permission with the qualifier that they were back for curfew.
Saturday was billed as a chance to create special memories at Arizona Stadium and a Wildcat Football game.
Everyone was encouraged to wear a white t-shirt to the game for the fan “whiteout.” Pregame, they had a Family Fun Zone Tailgate that would include food, entertainment, Wildcat spirit, and a good time for the parents and families while visiting with their students.
Some lucky parents would get to join the ten-thousand-strong ZonaZoo, advertised as the nation’s largest, loudest student section. David had no doubt they would be rowdy come game time.
◊◊◊
When they arrived at the hotel for the gala, the lobby was packed with parents and students. David regretted not having his security with him when someone recognized him. Thankfully, Alex stepped forward to stop the rush.
“I promise you that David will visit each table, and you can have some one-on-one time. Please let him go in and get settled first.”
That appeased them as the Arizona sorority president rushed over to lead them to their seats.
“It’s such an honor …” she began to babble.
“You should be thanking Crystal. I wouldn’t be here without her asking,” David said to cut her off.
“Why don’t you and I talk, and I’ll fill my boyfriend in on what you want him to do,” Crystal said to save him.
The two of them went off to have a quick conversation.
“Let’s just write them a check and go out to dinner,”
Alex suggested.
“No! I want to capture the event. Plus, you’re dancing with me,” Chloe said.
David was with Alex on this one, but he knew better than to voice his preference because Chloe would be in Crystal’s ear the moment he did.
“I need a drink,” Alex decided and left the two of them.
“Do you think he’s bringing us back drinks too?” David asked.
“Shut it, smart ass,” Chloe said with a smirk. “Alex just needs to put on his big-boy pants and suck it up. So do you.”
“I didn’t say a word,” David said to defend himself.
“Then you won’t mind walking me around the room and meeting people, will you?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
◊◊◊
David going to each table got everyone into the ballroom. Crystal and the Arizona Alpha Mu president, Mikayla Cole, joined in the introductions. Chloe and one of the pledges took pictures while another pledge collected information on who was in each one and their contact information so they would get copies of the images later.
That didn’t stop a group of cute girls from following them around and videoing and taking pictures of their own.
He was amused because Crystal became territorial and mentioned that she was his girlfriend numerous times.
When David was done with his networking, they returned to their table. Crystal had to admit that for a sorority function, the White Dress Gala was done in grand style and indulged in a sophisticated luxury that was seldom seen. She was busy gathering ideas for USC’s Spring Formal.
“This is all wrong for a fundraiser,” David said to bring her out of her thoughts.
“I don’t understand why you say that. It’s a nice event, and I think everyone is having fun.”
“Did you see they have an open bar?”
“Your point?” Crystal asked.
“I’ve been to a few of these, and the successful ones are focused on the cause, not the party. Granted, there are exceptions, but those are mostly high-end affairs for the über-rich. Arizona isn’t necessarily that. It’s a state university where everyone can get a good education. For many of these parents, this is pushing their budget,” David explained.
“Which means they don’t have extra money to donate to the women’s charity,” Crystal said as she got his point.
“It’s okay if they want to have a swanky reason to get dressed up for fun. Just don’t turn it into a charity event, too.”
“It sounds like this has touched a nerve,” Crystal said as a tiny grin appeared.
“My mom’s a realtor,” David said, launching into his grievance. “And they raise funds statewide to be used to both elect and lobby for a real-estate-positive government.
It’s done by the local associations. My mom was actively involved until she got sick, and another woman took over.
“For their big fundraiser, they did an event similar to this at my dad’s country club. The woman rubbed it in my mom’s face that they’d raised more money than she had in previous events. She failed to mention that she’d actually lost money because of all of her expenses.
“I get irritated when the supposed funds are used for a party and not the charity,” David said.
“Then why don’t we all stroke a check directly to the charity when we get home?” Crystal asked.
“I’d feel better.”
“Better enough that you can relax and enjoy the evening? I don’t want you moping around when I want to dance after eating.”
“You’ll need to protect me when it’s time to dance.”
“You scared of some sorority girls?” Crystal teased.
“I’m more worried about the moms.”
She had no doubt he was right. Even she’d felt slightly uncomfortable with how some of them had looked at her boyfriend.
◊◊◊
David woke up early and was full of nervous energy, so he went for a run. Once he hit a leisurely pace, he could block out the world and think. Today was an important day for his future at USC. He was a freshman quarterback starting his first conference road game. While neither USC
nor Arizona would challenge for the league championship this year, it was something to build on.
Coach Merritt had already told him he planned to go run-heavy to protect David. Coach also didn’t want him to throw deep; he would focus on quick releases in a short- to medium-distance passing game.
Something that had David on edge was that Coach Merritt wanted to get his backup, Jaden Ponder, game experience. His reasoning was that if both David and Matt went down, he wanted someone who could at least run the plays. David had been warned that if they got up by multiple scores, he should not be surprised if he was pulled.
Something else that Coach Merritt was pounding into them was to limit dumb penalties and turnovers. His point wasn’t that it killed scoring opportunities but what it did to USC’s defense. Sudden possession changes meant that they had to go back onto the field without the proper recovery time. And dumb penalties by the defense extended their opponent’s drive and kept them on the field longer.
Where this mattered the most was the defensive line, which might be the most physically grueling position in football. On each snap of the ball, they had to fight their way through the blocks of massive offensive linemen. If the
play went away from them, they had to disengage and sprint to the ball carrier. It was why you saw them substitute them out on long drives to get fresh bodies on the field.
On a turnover or three-and-out drive, the linemen didn’t get a chance to rehydrate and give their bodies a rest.
Coach Merritt showed them the stats, and it was much more likely USC’s opponents would score in these situations.
His overall plan was to control the ball and, more importantly, the time of possession.
David saw the hotel, so he slowed down and stopped so he could stretch out before going in for breakfast. He was ready for today’s game.