Voting Closed!

It is now past 11:00 p.m., and the voting polls are closed.

At about 4:45 a.m. Friday morning, the winner will be announced live on KOMU 8 News Today.

Check back here as well as to see the 2008 Ultimate Fan in the Stands.

Thanks again for voting!

Week Eight - Marilyn Miller, Hickman

Age: 45
Hometown: Columbia
Occupation: Owner, lawn company
Family Members: Husband - Mike Miller, Sons - Raymond and Brent Bradley
Pets: three dogs, a lizard, a ferret, and ten chickens
Favorite sport: football
Favorite teams: Hickman Kewpies, Denver Broncos
Favorite athlete: John Elway
Non-sporting hobbies: snagging, spending time with children, Christmas
Most memorable sporting experience: watching Hickman win state championship in football, seeing her sons friends getting accepted to college for football

Bio:
Miller graduated from Hickman in 1981 and has been attending Kewpie games for 30 years.

Today, at every Hickman home game, she provides the fuel for cheerleaders, players, and fans. As the president of the Touchdown Club, Marilyn Miller organizes the big grillout. Trips to the grocery store are always in order, and she makes sure the tent is stocked with plenty of goodies.

Just feet away, her husband Mike is firing up his huge grill and cooking up more than 300 hamburgers and hot dogs. It's a lot, but they usually sell out each game. Standing next to Mike is Doug, who happens to be the quarterback's dad.

This is Miller's first year as president, but she has been part of the Touchdown Club for the past two years.

Click on the video to see the results of Miller's Friday night food frenzy.

Week Seven - Bob Huhmann and Arnie Knipp, Tipton

In 1959, Tipton High School began their first year of varsity of football. With no weight room available, and little equipment to spare, the Cardinals got off to a slow start. Yet, they made a strong push, going 3-1 in their last four games, with the one loss coming in a 7-0 shutout at the hands of Camdenton. Tipton finished the season 3-4.

Bob Huhmann and Arnie Knipp both played on that first team. Huhmann as a halfback, Knipp played left tackle. This year marks the 50th season of Cardinal football, and the team was honored during halftime of a home game. Huhmann and Knipp came back and talked about the first season and how the game has changed since they played in high school.

Click on the video to hear their story.

Week Six - Annette and Sonny Tucker, Centralia

Age: 60+

Hometown: Centralia, MO

Occupation: Retired

Family Members: son, Bryan

Favorite sports: Football, basketball, softball

Favorite teams: Centralia Panthers, Missouri Tigers
Favorite athletes: Chase Daniel, Michael Jordan
Non-sporting hobbies: collecting Lionel Trains

Most memorable sporting experience: Watching Centralia win the state championship for football in 2003 and basketball in 2004.

Annette and Sonny Tucker of Centralia have watched 40 years of Panther sports.

Sonny graduated from Centralia, and is a true Panther. He played basketball for two years during his time as a student. Annette played basketball her senior year on a team with only 6 players. They met at a district basketball game at Van-Far in 1967. They struck up a conversation, talked about sports they liked, and were married in a year.

They sit in the same spot at the top of stands, dressed in black and white. They have one son who graduated from Centralia, but Annette and Sonny consider all of the players as part of the Tucker family.

Click on the video to see their story.

Fayette @ Hallsville Slideshow

Now making their long-awaited FITS debut: soundslides! I took the pictures and audio from Hallsville's first-ever Homecoming football game. Although the Indians lost the game, everyone in the stands was pumped up and having a great time.

I won't be able to give you a pictorial treat from Week 6, because Mike and I had to split up to cover different games for the good of the order. For the record, if you liked the Versailles @ Blair Oaks highlights on FNF, you have me to thank.

In lieu of a slideshow, later this week I'll be posting a mid-season survey that you can fill out to give Mike and myself input on this site. What do you like and don't like? Are there any other things you want to see here, or do you know a good Fan In The Stands candidate? You can always e-mail us with your comments, or take the survey once it is posted. Let's hear what YOU want to see on FITS as we head towards districts and beyond!

Without further ado, some soundlisdes. Enjoy.



~Matt