Collegio Online

Issue date: 8/23/07 Section: After Hours

Media Credit: Salman Alkhulif/Collegio

To many people, tailgating is more than an event with which to pass the time - it's part of their lifestyle. But more importantly, it's a tradition.
"My wife and I don't do a whole lot for ourselves," said Joe Beitzinger, a lifelong Pittstate fan and tailgating extremist. "But our Pitt State football tickets are one things that we do ... it's our lives."
Beitzinger, a Pittsburg pharmaceutical representative, has followed and supported Pitt State football since he was a small child. He even served as the team's ball boy when he was 10 years old. Now, nearly 30 years later, he is as big a fan as ever.
"The party usually starts about 9 a.m. and that's for early afternoon games," Beitzinger said. "And if it's a night game it's usually 10 or 11, unless it's homecoming, and then we start right after the homecoming parade. We leave about 15 minutes before the game starts, so it makes for a very long day."
Attending the family football party are Beitzinger's wife, Crystal, three daughters, several friends and neighbors and anyone else who happens to drop by.
The Beitzingers' tailgating party is at a Brown parking lot that they call "the shack," in reference to rental apartments that once were located there. The family owned those rentals, but transferred use of the lots on the 1500 block of South Elm to the university.
Although the Beitzingers' tailgating doesn't take place in Gorilla Village, the family doesn't go unnoticed.
"The coaches and the players will go and have their pregame meal over at the student center, and as they all are leaving, a couple of the coaches will stop by and say hello and we wish them good luck," Beitzinger said. "It's almost become a tradition that we will wish the coaches and players good luck when they come by."
Beitzinger says he has ideas to further improve his "shack" parties. He's considering finding a designated driving service for after the game.
But, for now, he continues to show his love and support for Pitt State football.
"Regardless of whether you like football, understand football, enjoy drinking, enjoy eating or not enjoy drinking or eating, it is a true atmosphere," Beitzinger said. "And that is probably the best word to describe game day. It puts chills on your back. Just a pure festive atmosphere. Crimson and Gold, it's just everywhere."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools