It's a Penn State Life

Future Lion?

I traveled to State College earlier this month (December) to speak at a seminar along with my boss, Kelly. Kelly's husband, 2 daughters, and Suzanne (of course) spent the day of the seminar touring town and campus. They got some great photos but these 2 of Katie were just too sweet not to share...

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas from 2theLion and Katie!!!!!

Message from Diesel Tailgating Coordinator

Per the Tailgating Coordinator...

Penn Staters and friends,

While we wait to cheer our boys on at the Orange Bowl, I would like to pass on some tailgating info for 2006 football season. While I would have liked to poll everyone like last year, the planners and I had a unanimous vote. The following tailgates were selected based on time of year, quality of opponent and special event weekends:

April 22nd, 2006 Blue-White Weekend (tentative date)
Sept 30th, 2006 Northwestern (Oktoberfest tailgate)
Oct 21st, 2006 Illinois (Homecoming)

I'm passing this along now so that you can be prepared to make hotel reservations. Hotel reservations for the regular season need to be made and PAID FOR IN FULL by the end of January (~$350/weekend/room). I would like to coordinate the effort, but cannot afford to front the cash for more than 1 room for the season. Please let me know if you'd be interested in helping out. I will be sending out a reminder in January.

As always, Madeline and Suzanne will be there for most homegames, if you happen to be in town for other weekends. Full 2006 schedule

Below are some interesting videos that I thought you'd get a kick out of.

Merry Christmas,
-Rob, Tailgating Coordinator

JoePa and his thoughts about Ohio Staters:
http://www.brianchalfin.com/pennstate/joepa.html

Penn State PSU Nittany Lion does Michael Jackson Thriller

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=217969400013445906&pr=goog-sl

Description: At the PSU vs Purdue Game on Oct 29th 2005 the Nittany Lion on the field did the Michael Jackson Thriller dance with the help of two Blue Band members: Justin Kulikowski and Erik Dennis.

Fantastic Photo from Tailgating

Another one of my favorite photos from this season's tailgating - Pooh in front of the PortaPotty - Thanks to Shelley and Mike for the photo from the Purdue Homecoming tailgate!!!

Vote for Williams' catch for Pontiac play of the year

Fans Can Vote for Derrick Williams' Reception as the "Pontiac Game Changing Performance" of the Year - Freshman's catch could yield $100,000 for Penn State's general scholarship fund

Website reaches 1000 hits!

Wow - we've reached the 1000 hit mark on 2theLion.com --

PENN STATE BIG TEN CHAMPIONS!!!!!

With their 31 - 22 win over Michigan State - The Nittany Lions clinched a share of the Big Ten Title for Football and the BCS bowl berth.

GREAT JOB LIONS!!!!

sI.com - All-Sports Rankings

SI.com - All-Sports Rankings

PSU is the number one sports school in the country! Way to go Lions!

Website passes 900 hits!

On our way to 1000! Hopefully 2theLion.com will reach 1000 hits by the end of the season! and 10 entries in the guestbook ;)

Our website has been added as a link on Tailgating.com (look under Parking Lots/College)

Be sure to cheer the Lions on to victory against msu this weekend -

To the Lion!

Thanks Tyler!

Tyler just sent along CDs of the pix from the tailgating season - there's a lot to go through - I'm going to have to take a week off just to update the website - but I have to share this one - because I love it - and it makes me laugh -

Okay, this is just about the funniest

thing I've seen in a while...



It's about time they welcomed Gregg!

GO LIONS!!!!!!!

Photo from SI.com - SI on Campus

Those crazy Dieselers

They're building us a car mountable flagpole - it's a tailgating dream come true - seriously, it is. Rob sent along a sketch - it looks great! I love it that the flag is wavy - nice touch.

Pep Rally at Rec Hall

GoPSUsports.com - Pep Rally for wisconsin game

Return to Paternoville

The kids are out again - camping outside the stadium to secure seats to the PSU wisconsin game. As of Tuesday morning, over 30 tents populated the now famous location.

This is what college life is all about!

to the lion!

White Out for Senior Day

GoPSUsports.com - White Out declared for clash against wisconsin

The results of editing -

Dang - I'm having flashbacks to the high school paper when Mrs. K thought my movie review of "less than zero" was too edgy...

Below is a link to the published "opinion" that I submitted to the Collegian regarding the CHEERLEADING staff's cheer choices. Sadly, I just come across as an mean old lady who yells "down in front"!

