In the wake of negative cheering; paternoville; having a beer in the parking lot during a PSU football game; Kerncraft 400 (ie Zombie Nation) Guess what PSU is now trying to phase out...Tailgating.
What? you say Tailgating? They'll never try to get rid of tailgating -it's an integral part of the Penn State experience - I'd have said the same thing, until last Saturday.
My ever faithful group of tailgaters and I were in line to park in Lot 13 at 06:30 Saturday morning - the lots opened at 7 and our convoy made its way to the front row of parking - as we exited our vehicles we noticed that the parking attendants were guiding the next row of cars remarkably close to our bumpers (seriously) - angry voices were shouting everywhere as the one attendant was yelling "park them closer - they want them closer" - I must have had a look of disbelief because she turned to me and said - "yeah, they're trying to phase out tailgating" - further dumbfounded I answered "tailgating? You can not be serious". To which she retorted "oh yes, it's out of control."
Out of control - I feel completely responsible for this - I apologize to the entire Penn State community for the 20 pounds of pulled pork and chicken that I brought into the lots, coupled with the 7 kinds of barbecue sauce, football shaped cake, pizza bread, keilbasa, chicken wings and other assorted snacks and desserts. I know that we, as a nation, and as a college community, have to take a responsible stance on the issue of consuming delicious foodstuffs outdoors, with great friends, in the number one college football arena, promoting camaraderie and team pride. Apparently it is an epidemic and must be stopped.
Or perhaps it's only in the "common man" parking (ie yellow) that is a target - because "preferred" parking was widely spaced and, of course there are no bans on canopies in reserved parking.
I am angry about this - and this post may well be the beginning of a letter to the editor of the CDT and/or Collegian - I've been "burnt" by those publications (okay edited) before - but I don't think we can just quietly sit by and let this happen.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Belated Northwestern recap
A cold grey Pennsylvania sky greeted us for our Oktoberfest tailgate. We lined up outside of Lot 13 at 0655. We had just over an hour to kill before the lots opened. Chris start the morning off properly with a Lager. It was a brisk 45 degrees. The fog rolled in while we were waiting.
The parking attendants opened the fields at 0755 and we made a bee line to our new parking spot. Changes in the regulations gave our old spot to “brown” preferred parking, so our new spot was along the mid-field fence. This is where we parked for HC4.
As set up began, Carter cooked breakfast on the grill. Mad and Suzanne brought out the Stuffin’ muffins and other breakfast treats. The morning fog lifted so we could see the stadium, but the sun didn’t come out. Chris and I got in a morning game of Polish horseshoes before the shoes were overtaken by tables and canopies.
Official Stats
Total hours: 16.5
Guests: 45
Donations: $55
Trucks: 3
Carter’s new stereo modification included 2 speaker towers on workstands. It was louder than anything in the parking lot.
Just in case you didn’t get enough at breakfast, Mad and Suz put out a collection of baked snacks including black forest bars, peanut brittle bars ,buckeye ball bars, picnic bars (chocolate and coconut), blueberry cheesecake brownies, carnutty bars (caramel, nuts & cream cheese), turtle brownies, truffle brownies, candy bar brownies (peanuts, chocolate & peanut butter frosting), butter bars (with blue sprinkles), almond toffee brownies, and raspberry streusel bars. It was quite the spread.
Matt cranked up the deep fryer for lunch. We had French toast sticks, pierogies, onion petals and cheese balls. Mad and Suz pulled out the stops. The “big ol' pork roast with sauerkraut” was cooked in the new propane slow cooker (a wedding gift) and Todd made bratwurst on the grill. Matt’s Ma and Pa brought out a baked bean dish and cheeses. Larry and Carol brought some awesome ring baloney with cheese. Mmmm.
We snapped the group photo just after lunch against the back of the truck just before game time. Intermittent rain started.
The game started with a C-17 flyover. It was much lower than I was expecting. Penn State dominated the “mildcats” on the field. Their only score was from an interception in the 2nd quarter. Deon Bulter (#3) set the school receiving yardage record. Tony Hunt (#26) passed the legendary Lenny Moore on State’s career rushing list. In the four quarter, Penn State picked up a fumble. It was ran back and by {insert name here} and dove in the end zone to make it 40-7. Unfortunately, the refs ruled it an incomplete pass and tacked on a big penalty. JoePa was not happy. Either way, the game ended on a good note as our record improved 3-2. “Me-ouch” indeed.
In a light post-game rain, there was a little light left in the sky. Even more food was cooked. Mad and Suz made mini-ruebens, mini-racheals and sauerkraut pockets. I cooked up a batch of bacon-cheddar burgers. Matt deep fried the turkey.
The rain stopped after dark and it warmed up a bit. Many tailgaters warmed up by the fireplace.
We finally decided to pack it up after the monsoon started. We rolled out at 2330 for a total of 16.5 hours of tailgating. Thanks to everyone who came out. This was really a good time.
And despite the administation’s best effort, everyone had a good time.
For the Glory,
-Rob
Tailgating Coordinator
The parking attendants opened the fields at 0755 and we made a bee line to our new parking spot. Changes in the regulations gave our old spot to “brown” preferred parking, so our new spot was along the mid-field fence. This is where we parked for HC4.
As set up began, Carter cooked breakfast on the grill. Mad and Suzanne brought out the Stuffin’ muffins and other breakfast treats. The morning fog lifted so we could see the stadium, but the sun didn’t come out. Chris and I got in a morning game of Polish horseshoes before the shoes were overtaken by tables and canopies.
Official Stats
Total hours: 16.5
Guests: 45
Donations: $55
Trucks: 3
Carter’s new stereo modification included 2 speaker towers on workstands. It was louder than anything in the parking lot.
