LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – While Lubbock has been waiting 17 years for another College GameDay, an Arizona couple has only been waiting one week.
Cliff and Jenifer Vellucci have followed the ESPN crew for every single GameDay broadcast so far this season. It has been 76 days since the couple has seen their Buckeye, Arizona home.
The couple is spending about eight hours a day in the car together for their bucket list road trip.
“I enjoy driving, we have Wi-Fi in the car, so she can work while we’re in the car,” Cliff said.
The sports fans have put 15,000 miles on their car so far, requiring an oil change and new tires. They have traveled through 28 states, not knowing where they might end up until the Sunday before each game.
“There’s been times where we’ve had to check out of our hotels and sat in Walmart parking lots, just waiting for the X post to hit about where GameDay is going for that following week,” Cliff said.
They have spent 48 nights in hotels and 27 staying with friends and family, seeing familiar faces at every stop. Jen says it’s a unique way to see more of the country they might never visit otherwise.
“You might go to Denver or go to Jackson Hole, but you don’t go to Lubbock, Texas. Who goes to Lubbock? But it’s a beautiful city and there’s beautiful people here,” Jenifer said.
After witnessing the college football experience at 10 other campuses, the couple said they have never seen anything like the GameDay setup in Raiderville.
“There’s a higher level of organization to this than we’ve seen in other places and then the community involvement, normally you can’t get water, you’re lucky if you can find a restroom,” Cliff said.
Jenifer was impressed by the dedication of Texas Tech fans camping outside the stadium.
“Usually it’s the night before, they get there about 6 p.m. or whatever. And I thought that was dedication. But this is like, they go out there Monday. I mean, that’s crazy,” she said.
Jenifer enjoys seeing the different traditions at every school.
“Chasing the fun of it and meeting the kids in the morning and they’re so excited because maybe it hasn’t come to them like here, it hasn’t been here in a while, so they’re excited,” she said.
While they normally remain neutral, the couple plans to support the Red Raiders for Saturday’s game.
“I think we’re going to don the, was it guns up? What is it, red gear for the Texas Tech game?” Cliff said.
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