Letter to the Editor - Fans need lessons about game cheers

Oh well!

PENN STATE v wisconsin

Hey Friends,

Can you believe it? It's the final home game and tailgate of the 2005 football season. November 5th is Senior Day at Beaver Stadium and Penn State hosts the university of wisconsin. Kickoff is at 3:30pm - and the game will be televised on ABC.

Feeling a little nostalgic, we're planning a Memories tailgate - featuring recipes from "the olden days" such as: Bloody Marys; Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches; Chuck's Cheese Sauce; Uncle Al's Burnt Keilbasa; Chili; Brownies; and, so much more!

Bucky and the other badgers will be clad in their red and white - many, strangely enough, in overalls.

This is a big game for the Lions. PSU and uw sit atop the Big Ten Standings - This game could very well determine the winner of the Big Ten this year (can you believe it?) and which team will be the Big Ten's BCS representative in January.

As usual we plan to park in Lot 13 or Lot 12 (see map), as close to the front of the lot(s) as possible.


All are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. We'll be sending out our "regular" email a little closer to gameday; if you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

Hope to see you there - To the Lion!

DDT6 Tailgate - one for the ages

We met the other tailgaters at 6:30am at the Sleep Inn and once everyone was present and accounted for, we (3 trucks and 2 cars) headed out to the stadium. The gates didn't open until 8am - so Rob (Tailgating Coordinator) had asked us to make some "pre-breakfast" snacks - we had chocolate chip, blueberry and corn (w/ green chilies) muffins, keilbasa rolls, and sausage pockets (inspired by the Bath Pasties!) -

Once in the parking lot (and after I yelled at the parking attendant - who was being a Jacknut) we started the set up. The clever dieselers always purchase an extra parking pass - so we can have even more room to spread out. We had 3 canopies - 2 of which we used for chairs and "side" tables - and one for the food tables. The guys have a mammoth flag pole from which they fly USA and PSU flags, wrap with blue and white lights and top with a cut-out of a nuclear submarine - makes it pretty easy to spot. We had 2 full-size gas grills, our tabletop grill, 3 coleman stoves, 1 of those outdoor deep-fryers and a propane fueled outdoor fireplace.

They fired up the grill and made bacon, sausage and eggs for breakfast - Suzanne made white russian coffee drinks and we heated up some apple cider. We put out some snacks and desserts on the tables -

For Lunch the guys heated up the deep fryer and made peirogies and deep fried Turkey (they made another around "linner-time") - Suzanne and I had prepared a "nacho bar" with refried beans, Chuck's Cheese Sauce, taco meat, lettuce, shredded cheese, ripe olives, salsa, sour cream and homemade nacho chips! We had skewered pounds of shrimp on Friday and marinated it in Good Seasons salad dressing (remember the tailgate next to Chuck's where "Steve" would make "Shrimps on the Barbie" - it's his recipe) - I grilled them up and Suzanne had gotten out a great platter for me - but they never made it to the table - folks were eating them off of the grill - it was hilarious, and a little scary! I didn't get one, but I'd saved a "good one" for Suzanne and she said that they were great - It made me very happy and a little nostalgic -

We had made: brownie bites; homemade pretzels; "big" chocolate chip cookies in the shape of footballs; cheese puffs; peanut butter/chocolate cookie bars; burnt keilbasa; chocolate covered pretzels; some crazy coffee/caramel cookies suzanne made; spinach dip; creamy salsa dip; 3D football cake; a big tray of "dirt" that we decorated with graham cracker tombstones and buried non-blue and white football players; tortilla roll-ups - and so on. It was a "locust" event of biblical proportions - we couldn't get the stuff out there fast enough - but it was great - everyone was eating and drinking and having a super time.

The Dieselers also made - sausage sandwiches, bbq brisket; beer can chickens, cheese/bacon burgers, cheese/meat tray, baklava - yum!

One tailgater's parents stopped by and brought baked goods including whoopie pies and cookies. Suzanne's parents brought homemade sweet potato pie and homemade chocolate lollipops. Dena and Mark, Cousin Tim, Tyler (and his friend Todd) were also there - Tyler brought his famous brownies and pumpkin bread - Todd brought some soft pretzels from south side pittsburgh - Suz's friends Shelley and Mike brought burgers and hotdogs, spinach dip in the hollowed out bread bowl and a crazy assortment of Smirnoff beverages (WAY too drinkable!) - Dena and Mark brought a bunch of beer and snacks (and they stopped at the supermarket on the way for me to get more whipped cream!)

