Northwestern 11.20.10

Funny how this novelty game turned out to actually mean something.  And the circus of the sandlot rules quickly became overshadowed by a phenomenal performance by our running game.  I didn't care much about the Wrigley thing, but it turned out to be really cool and I'm glad I had an opportunity to go. Someday it might be fun to hang out with all the Chicago contingent in Chicago (or Evanston) when it isn't freezing outside. 

Friggin circus in the streets.

At least they were running toward us.

We're going bowling! 

Impressive performance.  Wonder where it was when Minny was in town.  Oh well, probably saved Zook's job and gives us a chance at a bowl.  I just hope the word TicketCity is not in the title.  We shall see.  Week off and then a trip to get a little revenge on Fresno State for the egg the ILLINI laid last year. 



Minnesota 11.13.10

Final 2010 shortbus tailgate.  Weater started nice but got pretty damn cold and crappy the the afternoon.  Brought the buddies from home to the finale'.  Also had a nice showing from some of the Chicagoland regulars as well as a surprise guest.

Early in the day.  Having a Pabst with its namesake. 

Took me all day, but I was finally able to catch these guys with a beer in their hand :)

Brave souls.  And great friends.  You too, Brad, wherever you went during this shot.

Ladies love bus drivers.

Great end to a great season of shortbus tailgaiting.

Again, another successful year of getting up early to drive to Champaign and drink beer in a painted up shortbus, waiting for an improving, if not still mediocre, football team to win a few games.  This year, the highs were pretty high and the lows were pretty low - but once again, seeing old friends, making new ones and reliving some long gone glory was a lot of fun.  More posts on the Wrigley game and (hopefully) the bowl game to come.

Purdue 10.30.10

Brought the family for Halloween. Day started out cool, but got better.  Not a huge crowd, but did get to visit with some old friends and the kids had a ball.

Early start on a chilly morning. Gotta love those 11 am games.

 

Man that kid does love to play in the dirt.

Prolly gonna have to play JV for a while.

We're good parents - we kept the baby warm in chilly weather.  However, the State may be visiting soon because we did so with a giant pink bunny suit.  Looked like a pink nightmare.  C'mon it was Halloween!

Ahhh, bus drama.  Always something. 

Little vampire and dad. 

You gotta admit, that's funny.

Indiana 10.23.10

Homecoming shortbus tailgaters did not show up for this one, but I suppose you can't blame them.  Although, the weather was fantastic.  Had some new faces at the tailgate this day.  Some of them had a LOT of fun.  I won't post the proof.

Two handsome bus drivers.  Whatever the hell Megabus is, this is apparently the guy who drives it.

I'm not even gonna comment. 

Liquid courage.

A nice day and a good win, if not an otherwise pretty uneventful tailgate. 

Penn State 10.09.10

We've always talked about a trip to Happy Valley and this year made a lot of sense. 

HUGE shout-out to DB for his acceptance of the invitation, willingness to sacrifice his car for tailgating,  and for bringing that stupid little charcoal grill that, it turns out, is contraband in State College- but man were we glad to have it.  You rock - D!

First some scenery:

 Far cry from Central IL.

 
Mt. Nittnay

We didn't tailgate too far away.

It's like Disneyworld.

Joe-Pa.  Actually pretty cool.

The tailgating:



 That silly little grill couldn't have been more conspicuous in a giant lot that outlaws charcoal.  With our keen sense of thermodynamics, wind mechanics, and culinary heat transfer theory, we were able to cook, eat, and prevent the west half of Pennsylvania from burning to the ground.

Nothing says tailgaiting like Peach Schnapps.  Seriously, you can't buy a 12 pack at 8 am  on a Saturday morning in PA?  Never been so sad to see the last Natty Light come out of the cooler.  Oh, and I found it really hard to party sideways.  Hills suck.

The game:

 Pretty impressive.  Gotta give it to the Big House, though. 

I could get used to this.  Nice win, boys!

Gotta admit. I was pretty amped to see what I've been told repeatedly is the best tailgating in the Big 10.  Now, maybe we were in the turd lot, maybe there was a great party off-site that we weren't invited to, or maybe they were all hung over from a Friday night Mad-Dog bender.  But I was not impressed.  Huge crowd - but as has been said, "do not confuse activity with achievement".   Pretty subdued event, in my opinion.

However, the experience was awesome, the drive though the hills in October was cool, and meeting some east coast Phi's in the middle of nowhere was well worth the trip.  Being present at the first ever win in Beaver Stadium was pretty cool too.  We play there again next year - I know how to get there - who's in!

Ohio State 10.02.10

Apparently this was the weekend all the good dads, husbands, boyfriends and employees spent meeting those obligations. Thus, Scott and I were the only ones in attendance at a VERY small shortbus tailgate for what should have been the most raucous of the year. I haven't had time to post of late and now, after watching the fun in Madison last weekend, recognize that having a rabid fan base completely behind your team - playing a top 5 team in the country - sure makes for a fun atmosphere. That was not in Champaign this day. However, the team did show up and I'll go on record agreeing with Zook on the field goal late in the game. I don't have any pictures from this day, but there really wasn't much to take a picture of, so you all will just have to be satisfied with my witty, insightful prose.

