1st PSU Game, Need some tips

by ManBearPigMBP on Jul 31, 2009 6:54 PM EDT Comment 52 comments

I just got tickets to my first Penn State football game. It ain't against the greatest opponent but it is against my alma mater Eastern Illinois on October 10th. I have grown up a Penn State fan and plan on rooting for them at this game while sitting in the EIU section

I need some tips on what to do there, bars, resturants, hotels to go to and not to go to, any kind of information would be helpful. Links to websites that say where to go, anything. I've only been to the campus once but was lucky enough to meet and get an autograph from JoePa!

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only tip I can give

Get wasted in the parking lot before the game

by nitlions057 on Jul 31, 2009 9:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

...

and after the game

by nitlions057 on Jul 31, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just not during the game

Ist verboten

"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno

by leeharvey418 on Jul 31, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

FOOD:

Grilled stickies at the diner
Creamery ice cream
Pittsburgh wedge at Gingerbread Man
Late nite cheesesteak at Penn State Sub shop
Breakfast at the Waffle Shop

DRINK:
Cafe 210 – Long Island Tea pitchers
Monkey Boy pitchers at the Saloon
Table Wars (sat night) at The Phyrst

Gear:
PSU gear at Family Clothesline
Sidewalk sale to McLanahan’s (sat and sun morning)
Student Bookstore

HOTEL:
Good luck – tough to find rooms this late

Also – Get to the parking lots early for tailgating. Gates open at 7am and people are tailgating in full force by 7:05am. Tailgating at PSU is THE BEST.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Jul 31, 2009 9:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Do they still do table wars at the Phyrst without the Phyrst Phamily?

Also, you can still easily find hotels for that weekend. The bad games often have hotels available until very late. Hell, I just checked and the Days Inn downtown still has availability and (I think) that tends to be one of the first places to fill for any particular game.

by Laaaaazzz on Aug 1, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think that Table Wars was really dependant on the Phyrst Phamily

It was a sure fire bet you were playing during a Phyrst Phamily show, but I’ve played table wars many times with them too. Sort answer to your question is, I believe, yes.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Aug 1, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Phyrst family...

I remember them.. good times.. drunk times…

by MicrobrewPSU on Aug 1, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I haven't gone to the Phyrst since the Phyrst Phamily was there

I didn’t even know they were gone.

What is there now? Is it still as fun/entertaining on a Saturday Night (Woo!!) a Saturday Night?

by The JuggerNitt on Aug 3, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was in State College this weekend

Went to Pickles Tap Room for the first time. Nice place, good beer.

Also met Mike McQueary there. Big Red himself. Nice guy.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Aug 3, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I went there for the Blue White game and thought it sucked.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Aug 3, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it was the 6th stop

on a 10 bar bar-tour. So it could have totally sucked….but I was wasted and had a good time there. Couldn’t really tell you what I liked about it…but it was not terrible.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Aug 3, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tap Room

Maybe McQueary has an ownership stake. When last I lived in State College, circa 2005, it had just opened. I went there a few times and consistently saw Big Red. Even then, he was known as a regular.

by Nittany Lawyer on Aug 3, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Phyrst Phamily changed their name

and plays at the Brewery now.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Aug 3, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree on the Hotels...

probably could still have some luck given the opponent.

The closest Hotel to the stadium is the Hampton Inn. Prepare for 2 night min for $300+/per.

The farther you get out of town the cheaper. Try the Econolodge for something close but not quite so budget busting.

This link is pretty useful:
http://www.happyvalley.com/where-to-stay/

One man doing the work of 100's for the good of 1000's

by rahpsu92 on Aug 2, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uhhhh. Did you say hotel?

I wouldn’t count on getting a hotel room anywhere close.

But welcome and enjoy the game!

by ednax1 on Jul 31, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Root for your alma matter

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Aug 1, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Seriously

I know it’s like a one in a thousand chance, but how stupid would you be if you went to Eastern Illionis, sat in their section, rooted for Penn State and Eastern Illinois won?

You’d have to kill yourself, there is just no other way.

Suck it up and take your beating, it is the only honorable thing to do.

"I honestly think the "Spread HD" is going to work pretty well, and we’ll be just fine this year". - 8-27-2008

by jesse. on Aug 1, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely what I was going to say.

