Skytop is dead

[Orangezoo]

You guys are too picky. Its tailgating.. not picking out a camping spot for the weekend. As was already mentioned if you want that you should be paying a lot more.

 

[Pyle]

Honest question - if your main concern is to give the kids a place to run around and play football, why couldn't you just park, and then go in and hang out on the Quad?

I'm not trying to stir anything but like you said, your tailgate experience is different than mine, and if playing with the kids and giving them a place to run around, with drinking beer and "pregaming" not really a priority...why couldn't that be done?

I was doing both is the point. The grassy area at skytop offered natural grass for the kids to play, a place to use an actual charcoal grill(I believe these are not allowed in the paved lots, anyone?), a place to drink my beer and pregame, and easy shuttle service to the quad. For a guy with 2 young boys, that grassy area up there was gold. My kids were pretty bummed to see it gone, the 10 year old made the comment 'Guess we have to tailgate like adults now, just eat, drink, and stand here all day'.

 

[Pyle]

Have any of you ever tailgated at a ped st game? As a PA native and being around PSU grads more often than not.. mud and dirt and tight quarters are a pretty common thing. The sandusky scandal aside its a program that brings 100k fans a game.. hike up your skirts and quit complaining.

LMAO, when SU gets the number of fans that Penn State has then I'll do what I gotta do. Like comparing apples to potatoes do ya?

 

[Pyle]

I agree. We had a pretty good spot last Saturday. It was immediately on the left as you entered. There was a grassy area but it was much smaller than we are used to and not a lot of space for the kids the run. That track is taking a lot of the good tailgating away. I wonder how the lot to the left of the booths is for tailgating. We searched for you last Sat. but didn't locate you.

We got stuck in them middle gravel area. We made do just wasn't good. I used to recommend skytop parking to alot of people, not anymore, it's just another used car lot at this point.

 

[dollarbill44]

Years of great tailgating and playing football with the kids in the grass it seems shall be no more. I was extremely disheartened to see the entire grassy area of Skytop torn up when we arrived last Sat. I asked and it's where the new track will be. Instead we were forced to park on the gravel and given about a 5x5 area to try to tailgate in. I realize SU needs a track, but it fails the fans again by removing what was easily one of the better tailgate spots on the campus.

It sucks, to be sure, but I thought it was pretty much understood by all here that the IPF was necessary. SU will probably always have a track team. A track team needs a track. Unfortunately for the Skytop tailgaters, a track has to be a certain size and shape and the space for that on campus is fairly limited.

 

[TheCusian]

For real!??!!

The track is being moved because of the IPF that was a wet dream on this forum for years - to a spot where tailgating happens and we're peeved?! Insane. Find a new spot.

 

[Orangezoo]

LMAO, when SU gets the number of fans that Penn State has then I'll do what I gotta do. Like comparing apples to potatoes do ya?

well it takes sacrifice to get there.. so no its a fair analogy. Point is the university is trying to do more for sports across the board which is paramount to having extra room and nice ground to tailgate on. The more investment for athletics the better the performance and then more fans etc. Simple cause and effect.

 

[jekelish]

It sucks, to be sure, but I thought it was pretty much understood by all here that the IPF was necessary. SU will probably always have a track team. A track team needs a track. Unfortunately for the Skytop tailgaters, a track has to be a certain size and shape and the space for that on campus is fairly limited.

I would like to point out that there are also football players we've lost due to track - Laray Smith, for example. So having upgraded track and field facilities can never hurt when it comes to guys like that in the future.

 

[Orangello]

For real!??!!

The track is being moved because of the IPF that was a wet dream on this forum for years - to a spot where tailgating happens and we're peeved?! Insane. Find a new spot.

Tear down the IPF !!!!!

 

[Pyle]

For real!??!!

The track is being moved because of the IPF that was a wet dream on this forum for years - to a spot where tailgating happens and we're peeved?! Insane. Find a new spot.

Duh. No offense but you guys coming here and acting like we're ready to riot the AD's office are just coming off as jerks. It WAS a great spot. I'm very SAD to see it go. I UNDERSTAND the track got moved for the IPF. I UNDERSTAND the IPF is what this program needs. I UNDERSTAND that the University will put the needs of it's student-athletes above the needs(or wants) of the fanbase. IT STILL SUCKS FOR SOME OF US! I've been going there for years. Get it now?!?!?!?!?!

