Game 1 - Toledo

Liftoff Against The Rockets

Welcome to another season of Boilermaker football! In an oddly symmetrical beginning Danny Hope begins against Toledo just a Joe Tiller did back in 1997. Hopefully we’ll have a better result at home than Joe and those Boilers did while losing at the Glass Bowl in 1997.

Toledo will present a challenge for the Boilers, they bested Michigan in Ann Arbor last October which is something Purdue hasn’t done since LBJ was in the White House. Toledo returns 15 starters and should be tough on the defensive side of the ball. Given the fact that the Boilers are bringing nothing back at the offensive skill positions this will be a strong test.

It projects to be a sunny and pleasant day in West Lafayette, warm but not too hot. We’re going to be doing a lighter meal of cold cuts for our first game of the year. The usual assortment of refreshments will also be on hand. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

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 below and used to be referred to as the W lot. It is the lot right next to the RV-3 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 5, 2009
8:00 a.m. Meet at House
8:15 a.m. Arrive S lot
11:15 a.m. Depart for Stadium
12:00 p.m. Kick Off

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

Parking Map

Tailgating 2009: Cha-cha-cha-changes

It is hard to believe but we are a few short weeks away from our first home football game of 2009! The Stone Cold Tailgating Club looks forward to seeing all of you again this fall!

As the title of the post indicates, there are a lot of changes facing us this year in West Lafayette. (The title is a David Bowie reference for those of you that don't get it.) Just remember, that even though we're embracing change we are still "old school Boilermakers!" (Make sure you read to the bottom I've saved the biggest change for last.)

Changes on the field include all of the Offensive skill positions and a large portion of the coaching staff. Coach Danny Hope picks up the reigns of a program in need of a shot of energy. His recruiting of Florida has been fruitful, but many of those players are probably a couple of years away from being true impact players. This could be a tough year, but we're still determined to enjoy the full gameday experience!

As part of that gameday experience we're going to be doing "themed" tailgates again this year. This chart gives you and idea or what we've got in store:

Off of the field the biggest change closer to home is that our tailgate will be a 'romper room' of sorts. By my count we've welcomed at least 5 new "Future Boilermakers" (Pete Browand, Mary Kate Saam, Katie Bauer, Allison Wick, and Isaac Halsey) since last football season. We look forward to begining to train the next generation of Boilermaker fans!! For those of you interested in tailgating with the kids but not attending the game, the fall house will be available for you to use during the game.

Our tailgating lot has undergone a name change. Our location used to be called the "W" lot, but it is now an extension of the "S" lot. So we're in the same location, but the name has changed. Looking through the online information it doesn't say that there are going to be any differences, but I'm worried that they may want to fill one side of the S (on Slayter Hill) before they fill the other (where we usually park.) We will know more after the first game.

We are making a change to the "ID Badges" that we have issued each year. Instead of a card or name badge for each member, the Stone Cold Tailgating Club is joining the "modern age" and going with silicone bracelets. Here's a picture of the wristband you'll be issued with your membership fee.

Membership fees for tailgating are the same as last year. If you want to pay on the day of the first game or game by game that's fine. Please pay Paula at the tailgates. If you want to pay up front, please e-mail me and let me know so that we can work out your membership fees.

As mentioned above the fall house is available for either night of the weekend, first come first serve. The rates are the same as last year. Please e-mail me and let me know what weekends you need lodging and I'll arrange with Dawn and Brendan to see if there is availability.

Finally, the last big change off of the field is our tailgating vehicle. We have enjoyed the services of a hearse for the last 4 seasons, but I am putting it up for sale on Ebay as I have secured a replacement. We will now be using this 1983 Econoline conversion Ambulance for tailgating.

There are two main drivers for this replacement. Last year's "brake incident" with the hearse showed me that the maintenance was just going to continue to be an issue on a car with 80,000 miles. (The new ambulance has 35,000 and has been maintained to emergency readiness standards.) Additionally with all the new moms attending games, the back end of the ambulance gives a nice area for taking care of kids. The captains chair and the bench seats will provide a nice area for feeding and changing kids out of the elements.

We look forward to seeing everyone in West Lafayette, IN!!

GO BOILERS!

Basketball Homecoming 2009

I’m very happy that all of you have decided to join us for the Fourth Annual Purdue Basketball Homecoming, brought to you by The Stone Cold Tailgating Club. I’m so glad that all of you can be a part of what now a standing tradition! It’s a great chance for us to get together and see each other after the long layoff after the Bucket Game.

Saturday January 31, 2009
9:30 a.m. Meet at Fall House
10:30 a.m. Meet at Harry’s for Lunch and “Tailgating”
12:30 p.m. Depart for Game
1:00 p.m. Tip Off
4:00 p.m. Reservations at Nine Irish Brothers
7:00 p.m. Return to the House (approximately)

We have a pretty full day scheduled; I’m hoping to take as few cars to campus that is why I’ve asked to meet at the Fall House on Saturday morning. If you’re interested in being a Sober Driver please let me know! We’re going to go to Harry’s for pregame tailgating as is our tradition!

After the game we have an area reserved for us at Nine Irish Brothers down in the Levee area. I figured that we could have a few pints and some dinner before heading back to the house.

As for the evening, we can either hang out at the house or head back out if you would like. The house has a pool table, darts, and a multitude of board games. If everyone is up to it we could put together a little “bar Olympics” competition. Events would be darts, pool, and of course Phase 10. (Phase 10 is included to make sure that Grady has no chance of sweeping all the events!)

Sunday February 1, 2009

No official plans have been set, but if we feel like breakfast before heading out we can make those arrangements on Saturday.

Lodging Information
As established during the fall, it is asked that you place $10 per person in the black ice bucket at the house. This helps to cover the cost of utilities, snacks, and upkeep. If you are staying two nights it is $15 per person.

The sleeping arrangements are as follows:


Tickets
The ticket cost is $29.89 per ticket if you have not already paid me. The seats are all in the same section but are spread across three rows. We will have our own little cheering block, just like football season! (Well in truth Greg, Coons, and I will actually be in our season seats in section 112.)

Game 12: Bucket Game

Well folks, this is it, this is the end Cowboy Joe will ride off into the sunset at the conclusion of this game. We owe Joe a lot for turning the program around and making us respectable again. (The train wreck of a season we’re currently in not withstanding.) Since Joe came to town for the 1997 season we have won 86 games, participated in 10 bowl games, and won 9 of the 11 bucket games. I think we can all agree that in spite of everything it’s been a great ride.

As I mentioned, the Boilers have won 9 of the last 11 bucket games, but unfortunately one of those losses was late year. That means I have but one request for Joe before he leaves: “Bring Us Our Bucket Back!” The team has shown one thing over the last couple of weeks, they still have some fight in them. They could have packed it in after the Homecoming game…..but they haven’t and we owe them all the encouragement we can give!

We’re going to get a special treat of a double dip on Saturday as well; the Boilermaker men’s basketball team tips against Coppin State at 6:00 on Saturday night. So following a rousing football victory, we’ll head back to Mackey to catch the basketball game.

We will plan on meeting in the W lot on Saturday morning. The W lot is indicated in green on the map below. For those of you parking in the IM lot it is only a 5 minute walk to the W lot, just think of us being on the way to the stadium! We have the large flagpole that extends to 20 feet, so hopefully you will be able to locate us easily. We will have the fire pit for warmth since it will be a cold, cold day. We’re going to use Java Logs which should provide the heat without that “campfire” smell.


Saturday November 22, 2008
8:00 a.m. Depart Fall House
8:15 a.m. Tailgate Begins
11:30 a.m. Depart for Stadium
12:00 p.m. Kick Off
3:30 p.m. Post Game Tailgate
5:30 p.m. Depart for Basketball Game
6:00 p.m. Tipoff

As always you are invited to come back by the tailgate post game.

Parking Map

Menu
Our menu for the bucket game is based in traditions. Each year we prepare ourselves for 60 minutes of rivalry with a hearty meal of Chili, Grilled Ham and Cheese, and the “spirit builder” of your choice!

This year in honor of Coach Tiller we will only be serving “Tiller” brewing products. (Sorry Greg, it’s really Miller.) Don’t despair though, as Leinenkuegel’s is a Miller product, so you won’t have to choke down the High Life…..unless you want to!

Fun Facts
67-36-6 – Purdue’s record against IU
9-2 – Joe Tiller’s record against IU
The coaches with the most wins for the two schools: Joe Tiller and Bill Mallory with 86 (0.554) and 69 (0.473) wins respectively

Game 9: PU 48 UM 42 (3-6)

That was fun! Seriously, it was an exciting game with great play calling on the offensive side of the ball. Seriously, when is the last time you could say that?!

This doesn't square the program, but hopefully we can get a couple of more wins to close out the season.

Game 9: Michigan

Black and Blue

Black and Blue not only describes the school colors of the two teams competing on Saturday but also their matching 2-6 records. This has not been the swan song that Joe Tiller imagined I’m sure, but hey Jim Colletto was able to beat Michigan in his final season so hopefully Joe can do the same!

In honor of our visitors from the north we are featuring a maize and blue menu. We will have Maize (your people call it corn) Chowder, Blue Corn Tortilla chips, fresh homemade salsa, and Sloppy Joe (in honor of the way our own Joe Tiller’s career is ending) sandwiches. We will have plenty of hot chocolate on hand and the fire pit to keep us warm.

Things have gotten so bad in Lafayette that we’re back to “beat Indiana and start basketball” attitude. In that theme, the Boilermakers open the hoops season on Friday night. We plan on going over to the game at 9:00 p.m. so those of you arriving at the fall house between 9-11 p.m. please contact Dawn or me to make arrangements for getting in.

We will plan on meeting in the W lot on Saturday morning. The W lot is indicated in green on the map below. For those of you parking in the IM lot it is only a 5 minute walk to the W lot, just think of us being on the way to the stadium! We have the large flagpole that extends to 20 feet, so hopefully you will be able to locate us easily.

Saturday November 1, 2008
7:45 a.m. Meet at the Fall House
8:00 a.m. Depart for Campus
8:15 a.m. Arrive W lot
11:30 p.m. Depart for Stadium
12:00 p.m. Kick Off

If you would like to meet and ride over to the W lot you are welcome to but you can also just meet us at the tailgate if you would prefer.

Parking Map

Game 8: PU 6 Minny 17 (2-6)

Pathetic......