Fully Exposed: UGA’s Speedo Kid Speaks with ThatFan

February 26, 2010

He is certainly not the first fan to seemingly lose his way to the pool and find himself behind a glass backboard in a gym, but he might be the most patriotic.

UGA's Patriotic Speedo Kid (via Facebook)

The University of Georgia has produced some of the best fans this side of the Mason-Dixon Line. Of course, the Peanut Butter Kid leaps to mind, but ThatFan presents to you, UGA’s Speedo Kid.

A self-proclaimed BAMF, the 20-year old Joey Summer hails from Gainesville, Georgia and is single, while not leaving much to the imagination, ladies. His latest three Facebook videos are dedicated to his exploits, both shirt and pant-less, in the UGA student section.

Dr. Venkman was able to track this Patriot down for a few questions.

Dr. Peter Venkman: You are obviously a great American, but what was the inspiration behind you supporting UGA/USA in this way?

Speedo Kid: First of all, let it be known that although I am a die-hard Bulldog fan, I have been a patriot of the highest order my entire life. Since this is an Olympic year, I figured what better way to simultaneously show my support for the Dawgs and Team USA than to wear a speedo emblazoned with the stars and stripes? During basketball games, when I thrust my hips into the air I do it for America–and if in the process I end up helping the team by causing opposing players to miss a few free throws, then so be it. I’m not trying to distract players or promote myself, I’m just trying to love my country and my team in the only way I know how: with massively suggestive squats and dance moves.

Dr. Peter Venkman: How long have you gone with the swimwear at basketball games?

Speedo Kid in all his glory. (via Facebook)

Speedo Kid: The UGA-Vandy game was the speedo’s maiden voyage, and since then it has made two more appearances. Let it be known to all SEC rivals that the speedo is 3-0 at Stegeman.

Dr. Peter Venkman: Do you attend football as well as hoops…in the same gear?

Speedo Kid: Negative, I take the opposite approach at UGA football games. I opt for the full body red/black spandex suit fully equipped with fanny pack. The thing about the speedo, or any outrageous outfit for that matter, is it can’t be overdone. The more you break it out, the less novel it becomes. Just look at the Naked Cowboy. Where is that guy now? Probably auditioning for roles in a Brokeback Mountain spinoff. Spontaneity is the key.

Dr. Peter Venkman: A lot of great authors read other great authors. Do you follow other fans?

Speedo Kid: Of course I like to keep an eye on other superfans like myself. But I don’t really view it is a competition (i.e. fans trying to outdo each other). I think anything that draws attention and support to the team is a positive. I am particularly inspired by Utah State’s Shirtless Cupid Guy–he is an innovator.

Speedo Kid behind the backboard (via Facebook)

Dr. Peter Venkman: Would you join Michael Phelps relay team or the UGA bench if you had the choice?

Speedo Kid: As much as I would love to be the anchor on a gold medal winning relay team, I doubt Phelps would allow someone on his squad who looked so much better than him a speedo. Cheering on the Dawgs court side would be a dream come true. No way John Wall goes over 6 points if the speedo is at eye level.

Dr. Peter Venkman: I see that you are a computer guy at heart (Computer Science and Management Information Systems Major). Could we call your supporting style IT guys gone wild?

Speedo Kid: I don’t know about that, but I do know this: Dwight Schrute, Milton Waddams, and Steve Urkel are all fans of the UGA Speedo Guy. I’d like to think that below the surface of every introverted software developer lies a wild hairy beast just waiting to be unleashed by an American flag speedo. If my antics cause others like me to come out of the cubicle, lock up your daughters.

Wear your own bathing suit to a game (ladies)? Tell Dr. Venkman now!

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An Interview with Utah State’s Shirtless Bill – February 2010’s That Fan of the Month

February 24, 2010

A couple weeks ago That Fan introduced the world to Bill Sproat, AKA Shirtless Bill AKA Wild Bill.  We aren’t saying we are the only ones who knew about Bill, but we are the site that got the word out and took his story national.  Bill was amazing enough to do an interview with That Fan in between harassing opposing players during free throws, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed doing it.  We also want to congratulate Bill on winning “That Fan of the Month” for February 2010!  In the next couple days we will be providing a statistical breakdown of the Utah State opponents during games Bill was in costume.  For now, sit back and enjoy the view!

Shirtless Bill in his Little Mermaid outfit, with an "I am That Fan" sign!

That Fan:
Before we get started, give me some information about yourself.

Shirtless Bill:
My name is Bill Sproat and I’m a red-shirt junior liberal arts major at Utah State University.  Most people call me Wild Bill.

That Fan:
How and when did the Shirtless Bill persona get started?

Shirtless Bill:
It all got started last season.  I actually hate basketball and hadn’t been to a game, but I have a good friend on the team who finally talked me into going.  Another friend of mine sits in the front row and saved me a seat.  During one of the games last year I decided to take my shirt off.  Last season it was just me with my shirt off and basketball shorts…no costumes.

That Fan:
Have you seen the Duke speedo guy who used to do something similar?

Shirtless Bill:
I had never seen it before I started taking my shirt off at games but I looked it up after someone told me to watch it. Remember, I’m not a college basketball fan so I hadn’t heard about it.  Someone had told me to watch it and that I should wear a speedo, but I don’t want to copy off of him, I’d rather do something original.

