Born on the tarmac outside the Engel Science Center and a slight jog up the south end zone of Clemens Stadium on the campus of St. John’s University a small group gathered to eat, drink and discuss the ensuing college football game. It was the Fall of 2001 and for perhaps the first time ever men and even some women gathered on the campus of St. John’s to regale in the Fall ritual called tail-gating. Now known as Stiftungsfestivities, a central meeting ground had been established to gather fans of this small-college football megalith.
The very nature of Johnnie Football is to transcend the ages…
Had tail-gating ever really occurred before in Collegeville? I know that it had been attempted on one occasion as I can remember Campus Security approaching two very cold Central College fans around 7:00am in late November ‘99 as they huddled with outstretched hands above their Weber “Smokey Joe”. Clad in their Black and Gold 70’s style warm-up jackets these two rubes from the south left no doubt as to their loyalties. They didn’t get much of chance to have a party either…
As you can see, outside of a little pre-game prep in St. Joe’s, tailgating had never really been explored on the Collegeville campus. Now in retrospect, Coach Gagliardi could have added this “no” to his ever increasing list of “no’s”, as in “no tailgating”. It makes sense as it would have fit quite nicely next to “no cheerleading”.
As generations of players have come and gone over the past 60 years they have wisely stayed close to the most powerful, entertaining and innovative program in college football history. The very nature of Johnnie Football is to transcend the ages as its 80 year old sage readies for yet another record breaking season. The regular attendees at our pregame festivities are also the founding members of JohnnieFootball.com. and can be counted among the old, the young, the mostly educated, but always counted on to support our small-college heroes.
Our dedication is to Johnnie Football and our belief is that a program of national prominence deserves the recognition of its fans.
The progression of events in Collegeville since the advent of Stiftungsfestivities in 2001 has provided the inspiration for this unofficial site of Johnnie Football. Join us for the revolution in Johnnie Football coverage and read the diatribes from one TouchDownTommy, sophistication from the Godfather of Johnnie Football – JohnnieRed, real game insights (not phoned in) from Duffman, live action photography from RetiredOldRat, accurate statistical breakdowns from TC and lively recaps from Section105. Keeping track of our new creation will be our “Ratmeister”, Mr. Shoes.
Our dedication is to Johnnie Football and our belief is that a program of national prominence deserves the recognition of its fans. This is the era of the “new media” and we are JohnnieFootball.com “where we either leave at 5:00am or get home at 5:00am”… that’s just how we roll!
JohnnieFootball.com editor in chief, DustySJU
