This is the story of how Oregon fan Waylon Coy got the experience of a lifetime with Heisman trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
Mariota had an unforgettable last season with the Ducks, which led him to win myriad awards, including the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Marcus was to receive the Golden Arm on Friday in Baltimore, about an hour’s drive from where I live. The media was more focused on the Heisman award which meant less attention on the upcoming Golden Arm ceremony.
Mariota flashing his trademark smile.
When I found out via Twitter that Marcus would be in Baltimore to receive the award, I looked up from my phone toward the wall in my office where my 2012 Rose Bowl helmet was sitting on a shelf. “What if I could get Marcus to sign that helmet?”
With a little research I was able to find out that the ceremony would be held at the Embassy Suites Baltimore Inner Harbor & Grand Historic Venue. The only information that was missing was the time of the event.
With this knowledge I was left with a decision; to go or not to go. I requested the ceremony day off (Friday, Dec. 12, 2014) with the idea that I would go to the hotel and wait all day if necessary to complete my mission. After spending a good portion of the day scouring the internet for information on the time of the event, I decided to just go directly to the source.
The contact information for the event was set up to speak with John Unitas Jr., I crafted a brief but polite email to Mr. Unitas from my work account, thinking it would give me some weight. I was shot down. Mr. Unitas clearly didn’t desire to have any uninvited guests at his ceremony. Undeterred, I called the hotel directly and was told that the ceremony would be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
In rush-hour traffic it should take about 90 minutes to drive to Baltimore. I planned to leave at 4 p.m. in order to scope out the hotel and figure out my next move. The original plan was to wear my bright yellow Oregon hoodie to stand out among the crowd and hopefully flag down Marcus when he arrived at the hotel and get his signature. Plan B was to wait in the lobby for his arrival or departure. Either way, I was getting that signature.
On Friday my wife and I left home at 4:30 p.m., which was later than we intended and led to some heavy traffic. By 6:30 we had made it to the hotel only to see that there were no fans outside. We stepped into the hotel. It had no lobby, just a waiting area which was filled with folks who attended the Army/Navy game that day. There were no signs about the award ceremony so I decided to snoop around the hotel rather than tip off the employees to my plan.
From the corner of my eye I caught sight of an electric sign. The sign read ”Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Ceremony — Corinthian Room 2nd floor — Program 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.”
After learning we’d arrived an hour late, we hopped in the elevator and headed up to the second floor. I kept the helmet in a messenger bag over my shoulder and my yellow hoodie hidden underneath a light ski jacket.
I poked my head down the hallway and looked both directions. In the distance there was a white sign at the end of the hallway. As I walked toward the sign I saw it in huge letters on the wall: “Corinthian Room,” and an arrow pointing down a hallway. I followed my gut and headed down the hallway.
Frost was one of many members of the Oregon staff trying to support Marcus that night.
It was a nice room with vaulted ceilings, crown moldings, chandeliers, and elegant furniture. As I walked into the room I noticed Scott Frost and the other guys walking out of the other side room.
Upon further exploration I noticed a photo shoot station and a photographer sitting down. I knew I was definitely in the right place.
I strolled to the door that Frost went through to check out the scene. Through the door was another little room and another door to a hallway, where about six different guys were lined up to go into yet another room: the ceremony room. I slowly turned and walked back into the photo shoot room.
I took a seat at the opposite end of the room from the photographer, with my back against the wall. I texted my wife to let her know that I had found the location. We had a short conversation before a woman came out and spoke to the photographer and said “we should be done pretty soon.”
Frost walked out a few minutes later along with Andy McNamara and various other people, and trailing them all was Mariota. I felt way out of place. How was I going to pull this off? I acted casual, but I was keeping an eye on the action and snapping a couple pictures of Marcus from afar.
Then came the waiting game. People came in waves to get pictures with Mariota. This went on for about 10 minutes. Then, due to a break, Mariota stood quietly making some small talk with the photographer. As Marcus introduced himself to the photographer I saw my golden opportunity. I stood and walked casually across the room toward the exit like I was going to leave.
I stopped right next to the door, set my bag down and very quickly pulled the helmet out. I made a U-turn, walked right by McNamara and directly up to Marcus. With a huge smile, the helmet in my right hand and a sharpie in my left, I mustered a few words, “Hi Marcus, would you sign my helmet?” He was perplexed. With scrunched eyebrows and a sideways glance, he consented.
“Sure … I have to personalize it.”
“Pardon me?” I say.
“I have to personalize it, is that okay?”
In my mind I was thinking, “Are you freaking kidding me, I’m about to pull this thing off!!”
I responded, “Of course, that would be great. My name is W-A-Y-L-O-N.”
While he was signing the helmet, the photographer was snapping away. Marcus handed back the pen and let go of the helmet. Sure enough, I got the signature: Waylon – Marcus Mariota 8, right across the top part of the silver wings.
The signed Mariota Helmet.
I then said to Marcus, “I just want to say that the way this team and you represent the state of Oregon and the University gives me great pride. I’m really happy to be a Duck, thank you.”
Marcus’ face turned into a smile as he realized that I’m a fanatic, not an autograph hack. He very politely said “Thank you,” and extended his hand. I shook his hand and told him, “Thank you.”
My heart was pounding through my chest as I walked down the hall and out the room. A mix of excitement and nervousness flowed through my body. McNamara looked directly at me, and I could tell he was confused about what I was doing there.
I smiled at him. He gave me a crooked nod of the head and a half smile. I walked past him, then by Thomas Boyd (though I didn’t know it was him) and grabbed my bag. Boyd said something to me that I didn’t quite make out, but registered as “Nice score, man!”
“Yeah man, awesome,” I replied. I headed back to greet my wife with a huge smile and a signed helmet.
Mission accomplished.
Top Photo Credit: Kevin Cline
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I am Kylie Stiglbauer and I am a Junior at the University of Oregon where I am studying Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Writing. After growing up in Southern California, I moved to Oregon to attend the University as well as be a Member of the Oregon Marching Band. One of the fondest memories I have with the band is attending both the Rose Bowl and National Championship Game in the same year and cheering on the Ducks.
I am a huge fan of the Anaheim Ducks as well as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I Hope to be able to make a career out of Sports writing in the Future.
Twitter: @kylienoel