FanWatch: Bruce Milam (Bruhoo)

Bruce Milam (BruHoo)

Fan: Bruce Milam

Sabre Username: “Bruhoo”

Member Since: Proud to be one of TheSabre.com’s founding members.

Age: 53

Residence: Richmond, VA

Occupation: Commercial Realtor

UVa: BA in English in 1974, MA in Education in 1976.

Distinctions: The principle organizer and founding member of one of the Cavaliers’ longest-running and most successful tailgating parties, which has now been gathering at home football games in the parking lot of the University’s School for Continuing Education for nearly 25 years.

“The FanWatch Fifteen”

  • Favorite Cavalier Sport?

    Football. It’s just a terrific way to spend the day.

  • Favorite Cavalier Athlete and Why?

    I admire D’Brickashaw Ferguson because he exemplifies the student/athlete ideal. He’s an All-American majoring in math. I could never accomplish either one of those!

  • Favorite Cavalier Coach and Why?

    I’m going to give the nod to Debbie Ryan. There is no better ambassador to UVa than that little lady. If she stops coaching anytime soon, I hope they have the sense to make sure she doesn’t leave the University. When she talks UVa, I feel my checkbook start to slide out of my vest pocket. Don’t tell Joe Hall that, though!

  • Most Memorable Cavalier Sports Moment?

    The UNC game at home in 1996 when Sherman and Brooks were sharing the QB duties. UNC was in position to wrap the game up, and they chose to go for our throat. My wife, Wilma, turned to me and said very loudly, “WE NEED A MIRACLE!” The next instant their QB hit our frosh DB in the hands while he’s on a dead run, and he takes it 100 yards for the score. Her prayer was answered! Of course, we went on to win. I don’t think UNC football has ever recovered from that blow. Double satisfaction.

  • Tailgating Must Have?

    Dark rum over ice or with OJ or cola with a lime, and I’m a happy pre-game kind of guy. Our tailgates are as good as anyone’s at UVa, and we have some feasts – oysters on the half shell, lamb, grilled steaks, cakes and pies, and on occasion that specialty, beer-bottom chicken. Sometimes I wish it were like the early ’80s when we would just stay at the tailgates and eat and drink our way through the entire football game!

  • Cavalier Sports Fantasy

    I have a recurring dream that I am a bench-warming instant-offense specialist on the UVa basketball team. The starters are fouling out in the ACC championship game against Duke. The coach calls me off the bench. I go on a scoring tear, leading UVa to our first tournament title since Wally Walker graduated. I’m called to the postgame press conference and the reporters ask me why I haven’t seen playing time until today. I respond, “I don’t know. Why don’t you ask the coach that question?”

  • Describe the Perfect Sports Day

    Mid 70s in November, low humidity, night game. VT is in town and we absolutely destroy them. That’s only happened once in the last six or seven years, so I’m tired of it remaining a fantasy. I want it to be reality again!

  • One Thing Most People Might Be Surprised to Learn About You

    There are a lot of people who call or e-mail me to ask my opinion about certain sports at UVa. Perhaps the biggest surprise would be that I know so very little about playing any particular sport. I never participated in organized sports beyond the age of 10, but that wouldn’t surprise anyone who knows me. I was short but slow. I guess I should have taken up golf!

  • Dinner with any Cavalier Athlete?

    That’s the toughest question so far because I’m not much of a hero-worshiper. Occasionally I get the privilege of sharing a meal with some of the guys around Richmond like Terry Gates, Yuri Barnes or Jim Hobgood. I enjoy that much more than I would if I were trying to make conversation with one of the Cavaliers I’d never met previously. I think I’d enjoy sharing a bottle of red wine and some tapas with Tiki Barber. That guy has it going on in life. I haven’t the faintest idea what I’d ask him. Probably nothing. I’m pretty shy.

  • Pep Band or Marching Band?

    I used to love the ’80s, early ’90s Pep Bands with their “Harvard Lampoon” style, but their “juice” disappeared when the administration started censoring them. I’m all for the new Marching Band at this point and wholeheartedly support it. They were real exciting last season.

  • Cavalier, Wahoo, or Hoo?

    Wahoo-Wah!

  • Favorite Book?

    I read about three books per month, plus Wired and Discover magazines cover to cover monthly. Ed Ayres’ book, “In the Presence of Mine Enemies,” really stood out above others lately. Robert Carter ‘s biography of Buffalo Bill Cody was really good. And I find the Harry Potter books to be incredibly fun to read. I’m looking forward to getting hold of the next one. I just finished another fun book, “Atlantis Found” by Clive Cussler, good stuff!

  • What’s In Your car CD player right now?

    Probably one of my own mixes of ’70-’80s funk music with stuff by Rick James, Stevie Wonder, Prince, et al. It might be the latest one by DC’s own “Jr. Cline and the Recliners.” I generally favor black-influenced music like blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, or funk. Then again, it might be “The Essential Rodney Crowell.”

  • Scott Stadium Pet Peeve?

    They don’t serve tonic water or ginger ale at the concession stands. Cola and rum gets a little tiring after a few drinks. We need more diversity at UVa!

  • Favorite Sportswear

    My favorite orange crossed-sabres gym pants for working out. Very loud.