The weather was cold in the morning - but clear - by afternoon the sun was out and quite comfortable -

It was a wonderful day (and night) - the Lions posted another WIN - the unofficial attendance is 120 - so there ya go!

Inside the Stadium! (Audioblogger)

Click above to hear an audio post from inside Beaver Stadium during the PSU/purdue game!

purdue Game Time announced

GoPSUsports.com homecoming game time set

PSU and purdue will square off on Saturday, October 29th at 3:30pm. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

SI.com - Tailgate Nation

SI.com - Penn State named best tailgating venue on Tailgate Nation

We already knew it, but it's nice when 30,563 of our best friends agree.

PSU v purdue / Homecoming!

Penn State is back home on October 29th to celebrate Homecoming 2005 and hit the field against the Purdue Boilermakers.

And we head up to Penn State for the 2nd Diesel Tailgate of the season! DDT6 - Homecoming-ween! Come dressed in your favorite Blue and White costume, or as your favorite Penn State personality, symbol or tradition. Please note that the Boilermakers' colors are Black and Gold - so please save the Stealers' Fan and Pedestrian Crossing Sign costumes for another occasion. Please check out the Diesel website (see link on sidebar) for tons more information about the tailgate.

Game time has not yet been announced, but the "convoy" will be in line when the gates open (either 7 or 8am) - so yeah, we'll be there early. We'll post game time/TV info as soon as it becomes available.

We will be tailgating in Lot 13 or Lot 12 (see map), as close to the front of the lot(s) as possible. As this is Homecoming, we can expect a big crowd so check for traffic reports.



As always, all are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. If you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

GoPSUsports has record month

GoPSUsports.com has record breaking month

GoPSUsports had a record breaking number of page views and unique visitors - 4.317 million page views and and 330,000 unique visitors - While I know that 3+ million of those page views are mine, it's still impressive.

Website reaches 700 hits!

2theLion.com

700 hits on the website - still only 6 entries in the guestbook - There's a lot more work to be done, but thanks to everyone! I have a bunch of new photos of this season from Tyler to post!

Check out the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com) as well - we're over 100 posts over there!

PSU a big TV draw

GoPSUsports PSU OSU game record TV audience

No wonder the Big Ten wanted Penn State - golly people like to watch them on TV!

a little descrepancy about that #1 rated college football game.

Limited Number of Tickets for Last 2 home games

GoPSUsports.com - Limited number of tickets available for Purdue and Wisconsin games

Click above for information on tickets for Homecoming (Purdue) and Wisconsin games.

SI.com - Tailgate Nation

SI.com - Tailgate Nation

Click above and vote for PSU as the best tailgating venue! "Happy Valley" has made it into the finals against Buffalo -

Let's go State!

Rally in the Valley

GoPSUsports.com Pep Rally scheduled for 10/7

PSU will host the fourth annual "rally in the valley" on Friday, October 7th at 8:30pm in Rec Hall

Game Day is coming to Happy Valley

ESPN will broadcast "Game Day" from Beaver Stadium - gopsusports.com

"White Out" scheduled for osu game

GoPSUsports.com - PSU schedules "white out" - for ohio state game October 8th

Click above for details regarding the "white out" - remember to wear white on Saturday!

Online Tailgating competition

GoPSUsports.com - PSU in final of Sportsillustrated.com's online tailgating competition

Click above and vote for Penn State as the #1 college tailgating venue.

Go State

PENN STATE v ohio state

Howdy y'all! It's time for some down home football and some down home cookin'!

The Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Penn State on October 8th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45pm and ESPN will broadcast the game. It's a late kickoff which leaves tons of time for tailgating Lion "Country" style!

Because we have the whole day to tailgate - we plan to take full advantage by serving breakfast (brunch) and dinner! We'll start with eggs and bacon (and ham and sausage and...), biscuits, etc. and then move onto pulled pork, greens, slaw, gumbo, gooey desserts and anything else we can think of!

The Brutus, the buckeye, and the rest of the horse chestnuts, wear Scarlett and Gray.

Parking lots open at 8am, yes, 8am, and, yes, we will be there when the gates open!

We will be parking in Lot 13 or Lot 12 (see map), as close to the front of the lot(s) as possible. Take note that football parking has been affected by the baseball park construction. Lot 13, according to the "plans", has not been altered as a result - but the traffic flow and volume may change.

