Charger Football Opening at St. Joe's - Important Tailgating Info!

Hello Charger Parents!!

I am thrilled to be writing to you again as we prepare for a great Charger Football season.  For all you freshmen parents, I would like to welcome you to the Charger family.  As new members of the family, I would like to invite you all to become involved in the fun and comraderie that is about to take place this football season.  Hillsdale might be a small school ( albeit a great small school,) but we are big when it comes to supporting our boys on the football field.  Each week, I will send out an email letting you know where our games are being played, kick off time, and where to join in the pre-game tailgater fun.  This email will be far the longest email of the year since I have to much to cover.  I promise future emails will be much shorter J J

This year we have some great parents who have volunteered to coordinate the Parents  Group. They are as follows:

Home Tailgating and Hotels for away games :     Julie and Bob Panizzi

Away Tailgating and Football Banner:    Jim Veldheer

Charger Gear Clothing:    Kim Wiska

Player picture pins & Roster Lanyards:    Vonnie Sandner

Flag tape and assembly in the stadium:    Andy Weatherhead

Of course this group will only be successful with the enthusiastic support from all of you parents/grandparents and fans.  This usually isn’t a problem, because we know how to have FUN!!  I would also like to thank Lenny Stover from the Charger Grid Iron Club for loaning us their tent for us to meet under at the home games.  Also, thanks to Anita Gordon, Coach Otterbein’s right hand gal for all the help she gives us through out the season.

IMPORTANT TAILGATING INFORMATION

Pre-game tailgating usually gets started 2 hours before kick off.  Believe it or not, some parents like to get started even earlier.  Who doesn’t enjoy a fun party?    At home tailgaters we will have a large tent set up in the gravel parking lot just west of the sports complex / Roche Center.  It is a pretty big tent, so any newcomers should be able to spot it quite easily. 

PLEASE BRING A DISH TO PASS.  WE WILL SHARE THESE UNDER THE TENT.   THIS IS ONLY FOR HOME GAMES.  Actually, if you want to share a dish with the group at away games, I certainly won’t stop you.  Yum! 

At all the tailgaters we will have some world reknown chefs running the grills.  Okay, not really but WE DO NEED TO HAVE SOME GRILL MASTER VOLUNTEERS!!!  This could possibly be the most important job of the day, even more important than  jobs performed on the field.  Seriously, If I could have 3-5 folks who love to stand around the grill, sip on a beer at talk football while they watch a burger cook, I would love to hear from them. 

 

So, in addition to bringing a dish to pass, parents are invited to throw something on one of the grills!  BYOD – Bring your own drinks (adult beverages definitely allowed.)

EACH WEEK, I will send out an email giving the latest information regarding the upcoming game/tailgate.  I WILL ALSO POST THESE EMAILS ON chargerblue.com. Chargerblue.com is a website run by Andy Losik, a charger football alum.  Andy gives up to date information regarding the team, players, and the league.  He has a link to chargerbluespace, at which you can download game/tailgate photos to share with the group. 

CHARGER GEAR:  Have you been asking yourself lately about you Charger wardrobe?  Is it looking a little worn, or maybe you just want to add a few fashionable items to your closet.  Kim Wiska is just the lady to help you with that.   Order forms will  be available at the game to fill out.  EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET THEIR CHARGER BLUE ON!

PINS AND ROSTER LANYARDS:  Vonnie Sandner has volunteered again to make the lovely pins with the face picture of your favorite Charger player.  She will be taking orders for those at the St. Joe’s Game.  

DECALS:  We will be selling Hillsdale Football decals under the tent at the first home game.  We might have a few for sale at the St. Joe’s game too.  See Jim Veldheer.  I think the cost is @ $5.00.

 

TAILGATER AND HOTEL INFORMATION FOR THE ST. JOE’S GAME!

The following arrangements have been secured for the Charger families that need overnight lodging before the game.  Thanks Julie Panizzi for finding this for us!   Make your RSVP ASAP!

 

St. Joseph Game Lodging   (12pm noon game)

Holiday Inn Express

4788 Nesbitt     

Rensselaer, IN  47978

1-219-866-7111

$70/Parent Rate for St. Joe’s & guests (us)

Rooms are no smoking w/2 queens

Free breakfast bar and internet service

Room rates will be honored if you call and say “Hillsdale Parent Group”

Conf # 64090870….(rate will be honored even if rooms were released just mention St. Joe’s/group)

Directions from website…….Google    holiday inn express rensselaer in (this will take you to the website)

 

THE ST. JOE’S TAILGATE WILL BEGIN AT 10a.m.  Directions to the campus are:

Driving Directions to Saint Joseph’s College
Saint Joseph’s College is located on Highway 231 South, just off of Interstate 65.

                  From the north, take exit 215. Turn left onto Highway 114 (east) 3.5 miles to College Avenue. Turn right onto College Avenue and proceed approximately 1 mile south. You will see the Chapel’s “Twin Towers” on your right.

From the south, take exit 205. Turn right onto Highway 231 (north) approximately 10 miles to campus.

 

  The Hillsdale tailgate group will join in the parking lot behind the Rec Center (#27,

28 on map)

 

For those who like to plan ahead, the following is information on Lodging for the Northwood game.

Northwood University Lodging- Friday Sept 11

Best Western Valley Plaza Inn/Resort

5221 Bay City Road US

Midland, MI 48642

1-989-496270

Non-smoking doubles/$90.

Indicate you are with the “Hillsdale Parent Group”.

www.valleyplazaresort.com for directions

 

Wow, I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you with information.  I also hope I haven’t forgotten anything.  It’s highly likely that I have.  If you have any questions, feel free to email back and ask! 

GO CHARGER FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!

Mary Veldheer