For most Penn State fans, the necessities for the perfect tailgate include refreshments, a grill, good friends and lots of blue and white.
But for one group of alumni, the ideal tailgate is not complete without a JoePa cutout -- sitting in the front seat of a 36-foot blue-and-white school bus.
In the RV lot beside Beaver Stadium, a group of Penn State fans gather each football weekend to tailgate outside of an old Penn State school bus. From the outside, the bus appears to be identical to the ones that transport the football players to the stadium. However, inside, the rows of seats have been replaced with beds, a television and a bathroom.
Penn State alumni from as far as Tampa, Fla., travel to Happy Valley to meet with old friends outside of the bus. When these busgaters don't have tickets to the game, they don't worry -- they can watch it on the bus' satellite TV.
In high school, bus co-investor Dave Rosenberger toyed around with the idea of renovating old buses. However, the idea was tabled until last November, when Rosenberger's parents told him about an advertisement for Penn State surplus items sold on eBay. After Penn State purchased new buses to transport the football team, an old bus was posted on eBay.
"The first thing I said was, 'I'm getting that,' " Rosenberger said.
His parents warned him that it wouldn't fit in their garage -- but nonetheless, 17 Penn State fans and former students contributed to the winning bid of $4,050.
The busgate crew, reaching 20 people at times, spent about eight months in the spring and summer of 2009 renovating the bus so it would fit the requirements to be considered an RV. They added a bathroom, a sink, auxiliary power, a refrigerator and bunk beds. They're even selling busgate T-shirts featuring the tagline "I'm on a Bus" across the back.
Tony Rizzuto, who contributed to purchasing the bus, said he and his fellow busgaters just really enjoy tailgating. Many of those who helped purchase the bus were members of the Penn State Blue Band, which prevented them from tailgating during their time as students. But more importantly, the group comes together because of their friendship and Penn State pride, he said.
"The best thing you can do is spend the afternoon grilling, playing games and hanging out with friends," Rizzuto said. "Then going to a live sporting event -- nothing tops that."
The crew encourages friends to bring their own friends and asks visitors to bring food for everyone to share. Rosenberger estimated that 100 to 150 Penn State fans of all ages stop by the bus at some point on game days.
"We wanted to get the bus so we always have a place to come back to," he said.
The bus will continue to make appearances outside of Beaver Stadium, but the investors have big plans for upcoming seasons.
"We're taking her on the road," co-investor Dale Korman said, laughing. Their plans for next year? Sept. 11, 2010: Alabama.
