2005 Deputy's Bash
'Ganza 20th Anniversary Celebration
In 2005, the BGP Brass made a daring move by scheduling the Pooh-Bah's VIP Gathering FIRST, on Saturday April 2nd. Usually the Deputy's Bash is on the Saturday of the Final Four while the VIP Gathering is on Monday night. As you can see by the photos which followed, this bold decision resulted in a smashing success. People are still talking about it.
Here's Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam signing 'Ganza Service Award Certificates just prior to shelling out for the complimentary hot wings that have become a VIP Gathering staple.
Here's Prognosticator Doug Brewer enjoying the semi-final basketball games and the beautiful keyboard playing of Prognosticator Jessamyn McCollam.
Here's a group of happy prognosticators. From left to right, Jason Sauer, Dave Raatz, Rob Sipes, and Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes. Hey Dan, nice shirt!
Here's Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam (left) and Prognosticator Doug Brewer watching the game. Historians maintain that Doug is the first prognosticator with a goatee. Hey Gavin, nice shirt!
On the day between the VIP Gathering and the Deputy's Bash, the Pooh-Bah put his house guest Doug Brewer and his Father-in-law, John Gallagher, to work helping him install a new garage door.
Here's (left to right), Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam, Prognosticator Doug Brewer, and John Gallagher removing the old garage door.
Here's Prognosticator Doug Brewer and John Gallagher working on removing the old rails.
Here's the first three panels of the new garage door.
Here's the finished product. It just goes to show you what can be accomplished in twelve hours with free labor.
Monday, April 4th, 2005 was a very special Deputy's Bash at the home of Prognosticators Tom and Carol Land. Since it was the 20th Anniversary of the 'Ganza, there were special events planned throughout the evening, as well as a display of items contained in the 'Ganza Hall of Fame.
Here's Prognosticator Dawn Sauer (left) discussing her 'Ganza strategy with Second Lady Tammy Sipes. In the background (left to right) are prognosticators Cheryl Patch, Annie Raatz, Dan Asplund, Donalee Sipes, and 1995 'Ganza Champ Tom Land. Hey Tammy and Dan and Tom, nice shirts!
First Lady Valerie McCollam (right) gives Prognosticator Caitlin Sipes some valuable advice on how to cure a splitting headache. Second Lady Tammy Sipes (left) is reviewing her bracket, while 1995 Ostertag Plaque Winner Tom Land zeroes in on the snack table. Hey Caitlin and Tammy and Tom, nice shirts!
1995 'Ganza Champ Tom Land (left) and Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes compliment each other on their fine prognostication attire. Hey Tom and Dan, nice shirts!
Three prognosticators of the fairer gender discuss their position on the scoring possibilities matrix. They are (left to right): Donalee Sipes, Annie Raatz, and Cheryl Patch.
First Lady Valerie McCollam (left) and Prognosticator Carol Land are pleased to be a part of this momentous occasion. Hey Carol, nice shirt!
Prognosticators Weston Leutz (left) and Joel Land are not quite as pleased to be a part of this momentous occasion as Valerie and Carol are. Probably because they are young and don't quite appreciate the magnitude of the event. Someday they will look back on it and wish they had smiled for this picture.
Here's a group of prognosticators talking about how they will never forget the day they got to see a display of items from the 'Ganza Hall of Fame. They are (left to right): Dave Raatz, Heather Patch, 'Ganza.com Benefactor and Prognosticator Jon Patch, and Jason Sauer. Hey Jon, nice shirt!
Prognosticator Derek Sauer has just realized that it is much easier to eat pizza if your arms are outside of your shirt.
Second Lady Tammy Sipes receives her Ten Year 'Ganza Service Award from Gavin McCollam, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah. Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes looks on proudly.
Prognosticator Donalee Sipes receives her Ten Year 'Ganza Service Award from Gavin McCollam, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah. Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes looks on happily.
1992 'Ganza Champ Rob Sipes receives his Fifteen Year 'Ganza Service Award from Gavin McCollam, Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah. Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes looks on glumly.
Here's a large group of prognosticators gathered around the television set. Back row, left to right: Doug Brewer and Jiselle McCollam. Middle row, left to right: Somebody's feet, Dave Raatz, Jon Patch, and Mike Paul. Front row, left to right: Derek Sauer, Dan Sipes, Sr., and Austin Land. Hey Jiselle and Mike and Jon and Dan Sr. and Austin, nice shirts!
Here's a happy group of Prognosticators (and one Portuguese Water Dog) wearing their 'Ganza shirts (except for the Portuguese Water Dog).
Here's the same group of Prognosticators (and the same Portuguese Water Dog) after they realized they were not going to win the Ostertag Plaque again this year (except for the Portuguese Water Dog, who was not eligible).
This Ain't No Pool!