Just in case you didn’t get enough at breakfast, Mad and Suz put out a collection of baked snacks including black forest bars, peanut brittle bars ,buckeye ball bars, picnic bars (chocolate and coconut), blueberry cheesecake brownies, carnutty bars (caramel, nuts & cream cheese), turtle brownies, truffle brownies, candy bar brownies (peanuts, chocolate & peanut butter frosting), butter bars (with blue sprinkles), almond toffee brownies, and raspberry streusel bars. It was quite the spread.
Matt cranked up the deep fryer for lunch. We had French toast sticks, pierogies, onion petals and cheese balls. Mad and Suz pulled out the stops. The “big ol' pork roast with sauerkraut” was cooked in the new propane slow cooker (a wedding gift) and Todd made bratwurst on the grill. Matt’s Ma and Pa brought out a baked bean dish and cheeses. Larry and Carol brought some awesome ring baloney with cheese. Mmmm.
We snapped the group photo just after lunch against the back of the truck just before game time. Intermittent rain started.
The game started with a C-17 flyover. It was much lower than I was expecting. Penn State dominated the “mildcats” on the field. Their only score was from an interception in the 2nd quarter. Deon Bulter (#3) set the school receiving yardage record. Tony Hunt (#26) passed the legendary Lenny Moore on State’s career rushing list. In the four quarter, Penn State picked up a fumble. It was ran back and by {insert name here} and dove in the end zone to make it 40-7. Unfortunately, the refs ruled it an incomplete pass and tacked on a big penalty. JoePa was not happy. Either way, the game ended on a good note as our record improved 3-2. “Me-ouch” indeed.
In a light post-game rain, there was a little light left in the sky. Even more food was cooked. Mad and Suz made mini-ruebens, mini-racheals and sauerkraut pockets. I cooked up a batch of bacon-cheddar burgers. Matt deep fried the turkey.
The rain stopped after dark and it warmed up a bit. Many tailgaters warmed up by the fireplace.
We finally decided to pack it up after the monsoon started. We rolled out at 2330 for a total of 16.5 hours of tailgating. Thanks to everyone who came out. This was really a good time.
And despite the administation’s best effort, everyone had a good time.
For the Glory,
-Rob
Tailgating Coordinator
Monday, October 23, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Great Tailgate for um - Homecoming Americana Tailgate for illinois
The Lions match up with the university of illinois' fighting illini on Saturday, October 21st as they celebrate Homecoming 2006!
Gametime is 12pm - and parking lots open at 7am - we'll be there when they open the gates armed with breakfast treats and hot beverages. We'll be parking in the far side of Lot 13 - look for the PSU flags and submarine flag topper - for more detailed directions, email us for cell phone numbers.
This is our 2nd Diesel Tailgate extravaganza - check out the planning pages on http://dieseltailgate.no-ip.org/ for more info. Our theme is Americana as we cheer on our team, alumni and country. We'll be serving a variety of down home favorites including a wagon load of pulled pork, chicken, brisket and other barbecue favorites!
Gametime is 12pm - and parking lots open at 7am - we'll be there when they open the gates armed with breakfast treats and hot beverages. We'll be parking in the far side of Lot 13 - look for the PSU flags and submarine flag topper - for more detailed directions, email us for cell phone numbers.
This is our 2nd Diesel Tailgate extravaganza - check out the planning pages on http://dieseltailgate.no-ip.org/ for more info. Our theme is Americana as we cheer on our team, alumni and country. We'll be serving a variety of down home favorites including a wagon load of pulled pork, chicken, brisket and other barbecue favorites!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
PSU um Tailgate!
Are you ready to tailgate?
PSU hosts the michigan wolverines on October 14th for a good old fashioned grudge match. Kick off is at 8pm (ABC) - gates open at 8am - that's 12 hours of pre-game tailgating! There's no need to hype this one - it's the biggest home game of the season.
I'm not going to tell you the current forecast, because it's been changing everyday - but one thing has been consistent - it's going to be chilly (50s and 40s chilly) - so dress accordingly. Be sure to bring a white shirt (shawl, sheet, trash bag) to wear into the game - as they've declared a White Out!
We plan to park in Lot 13 - last week we were in our properly designated area- but who knows what will happen (seriously, anyone?) - Look for the Penn State flag (still working on customizing) and email us for cell numbers if you don't already have them.
We'll be serving up pub favorites from the British Isles all day long - including hot roast beef, meat pies, potatoes, desserts and much more. As always, all are welcome and contributions are appreciated but not necessary. Let us know if you'll be around and we'll plan accordingly. (Seriously, 12 hours).
We hope to see you there!
2 the Lion!
PSU hosts the michigan wolverines on October 14th for a good old fashioned grudge match. Kick off is at 8pm (ABC) - gates open at 8am - that's 12 hours of pre-game tailgating! There's no need to hype this one - it's the biggest home game of the season.
I'm not going to tell you the current forecast, because it's been changing everyday - but one thing has been consistent - it's going to be chilly (50s and 40s chilly) - so dress accordingly. Be sure to bring a white shirt (shawl, sheet, trash bag) to wear into the game - as they've declared a White Out!
We plan to park in Lot 13 - last week we were in our properly designated area- but who knows what will happen (seriously, anyone?) - Look for the Penn State flag (still working on customizing) and email us for cell numbers if you don't already have them.
We'll be serving up pub favorites from the British Isles all day long - including hot roast beef, meat pies, potatoes, desserts and much more. As always, all are welcome and contributions are appreciated but not necessary. Let us know if you'll be around and we'll plan accordingly. (Seriously, 12 hours).
We hope to see you there!
2 the Lion!
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