If you wear an EIU jersey around town, you’ll be met with some great hospitality. Seriously. There may be some animosity with fans of Michigan or Ohio State, but PSU fans are generally pretty nice with fans who’ve travelled a long distance (Oregon State) or who support a team from a smaller school (Coastal Carolina). I think you’d have a better experience as a visiting fan, some people would show you around or at least point you in the right direction to College Avenue.

by Cairo on Aug 3, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So long as you are respectful that is.

Shenanigans and tomfoolery will not make you any friends.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 3, 2009 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should E. Ill. win

a mass suicide should ensue making Jim Jones look like a piker.

by JIMPSU on Aug 1, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Hell, ’07 Appy State would probably kill EIU.

DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?

by ReadingRambler on Aug 1, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

remember the tshirts the Coastal Carolina fans wore? They said “We know, we know, but what if”

"If you let the men in you've got to let the women in. I don't want a bunch of women walking around in my locker room when guys take showers". Joe Paterno

by letsgopsu on Aug 1, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They were nice fans

I bumped into one at the creamery with my dad. We talked a little bit, I had complemented their QB (I think he was the one that we wanted), later the guy said, “they knew they were going to be crushed, but it was great for them to get a once in a lifetime experience like that”

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 1, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as their coach said

something about playing in front of more fans in that one game than they will the rest of the season combined

by The JuggerNitt on Aug 3, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell, it almost makes me want to

try to walk on to some div 1-aa football team that I know will be playing against PSU in the future, just so I can stand on the sidelines as a football player.

by The JuggerNitt on Aug 3, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You should do that PSU football fan camp

then you’d actually get to play on Beaver stadium’s field. Hell, you’d be playing against aso many old folks, Joe would probably give you a scholarship, you’d look so good.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 3, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL, I would LOVE to do that camp

but I’m a poor poor graduate student.

by The JuggerNitt on Aug 4, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

get on the waiting list for the Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn in LaMar

we have gotten a room every time we have done that, including Notre Dame

"If you let the men in you've got to let the women in. I don't want a bunch of women walking around in my locker room when guys take showers". Joe Paterno

by letsgopsu on Aug 1, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I usually slept on the way up to SC from home before I was on campus as a student last year

but never underestimate the traffic. I’m sure other people can give you a more accurate number, but I would recommend you start out earlier than 7 if you want to be on the fields by 8.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 1, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t necessarily want to be on the fields at 8, I was just wondering what the timing was.

by PSUJunny05 on Aug 1, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You'll be fine coming from Lock Haven.

Since we have our own interstate highway now, the only bad traffic is coming over the mountains on 322 from Harrisburg (all the Philly traffic is bottlenecked there).

Bacon is almost as great as being a Penn Stater

by NittanyTide on Aug 3, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From Lock Haven I wouldn’t expect the traffic to be bad. North Atherton can be annoying on game day (I live at the end of NA) but it is certainly manageable and moving if you want to tailgate along Park somewhere.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Aug 3, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've come to the authorities on game day experiences.

Depending on your age, alcohol tolerance, food preferences, etc., a few things to consider:

1. If you wish to grill, get a camping style portable gas grill. You can not have open
flames at the stadium.

2. Either park near a cluster of portable toilets, or near a tree grove, if your bladder
shrinks exponentially with each beer you drink.

3. Now this is purely subjective, but to me and my wife, as well as the rest of our tail-
the best pizza in town is Faccia
Luna Pizza on South Atherton Street. They use a wood fired oven, and the pepperoni
has a nice spicey taste to it.

by Ab4PSU on Aug 1, 2009 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hit the wrong button.

As I was saying about Faccia Luna, my wife and I, as well as the rest of our tailgating gang, think they have the best pizza in town.

If you want to hit a few of the downtown bars, The Rathskellar was my favorite place while there. I really don’t know what else is downtown with the bars now, with the exception of the Shandy Gaff and Hooters.
I’m not into the bar scene anymore. I prefer to tailgate until after dark.

Horse N Buggy hit the nail on the head as to where to buy apparrell.

