Game 5: Northwestern (Homecoming)

Think Warm Thoughts

With each loss the need for the band to warm up “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” becomes more evident. Hopefully I’m wrong and we can turn the “near misses” into wins over the coming weeks starting with the Mildcats this weekend. We invite all our returning Stone Cold Tailgating Club alums to add their voices to the cheers for our beloved Boilers during the Homecoming game!

Since we are not likely to be “bowling” in a sub-tropical location like Florida this year, we have decided to have our own tropical themed Homecoming Tailgate: that’s right, the Luau is back! Break out those Hawaiian style shirts one more time before they are packed away until next summer and join the Stone Cold Tailgating Club in celebrating Purdue’s Homecoming 2009!

Photos from our Last Luau Tailgate in 2003:

Unfortunately we can’t bury and roast a pig as they do at a real Luau so we’ll turn to another uniquely Hawaiian food known as a Puka dog. You can get the whole “Puka” story here (http://www.pukadog.com/ ) but the shortened version is that they are a sausage dressed in tropical condiments. Unfortunately we’re going to have to make due with regular buns instead of Hawaiian sweet bread buns, but other than that we have a good selection of Puka toppings. If you look at the chart below you can see how to make a Puka dog. The items with a red line are toppings that we won’t have on hand, but I think we’ve covered the majority of tastes.

We will also be mixing up a batch of very special “Hawaiian Punch” for the adults! For the kids we will have a selection of Izze Sparking fruit juices, juice boxes, lemonade, and soda.

As some of you know, this is an Alumni Band year so there will be a few of our regulars that will be rushing from the band practice field to wolf down a dog and a beer before heading to the concert at the Engineering Mall. Because the band participants are free for only an hour starting at 9:15, we’re going to be getting the food ready a little earlier than normal.

Those of you that have reserved space at the house will be receiving a separate e-mail detailing information for your stay. I have some general information below on times and plans for Friday, but really things will be quite fluid. The fall house is fully stocked with hard liquor, beer, pool table, and darts so there really isn’t much of a reason to leave!

If you are not staying at the house, but plan to meet us at the tailgate on Saturday, we are in the S (formerly W) lot. We are basically in the same spot we have been the last 3 years, but the name has changed.

The S is a JPC lot, so you will need to park in the IM lot and walk up towards the stadium to reach us. (See the area across from Slayter Hill on the map.) We’ll have two tents, the ambulance, and the Purdue flag on a 20 foot pole so we should be easy to find.

Friday October 2, 2009
Since the Alumni Band people are not available for dinner until later we are planning just to have some light sandwich and appetizer items available at the house. Brendan and Dawn will not be in until very late, but Barry and Carol Less will be at the house. I think everyone staying the night has met Barry and Carol, but if not, merely introduce yourself upon arrival.

Saturday October 3, 2009
7:30 a.m. Alumni Band Members report to practice
7:45 a.m. Tailgate drivers meet at the house and depart
8:15 a.m. Tailgate Party Begins
11:30 a.m. Depart for Stadium
12:00 p.m. Game Time

I am sure that there will be multiple groups departing from the house on Saturday morning, the times above represent the first departure group. Post game plans will be to meet back at the tailgate before heading to the house.

We are planning to just order pizza back at the house on Saturday night, open the 3 liter bottle of wine that Brendan has been saving for a special occasion, and play a few games of pool. If you feel like going out that’s great, just please be respectful of everyone else when you get back, as it will be a full house.

Sunday October 4, 2009

There are no set plans for Sunday, but if people are up to it we might want to head out for a group breakfast.

Menu

Puka Dogs

Pineapple Dip

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Five Cup Salad

Hawaiian Punch

Game 4 Purdue 21 ND 24 (1-3)

Wow, talk about needing to learn to close out a game! Purdue made great adjustments defensively at the half and was able to slow the Irish attack but when the game was on the line they were passive and coulnd't nail down the W.