As always, all are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. We'll be sending out our "regular" email a little closer to gameday; if you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

Hope to see you there - To the Lion!

From the Game!!!

Click above to hear us at the Minnesota game - we called in when it was 7 - 0 and we were very excited; we had no idea :)

osu game at 7:45pm

gopsusports.com - ohio state game time set

Kick off will be at 7:45pm on Oct. 8th against the osu buckeyes.

We will keep you posted as to what time the parking lots open.

Penn State v minnesota

Oktoberfest 2005!

It's that time again! Oktoberfest Tailgate! PSU squares off against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, October 1st at 3:30 pm. It's the last weekend of the festival in Munchen and we're going to celebrate with pork, brats und beer!!!

The lots open at 8am and we'll be waiting in line to get in - we will park in Lot 13 (see map below) - as close to the front as possible.

The Golden Gophers' colors are Maroon and Gold - The Gophers have won the last 4 match-ups - so it's time for a change - if you can't make it to the game, be sure to watch on ABC and cheer the Lions on to victory!

Accuweather's current forecast is partly sunny with a high of 63 - but we'll have to keep an eye on Rita and hope that she doesn't show up!



As always, all are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. We'll be sending out our "regular" email a little closer to gameday; if you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

Hope to see you there - To the Lion!

Katrina Relief

GoPSUsports.com - Hurricane response

Click on the link above to read more about the efforts PSU and its students are making to help those effected by Hurricane Katrina.

They'll be collecting donations at the game this weekend.

PSU v central michigan

Dual Diesel Tailgate V! As the Nittany Lions square off against the Chippewas of Central Michigan on September 17th, we'll be joining tailgating forces with the Diesel Tailgaters! Those of you who were lucky enough to make it to the Blue/White Scrimmage this past May have an idea of just how great this is going to be!

This is the third tailgate of the season (and in a row) - but this is one that should not be missed!

Game time is 3:30pm - the parking lots open at 8am and our convoy will be waiting in line to get in! We'll (again) be parking in lot 13 as close to the front as possible. The Diesel crew have a submarine shaped flag - you really can't miss it. We're serving a ton of food with a nautical/preppy theme - going back to the roots of the football tailgate.

You can find out tons more information and planning details by checking out the Diesel website, including parking maps, equipments lists, etc.

Colors to shun this week are Maroon and Gold. (Yes, this is another "just pack away all of your red clothing, cause you can't wear it tailgating" season; 5 of the 7 home games are against teams that don a shade of red).

All are welcome. All we ask is that you comment here or send us a email so we (and the Dieselers) can prepare accordingly. You can contact us at Coach@2theLion.com - and we'll add you to our email update list.

We hope to see you there - To the Lion!

500 hits on Website

Yippee! We just hit 500 on the website counter - I know, I know, they aren't all "unique" hits - but it's exciting all the same! We're adding new stuff (text and pictures) as fast as we can. - be sure to check it out - 2theLion.com

Fiesta Tailgate!

On Saturday, September 10th, the Lions face the Bearcats of Cincinnati. Kick-off is scheduled for 12pm and the parking lots open at 7am. Per usual, Suzanne and I plan to be there early!

Yum Yum delicioso! We're planning a Fiesta! tailgate with chicken mojo, beef burritos, taco dip, and all the fixings.

The Bearcats sport red and black uniforms and are the Lions' second Big East opponent this year.

We'll be parking in Lot 13 - as close to the front of the lot as possible.

As always, all are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. If you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

Hope to see you there - To the Lion!

Game time changes for Central Michigan

The Central Michigan gametime has been rescheduled for 3:30pm and the game will now be televised on ESPN Plus. Click on the link below for the story on gopsusports.com.

Central Michigan game to be televised

Parking lots will open at 8am. This is the first Diesel tailgate of the season. We'll be tailgating with the Diesel boys in Lot 13 (north of the stadium). Check back here or on 2theLion.com for more details.

2005 Stadium Guide

PSU has issued the 2005 Stadium Guide. The Guide is in PDF form and has information including rules and regulations regarding the parking areas and inside the stadium. There's an updated football parking map and stadium seating charts.

PSU v south florida

It's the first game AND tailgate of the season! Penn State hosts the South Florida Rams on September 3rd at 3:30pm. Parking lots open at 8:00am and we're planning to be there, waiting in line when they open the gates!