If you have any other questions, let us all know. We’ll do our best to make sure your first visit to see your favorite team is everything you’ve ever dreamed of. We are the greatest show in college football.

34 DAYS 22 HOURS 43 MINUTES 11 SECONDS UNTIL KICKOFF!!!

by Ab4PSU on Aug 1, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Faccia Luna

"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno

by leeharvey418 on Aug 3, 2009 6:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Faccia Luna

I also endorse Faccia Luna, and not just for the pizza. Great place all around.

by Nittany Lawyer on Aug 3, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DOH!

i am currently 0-9 trying to find a hotel, this is gonna suck

Go Cubs Go, Fly Eagles Fly, http://twitter.com/mlbtrivia

by ManBearPigMBP on Aug 1, 2009 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Goot luck with the hotel thing

But as a consolation prize at least you know you have one awesome screen name!

Put a tarp on that circus! - showtime @ BSD

by bconway6 on Aug 1, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you have enough people to make it worthwhile

you could try renting a house for the weekend

by Brett Brown on Aug 1, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can always camp out in the car

assuming you don’t have too many people with you.

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 1, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sleeping in the car... Good times!

We just upgraded. Last year it was a PT Cruiser – we parked on campus in covered parking and showered at the Rec Center. It actually works out pretty well… This year we stepped it up a notch – we just bought a used conversion van (yes, moving up in the world… ) But now we aren’t sure where to camp out – I doubt our 8 foot high van would fit into the parking garages! Any tips/hints/suggestions there?

From Football 2009

by CDTG on Aug 17, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On Saturday night, just leave it in the stadium parking lot, or move it to the RV lot when the crowds are gone. If someone knows a place for Friday night car camping, I’d love to hear it.

"The sea was angry that day, my friends." G. Costanza

by NJ lion on Aug 18, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Decent hotels are still available in SC

if you’ve got the coin. Check Holiday Inn Express at Williamsburg, Springhill Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott. Good luck!

by SurfingLion on Aug 1, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also maybe try some of the "lesser known" hotels as well

Stevens Motel on North Atherton
Imperial Motor Inn on Atherton

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Aug 2, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hotels

Where exactly are you trying? I just checked a bunch of the hotels in State College and every one seems to have availability for the EIU game. Now, it’s possible that some of the websites are a little out of date and may have been filled (though they are typically pretty frequently updated i my experience), but I simply can’t imagine having a problem finding a hotel room for that weekend at this point. Are you going to the actual hotel sites or calling the hotels? Because you would generally need to fill out a special football form and pre-pay for a football weekend (most online automated booking systems are disabled for football weekends and would probably come back as “unavailable”).

It will cost you, of course, if you actually stay in State College, so I don’t know if your “0-9” relates to the cost being too high.

Check out Lion Country Lodging which is a group of a bunch of local hotels.

by Laaaaazzz on Aug 1, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as it isn't too cold (and it shouldn't be for EIU)

I am a big fan of camping out/sleeping in the car in the tailgate lots. I suppose it depends on the group you are with, though, but it is cheap (no added cost over the tailgate spot to begin with) and you don’t have to fight traffic out of the lots. Just keep tailgating until you go to sleep.

by The JuggerNitt on Aug 3, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

*sleep/pass out

by dawsonPSU10 on Aug 3, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was wondering that

I remember seeing something called Paternoville or something like that where people camp out the night before the game and then just tailgate till the game starts, is there a website or something like that that has rules about times you can get there or anything

so it is possible to get there on friday night and just set up camp in the parking lot the night before and just stay there till gametime?

Go Cubs Go, Fly Eagles Fly, http://twitter.com/mlbtrivia

by ManBearPigMBP on Aug 3, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

The only way you can get there early and stay overnight in the lot is if you have an overnight RV pass (in which case you can get there as early as Thursday).

The regular car lots are gated, and the gates are not opened until 7am (for noon games, 8am for afternoon and night games).

Paternoville is for students only…students don’t get assigned seating when they buy season tickets. They get vouchers, and are given their seat numbers when they enter the gates. People start camping out for Paternoville early in the week so they will be the first ones in the gates. The closer you are to the front of Paternoville, the closer to the field you’ll be at the game.

I bleed Blue and White.

by Horse N Buggy on Aug 3, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs