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September 9, 2005

by Jared Bean

 

From the Parking Lot:

 

Let's get the good stuff out of the way early.  What a beautiful day in the parking lot last Saturday.  A few clouds in the sky, and a lot of people in the grass; it's the way a tailgate is supposed to be.  And the PennStateTailgate.com didn't disappoint.  There were however a few things that just made the day strange, and most of them occurred inside Beaver Stadium. 

 

A lot of hubbub has been generated this week about the type of music that was played on Saturday in the stadium.  It was almost a surreal occasion as hip-hop and rap were the only kinds of music heard.  The Blue Band was barely a blip in the music of the day and the Nittany Lion Roar wasn't heard more than a few times.  Of course, that may have more to do with the team than the Beaver Stadium Public Address people.

 

In case you haven't read, Penn State hired Guido D'Elia to become Penn State Football's "Branding Czar."  His job is to put a good show on at the stadium and throughout the state in the fan's communities.  Some of the changes he has made, in addition to the music, so far include the lion head that's over the tunnel where the team enters, the new blue façade on the North end zone, and the new end zone design.  I think Guido's intentions are good, but he needs to be a little more in touch with the fans about these changes.  Let's face it; attendance at Beaver Stadium isn't exactly setting new records, and that it the most important part of all.  If people don't go to the game, revenue declines.  When revenue declines, nobody in Athletic Admin is happy.  The music in the stadium has already been addressed as reported by Fightonstate.com.  The end zones are another story.  So in true fan tradition I've already sent off my annual email to the athletic department letting them know what they did wrong.  And in true PSU fashion  I have still not received a response.  I encourage all of you to share your thoughts on the changes at Beaver Stadium by writing your local Athletic Department staffer.  You can contact Tim Curley, Guido D'Elia, or my old buddy Herb Schmidt just to let them know what you think of the gameday experience.  If you ask me it's gone down hill.

 

 

 

From the Field:

 

Aaargghhh.  Okay I've waited a week to do that.  I know there aren't many of you that even read this column, but for those who do, I know you feel the frustration that I feel with our football team.  Something just still doesn't feel right about the team.  After a win like last week you hope to have the feeling that "okay we got that out of the way now this team can break through."  But it's just not there. 

 

We're stuck in the same old rut.  Inconsistent QB play, mediocre offensive line, a defense that allows a ton of yards, but thank god, not a ton of points.  A coach who says he doesn't want to overwhelm the same players he just spent 20 minutes gushing about.  None of it adds up like it used to.  The feeling is just gone.  I've spent a lot of time writing about the lack of "that feeling" over the past few years and how much I want it back.  Saturday could go a long way in making that happen, and I look for the team to respond in a BIG way.  If they don't, watch out!

 

Once again the fans can help this cause by remaining loyal and true, rap music notwithstanding.  But we must remain firm that we expect excellence and want to see the playbook opened, MRob play BETTER, and a defense that is only on the field three plays at a time.  Maybe then we'll be sniffing roses before the decade is out. 

 

Random thoughts completed.  Go Lions!

See you at Beaver Stadium!

Until next time…GO STATE!

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