Gave him two very nice tickets in the west stands about half way up for his 40th birthday, so he could go with a friend. Im the PSU grad but as we lived in OH for nearly all of his life, he chose OSU, and has quite the memorabilia collection at home and plenty of OSU clothing. So he and his buddy were decked out in bright scarlet and gray, for the drive up Sat morning. Checked into their motel at 2 pm and went to the stadium by 3. They parked, and chatted with the PSU folks all around them, then hiked to the stadium, and on towards the Nittany Lion.
Growing up, Alex had been to so many PSU games with me that he knew his way around and feels as comfortable there as in Columbus, so he wanted to show his friend what our campus was like. He went by the Creamery but it was so packed and the temps so cold they skipped the ice cream. then up to the Paterno Library Annex, and the Nittany Lion statue. There they met some Penn State gals taking turns taking photos of themselves at the Lion, and then were invited over to their tailgate. Went there and met about ten PSUers, talked about the game, predictions, had some food and a beer or two, met a guy on the PSU golf team and a meteorology grad who complained that with all their expertise they still blew the weather forecast, and laughed.
Then he headed to the parking lot just west of the west stands looking for my classmate/buddy. He remembered their parking space and tracked them down. My buddy Jim was sitting inside his car talking to a friend when Alex arrived and stood outside his window. Jim looked 2-3 times without recognizing who this guy in scarlet and gray was, but on the 4th look finally recognized him. Jim had gotten us the tickets that Alex was using, so he rolled his window down and said
" Hmm. I wish you wouldnt have worn something that bright of a red."
Then Alex headed for his seats and the pregame warm ups. Said it was a really cold night by that point between the temps and wind and showers. But he talked with the PSU fans in the neighboring seats, accepted some good natured ribbing, and really loved the view of the field, the White Out at night, and the entire game.... except for the 4th quarter. After the game the PSU fans in front of them stood up to leave, then turned to say "You two guys are the nicest OSU fans we've ever sat near."
Alex said almost everyone he met was extremely cordial and fun to talk with, and despite the disappointing loss was really glad to have made the trip. He didnt get back to his motel until 3 am, got 6 hrs of sleep, had the motel breakfast, then hit I 80 back to Columbus.
Oh, and when we made the blocked FG recovery and 75 yard run for the winning TD, he said the place really went bonkers!
FWIW.....
Growing up, Alex had been to so many PSU games with me that he knew his way around and feels as comfortable there as in Columbus, so he wanted to show his friend what our campus was like. He went by the Creamery but it was so packed and the temps so cold they skipped the ice cream. then up to the Paterno Library Annex, and the Nittany Lion statue. There they met some Penn State gals taking turns taking photos of themselves at the Lion, and then were invited over to their tailgate. Went there and met about ten PSUers, talked about the game, predictions, had some food and a beer or two, met a guy on the PSU golf team and a meteorology grad who complained that with all their expertise they still blew the weather forecast, and laughed.
Then he headed to the parking lot just west of the west stands looking for my classmate/buddy. He remembered their parking space and tracked them down. My buddy Jim was sitting inside his car talking to a friend when Alex arrived and stood outside his window. Jim looked 2-3 times without recognizing who this guy in scarlet and gray was, but on the 4th look finally recognized him. Jim had gotten us the tickets that Alex was using, so he rolled his window down and said
" Hmm. I wish you wouldnt have worn something that bright of a red."
Then Alex headed for his seats and the pregame warm ups. Said it was a really cold night by that point between the temps and wind and showers. But he talked with the PSU fans in the neighboring seats, accepted some good natured ribbing, and really loved the view of the field, the White Out at night, and the entire game.... except for the 4th quarter. After the game the PSU fans in front of them stood up to leave, then turned to say "You two guys are the nicest OSU fans we've ever sat near."
Alex said almost everyone he met was extremely cordial and fun to talk with, and despite the disappointing loss was really glad to have made the trip. He didnt get back to his motel until 3 am, got 6 hrs of sleep, had the motel breakfast, then hit I 80 back to Columbus.
Oh, and when we made the blocked FG recovery and 75 yard run for the winning TD, he said the place really went bonkers!
FWIW.....
