Anyone who was at the 2006 America East tournament in Binghamton remembers Matt Moore, the Vermont fan with the huge afro wig. Pipe Dream reminisced with Moore, a junior at UVM and Catamount fan extraordinaire, in anticipation of the 2008 tournament.

PD: In Binghamton, you’re remembered for your afro at the tournament two years ago. Where did the afro come from?

MM: It came from a store called Old Gold in Burlington. It is the one-stop-shop for party wigs, pimp suits and other retro stuff in Vermont. I bought it just before I went down to Binghamton.

PD: Is there some sort of luck associated with it now?

MM: I am not sure I know that. Since I’ve worn it, UVM has gotten to the championship game twice, but they have lost in that game both times, so I really couldn’t tell you if it is lucky or not.

PD: What’s the reaction you get from opposing fans when you go to their gyms?

MM: First, people over 40 usually ask if it is my real hair. Depending on the mood I’m in, I might tell them it is real, and I might tell them it’s a wig. Usually I get booed, someone makes a lame, unfunny remark and that’s about it. The worst probably is when Albany fans threw coins at me during the 2006 Championship game. That and that drunk guy who wears the No. 2 jersey and the cape at Albany mooned me and threatened to kill me in the parking lot. I was expecting some hostility in Albany, but I wasn’t expecting to see some intoxicated overweight dude’s ass.

PD: What do you think is people’s perception of Vermont?

MM: Most everyone thinks we are hippies who love Phish and Ben & Jerry’s after we hit the bong. The reality is, Vermonters aren’t really like that at all, especially outside Burlington. Most are stubborn people who dislike change and want to keep Vermont as a rural farm state forever. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met a hippie that was actually born in Vermont either. Most of those people just come from Connecticut or New Jersey and become hippies when they get to UVM because they think it’s cool. Vermont and Burlington are great places. I think everyone should visit.

PD: So have your parents ever told you what Woodstock was like?

MM: They were 11 years old, and my mom is from Maryland, so, no.

PD: Right … so who is the America East Player of the Year?

MM: Marqus Blakely. I think it is a real obvious choice, but it will be a close vote between him and Lillis. Jay Greene will get a vote from a SUNY coach who shall remain nameless. Not to say Greene isn’t deserving, but compared to Blakely and Lillis, he isn’t in that league, and really, Lillis isn’t in Blakely’s league either.

PD: What AE player, star or otherwise, would you want on the Catamounts?

MM: Corey Lowe. Him + Trimboli and Blakely = unreal.

PD: Will we see you and your hair at the tournament again this year?

MM: That is up in the air right now. Honestly, driving to your “fine” city from Vermont sucks majorly. If me and a few of my buddies decide to go, we will. We’re thinking of going with Blakely mohawks. If not, I may have the opportunity to work statistics at the event, since that is what I do during home games for UVM basketball during the school year. But at this point, I’m not sure. You’ll know I came when you see me though, so I guess you’ll just have to be surprised.