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Whether it was food, friends, family or fun, everybody seemed to have their own reason for coming back for Lafayette’s pre-game tailgate activities at Homecoming Saturday. (A slideshow is available on the Homecoming web site.)
“It’s nice to see the other guys you’ve been keeping in touch with the last 55 years,” said Ken Sheeleigh ’51, who took in some of the late-morning action with his former roommate, Con Boas ’51.
“Both of us have family that have been in the College,” Boas noted, “and I get to see my old roommate.”
While pre-game partying has become a time-honored activity before Leopard football games and likely would have gone on regardless of the weather, the tailgate gods clearly were smiling on Lafayette.
Mostly sunny skies were complemented by late-morning temperatures in the mid- to high-50s. That made it a perfect day for setting up a table in the Markle parking deck to lay out a bevy of good eats and drinks, and also drove a few enthusiasts to get out the old pigskin and toss it around beforehand.
While the parking deck drew its usual Homecoming crowd, the grassy adjacent area was home to a more organized setting hosted by the Alumni Association. Dozens of graduates, parents, and family members feasted on a sumptuous layout featuring a bevy of tailgating staples as well as some tasty variations
Although there were plenty of hamburgers and hot dogs to be found, the Alumni Association also served up offerings like steamed clams, pulled pork, roasted chicken, pierogies, and baked beans.
The day wasn’t just for adults, either. A moon bounce and face painting booth were available for little Leopards.
Susan Dimmick enjoyed the day with her family, which includes husband Paul Dimmick ’71 and son Peter Dimmick ’08.
“We’re a Lafayette family,” Susan said under the big tent. “It’s a beautiful day for this, isn’t it?”
To be sure, family was a major theme of the day.
Jim Glascott ’83 joined brother Jeff Glascott ’79, whose daughter Jillian Glascott ’10 is a Lafayette cheerleader. Nephew William Cheyney ’09 also is part of the Glascott legacy.
“Our families get to see an important part of our lives,” Jeff said. “The fact that they’re here now makes it a lot more fun.”
“Memories, great memories,” Jim responded when asked what brings him back for Homecoming.
They also were joined by friend Anne Fink, a 1985 graduate of Holy Cross, the team Lafayette would be lining up against later in the day. While her heart was on the visitor’s sideline, she found the confines at Lafayette otherwise welcoming.
“I’m the competition, but it’s friendly,” she said. Gazing at her surroundings, she said, “It’s a beautiful campus. I can’t think of a better day to be here.”
The family of starting quarterback Brad Maurer ’07 also was part of the tailgating legions, enjoying traditional activities like eating and socializing as well as a nontraditional game of Buckeye cornhole, a beanbag-type activity popular at Ohio State games.
“This is a nice way to relax and have fun before the game,” father Kyle Maurer said.
For self-described “professional tailgaters” Walt and Dina O’Donnell, whose daughter Cara O’Donnell ’07 is a Leopard cheerleader, Lafayette’s version provides an experience unmatched at other, larger schools.
“Our idea of a tailgate is to get here as early as possible and just enjoy the whole atmosphere,” Walt said. “We feed anyone who needs food.”
Dina O’Donnell enjoys the collegial atmosphere and opportunity to make new friends.
“Every week that we tailgate we meet someone new,” she said. “Everyone is friendly and open. At other schools people keep to themselves. At Lafayette it’s like one big family.”