Penn State Tailgating: Keys to Success
Tailgating for Penn State football games has become big time over time as Joe Paterno has built the program to national prominence, and the fan following along with it. The sales of Penn State merchandise has exploded along with it, and gamedays in State College are filled with fans wearing a Penn State sweatshirt, Penn State t-shirt, or Penn State jersey, usually as part of a “White Out”. Penn State tickets are in high demand, and Beaver Stadium is always filled to capacity.
Superior tailgating for Penn State games takes proper tools and tricks of the trade. First of all, you need your tailgating spot. Parking spot is key. This all comes down to being or be-friending a Nittany Lion Alumni Club member with pretty good ranking that has a favorable parking spot. The Penn State Alumni Association utilizes a variety of parking lots on campus close (and some very close) to Beaver Stadium to assign tailgate spots, and you want to ensure you get a the best you can get. Buy a Penn State football parking pass from website like eBay if really need one.
Next, make sure you are dressed for the occasion. A lot depends on the weather, but an authentic Penn State jersey (either blue or white) works great. If it’s a clear fall afternoon, get your favorite Penn State sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and warm, grab a Penn State t-shirt, maybe a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to stay cool. A fleece, shell, pullover, or sleek Penn State golf shirt are also options. Of course the Penn State White Out has become a tradition so I always make sure to wear white. This is especially true in the student parts of the stadium.
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Nittany Lion tailgates are to begin about food and beverage, so this should be top priority. I like getting to the spot early so that the grill can be prepared and given plenty time to smoke a variety of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general definitely should be be the main attention of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, steaks, or fish can all make great tailgate fare. Nittany Lion country should be considered bar-b-que country, so choose a sauce that fits what you are grilling and will make your tailgate guests fulfilled. Complement your grilled meats with whatever sides and snacks you and your friends can bring.
Food is a priority, but beverages are the lifeblood of your tailgate. Personally, I think of football tailgating with “brown water”, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a great Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey to get you ready for game day. However, this is a personal thing, and you need to have a variety of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to please your guests (or have them BYOB).
Other important aspects of a tailgate: How are people going to get to your spot? Get a tall Penn State Flag , personalize it some and display it high. Also, accessorize your Nittany Lion tailgate out with Penn State chairs, coolers, and blankets. Everyone should be drinking out of Nittany Lion cups and mugs too.
While the Nittany Lion matchup is definitely the most important event of the day, there will be lots of other important college games on. Patrons at your tailgate are going to want to watch other games (or they?ll go somewhere else). Do what other great tailgaters do and put up a portable satellite dish you attach to a receiver and televisions you can quickly scramble to set up in the morning. A blow up Penn State couch right in front is also a nice touch.
To me, the sign of a great tailgate is one that everyone wants to go back to after the game.
Looking for Penn State Tickets to either to a Penn State Football or Basketball game? Or are you looking for a great Penn State jersey, sweatshirt, or “White Out” merchandise? Check out www.PennStateCentral.com the All Nittany Lion Sports and Fan Store.
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February 9, 2010
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