That Fan:
Can you list all of the costumes you’ve had?

Shirtless Bill:
My very first costume was as a Chippendales dancer.  I’ve also done Nacho Libre, a Pirate, a snorkler, cupid, a Mardi Gras outfit, a hula girl, Peter Pan, and the little mermaid.

That Fan:
How do you come up with your costume ideas?

Shirtless Bill:
People are always asking me to do certain costumes but most of them I come up with myself.  My best friends help me a lot and came up with pirate idea.

That Fan:
You’ve only got a few home games left…can you reveal any of your future ideas?

Shirtless Bill:
I don’t know even know what I will do yet.  The cupid idea came about an hour before I got to the arena.  Some of them are planned a couple days in advance but most of them are done right before the game.

That Fan:
So will you continue to do this next year?

Shirtless Bill:
Yeah, I probably will!

That Fan:
Have any of the opposing players ever reacted to you? Spoke to you? Laughed at you? Cussed you out?

Shirtless Bill:
A lot of the opposing players laugh.  I’ve also figured out that if they laugh while they’re at the free throw line they usually miss at least one.  I have never had a guy look at me and laugh and then make both free throws.

That Fan:
So you feel it has actually impacted players shooting free throws?

Shirtless Bill:
It definitely makes an impact but I’m not sure how much.  The impact is obviously not enough to win a championship, but it may impact one or two points per game.

That Fan:
Have any players/coaches from Utah State said anything to you about what you do? What about anyone from the school’s administration?

Shirtless Bill:
The athletic director told me a few weeks ago that I had to calm it down because people were complaining.  I was upset so I stopped going to the games.  One of my friends on the team told me that the team wants me there so I started coming back. The AD hasn’t said anything since, and I try to get the costumes approved with him beforehand.

That Fan:
Tell me about the procedure of getting dressed in whatever costume you choose for the night.

Shirtless Bill:
I don’t get into costume until the second half when the opposing team is shooting on my side of the court.  Only a couple people know what I’m going to do.  The cheer-leading coach lets me go into her office at halftime to change.

That Fan:
What has all the publicity that you have gotten the past couple weeks been like?

Shirtless Bill:
It was cool that Sportscenter.com contacted me for an interview.  I get recognized more when I’m out eating and people I don’t know will come up and talk to me.  I’ve had little kids ask for autographs sometimes.  I’ve even had companies approach me saying they want to advertise on my belly.

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Special thanks to Bill for doing this interview.  Be on the lookout for the Shirtless Bill statistical analysis in the coming days, and in the meantime, check out this website that is dedicated to Bill:  http://youwantbill.com

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Say Hello to Shirtless Bill: The Crazy Utah State Basketball Fan

February 10, 2010

Every once in a while you hear stories about a sports fan that makes you ask your friends, “Hey, did you hear about that fan?”  That is my current question for you…have you heard of Shirtless Bill, the Utah State basketball fan?  If not, you are in for a treat. Check this video out for a glimpse of who this character is:

You can see Bill on the right side of the basket dressed up as cupid with no shirt on.  His goal is to distract opponents while at the free throw line, and he does a great job at it.  You can tell by the Idaho player’s body language after the first missed free throw that Bill has clearly gotten into his head (watch how he puts his hands on his hips, he’s angry!).  He then misses the second free throw.  This is a perfect example of how fans can truly impact a game.  To all of my readers out there:  this is EXACTLY the type of stuff That Fan likes to see, and this guy should be a household name across the country!

So far this year Bill has dressed up as Cupid, a snorkeler, a hula dancer (coconut bra included – see below), a pirate with a hook for a hand (also below), and more.

Shirtless Bill the hula dancer...

Shirtless Bill as Captain Hook

That Fan is are currently working on an interview with Bill and I hope to post something in the next week.  Stay tuned!

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Are You That Fan?

September 1, 2009

Have you ever been to a sporting event and seen a fan so decked out from head to toe in his team’s colors, and just thought: “Wow, that guy/girl is awesome!”?  Better yet, were you that fan?  If so, this website is exactly for you.

You see, I am that fan.  I bleed my team’s colors.  I am a stat nerd.  I know what it is like to sulk the whole week following a big football loss during the weekend’s big game.  If I am starting to describe you, then you know you are in the right spot.

This site will be about sport fans, but we aren’t going to do recaps of games or discuss the big plays (at least, not yet).  We are going to get into a different side of sports and sports fanatics like you and me.  I will introduce you to all the other self-proclaimed world’s biggest fans out there, and I’ll let them prove it to you.

The other side of this site will be for the fans who are more than just casual fans, and like to know more than just casual knowledge of sports.  Have you ever wondered if waving your arms behind the basket while an opposing basketball player shoots his free throws really impacts his shot?  Maybe you’ve taken it a step further like the infamous Speedo guy at Duke:

Ever wonder if making the loudest noise you can imagine on your opponents third down really makes it difficult to hear in the huddle, leading to botched plays?  Wonder who has the hottest cheerleaders?  The best tailgate parties?  If these are the types of things that interest you, please sit back and enjoy the ride, because my goal is to make this such a place where we can all come to brag about how big of a fan we are, and also learn the little nuances that will make us even better fans.

Drop me an email with any comments or ideas anytime, I’d love to hear from my fellow fanatics!

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