Jahii Carson Can Practice Not Play For Sun Devils is a post from: Rail Life

Well, the big question that many ASU basketball fans have been asking for weeks has finally been answered. Unfortunately, the answer is not exactly what many of us had hoped for.

High school stand out and highly recruited Jahii Carson has been ruled ineligible to play for the Sun Devils during the 2011-2012 ASU basketball season.

The bright side of this dark decision is that he has been allowed to practice with the team for this year which should benefit him on and off of the court. For a kid that has admitted to some mistakes, I’m sure it will be good for him to be as close to the team and coaching staff as possible. Without a doubt, Jahii is a VERY talented athlete.

“I wanna thank all my fans and supporters . I glad to be a part of ASU family , and I’ll be in full swing next year” –  said Jahii Carson on Twitter

Many have been excited to see Jahii play for the Sun Devils, his up-tempo game and amazing quickness combined with some off the charts leaping ability should not only help the team win, it can help put butts in the seats.

"(This) isn’t what I wanted, but it’s something I can live with," said Carson, later adding: "It gives me a chance to learn the system, to get in shape, to become a better player. I’d like to become a leader, and I can’t lead from sitting out in the stands." – Via AZCentral article

Looking back, I’m sure there are few things Jahii would like to have done differently when preparing for his career at ASU. Looking forward, many people hope to see him wearing gold for a while. He obviously has some growing to do, but the sky appears to be the limit for a young athlete who hopefully knows he needs college experience before he can seriously think about taking his game to the next level.

Check out this video below, it is one of MANY YouTube videos where you can get an idea as to the kind of player Jahii is.

Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Fill In The Blank is a post from: Rail Life

To say the least, the ASU football season was a disappointment. There was a lot of hype coming from Tempe before the season started, and the team seemed ready to take the inaugural Pac-12 south championship. For a while, it looked as if the season was a huge success. Through October, the Devils were 6-2 and controlling their destiny. Heck, the fans were pretty pumped and were more than willing to overlook the “fluke” loss to Illinois and the hard fought loss to the Ducks in Oregon.

November Hit:

Once November hit, the wheels completely fell off of the party bus. FOUR horrible losses in November ended the season on a lower than low note. Yes, the Devils are bowl eligible, but they might as well be circulating the toilet bowl. Fans, students and boo$ters are NOT happy.

We had another year of great games, tough losses and close calls.This weeks pic seems to say a lot…

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

Rail Life Pic Of The Week – SHAB Tour Very Cool is a post from: Rail Life

This past week, I got to have have lunch with a couple of super cool guys at the Barrett Honors College at ASU. In addition to lunch, which was pretty darn good, Kevin took us on a tour of the campus. This week’s pic is from the SHAB which stands for the Sustainability House At Barrett. Talk about a cool place and program, these kids are leading the way in some awesome research. From the SHAB site we learn:

“The Sustainability House At Barrett has a vibrant living and learning community within the Barrett residential college on the ASU Tempe Campus.”

I also learned that “The Sustainability House at Barrett features a Gray water reuse system; energy and water use monitoring capabilities; experimental green roof; roof top solar panels; an organic garden; cost saving dual flush toilets; individual thermostat control; public display of resource use in Barrett College and other ASU facilities.”

SHAB is cool. I’m always interested in “green stuff” happening along the line and these guys take it to a whole new level. If you get a chance, check SHAB out…

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

Speak of the Devil is a post from: Rail Life

So, the 85th Duel in the Desert is upon us. The annual battle for the Territorial Cup will be fought at Sun Devil Stadium this Saturday between two teams that both feel a NEED to win this game each and every year. In the battle between ASU and UofA, you can throw the season’s records out the window. It doesn’t matter if one team is 1-9 and the other is 9-1, the only thing that matters is keeping the cup and making sure bragging rights are secured for another year.

ASU comes into the game at 6-4 and the cats are 2-8. Some would argue that ASU could “easily” be 9-1 at this point in a Pac-12 south conference that was theirs for the taking. Even though they have lost games they “should” have won, ASU can still take the conference if they win out and UCLA loses a game.

While there is still time to save some of the season, many wonder if there is time to save Erickson’s job. We’ve heard it all. Keep him because there is a strong recruiting class that he is bringing in. Fire him because they are losing games they should be winning. Injuries to some key players have hurt, stupid mistakes and miles of penalties are tough to overcome.

