St. Joe's Friday Night Fun!

Hi All,
For any of you planning on staying Friday night in Rensselaer In., we will be meeting for dinner, drinks, fun - at....

Ricos Grill
1400 St. Gaspar Dr.
Rensselaer IN.

Anytime is a good time although Jim and I probably won't get there until 7:30 ish. If you know for sure that you will be going, let me know so I can make sure that Ricos is ready for some Charger Fun!

Thanks.
Mary

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

 

 

 

 

 

Chargers Head to Tiffin

Hi Charger Parents,

What a GREAT win over Ferris last Saturday!
Chargers have their final game of the season this Saturday at Tiffin. Game time is 1:00 p.m.

http://www.tiffin.edu/about/directions/map/CampusColorMap1.pdf will get you to Tiffin Ohio from N, S, E or W but the stadium is not on campus.

The stadium is Frost-Kalnow Stadium and it is at 300 South Monroe St., Tiffin Ohio 44883. This website will get you there http://www.tiffin.k12.oh.us/tcs/Directions/MapToStadium.pdf. From Hillsdale to the stadium it would be http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Hillsdale+&1s=MI&1pn=Hillsdale+College&2c=Tiffin+&2s=OH&2a=300+South+Monroe+St#a/maps/l:Hillsdale+College:33+E+College+St:Hillsdale:MI:49242:US:41.93139:-84.633433:address:/l::300+S+Monroe+St:Tiffin:OH:44883-2959:US:41.10803:-83.177159:address:Seneca+County/m::6:41.519706:-83.898394:0:::::/io:1:::::f:EN:M:/e

We will tailgate on the South side of the stadium just past the ticket booth. Look for the Hillsdale Blue! The tailgate will begin at 10:30-10:45.

Paul Korte needs 4 volunteers for treats! Please email Paul at pkorte2@comcast.net if you are able to volunteer or you have told Paul you can do it!


THE CHARGER FOOTBALL BANQUET WILL BE HELD THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 1:00. SENIORS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE TO MEET IN THE FIELD HOUSE AT NOON FOR PICTURES. If you have not already done so, you can still sign up for the banquet by emailing or calling Anita Gordan at (517) 607-3133 anita.gordon@hillsdale.edu if you have any questions. The cost is $20.00 per person and remember that you do not need to pay for your son.

I would also like to give a great big THANKS to.......
Paul and Patty Korte for all their work getting us maps and hotels for all of our away games. Paul also coordinated our own "operation bus treat" campaign!
Rick and Theresa Hesselink for cordinating our tailgaters.
Vonnie Sandner for making sure we all have pins/buttons displaying our favorite Charger.
Kim Wiska for coordinating our Charger spirit wear for the season.
Paul File for being our team grill master.
Andy Losik for keeping us informed on the Chargerblue web site.

The Kortes, Hesselinks and Files are all graduating this year. We are looking for volunteers to fill their shoes. Please email me or any of the above mentioned parents to inquire about getting involved in these activities. When broken down, the jobs all require just a small amount of time to complete. I am hoping that Kim and Vonnie will stay on as coordinators of the clothing and buttons! I'm not too proud to beg! Please stay!!!!

See you Saturday in Tiffin! Come ready (and dressed for cold rain) and make some serious Charger Noise!!!!

Mary

Hillsdale Senior Day Saturday!

Hi Charger Parents!

Let's go to Hillsdale this weekend and cheer on the Chargers at their last home game. I'm sure our guys are hungry to get out on the field and play hard against the Ferris Bulldogs! As you may already know, the last home game is usually Senior Day. Saturday we will recognize the hard work and dedication demonstrated by our Football Seniors during their career at Hillsdale College. Senior parents need to assemble on the field near the banner area at 1:55p.m. Parents will line up in numerical order. Introductions will begin at 2:05 sharp!

The tailgater will begin at 12 noon. Grills will be available.

P.S.-- If any of you have taken pictures at the football games during the season, please go to Chargerbluespace and down load them. A year end commemorative is in the works and all pictures are welcome. You can get to chargerbluespace by going to chargerblue.com. The chargerbluespace link is in the upper right hand corner. It's easy!

P.S.S. -- Chef Patty Korte is this year's CHILI COOK-OFF first place winner! While all the chili was delicious, Patty's had more votes and was declared the winner. Next year, I am bringing Fritos to put in my chili. I'm not saying the Fritos cinched the deal for Patty, but they didn't hurt. Maybe Patty will share her recipe with all of us. Would it be easier to just get it off the back of the Hormel can? Just kidding Patty. Your chili was great!

P.S.S.S. -- A big THANKS goes out to all the parents who have brought treats/cookies throughout the season for the players to eat on the buses on their way back to Hillsdale. The guys can always tell that mom's (or dad's) secret baking ingredient is "love." Some weekends they needed more love than others. I saw the smorgasbord of treats last weekend and it was impressive. The guys love it -- so Thank you!

P.S.S.S.S.-- I have no p.s.s.s.s.!

See you Saturday! GO CHARGERS!

Your Faithful Charger Cheerleader,
Mary

Calling all Amateur Charger Photographers! Post Photos!

Have you ever brought a camera to a Hillsdale Football Game? Andy Losik is offering to compile a commemorative photo CD with various pictures taken during the 2008 Football season. Once at the Chargerblue.com site, click on the chargerbluespace box and set up an account. At the chargerbluespace page, there is also an "Animoto" video. Click on it and enjoy the show. We are hoping to have something fun for each player to keep that will be similar (but much longer) to the one on-line.

Then all you need to do is load your photos. If I could figure it out, I feel pretty confident most of you can too. It really is pretty simple. When loading, you can load each picture individually, or click on to "other options" and do a bulk load. Thanks for all your participation and help on this project.

WSU Parking Map

Here is a map to the Charger tailgate area for Saturday's game at Wayne State.

Hillsdale at Wayne State -- 12 Noon!

Hey Charger Parents and Fans,

It looks like our fortitude may be tested as true fans this weekend. The forecast is currently predicting 50 degrees and rain! Be prepared. We travel to Wayne State this weekend. Game time is 12 Noon. There is no organized breakfast theme tailgate planned(we can eat burgers in the morning!) at this time but we will have grills available. Bring a dish to share/pass. This is a big game for the Chargers, so come prepared to make some serious noise! It really makes a difference to the guys fighting it out on the field.

Tailgate starts @9:30-9:45a.m. I have included a link for directions and the campus map. This link will give directions to the field and parking lot from all different directions. http://wayne.edu/about/directions.php. While the directions to the campus are good, they take you to parking structure #6. DON'T GO THERE. We are going to be in LOT #50. Lot #50 which is NOT listed on the map as such, but it is in the lower left hand side of map just below " Matthael Physical Education Center" where there are 2 "P" designations in the red diamonds. This lot #50 is at the corner of the John C. Lodge Service Drive and Warren Ave. We will be in the South side of the lot. Just look for the Hillsdale Blue! The address is 1200 W. Warren and the parking is free.
http://campusmap.wayne.edu/


Now, for something really important -- we need 4 parents to bring cookies/treats for the players to eat with dinner on their way home after the game. These can be home made or purchased. If you are willing to volunteer your culinary or shopping talents, please respond to Paul Korte at pkorte2@comcast.net.

See you Saturday. Don't forget the rain gear! Don't forget the noise makers!!!!!

Mary