We'll be serving a sampling of wines from the Shenandoah Valley (purchased during a trip to the region this summer) along with complimentary fare.

Colors to avoid this week are green and gold - so break out the silver accessories!

This year we will be parking in Lot 13 or Lot 12 (see map), as close to the front of the lot(s) as possible. Take note that football parking has been affected by the baseball park construction. Lot 13, according to the "plans", has not been altered as a result - but the traffic flow and volume may change.

As always, all are welcome. We just ask that you comment here or send us an email so we can prepare accordingly. We'll be sending out our "regular" email a little closer to gameday; if you'd like to be added to our email list, please email us at coach@2thelion.com - and check the Website (2theLion.com) for updates! Also, be sure to see our football analysis on the football blog (2thelionfootball.blogspot.com).

Hope to see you there - To the Lion!

Construction affects Football Parking

Check out the article in the CDT about the changes to football parking due to the construction of the new baseball stadium.

Centre Daily Times - PSU Parking Changes



I don't think that this affects our plans much - that is, lot 13 is still intact (thank goodness for the cows). I'll give the parking office a call a little closer to the season to confirm.

I can't believe that they are altering reserved (purple) parking again. Many of those folks were displaced in 1999 when they started the stadium expansion (the area affected is where they had originally displaced Mr. Hoover).

Welcome to Audioblogger!

Click above and listen to the inaugural "Audioblogger" post! With Audioblogger we can "blog" from any telephone and post audio messages directly to the blog.

This means we can capture moments directly from the tailgate and games!

Oh- I was walking home from work when I recorded the above message - so please excuse my delivery!

Diesel Tailgate

Diesel Tailgate

Check out link above for the Diesel Tailgate folks' planning page(s) for the Central Michigan Tailgate. They're a great bunch of kids and they have a fun website.

Pep Rally at Beaver Stadium

I always talk about going to these things, but never seem to make there. They're having a Pep Rally at Beaver Stadium September 2nd (Friday night), the day before the season opener.

According to gopsusports.com (where you can get the whole story), more than 20,000 fans attended last year's event, and they are expecting even more this year. The event is free (and so is parking) and will include a pep rally with Head Coach Joe Paterno and the squad, a Blue Band concert, cheerleaders, dance team and the Nittany Lion. Friday night's celebration will also feature some added surprises and prize give aways along Curtin Road and provide the community with the opportunity to meet the 2005 Nittany Lion Football team. The night will be capped off once again with a spectacular display of Zambelli's fireworks.

Festivities outside the stadium will start at 6:30 p.m. Events inside the stadium are scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm. Fans are directed to use Stadium Gates A & B to enter the stadium.

Website update

Well - we have a grand total of 2 signatures in our Guestbook! Thanks Jon & Dena!

I haven't had the time, sadly, to do much updating lately. If anyone has anything (pictures or text) that they want to contribute - please send it to me!!!

I hope to get some more work done on it this week - football season is going to be here before we know it - so it's time to start planning!!!

There are 3 (back to back to back) home games in September - The Central Michigan game is a joint Diesel Tailgate - you can check their website to keep up to date on the planning. http://dieseltailgate.no-ip.org

Aunt Madeline sent me an addition to the tailgating gear for my birthday - a handmade (by her) tiled trivet - blue and white, of course!

Potluck Party

I went to a Potluck dinner party this past weekend - that's like an indoor tailgate, with no football game.

The "theme", if you will, was "ethnic" - the idea was that each of the guests would bring a dish from their "ethnic background".

The guests brought a variety of dishes - from pulled pork (Carolina style) to basmati rice with spicy chickpeas.

It was a really friendly atmosphere and it was sort of an icebreaker for people to talk about themselves and their background(s).

I myself took cheese and crackers - the kitchen at home was sorta disabled - so I opted for "less" preparation. I took Fontina (Swedish), Kraft Old English spread, Cheddar, herbed Brie, Goat and a variation of Suzanne's "poorman's Boursin" (I used fresh thyme and parsley from the garden).

It was a lovely party - and the cheese did get eaten - to the point it was cut - just like the tailgate - if you cut it, they will eat it. (ha ha - cut the cheese).

2 months to go

Okay - It's July. The first games of the season are just 2 months away. It's a little early to start food preparation - but just a little.