"In this state you’re either a Sun Devil or a Wildcat.” Dennis Erickson

Dennis Erickson’s contract with ASU expires at the end of 2012. After a great start to the season, except for the Illinois let down, the momentum was high in Tempe, and Erickson seemed to be well past some of the summertime talks of a “win or else” season. Unfortunately, the last couple of weeks have pretty much sucked to watch, and that momentum needs to be returned to the team with a severe shellacking of the Wildcats tomorrow night. Losing to UCLA and Washington State the last two weeks raised some major questions about the future of the team. With just 2 regular season games left in 2011, Sun Devil fans expect at least two more w’s for the year.

It’s Party Time!

There is absolutely NO excuse for Sun Devil fans not to come out and cheer on the Devils tomorrow night at Sun Devil Stadium. There will be all kinds of things going on in and around Sun Devil Stadium this Saturday. Game time is 7:30PM, and there will be a ton happening at restaurants and bars, along with some serious tailgating parties surrounding the stadium.

Of course, the coolest of the cool will be Railgating with Rail Life and our friends at Smokin’ Aces BBQ. Details for our biggest and baddest party of the year can be found on our Facebook events page. Yes, you can join us, just make sure you wear BLACK. :)

What: ASU vs UofA

When: Saturday, November 19th 7:30PM

Why: Keep the Cup in Tempe

What Else: Railgating party of the year

When: 4:30PM see map below for directions

View RailGating Map in a larger map

Party Time Announced is a post from: Rail Life

The next ASU home game will be against our fine feline friends from down south. Yes, we are nearing the much anticipated 2011 Duel in the Desert when ASU takes on UofA for the Territorial Cup. This year’s game will be a BLACK OUT so make sure you are prepared. The game time has just been announced, and we begin pounding the Cats at 7:30PM at Sun Devil Stadium.

Please feel free to join us at 101 East 6th Street before the game with our good friends from Smokin’ Aces BBQ for some awesome pre-game shenanigans festivities.

To make it easy on people, our Railgating spot is located just south of the light rail station at Sun Devil Stadium. If you decide to drive, get there early and grab a parking spot for $10.00. Food and drink information can be found on the Facebook link below.

Remember, game time is 7:30PM. We will be there by 4:40 so get ready for the biggest and baddest Railgating event of the year! Please be sure to JOIN US before the game for some great food and a TON of Sun Devil fun. Let’s GO DEVILS!

See the Facebook invite here:

Rail Life Pic Of The Week – Happy Birthday 42 is a post from: Rail Life

Today, we say happy birthday to Pat Tillman. The man left us far too early yet taught us a lot.

God bless you, Pat.

Go Devils…

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

ASU vs UofA to be BLACK OUT is a post from: Rail Life

Hey, Sun Devil fans… The big game is getting closer. I don’t care if you like to call it the Duel in the Desert, the Territorial Cup, the ASU vs UofA game or anything else. The fact is, it’s one of the biggest and best rivalries in all of sports. Yes, really.

It was recently announced that the ASU vs UofA game will be a BLACK OUT. Make sure to wear black to the game. The original plan was to have the Missou and Cal games be the ones slated as black outs, but many people have said it makes more sense for the rivalry game on November 19th.

Game time still hasn’t been announced yet, but we will post an invite here and on our Facebook page to the BIGGEST and BEST RailGating party of the year once they update the schedule. Yes, Smokin Aces BBQ will be joining us, and, yes, we will be in our normal spot. Please stay tuned for more details. :)

The Sun Devils have only 2 more ( away ) games before the Duel on the 19th. Make sure you have your tickets and make sure you plan to join us for some serious Sun Devil football action.

Go Devils!

Game. Time. is a post from: Rail Life

Tonight’s the night. The Devils open up their season against UC Davis at 7pm in Sun Devil Stadium. Many people are looking forward to see the team in action as Brock Osweiler takes the helm for the 2011 season.

Just a friendly reminder for people heading to the ASU game tonight. If you plan to go early, there could be students in “your” parking spot or tailgating area. Plan ahead OR, do as a LOT of smart people do and ride the light rail. Parking at the Park and Ride lots is FREE and a round trip pass is just $3.50.