 

[Pyle]

well it takes sacrifice to get there.. so no its a fair analogy. Point is the university is trying to do more for sports across the board which is paramount to having extra room and nice ground to tailgate on. The more investment for athletics the better the performance and then more fans etc. Simple cause and effect.

Sacrifice? No sorry that's not it. It takes a legion of alumni from a state school to get there. We will never be PSU or Michigan or Alabama. Stop acting like it might happen. The school, the area, the alumni base, etc will never allow us to have that kind of attendance. Ever.

 

[Ozcuse]

Duh. No offense but you guys coming here and acting like we're ready to riot the AD's office are just coming off as jerks. It WAS a great spot. I'm very SAD to see it go. I UNDERSTAND the track got moved for the IPF. I UNDERSTAND the IPF is what this program needs. I UNDERSTAND that the University will put the needs of it's student-athletes above the needs(or wants) of the fanbase. IT STILL SUCKS FOR SOME OF US! I've been going there for years. Get it now?!?!?!?!?!

I think it's pretty hypocritical seeing a few years ago how much anguish there was on this Board when one of the lots on campus was taken away but when a parking area 4 times the size is taken for a track we're laughed at and called low end supporters. When Fine Lot goes, this place will be on fire.

 

[jekelish]

Sacrifice? No sorry that's not it. It takes a legion of alumni from a state school to get there. We will never be PSU or Michigan or Alabama. Stop acting like it might happen. The school, the area, the alumni base, etc will never allow us to have that kind of attendance. Ever.

I think he meant that it takes personal sacrifice to get to the games. My parents used to live in central PA and I'll just tell you, trying to use the highway anywhere within 20 miles of State College on game day is a horrible, horrible idea. The infrastructure has been improved from what I understand...but cars literally got backed up a good 10 miles on game day's in that area.

 

[SUfanNC]

Wow people. I think the OP was just voicing the disappointment of the development of his normal tailgate spot. I would guess it was sort of a little tradition and now it has changed unfortunately for a group of people. Where else are people going to voice the dissatisfaction.

It is obvious that is was for track which has been moved for the IPF which I think everyone agrees is a positive thing to improve the product in which you tailgate for.

 

[Orangello]

Fine Lot and most of the other remaining surface parking lots in Stadium West will eventually go. The University's master plan has much of this area being converted into green space and/or structured (multi-level) parking.

We will survive. I have been pushing for the purchase of an abandoned house near MLK grade school as a vision for the tailgating future. Think "Old School". We are going to kick this thing up a notch or two.

 

[Ozcuse]

Fine Lot and most of the other remaining surface parking lots in Stadium West will eventually go. The University's master plan has much of this area being converted into green space and/or structured (multi-level) parking.

We will survive. I have been pushing for the purchase of an abandoned house near MLK grade school as a vision for the tailgating future. Think "Old School". We are going to kick this thing up a notch or two.

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If some enterprising person wants to buy a house with a large yard and create a "tailgating event center" I would be fully in support.

 

[JeremyCuse]

I dont have a dog in this fight (fine lot is my home) but a few things to note. The Stadium West lots have lost at least a third if not more of the available parking over the last 5 years including the entire RV lot which was taken over by the new Law dorms, the upper part of stadium west, and a chunk of Standart.

I certainly can feel for those who enjoyed Manley and lost what appears to be a good tailgate area. I am not familiar with that area so hopefully SU can open up another grassy area or maybe look into seeding or sodding a section.

For those commenting on the fine lot and its demise I understand your frustration but no need to take it out on what most of us consider to be one of the best tailgating lots left. Also while the lot was at one time considered to be on the chopping block that appears to have changed and it is likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

 

[SUfanNC]

Fine Lot and most of the other remaining surface parking lots in Stadium West will eventually go. The University's master plan has much of this area being converted into green space and/or structured (multi-level) parking.