This summer for Blue White we did a lot of baking ahead of time. We made a bizillion different desserts, froze them and then defrosted them for the game. So I'm thinking that if I start baking now, I can have a bunch of stuff ready for the season which we can then pick and choose to have for the different weeks. Plus it's a way to diffuse some of my "football energy" - I've been getting some emails from the football faithful - and folks are ready for some football!

Not that I want to wish the summer away - but - how I long for a crisp sunny autumn afternoon with the smell of charred animal flesh and decaying foliage in the air to spend with 106,000 of my closest friends!

Travel = tailgating ideas

Traveled down to the Shenandoah Valley this past weekend. It is such a beautiful part of the country - the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont areas offer tons of "sites" from the wildlife to the wineries.

We spent a little more time at the wineries - but in Virginia you really have to interact with nature to get to most of their vineyards - crazy back-woods, gravel, twisty roads - so not like the Finger Lakes where the wineries are all along the Lake(s), close together, and very easy to get to.

But the journey was well worth it - we "tasted" many excellent wines - and many different varieties.

So now comes the planning... In 2003 we had a wine tasting tailgate - we offered a variety wines with food pairings. We even did a proper "tasting" - it was so much fun.

Perhaps we'll do it again this year! South Florida has a 3:30pm start - sounds good!

I bought myself a souvenir in the Shenandoah National Park (on Skyline Drive) - it's a GIANT blue totebag - water resistant with a top closing zipper. I can't wait to pack it up for tailgating!

We also got some Carolina Style BBQ sauce. Yes, we were in Virginia, but they don't really have their own style sauce - and the Carolina style is the vinegary type - yum yum -- So that, of course, makes me think of pulled pork- which would be another great tailgating food.

Kay Kustanbauter to retire

Kay Kustanbauter, who has been the head of the Nittany Lion Club, since, it would seem, the beginning of time, has announced that she will be retiring.

No word on who will be her replacement. She's been a great fund raiser for PSU.

September home games

The game times for the first 3 games of the season have been announced. The games are all at home and non-conference.

South Florida kickoff at 3:30pm. The 3:30 kickoff means that the parking lots will be open at 8am.

The Cincinnati kickoff is at 12pm. 12pm start time means that the lots will open at 7am.

Kickoff for the Central Michigan game is scheduled for 1:30pm. Not sure what time the lots will open; I'll have to give the parking office a call.

Central Michigan is the Diesel Tailgate (DDT5) - please check 2theLion.com for links to the Diesel website and more information regarding the festivities.

Football Ticket Sales

Alumni Sale. Beginning Monday, June 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. alumni tickets will be available on the internet ONLY for all of the home football games. There are ticket limits for this sale (9 for all but OSU and Purdue where the limit is 4). The ticket office will accept no counter, telephone or mail in sales

Public Sale. Beginning Monday, July 11, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. tickets will be available to the public on the internet ONLY, again, for all of the home games. This sale will take place only if tickets remain after the Alumni Sale. Again, they will not accept any counter, telephone or mail in sales. Same ticket limits apply.

Phone Orders, Away Games and Group Sales. Beginning July 18, 2005 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM tickets will be available for phone orders and Group sales will take place only if tickets remain after the Internet Sales. Phone numbers to call: Local: 814-865-5555; Toll Free: 800-863-3336. No Limit

click on the "game day info" link or go to 2theLion.com "Game Day Game Plan" page for link(s) to the ticket office.

Ohio State 10/08

PSU has announced that kickoff for the Ohio State game is going to be either 7pm or 7:45pm (depends on if ESPN2 or ESPN picks up the game) so that means it could be a very full day of tailgating!

Suzanne and I are toying with the idea of going up to Connecticut that Friday (yes, that Friday) to see the UConn Syracuse game (8pm kickoff) and then traveling back down to PA really early the next morning with tailgate in tow.

Now, before you get all crazy and start telling us that we aren't youngsters any more and we need to pace ourselves, just remember that Mr. Hoover used to drive down to PA, from Connecticut, for every home game in the "olden days" with the entire tailgate in his trunk. It can be done. And we might even see Mianus (CT) on the way. ;)

Blue White 2005

Blue White 2005 - Diesel Tailgate

Well - Blue White 2005 was one for the ages. We joined tailgating forces with the "dual diesel tailgate 4" (DDT4), a group of young engineers we met last season and have been corresponding/planning with all winter.