The first special event that took place was a rare opportunity for prognosticators to be photographed with the BGP Brass. Of course, this opportunity did not come without a price. All the prognosticators below who posed with Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes and the Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah Gavin McCollam were asked to pay twenty-five cents.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Dan Sipes Sr. pay the 25 cents since he is the father of the Deputy Pooh-Bah, without whom the Pooh-Bah wouldn't have anyone to count membership fees, or to generally boss around.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Derek Sauer pay the 25 cents since Derrick was sporting a t-shirt with an American flag on it, and the Pooh-Bah was feeling very patriotic that day.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make First Lady Valerie McCollam pay the 25 cents since he knows that asking one's spouse to pay 25 cents to have her picture taken with one is a good way for one to spend more time in the dog kennel on the left.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Esther Sipes pay the 25 cents since she is the mother of Deputy Pooh-Bah Dan Sipes. And if Dan were never born, whenever the Pooh-Bah was in his opulent BGP Headquarters Office and shouted loudly, "HEY! DEPUTY POOH-BAH! GET OVER HERE RIGHT THIS MINUTE AND START COUNTING THESE MEMBERSHIP FEES," nobody would answer.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Second Lady Tammy Sipes pay the 25 cents since she agreed to give him a kiss. The joke was on him.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Carol Land pay the 25 cents since she was hosting the party, and because her Portuguese Water Dog growled loudly at the Pooh-Bah when he reminded her about the money.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Doug Brewer pay the 25 cents since he realized that Doug is a professional magician, and he would simply magically make the quarter transfer through thin air from the Pooh-Bah's pocket and reappear into Doug's magic coin purse. So why bother?
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Marissa Sipes pay the 25 cents since she was the only customer who actually smoked a pretzel stick with the Brass.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Jessamyn McCollam pay the 25 cents since she's the Pooh-Bah's daughter, and she doesn't have a job, and the Pooh-Bah would have to give her the quarter in the first place. So he would only break even.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Caja Sipes pay the 25 cents since she grabbed both the Deputy and the Pooh-Bah tightly around the necks and threatened to bonk their heads together if anyone took her money.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Brianna Sipes pay the 25 cents since she is a cute little kid.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Jiselle McCollam pay the 25 cents since her mean older sister took all her money.
In his benevolence, the Pooh-Bah did not make Jon Patch pay the 25 cents since he got this real pouty look on his face and refused to get off the couch to let the next customer get their picture taken. This was the end of the picture taking. Jon never did get off the couch.
The second major special event during the remarkable 20th 'Ganza
Anniversary Bash was a fashion show. In
late 1996, the BGP Brass
decided that the best way to bring the ‘Ganza into the mainstream was by
printing t-shirts to be worn the world over. Since then, there have been
eight variations of the most fashionable example of basketball
prognostication attire.
Heather Patch models the first ever ‘Ganza T-shirt made in 1997. This model is classic in its simplicity, while the roll-sleeves and trim work create an aura of quality. The basic block lettering on the front, scoffed upon soon after it’s release, has become a ‘Ganza Classic Collectible with less than ten copies printed.
Next is Caitlin Sipes wearing the 1998 shirt. In 1998, the classic ‘Ganza logo was first printed on a ‘Ganza T-shirt. Printed on a high quality cotton blend, the classic grey color proved a sturdy background for the colorful basketball and the well-known slogan on the back.
And here is Caja Sipes displaying the rare 1999 ‘Ganza T-shirt. This t-shirt was printed on a tan background, and became a favorite of earth-tone lovers everywhere. The block letters around the basketball on the front were printed in a cleaner font, emphasizing the professionalism of the wearer. ‘Ganza scholars know that this was the last year the initials “NCAA” appeared on a ‘Ganza t-shirt.
Wearing the collectible 15th Anniversary ‘Ganza T-shirt is Brianna Sipes. This model returns to the classic grey, with the clean look of dark navy trim. The powder blue “15” emblazoned behind the logo highlights the momentous event that took place in 2000.
Autumn Patch is wearing
the 2001 ‘Ganza T-shirt, printed in celebration of the New Millennium,
which took place on
2002 brought another celebratory ‘Ganza T-shirt, which is being modeled by Marissa Sipes. This edition, the first and only printed on a basic white tee, celebrates the Palindrome year of 2002. For those of you who are afraid to ask, a palindrome is a word or number that is written the same backwards as it is forwards.
2003 and 2004 broke the mold for ‘Ganza T-shirts by expanding into the world of color. Jiselle McCollam models the barrier-bending blue 2003 ‘Ganza T-shirt, which also required a modified color scheme on the popular reverse side slogan. And Jessamyn McCollam displays the Red ‘Ganza T-shirt from 2004. Both shirts stand out among ‘Ganza faithful.
Finally, here is Gavin McCollam, the Benevolent Grand Pooh-Bah, and all the
models of the first ever ‘Ganza T-shirt fashion show!!!!!
Finally, the last and most special event held during the 20th Anniversary 'Ganza Celebration was a magic show by Prognosticator Doug Brewer. As most of you know, Doug is a national champion close up magician living in San Diego. More information about Doug's magical abilities can be seen here and here. As most of you don't know, the Pooh-Bah was in the audience during Doug's inaugural magic performance -- the Berryton Grade School Talent Show in the 1970's.
Here is Doug performing a very complicated "effect." For us laypeople, an "effect" is what REAL magicians call "tricks." Prognosticators Annie Raatz and Jason Sauer try to figure out Doug's secrets. But of course there really is no secret -- it's magic.
As you can see, the audience was either astonished by Doug's magic tri -- er, effects, or else they were all laughing at his bright blue suede blazer.
Finally, here is our hosts for a very wonderful evening. Back row: Big Screen Land. Middle row, left to right: Prognosticator Austin Land, Prognosticator Carol Land, 1995 Ostertag Plaque Winner Tom Land, and Prognosticator Joel Land. Front row: Bella, the Portuguese Water Dog. Hey, Austin and Carol and Tom, nice shirts!!!