Thanks to everyone that helped out with a great tailgate before the game. We smoked 7 pounds of pork and 5 pounds of chicken and I couldn't have gotten it done without the help!

A Special thanks to everyone that helped me take care of Vincent. He had a great time tailgating with us and has been sleeping all day long!

Game 4: Notre Dame

Leprechaun Hunting

Well, hmmm, guh, that was ugly last week. We have to look forward, because there is nothing to see in the rear view mirror but carnage. Filling the windscreen is Charlie Weiss and his Fightin’ Irish fresh off of a win against MSU. The game will be a prime time affair with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. I just hope it’s not as ugly as the last time we played ND in prime time, a 49-28 beating in 2005.

I really believe that the Boilers fell victim to looking ahead coming off of a tough loss out in Oregon. Hopefully this loss will serve as a wake up call that spurs them forward! The Boilers will be supported by all of us in the stands regardless, and since EVERYBODY who's not a "domer" loves to see ND lose, they will be receiving well wishes from the majority of college football fans.

We better see the team that was on display the first two weeks or this will be a long night! I have confidence that Purdue will rediscover their offensive touch and might actually learn to tackle this week!!

Oh, and if we’re lucky, if everything goes well, we’ll have these guys on hand to laugh at:



Since it is a late start we will be slow cooking BBQ in the S Lot on Saturday. I plan on roasting up some leprechaun legs and some "Boston butt" pork. The official start of the tailgate party is 4:00 or so, but you should feel free to come by anytime after 2:30.

We will be in the S lot towards the front of the lot. The S lot is across from the Slater Hill as indicated on the map in the right margin and used to be referred to as the W lot. For those of you parking in the IM lot it is only a 5 minute walk to the S lot, just think of us being on the way to the stadium. We have the large flagpole that extends to 20 feet and an ambulance so hopefully you will be able to locate us easily.

Saturday September 26, 2009
11:45 a.m. Meet at House
12:00 p.m. Arrive S Lot and Start Smoking
4:00 p.m. Tailgate Party Starts
7:15 p.m. Depart for Stadium
8:00 p.m. Kick Off

Menu
Smoked Leprechaun Legs
Tastes like chicken

"Boston Butt" Sandwiches (aka “The Charlie”)
Tastes like arrogance

Baked Beans
This way Charlie Weiss won’t be the only one full of hot air

Erin Piroutek Corn Salad
She seemed to think that there was nothing but corn in Lafayette (http://www.nd.edu/~observer/09131999/Inside/0.html)

Cornbread
Can’t get enough corn can you Erin?

Game 3: Purdue 21 NIU 28 (1-2)

Trap sprung, loss taken. Bad day for everyone all around. Thanks to everyone that took care of me during and after the game, a little too much Oktoberfest cheer! I think I personally was trying to end the recession in Germany by stimulating the breweries.

We'll see what the Boilers can do next weekend, but this could be an ugly one.

Oktoberfest photos:
http://stonecoldtailgating.shutterfly.com/129

Game 3 - NIU

Oktoberfest Tailgate

OSU vs. Michigan, Oklahoma vs. Texas, Alabama vs. Auburn, and Army vs. Navy. Love 'em or hate 'em, these rivalries have stood the test of time. Well come Saturday, you can add Purdue vs. NIU to that list. I'm glad to say that in five days, I'll be there to witness it in person.
- Chris Saam 9/14/2009

I would like to think that Chris’s rivalry lead in would be more appropriate for our next game, but let’s hope the team isn’t looking one game ahead as this looks like a classic “trap game.”

While NIU is a team that just a couple of years ago looked poised to be a perennial top 25 contender, their talent level has dropped off and this is a game we should win. (Remember though that NIU took Wisconsin to the wire at the Badger's home opener 2 weeks ago.)

To ensure that the team takes it seriously come prepared to cheer like it’s the Rose Bowl once we hit the stands!!

Maybe Chris is referring to the tailgating and not the football? I understand there is quite the tailgate scene in DeKalb. However even in that arena I think that we have NIU covered!