Suzanne and I traveled to the State College Area the Sunday before and spent the week with Mom. During the week we planned, shopped and prepared a variety of goodies for the tailgate. Our assignments were: dips/snacks, desserts and a specialty beverage. For the beverage we made 5 gallons of Lynchburg Lemonade; suzanne made the sours mix from scratch and they were outstanding! For dips/snacks we made: Mini strombolis (ham/cheese, pepperoni, buffalo chicken); mini quiches (ham/cheese, vegetable); smokies in a blanket; ante-pasta plate; mini muffins (blueberry, cinnamon, corn, chocolate chip); mini biscuits (cheese, herb); onion/blue cheese dip; creamy salsa dip; buffalo chicken dip; uncle al's burnt keilbasa, roasted red pepper dip; spinach dip; tomato puree; pasta salad, homemade bagel chips; homemade crostini; party pumpernickel; chicken/red pepper spread made in a football shaped mould; stuffed mushrooms; homemade chex mix; cream puffs with herbed cream cheese filling; cherry tomatoes wrapped in salami & herbed cream cheese; tortilla chips; and, potato chips. For desserts we made: lemon tarts; coconut tarts; cheesecake bites; marbled cheesecake brownies; cream filled cream puffs; chunky chocolate brownies; turtle brownies; pineapple coconut brownies; mini chocolate cupcakes (which we frosted green and sprinkled green colored coconut on top of, arranged side by side on a tray and decorated with blue and white football player figurines, goal posts and knocked over red and yellow figurines which we called Florida State); almond butter cookies (shaped like footballs); shortcake footballs (dipped in chocolate); and, the lion cake (blue cake inside)!

The rest of the crew served breakfast (bacon, eggs, pancakes); hot sausage sandwiches; bratwursts; beercan chickens; brisket sandwiches; baked potato chili; bacon cheeseburgers; deep fried peirogies, cheese sticks, poppers, etc. Bloody Marys, Sangrita and beer as far as the eye could see, until you couldn't see anymore. There were little to no leftovers except for some dip and a few desserts - it was a return of the locust! (we hadn't seen devastation like that since Minnesota 2003).

There were a ton of people (est. 90!) - and it was a blast. The tailgate "area" was huge - 12 parking spaces, 3 canopies, tables and chairs everywhere. I did make it into the game for the 2nd quarter and halftime (saw the '94 team). The game was called in the 3rd quarter due to rain. The weather in general was icky - but we made the most of it!

The tailgate itself made it into the York Dispatch newspaper and Fox Sports' recap of the game!

It was a great success and everyone had a fun time.

Website update

Well, this week has been exciting, in a website creation type way. I am having the best time working on the site and learning all the publishing tricks, etc. I've added a few external links (including this one and one to our Football blog as well!) and uploaded a ton of photos. The hosting company has many more "add-ons" that I need to learn about - but it really is a labor of love.

Food glorious food

I bought a new cookbook over the weekend. It's only Monday and I've already made 2 recipes! French Onion Soup (best I've ever made - adapted the recipe which called for 8 cups beef stock and used 4 cups beef stock and 4 cups homemade chicken stock) and an Apple Tart.

I'm so ready to start planning for tailgating - Suz and I have been checking out the summer display of new grills, stoves, outdoor tables, etc. We're "gambling" to see what's left for the "end of summer" sales!

Early planning

So, it's the beginning of the summer and football season is a good 3 months away; however I'm always ready for some advance planning. The summer is a great time to pick up "outdoor" picnic supplies which can be used in the fall.

We had our "practice tailgate" at the Blue White spring scrimmage in late April. We joined tailgating forces with the guys at the "Dual Diesel Tailgate" (DDT). These fellas are super organized and enthusiastic about tailgating. Suzanne and I had prepared a slew of appetizers and desserts (including the lion cake!) and Suzanne mixed up 5 gallons of her spin on Lynchburg Lemonade (Lion Country Lemonade). We tried a bunch of new recipes and techniques. We had a great time getting ready for the tailgate and a super time on game day. We plan to tailgate with the Diesel boys again at the Central Michigan game (Sept 17th) - it should be fun.

Welcome to 2theLion.com!

Welcome to our Tailgating blog! We'll be posting about tailgating and all of the fun we have getting ready for it. Football season may only be in the Fall, but we're always on the look out for new equipment, recipes, etc. to add to the fun. Plus, the skills we have honed through throwing multiple "mini-parties" on fall weekends have helped with "partying" throughout the year. Every event is just a modified tailgate :)