Northern Illinois 09.18.10

Aside from the thieving little girl at the tailgate next to us, we had a nice, leisurely day in the sun with friends.  Game was pretty good too.

Got there early enough for the boy to play in the dirt.

Baby had fun too.

 

Kids playing before the little clepto next to us stole their stuff.

Boys talking 'bout work.  or superheroes.

Gotta love the band.  

 Gotta love the Reeser.

Yukni Rock.

We shanghai'd some good seats

His vast knowledge of the inter workings of the college football game comes from his refusal to conform to the masses and watch the action on the field.  Nay, his attention is focused elsewhere while he simply "absorbs" the game.  Simply amazing!

Next up.  Ohio State.  It was fun while it lasted.

Southern Illinois University 09.11.10

GREAT TIME!  Largest shortbus crowd to date thanks to huge turnout from the house.  Don't say these guys don't have any manners.  They did help drink all the beer, but at least they went and got more.  ..............ribbit.

Big thanks to Jim and Mike who organized a huge turnout of guys from their respective pledge classes.  It was great to see everybody.  Weather was fantastic and we won the damn game.  Also, thanks to the guys at the house, it looked great and we appreciate the hospitality.

Few folks over at the house for lunch.  Nice job, fellas.

Started out sorta small. 

But it picked up.

And actually got sorta crowded.    

 Plenty of mystery Phi's

As well as the regulars. 

Great to see these guys!



Where the hell did all these people come from?

I'd considered a lot of wise and contemplative thoughts to share here.  Eloquent essays on how the bonds of friendship, fraternity, and loyalty to our school can stand the test of time and bind us together to celebrate our past.  But, in retrospect, it was probably just the cheap food and booze. 

Regardless, I hope everyone had as much fun as I did and gets a chance to make it down for a game every once in a while.  You know where to find us.  We'll be in the shortbus - with the broke-ass tent.  ........never employ drunk helpers ;)

2010 TAILGATE KICKOFF SATURDAY 9/11

Don't make this man any angrier.  Join us this Saturday as we kick off the 2010 tailgating season.  Looks like we'll have a good crowd with some pledge classes trying to get back together (see previous post).

Festivities at the house start at 10:30 and the beer will be flowing at the shortbus at 1:30.  Lot 31 - just walk down the west side of First Street - you'll find us before you hit Kirby.  Hope to see you there.

FALL FOOTBALL TAILGATE / PLEDGE CLASS REUNION

The Fall ’88 and Fall ’90 Pledge Classes are planning a combined Pledge Class Reunion on September 11, 2010. Brothers Jim Courtad x’92 and Mike Mahorney x’94 invite everybody to join their respective pledge classes, the active chapter, and other returning Phi’s for a day in Champaign with an Open House, a Football Tailgate, a football game under the Memorial Stadium lights and an afterhours event with the Actives. The tentative schedule is as follows:

10:30am - 1:30 pm     Open House/BBQ at Chapter House.
2:00pm - 6:30pm        Football tailgate at Illini Shortbus
6:30pm - 9:30pm        Fighting Illini vs. Southern Illinois Salukis.
10:00pm - close          Party with Active Chapter at Kam's.

Families are encouraged to attend the open house, tailgate, and football game. Blocks of rooms have been reserved until August 6th at three local hotels under Phi Delta Theta at discounted weekend rates. Contact information is:

Hawthorne Suites (near Memorial Stadium)     217-398-3400
King room / 2 Queens room - $109 / night

Comfort Suites (I-74 and Lincoln Ave)            217-328-3500
King room / 2 Queens room - $139 / night

Holiday Inn Express (I-74 and Lincoln Ave)     217-328-0328
King room / 2 Queens room - $150 / night

We are also looking to secure a block of tickets to the football game. If interested, please email me at blott@f-w.com by August 6, 2010 and let me know how many you’d be interested in.  Check back in periodically as we'll have additional information as the event approaches.  Hope to see you there

NIT

Personally, I think we deserve it. It does sting that others that made it in probably deserve it more. I suppose that's what you get when you lose to the teams we did back in December.

A One seed in the NIT.

Feels like:

Fresno State 12/5/09

Sorry for the delay. That Fresno State Game was a forgettable game to end a forgettable season. Cold, meaningless game at Memorial Stadium in December. The fans stayed home and so did the defense. Attended with some fellas I grew up with and we got a little rowdy. Thanks to Dad for driving us back. Taken right before kickoff. I've seen more people in a Jewel parking lot. Note that the Shortbus Tailgaters are holding their own.

Now, that's just stupid.

Frozen.

I can't feel my toes.

Hey, another picture of a bunch of guys drinking. This one has fire.

I'm not sure Loyalty Circle is the best name.