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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I
have included <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Moscow</st1:City></st1:place>’s
mayor and city council in this posting since they were the first to . . . well
. . . er . . . uh . . .<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a
href="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AZP25g06xfQ">http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AZP25g06xfQ</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>From
today’s (June 22, 2008) Spokesman Review –<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>-------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Irrelevant
Week is just for fun <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Vobora
will be center of attention <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>At Irrelevant Week, every underdog has his day. Five of
them, in fact.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>By design, it is a celebration like no other: golf, press
conferences, Disneyland, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Playboy</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Mansion</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, banquets,
barbecues, gifts, nightclubs, Dodgers game, TV appearances, a roast, a regatta
and an Irrelevant Rams Cheerleader Contest. All for the last pick of the NFL
draft, who has come to be known as "Mr. Irrelevant."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Ex-<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Idaho Vandals</st1:PersonName>
linebacker David Vobora will be the guest of honor at Irrelevant Week, a
five-day party that begins Monday in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Orange
County</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Calif.</st1:State></st1:place> He was
the last named called in the April draft, by the St. Louis Rams with the 252nd
overall pick. In what has become the traditional closing to the two-day draft,
Irrelevant Week founder Paul Salata did the honors, announcing Vobora's
selection over ESPN's airwaves.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Salata hatched the idea
for Irrelevant Week in the mid-1970s and got the go-ahead from his friend and
then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle. The fun-loving, 82-year-old Salata, a
former USC receiver who had a short NFL career, had humble intentions: Make a player
who would otherwise probably be an afterthought feel like a king for a week. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>"My dad was trying to say that it's irrelevant that
he's the last pick, he should be honored," said Salata's daughter, Melanie
Salata Fitch, who handles much of the organizing duties. "He just really
thinks it's a genuinely good thing to do for someone who wouldn't get this done
for them."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Thirty three years later, Irrelevant Week is still going
strong. Salata's intentions can hardly be questioned. He broached the idea
before the draft was televised, so he's not a publicity hound. They've
broadened the concept for special circumstances. One year a celebration was
held for the last soldier to return from Desert Storm. Another event was staged
for the "Anchorman," the last person in the graduating class at <st1:City
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Annapolis</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>"Boy, could he drink beer. He could drink a mug while
he was upside down," Salata Fitch said. "He was at the bottom of his
class, so we brought him out because he graduated and he made it. I don't want
to be on his boat, but he was fun."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>After several phone conversations with Vobora, Salata Fitch
said this week's events will be tailored to Vobora's preferences. He's allowed
to invite a friend – <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">ex-Oregon</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> lineman Roy
Schuening – whose expenses are covered. Vobora's family is taken care of,
too, but they're responsible for their air fare and a reduced hotel rate.
There's a reason for that.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>"We told Tevita Ofahengaue (2001 Mr. Irrelevant) to
bring his family because we thought he'd be more comfortable," Salata
Fitch said. "He brought 65 people from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Tonga</st1:place></st1:country-region>. We were scrambling around
trying to find rooms for everybody, so now we have the 'Ofahengaue Rule.'
"<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Salata Fitch estimated that it takes about 100 volunteers to
put the week together. Sponsors and underwriters help cover expenses and
there's also a charge for guests attending the Lowsman Trophy banquet. Mr.
Irrelevant receives the Lowsman (opposite of Heisman), a trophy with a player
fumbling the football. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Irrelevant Week profits are donated to charity. Some $900,000
has been raised for charity through the years.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Several Mr. Irrelevants have carved out lengthy NFL careers,
including Mike Green, a safety with the Seattle Seahawks. Salata said nearly
every Mr. Irrelevant has embraced the weeklong celebration, but there have been
a few exceptions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Salata had to warn one player's wife, who went on a spending
spree at the hotel. Another brought his fiancee, who competed with the player
for top billing and put a damper on the festivities. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Mr. Irrelevant, thanks to a back injury, was in traction one
year, so the next-to-last pick was invited. Just for fun, Tampa Bay coach John
McKay was asked who he would have taken with his next pick had the draft gone
another round. That player was invited, too. All three showed up – Mr.
Irrelevant's back healed up – "so we had three and it was really
fun," Salata Fitch said. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>When Cal running back John Tuggle was selected as Mr.
Irrelevant in 1983, Salata invited the trombone player from Stanford's band
(yes, the one that got trampled by a Cal player on the famous lateral-filled
kick return for a touchdown). The only conditions: Bring your trombone and play
the Stanford fight song. The trombone player remains a frequent guest at
Irrelevant Week. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>Salata said he's heard nothing but good things about Vobora
as a person and player. Nick Holt, an assistant at USC who was Vobora's coach
at <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>,
will be part of the roast. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
"Times New Roman"'>"It's a really fun week and I enjoy it," Salata
said. "At my age, there's no use sitting around and crying about old age. I
do go out to many of the things, but I'm done at 8 p.m. They can do what they
want after that."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>-------------------------------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Seeya
round town, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Moscow</st1:place></st1:City>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Tom
Hansen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Moscow</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>, <st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></span></font></st1:place><font
size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Came
a tribe from the north brave and bold . . .<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>"Here
We Have <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>"<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a
href="http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3">http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>"I-D-A-H-O
<st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State></st1:place>
Go Go Go"<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><a
href="http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3">http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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