July 16th, 2010 2:27 am
Being a boastful Penn State alumni, avid Penn State sports fan, and regular football game attendee in Happy Valley, I have the actual Nittany Lion football game day routine right down to pretty much a science. We tried it so often that I can virtually let you know minute by minute the actual preparation and routine We go through with my family. Everything leads up to my favorite occasions of the year: Penn State football games.
You will find seven days annually that i absolutely love. Those are the seven home games that Penn State plays football at State College, Pennsylvania. I’ve been going to these games since I was in college, and its just been a routine for me and my family for several years. We try not to skip a game if at all possible.
Going to a game in Happy Valley is actually special. The environment is as fine as it gets in college football. State College, Pennsylvania is actually right in the center of the state of Pennsylvania, and as you descend into the city, it feels like everybody in the state is actually arriving next to you. You believe way when you appear in the car parking lots and see the actual RVs and tailgaters as far as the eye is able to see.
My routine commences early on in the morning as I get myself and my family dressed in Penn State clothing. Personally, I never go to PSU football games without wearing my lucky Penn State football jersey. Since I like to sit down in or close to the college student area, and they have a tradition associated with wearing white for the Penn State “White Out” effect, I have a white Penn State football jersey. My spouse has a Penn State ladies jersey and my kids have Penn State youth jerseys.
Though the equipment doesn’t stop with jerseys, as there’s a lot more. If it is cold, we might layer up with a Penn State sweatshirt too. A fleece one is ideal if it is a cold late in the season game. White, blue, or grey Penn State sweatshirts tend to be fine too, I’ve got all of them in my wardrobe. My family and I also have PSU caps, t-shirts, and overcoats, so whatever Penn State equipment is required for that day’s condition, we have.
Next, all of us stock up the vehicle with tailgating equipment. The most important products are the fundamental: chairs, grill, coolers, meals, and beverages. I have a Penn State Chair that I’ve had forever that i bring to every game, and I personally use it extensive prior to and after games. We now have about a 2 hr drive to State College, so all of us generally depart about 6-7 hours prior to kick-off.
We have experienced exactly the same car parking spot in State College for several years, and it’s where all of us tail gate with our fellow Penn State enthusiasts. We prefer to get there early to set up the actual grill, tables, chairs, and some games (we love to play corn hole). Fortunately, we have fellow tailgaters having a portable satellite dish and Televisions so that we can view all the morning college football action (especially Big 10 games) while preparing for the large game.
The most important part of tailgating is actually mingling with close friends, but meals preparation and consumption is important too. We turn up the actual grill early and ensure that it stays going all day. Usually multiple types of meats get tossed on, personally I like any type of red meat to go with my personal adult drink during tailgating. Remember to have plenty of ice and mixers.
Tailgating is actually enjoyable, but I usually remind everybody that the key reason we’re there is for the game. I like to be in Beaver Stadium twenty minutes prior to kick-off. This enables me to soak in all the pre-game festivities, such as the teams running out on the field, Joe Paterno’s entry, and the actual incredible sound associated with 100,000 fans yelling “Let’s Go….Penn State”.
These are my favorite seven days of the year.
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Tags: football, Penn State Football, penn state jersey, penn state sweatshirt, Sports