We will survive. I have been pushing for the purchase of an abandoned house near MLK grade school as a vision for the tailgating future. Think "Old School". We are going to kick this thing up a notch or two.

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So does that make you the godfather?

 

[Orangezoo]

Sacrifice? No sorry that's not it. It takes a legion of alumni from a state school to get there. We will never be PSU or Michigan or Alabama. Stop acting like it might happen. The school, the area, the alumni base, etc will never allow us to have that kind of attendance. Ever.

Yes Jekelish is accurate in the intent. There is never an expectation that a school that has 17k students will built the cult like following of the schools who have 40k plus on campus at any time. However the reality is there is a great deal of sacrifice those fans in Central PA take to fill the stadium and that includes dealing with cramped tailgating spaces. It is a different culture as well as that is more the norm. I think it is overkill to chastise the AD for shrinking the tailgating space in that the ground isn't so nice and there is less room to throw a football. Put a better product out there ( which they are trying to do universally) and more fans will fill the dome and more will be looking to tailgate thus creating a need for more tailgating space. Basic supply and demand. Once again its going to take making some concessions as a program and as fans in a period of transitioning to being a bigger player nationally in all sports not already established as such. I live in WV and work 6-7 days a week. My two dogs go everywhere with my wife and I and both have ailments that require a more peaceful setting. I would love a more private open tailgating experience that would suit them to allow me to bring them and attend a few tailgates/games a year. Reality is I don't expect that. I am an alum as well.

 

[Orangello]

So does that make you the godfather?

There is only one Godfather

 

[sabach]

Duh. No offense but you guys coming here and acting like we're ready to riot the AD's office are just coming off as jerks. It WAS a great spot. I'm very SAD to see it go. I UNDERSTAND the track got moved for the IPF. I UNDERSTAND the IPF is what this program needs. I UNDERSTAND that the University will put the needs of it's student-athletes above the needs(or wants) of the fanbase. IT STILL SUCKS FOR SOME OF US! I've been going there for years. Get it now?!?!?!?!?!

What he said.

 

[Ottoble]

Years of great tailgating and playing football with the kids in the grass it seems shall be no more. I was extremely disheartened to see the entire grassy area of Skytop torn up when we arrived last Sat. I asked and it's where the new track will be. Instead we were forced to park on the gravel and given about a 5x5 area to try to tailgate in. I realize SU needs a track, but it fails the fans again by removing what was easily one of the better tailgate spots on the campus.

When you are up there on Saturday for the Duke game ask if they will consider letting people tailgate on the track infield it would be a nice well groomed space for a tailgate making this a short problem not a long term one.

 

[Pyle]

I think it is overkill to chastise the AD for ..... My two dogs go everywhere with my wife and I and both have ailments that require a more peaceful setting. I would love a more private open tailgating experience that would suit them to allow me to bring them and attend a few tailgates/games a year. Reality is I don't expect that. I am an alum as well.

I chastised the AD by posting a message on the board? Tell you what, I think it's overkill to chastise someone who writes a 5 line post about being bummed his favorite tailgate spot is gone. I didn't write the AD, I didn't write a stupid letter to Poliquin, I'm not starting a saveskytop.com website, I'm not claiming that I'll never tailgate again because of this, and I'm not 'boycotting' the university. I wrote a post on a fan forum. We seriously need to beat Duke because this board is in full out meltdown mode if you ask me.

Also...Why would you want to bring your dogs tailgating? Where are you going to leave them during the game?

 

[ImperialOrange]

I think he meant that it takes personal sacrifice to get to the games. My parents used to live in central PA and I'll just tell you, trying to use the highway anywhere within 20 miles of State College on game day is a horrible, horrible idea. The infrastructure has been improved from what I understand...but cars literally got backed up a good 10 miles on game day's in that area.

Only one road running into/out of State College. Should've been shut down a few years ago...

 

[ImperialOrange]

Fine Lot and most of the other remaining surface parking lots in Stadium West will eventually go. The University's master plan has much of this area being converted into green space and/or structured (multi-level) parking.

We will survive. I have been pushing for the purchase of an abandoned house near MLK grade school as a vision for the tailgating future. Think "Old School". We are going to kick this thing up a notch or two.

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