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The Chop talks about what's "up" with your favorite football program. 

"Red Up!" -- Rutgers Ballboy Caps 15th Year with Third Bowl Game

When the Rutgers defense creates a turnover and the ball goes back to the Scarlet Knights, two guys who get in position almost as fast as speedy flanker Tim Brown. After all, the Rutgers football team won't snap the ball without them.

"Red up!" they shout to each other.

One dashes to the line of scrimmage. The other lines up even with the defensive backs of the opponent.

Lou Nordone and Elliott Sacks have to get ready. The Rutgers offense depends on them, and they're on the field at every Rutgers football home game.

You see, Lou and Elliott are the ballboys who support the referee team. They catch, chase, toss, dry, and generally care for the ball as if the game depended on it.

Elliott Sacks and Lou Nordone, shown here at the Texas Bowl, are the team supporting the officials at every Rutgers home game. The ballboy team marks a third straight bowl game in Toronto at the International Bowl.

It's a labor of love. Lou -- the one who wears the trademark white knee socks and shorts, no matter the weather -- recently shared his 13-year sideline perspective about Rutgers football before he headed up to Toronto's International Bowl for his third bowl game as a ballboy:

ChopChamps.com: How did you come to be a ballboy for Rutgers football?

Lou Nordone: "In 1967, I moved from New York to Piscataway and started coaching Little League. The mother of one of the players worked at Rutgers and got me football and basketball tickets. The stadium was one mile from my house, and I started going to games and eventually got season tickets.

Fast forward to fall 1993 when RU was playing at Giants Stadium. I got a call from Gene Wells, the equipment manager, whose Dad I coached with in Little League. He asked me to come help out as ballboy. I worked with the game officials for two games that season. They asked me if I could do it on permanent basis in 1994, and I haven't missed a home game since!

ChopChamps.com: What is involved when you're on the sidelines?

Nordone: Each team has its own game ball to use during the game. It's our responsibility that the official has the right ball at the right time when the team is on offense.

Elliott will stay within five yards of the line of scrimmage. I'll be 10 yards from him downfield toward the defensive secondary.

There are two footballs on each side for Rutgers. [There are two ballboys on each side of the field, each with three balls.]

When Rutgers is on defense, you still have to be aware because of turnovers. Even though we're not on offense you still have to be ready to get a ball in. You need to be where the yardage sticks are, and during play we have to be in an area where officials can see us.

The rule of thumb we have with officials is 'we will not give you a football unless we see your eyes and hands.' We talk about this before the game. They know what we'll be doing because we've been doing it so long. We always use an underhand toss.

Before the game, we'll practice and loosen up a little bit, so we're in game mode.

ChopChamps.com: What else do you do on game days?

Nordone: We work with the equipment managers [Pat Manning, Uly Molina]. We'll get to the equipment room a couple hours before game time so they know we're there. I haven't missed a home game in 15 years.

ChopChamps.com: What is it like to be on the sidelines during a game?

About 20 minutes before game time, the officials will bring down the bag with the game balls. The officials must inspect the balls. Depending on weather, there will be 8 or 12 footballs for each team. Sometimes there's a second batch for second half so we have fresh footballs.

We may make small talk with the officials. But we never discuss plays. We don't talk about something that might have happened in another game. We're not there to talk about that.
We're there to help them and support them. They're very professional and they know they have people watching and evaluating them.

On the field, we make sure we have eye contact with the officials. We make sure we have a shirt on that's different from the color of the team. That way we don't blend in with the crowd and it's easier for them to pick us out. Usually we wear a sweatshirt that says "Rutgers football" and we hold the ball up so they can see us.

ChopChamps.com: How much of the game do you get to see?

Lou: We get to see a lot of it but it's at a different perspective. People in the stands can see whole pattern of things. We're looking at eye level, not bird's eye view. The nice thing is we're able to move with the ball.

One of the things Elliott and I will do after a turnover is we'll say 'Red up' and have the Rutgers football in our right hand. We have to make sure of that.

You always have to be aware of where the play is. Players coming toward you don't always have time to stop. You have to be careful to protect yourself when they come out of bounds. You can't lose focus by just watching the game.

ChopChamps.com: Do you ever speak with the coaches or players during the game?

Nordone: No. We don't really interact with the coaches. They're very professional on the sidelines. The coaches have to interact with players, other coaches, and sideline personnel. You have to be aware of where you are so you stay out of the way.

You can hear sounds of the game, hits and things like that. You have to stay close to sidelines, but because of what our role is, we don't focus in on what is being said.

One of the things that's very important is that there's a code of ethics for us, on the sidelines and in the locker room after the game. We have a philosophy: what is said and seen on the sidelines stays there. There's a trust that we can't break. We're part of the organization just being there.

ChopChamps.com: What might you be able to share that occured on the sideline that you particularly remember?

Nordone: At a game a couple years ago, Coach Schiano went over to one of the players after a play. It was unbelievable how coach acted with that player. He went over and consoled him. Even the radio announcers that day said how coach showed love to the player. Coach is demanding but he's also very loving.

Another thing is that when the game is over, we need to get the footballs back. That can be a challenge. We try to get to the officials and get the game ball if our ball is out there.

If the kids rush the field, you can have a wild scene. After the South Florida game this year, Ray Rice had the game ball. People were trying to get it from him. With his being a running back, they couldn't!

We get asked all the time by fans if they can have the ball. We have to account for all the balls and give the visiting team their footballs.

ChopChamps.com: What happens when the game's over?

Nordone: After the game, we'll go up to the locker room. We are not allowed in the room when coach talks to the team. After the room is opened, we'll stay and help out [the equipment managers]. We'll collect uniforms and clean up a little bit.

When we leave there are not many people in the parking lot. Sometimes parents of the players are there.

We're part of the Rutgers football organization without getting paid. It's something we enjoy an awful lot.

ChopChamps.com: What relationships do you have with the players?

Nordone: Sometimes before the game, former players who are on the field will come over and say hello, tease us a bit. Players like Jared Slovan, Shaun O'Hara, Reggie Funderburke, Marco Battaglia. That's pretty neat when they come up and make a point of saying hello.

The QBs and kickers know where we are. When they come out after halftime, we'll make sure they have a game ball to warm up with. They look for us for that.

People think Elliott and I are brothers but we're not. He's the taller one, I'm the shorter one.

ChopChamps.com: Do you work the road games?

Nordone: Sometimes. They don't take us. If we go on our own, we provide our own transportation and will have a sideline pass waiting for us, and we'll work the game.

ChopChamps.com: It all sounds like a Rutgers fan's dream.

Nordone: It's fun. It's not only the game. Like the Touchdown Club motto, it's Rutgers football for us for 365 days a year. We're constantly doing things for the program. Before the game I sell raffle tickets. I love to say hi and talk to people. It's almost like an identity for me, and I'm proud of it.

I also help out with the football camp in the summer. I've been doing that since Terry Shea was the coach. I would cook hot dogs, and that's how I got to know the coaches, and they bond with you which is super.

It's almost like a one-in-million type of thing that happened. How many people can get to know a program like that? We've done it in the past when it wasn't cool to do it. We've helped to lay the foundation through the hard times.

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