a plane ticket for the guy who owned the house to fly him out to San Diego to visit a blonde girl for the week.  One plane ticket later, split 6 ways and we were off and running.  Our usual day consisted of sleeping till the afternoon, getting lunch while in route to the track meet that started around 6pm.  Going for a group run around 10pm, then heading out for dinner around Midnight in the French Quarter.  Our return seemed to become later and later, until we were showing up at the house around 6am each morning.  Thank goodness the trolley ran all night long.

The house was across from Tulane University in a beautiful neighborhood, plus one block away from the trolley.  For $1 per person, we rode into the French Quarter each night.  This always started with us stepping off the trolley and stepping in-line for a daiquiri.  A couple blocks away after walking with our daiquiri's we were ready for the night.

On the last night, we all came together, for a group dinner.  This included a large contingency of Heptathletes, like Kristi Mcgihon (a future assistant coach at SDSU) and many other elite athletes.  So, the Aztrack party began with many old alumni and new alumni.  We of course had to get a "Hurricane" as it is tradition in New Orleans.

One last stop and we were done for the night.  Dave Cupples agreed to accompany Fox to the House of Blues.  This was a place Fox had asked to go to since the group had arrived.  For several days Fox had pleaded with the group to head over there, but had always been overruled.  On this last night, Cupples took Fox there for a quick drink.  Upon their arrival, the doors were shut and the lights were off.  Sad, disappointed and dejected, Fox walked up to the door and leaned against it.  The locked handle was ajar and the door opened.  Cupples and Fox looked at each other.  They rationalized.  If the door is open, they must want us to come in.  It must be destiny that they were to have a drink in the House of Blues.  Once inside, they walked through the historic bar where many a great musician has played.  The place was empty, not a soul in the bar.  They walked up and sat at the bar.  They ordered a drink, but none came.  They were sad, but not down and out.  Cupples, the friend that he is, told Fox, "I will be your bartender, what would you like to drink".  Stepping behind the bar and assuming the job of a fine French Quarter servant, Cupples reached into the cold refrigerator and pulled out a couple beers for the two of them.  Cracking open the Samuel Adams beers, they toasted to a great week, to friendship, to memories and to a drinking in the House of Blues, VIP style.  With the flip of a switch they had and cold beers.  They talked through the night about track, police work (Does anyone see the irony here with them both being cops), work outs, women (present, past and future) and future Aztrack Trips!!!