Nick Wynne

Sports Editor

On a clear summer night in August, I found out while reading the Daily Press, the And1 mixtape tour was coming to Old Dominion University the following night. I knew I had to act fast. I grabbed fellow staff member, Tarik Badour, and Tabb’s favorite Indian pair (the Panwalas) and went to Norfolk to check it out.

The event started with free parking at the Ted Constant Center, a nice treat not to spring for parking. We saw the tour bus parked outside the Convocation Center, where we stopped for some photos. (The bus is somewhat of an icon for the tour.) The bus is repainted top to bottom each year with murals of star players.

Not only did we see the And1 Squad beat Team Norfolk, but E-40 and crew performed live at halftime. What a show!

During the game, one of the popular players, “Hot Sauce” put on quite the show for the crowd. After he was through embarrassing his defender from Team Norfolk, several times, he took off his shirt, shoes and game shorts. He threw them into different sections of the arena and ran off the court enthusiastically.

After the game, we all stuck around for an autograph session with the team. The rest of the And1 players went to the club room, which was set up with long tables and posters to be signed. One of the players, my favorite actually, AO has a tradition of coming through the line where people are waiting for the autograph session. He signs any and everything for the hardcore fans. He goes front to back, even daps up anyone who wants their dap. I had my ticket, DVD insert, poster, and even my And1 shoes signed by Aaron Owens. I also had “Main Event” sign my other shoe.

That was quite the way to end off a great time at ODU. For something like this to come to Virginia is quite the treat, the tour usually stops only at major cities.