From the ASU football site we got the following information about parking at the first two football games:

“Important Parking Information for First Two ASU Home Football Games

Information for fans who park in the Reserved North Lot and Reserved Lot 3

Aug. 30, 2011

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State University football season ticket holders who park in the Reserved North Lot and Reserved Lot 3 are asked to be aware of important information for the first two home games – vs. UC Davis (Sept. 1) and vs. Missouri (Sept. 9) – of the 2011 season.

Due to ongoing construction of solar `parasols’ and because the first two games will be taking place on regular University business days (students who are going to class may be occupying spaces in these lots), parking will be affected in the aforementioned two lots. Fans who park in these two areas are asked to be aware of the following…

• Parking for both North Reserved and Reserved Lot 3 will be done in a "festival" manner. This means that when you arrive you may go to the next available space or you can go to your space but if it is taken, you are welcome to take the next closest space, but no cars will be moved.

• If the lot fills completely and there are no other spots left because of students parking in the lot, your pass is transferable to any of the other nearby lots. These other lots are Lot 3, Lot 4, South Packard Drive structure as well as overflow in to the RV lots if needed.

Sun Devil Athletics apologizes for any inconvenience this causes for the first two games and asks for your patience as we progress with the construction of what will be an excellent, environmentally impactful system that will provided shade for tailgate areas when it is completed.”

If you do normally park in the North Lot or in Reserved Lot 3 and your tailgating plans are interrupted, you might want to consider RailGating. You have a lot of choices along the line at Rural, Mill and at the Sun Devil Station.

RailGating at Dave’s Electric Brewpub

The bottom line is this: Just get to the game, be loud and wear GOLD. This is going to be a fun football team to watch, we are looking forward to seeing some more of this from Vontaze Burfict and crew…

Go Devils!

Rail Life Pic Of The Week – The Hot Seat is a post from: Rail Life

So the ASU football season hasn’t even started yet, and we’ve already heard what seems like thousands of know it alls tell us that Dennis Erickson is on the hot seat.

The season opener is this Thursday, September 1st at Sun Devil Stadium. Game time is 7pm. You want to talk about a hot seat? It is looking like game time temperatures could be over 100*, probably hotter on the field or in the metal bleachers that we all love.

While the stadium will be toasty and some may decide to watch us face the powerhouse that is UC Davis on the tube, I’m sure the students and some of us die-hard beer drinkers Sun Devil fans will be wearing Gold and braving the real heat.

See you there… Go Devils!

Remember, Rail Life has a Phoenix Light Rail Group on Flickr. Basically, we want to share some of our pictures from the community and allow people to add their pics (or videos), as well. These can be light rail related, but we also want pics or videos of your favorite spot, restaurant, sports team, community, event etc.

Welcome Back ASU Students – Stay Safe, Have Fun is a post from: Rail Life

Thousands of ASU students were welcomed back to school with open arms this weekend. AZCentral reported that “the university on Saturday began a three-day effort to move close to 13,000 students into housing on its four campuses in the Valley.” Many of these students living in downtown Phoenix and Tempe are also a welcome sight to the fine folks at METRO light rail. Heck, for students, what better way is there to get around town than light rail, right?

Riding light rail makes a lot of $ense for a lot of reasons. Students can purchase a U-Pass from ASU and ride as much as they like for the academic year. Plus, if you live near the line, the METRO is a WAY better idea than getting behind the wheel of a car after a night ( or day ) of having fun.

While many people want to welcome you back to the neighborhood, there are those that want to caution you against doing crap that could seriously ruin your buzz for a while. In fact, the Tempe Police Department has issued DUI task forces for the first two weekends of students getting back into their groove.

Yes, you like to party.  Understood. There are a TON of great restaurants and bars along the light rail line. But one guy you don’t really want to “have to” meet is Phoenix DUI lawyer David Michael Cantor. The guy apparently knows a lot of the cool places to go along the line, but he encourages people who’ve been out to use the light rail and NOT get behind the wheel. Apparently, he has good taste in the blogs he reads, as well. :)

Our light rail drinks map is one of the most popular light rail maps we have. In fact, the amount of views it gets is evidence that many light rail riders love to have a good time. I need to update it with a few more of our favorites, but it should come in handy when looking for a place to have some fun.

View Light Rail Drinks in a larger map

Remember, have some fun, stay safe, and be cool, rockin’ the Rail Life!