We will be celebrating our annual Oktoberfest tailgate this week complete with German Oktoberfest beer and men in lederhosen! In keeping with the theme we will be serving a full spread of German delicacies including bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, and of course Sue’s deep fried krautballs.

As an added bonus we will be welcoming members of the Purdue Alumni Tailgate Tour to the party. I have entered the Stone Cold Tailgating Club into the PAA’s tailgate contest (http://www.purduealum.org/Events/FootballTailgates/TailgateTour/TailgateTourVoting/tabid/6110/Default.aspx) and they will be there taking photos this weekend!

We will plan on meeting in the S lot on Saturday morning, hopefully towards the front of the lot just like last year. The S lot is across from the Slater Hill as indicated on the map in the right margin and used to be referred to as the W lot.

For those of you parking in the IM lot it is only a 5 minute walk to the S lot, just think of us being on the way to the stadium! We have the large flagpole that extends to 20 feet and an Ambulance so hopefully you will be able to locate us easily.

Saturday September 19, 2009
8:00 a.m. Depart from the house
8:15 a.m. Arrive S lot/Set up Tailgate
11:15 a.m. Depart for Stadium
12:00 p.m. Kick Off

Eric and his parents will be meeting at the house to ride in together to ensure that we have two adjacent spots. If anyone else would like to meet at the house they are welcome to but it is not necessary.

Game 2: Purdue 36 Oregon 38 (1-1)

A great effort by the Boilers in a tough environment last weekend! They didn’t come out with the win, but the Boilers showed that there is no quit in this team. I was very proud of our boys leaving Autzen on Saturday night.

A HUGE thanks to the newly appointed Stone Cold Tailgating Club Regional Directors for West Coast Tailgating: Mike Dawson, Jenny Elmo-Dawson, Jeff Browand, and Meredith Browand for putting together a great tailgate.


The stories of awful fan behavior around Autzen Stadium were greatly exaggerated, I have to say it was a pleasant experience once we found a spot. The people were friendly and engaging and eager to have midwest visitors for a Pac-10 game. I even got some love from Oregon's mascot. (Truth be told I really wanted to get into it with him but Brian Crane made me promise to never use his mascot insights for evil after the Wildcat incident of 1996.)

Game 2 - Oregon

"Duck It!"

Well, it was a nice start to season in West Lafayette; quite a beat down administered to the Rockets and now on to the “duck meat” of the schedule! This will be the first time Purdue travels for the west coast since the Rose Bowl trip in 2001, and we'll be along for the game! The Boilers will be facing an angry group of Ducks on Saturday as they are coming off of an UGLY loss on the smurf turf in Boise.

Speaking of the game on the Smurf Turf, for those of you that haven’t yet seen it, the total meltdown of Oregon’s senior running back is not to be missed: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4446109. (Oh, he won’t be planning on Saturday; he’s now suspended for the season and apparently he quit school.)

One other item of note, is the new “twist” added to the hideous uniform combinations that Oregon wears. Phil Knight apparently grew tired of the “diamond plate” pattern on the shoulders and now they’re going with feathers.

Before Photo

After Photo


Paula and I will be arriving on Saturday about midday; I was hoping we could all meet at our hotel to head over to the tailgating lots. Our hotel is closest to the hotel, though I can’t say that we know where we’re going to park to tailgate. Purdue has designated “general public” lots but it seems that if you’re not an Oregon “donor” it is a free for all as far as parking is concerned around the stadium. There is a Children’s Museum near the stadium that seems to allow parking; I think we’ll aim for there.

Saturday September 12, 2009
2:45 p.m. Meet at Broadway Inn/Depart for Tailgate
6:15 p.m. Depart for Stadium
7:15 p.m. Kick Off

Menu

Game 1: Purdue 52 Toledo 31 (1-0)

Wow, that was actually a lot of fun today! I know Toledo isn't much of an opponent, but the Boilers looked good in the ground game and put up some serious points. We look forward to seeing everyone in Eugene, OR next week.