Penn State Tailgating: Critical Success Factors

Tailgating for Penn State football games has definitely become first class over time as Joe Paterno has established the program to national prominence, and the fan following along with it. The sales of Penn State apparel has exploded along with it, and gamedays in State College are filled with Nittany Lion fans wearing a Penn State sweatshirt, Penn State t-shirt, or Penn State football jersey, usually as part of a “White Out”. Penn State football tickets are in high demand, and Beaver Stadium is always filled to capacity.

The best tailgating for Penn State games takes proper gear and tricks of the trade. To begin, you need your tailgating spot. Location is key. This all comes down to being or be-friending a Nittany Lion Alumni Club member with significant ranking that has a favorable parking spot. The Penn State Alumni Association utilizes a variety of parking lots on campus close (and some very close) to Beaver Stadium to assign tailgate locations, and you want to ensure you get a the best you can get. Buy a Penn State football parking pass from an online auction site like eBay if necessary.

Next, make sure you are properly fitted for the occasion. It all depends on the weather, but an authentic Penn State jersey (either blue or white) works great. If it’s a clear fall afternoon, get your best Penn State sweatshirt. If it’s early in the season and balmy, grab a Penn State t-shirt, possibly a long sleeve t-shirt if you want to not get too hot. A fleece, pullover, shell, or sleek Penn State golf polo are also options. You may know the Penn State White Out has become a tradition so I always try to wear white. This is especially true in the student parts of the stadium.

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Nittany Lion tailgates are all about food and beverage, so this should be top priority. I like getting to the spot early so that the grill can be prepared and given enough time to smoke some sort of meat for hours, maybe ribs, Boston butt, or marinated whole chickens. But grilling in general should be the centerpiece of your tailgate. Burgers, sausages, chicken, steaks, or fish can all make awesome tailgate fare. Nittany Lion country can be considered bar-b-que country, so select a sauce that fits what you are grilling and will make your tailgate guests fulfilled. Complement your grilled meats with whatever sides and snacks you or anyone else can bring.

Food is the main priority, but beverages are the lifeblood of your tailgate. Personally, I think of football tailgating with “brown water”, aka bourbon. There’s nothing like a smooth Kentucky bourbon or Tennessee whiskey to get you ready for game day. However, this is a personal thing, and you should have a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to please your guests (or have them BYOB).

Other important aspects of your tailgate: How are people going to find your spot? Get a tall Penn State Flag , customize it some and display it high. Also, decorate your Nittany Lion tailgate out with Penn State chairs, coolers, and blankets. Everyone needs to be drinking out of Nittany Lion cups and mugs too.

While the Nittany Lion matchup is definitely the most important game of the day, there will be lots of other important college games on. Fans at your tailgate are going to want to see other games (or they?ll go somewhere else). Do what other great tailgaters do and install a portable satellite dish you hook up to a receiver and TVs you can quickly scramble to set up in the morning. A blow up Penn State sofa right in front is also a nice touch.

To me, the sign of a good tailgate is one that everyone wants to return to after the game.

Looking for Penn State Tickets to either to a Penn State Football or Basketball game? Or are you looking for a great Penn State jersey, sweatshirt, or “White Out” merchandise? Check out www.PennStateCentral.com the All Nittany Lion Sports and Fan Store.