Please, read what he wrote, and share your thoughts as well.

–Dad

SpreadHDGFX Matthew Brady

For those questioning the appropriateness of the celebrations on Sunday night, especially at PSU, keep in mind that many of us were In middle school. Those were the most impressionable days of our lives. It completely changed our lives and views. This is the theme of our lives that we will have to deal with throughout. It start at our young age and this is a stepping stone of progress. This is us celebrating and letting the world know that past generations put us here to begin with, and we WILL take care of it.

To @map408psu
I remember sitting in my bed in our house on base housing in Ohio and looking out the window hearing planes and that was the first moment that I ever had fears about the unknown in the world. It was the first I had ever had thoughts of “terrorism.” I remember having a dream of a car pulling up in front of our house and exploding while I was outside playing.

To @honeydo

but also remember fear of the unknown is great, and many of us were even more confused than many Americans. I heard sonic booms as jets took off and I remember the seeing the fear in kids eyes as they couldn’t see their military parents, many couldn’t even get home because they lived on base. That was just what I saw at my schools too. Now I’m not saying any of this to say your scenario was less impressionable as an individual. I’m saying that for those kids, and now college kids, it is the first experience of true fear that we had. We instantly jolted into a reality that a lot weren’t ready for and that all have had to embrace. Now we will deal with it for our whole lives. We will never have a decade like the 90s. (and when I say that I mean we never truly knew what it was like before, only a glimpse that now becomes a myth to us).

Do you like the wallpapers?   Go read how you can get one custom made, and help Matthew earn his way to Water Polo camp!

I snapped this photo at the Blue-White game at Penn State this year (4-19-08) and I decided to make a wallpaper out of the All-American, Maurice Evans, defensive end from Penn State. Enjoy.

Do you like the wallpapers?   Go read how you can get one custom made, and help Matthew earn his way to Water Polo camp!

If I were doing it, I would have people put on their forms whether they want to be a part of the Rowdy Alumni section (and have a note saying that they’re expected to be almost as loud as the student section whenever on defense, and that no one can get yelled at for standing and cheering. ) and I would put the section in the Northwest corner of the stadium, opposite of the students. It would make it so there would be no “safe” side of the stadium, as both endzones are going to be difficult for the opposing offense to hear.

Are there any plans by the university to make such a thing, and if not, how could this be purposed? I think it would truly make Beaver Stadium the Greatest Show in College Football.

Question that has come up already:

“You would have to force 10-15 thousand season ticket holders out of their seats.”
You could “upgrade” them to new seats. It’s not like one is kicking them out of the game. They could have some of the seats in the 50 yardline area that would open up.

Anyway, we had a great time, watched the game with a fun group of fans, and got to eat not only dogs and burgers, but lots of little cups of Creamery Ice Cream.

Matthew and Steve share their thoughts as Penn State finally puts another one in the W column, defeating Iowa 27 to 7. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of the game.

All children regadless (sic) of age must have a ticket. Thanks for checking.

The mother then asked a follow-up question via email:

That includes infants are too young to sit on bleachers by themselves, that must sit on a parent’s lap? I imagine the PSU policy would be like the airlines’ policy requiring tickets for children 2 and over

To which Mr Curley replied:

The Big Ten has a policy that all children of any age must have a ticket and we must follow this policy.

Mr Curley apparently declined further comment when asked by Stefani if Penn State has challenged this policy in any way.

It turns out the policy is announced outside the stadium. If you are outside you will hear that “Big Ten policy requires that all fans entering the stadium must have a ticket.” I believe it to be a stretch to assume an 8 month old is actually a “fan” of any team, but I understand they were using that as a euphemism to mean “no one enters without proper credentials.”

Here’s the beef: This isn’t a very common occurrence. I doubt there is much pent-up demand for people bringing babies to football games. But there are instances when a young family, having purchased two tickets, and made all the other arrangements to attend a football game, would like to bring their child along. Perhaps they cannot afford a babysitter, or they came from out of town, and don’t have anyone in State College who could watch their child.

Why should they then have to spend another $50, especially if they won’t actually be using the seat? And of course, given the fact that the stadium is so often sold-out, what are the chances that they will be able to buy three tickets?

And here lies the other problem: A baby that has a ticket for a sold-out game is one more seat that cannot be sold to a more vocal fan. (Remember, Joe encourages the fans to allow our excitement to bubble over as the opposing quarterback steps up to the line…) We shouldn’t deny the young parents the opportunity to get out and enjoy a game, and we shouldn’t deny that opportunity to other fans.

In this case, the child was too small to walk, and was “mounted” to the father’s chest with a baby carrier. I can’t imagine the child being a nuisance, or a hazard.

So we are left with a couple questions–and these are pointed directly at Penn State and the Big 10:

• What justification does the Big 10 have for this policy?
• Even more to the point, would Penn State be willing to challenge this policy?
• Why shouldn’t Penn State challenge this policy?

So there you have it–the Baby Update.

If you support changing this policy, email your comments directly to Tim Curley, at tmc3@psu.edu

Whether you do, or don’t, let us know what YOU think. Post your comments, or call our voicemail, and leave a comment there–we just might include YOU in our next podcast!

Also, we chastise Penn State’s policy for requiring babies to have tickets for the game. Yes–”they” required an 8 month old baby boy to have a purchased ticket to attend the game and sit on Dad’s chest. Anyone have ANY defense for this policy? I mean, other than wanting to generate as much revenue as possible?

Finally we talk about photography, and Michigan’s loss to Appalachian State!

The new intro music is Decoy, by Red Blanket
Red Blanket
“Decoy” (mp3)
from “A Southern Manitoban Murder of Crows”
(C12 Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Rhapsody
Buy at Napster
Buy at GroupieTunes
More On This Album

My mother calls today to let me know that she received the transcripts from my high school, since we are moving. I ask her if she wants to talk to my father (the other half on this blog), and as normal her response is, “Yes” only to continue with, “but I need to read something I got in the mail to him when I park.”

She fought me and would not tell me what it was about at all. The only words that came from her mouth was, “It’s none of your business.”

It turned out it was my business. 2 tickets to the Penn State-Iowa game for free from the Nittany Lion club. That sounds awesome, couldn’t get better. Correct? NO. These two tickets were for the Press Box.

I am excited to be able to meet reporters and watch the game. No doubt I’ll write an article about the game.

EDIT: Anthony Scirrotto has all felony charges dropped!

In this episode:

• Matt’s First Look Breakdown of the First Six PSU Games

• Ravens Training Camp thoughts
• Barry Bonds 755
• New GoPSUSports.com layout
• New Natatorium for Penn State?

Penn State Game by Game Breakdown:

Game 1-FIU- This should be an easy fight, I mean game, for Penn State. Penn State’s talent alone should win this game… don’t over look this game, but don’t expect a loss. You can never overlook a game. Never the less, the 2^nd team should be in by half time, or at the very least the 3^rd quarter.

Game 2-Notre Dame- Just run the ball. Notre Dame’s #2 defensive tackle is out for eating Charlie’s donuts, so Notre Dame’s defensive line is one of the worst in the nation. This will give the Oline and Austin Scott some confidence heading into the Michigan game. This game should be over by half time, with 2^nd string in by the 3^rd quarter. Lets NOT run up the score, just to show Notre Dame what class is (like Charlie Weis going for it on 4^th down late in the game)

Game 3-Buffalo- Other than Notre Dame, Penn State’s playing the worst OOC schedule ever. Buffalo, FIU and Temple are some of the worst teams in the D-1A football. Not much to say about this game. Keep doing what you’ve been doing.

Game 4-Michigan- This is when strategy becomes key. The winner of this game will become the winner of the Big 10 conference and be a National Title contender. First off, Penn State needs to either get the 8 game loss streak to Michigan out of their head, or use it as motivation. Secondly, the defensive line, that is young (but VERY talented), needs to step up. They might be made of mostly sophomores, but they are the difference makers. With Larry Johnson as the position coach for them, they should be prepared. Never the less, the key is to stop Mike Hart. All we really need is for them to eat up space and allow the linebackers to do the rest. Also, the secondary needs to watch for Mario Manningham on the play-action. The Michigan defense is weak and with Morelli having confidence and the most talented WR Corp in the nation, we need to keep this team guessing on what we’re going to do. This is the year for the playbook to really open up. This is the game for Morelli to come out and show the NFL Scouts and the Nation what he really can do.

Game 5-Illinois- Don’t sleep on Illinois this year. They’ll have more wins than last year by this point in the season (Illinois was 2-10 last year). This is at Illinois and Juice Williams is dangerous playmaker along with (Arrelious) Benn at WR. Ron Zook is bringing in the talent, but they are not there YET. In fact, they may never been there, as Ron Zook is one of the worst, if not THE WORST game day coaches out there. Never the less, he is bringing in the talent to bring Illinois to the top of the Big Ten. Keep a weary eye on them, but don’t expect an upset just yet.

Game 6-Iowa- Kirk Ferentz is a great coach and Iowa is a good team. With that being said, Drew Tate is gone meaning a new starting quarterback. The game being at Beaver Stadium and the only thing worse that could happen is for it to be a night game with a white-out (but it’s not a night game). This is going to be a good game, but the you can’t bring a new Quarterback into Beaver Stadium and expect to win against Penn State when they are out of their slump.

Quick Note:  We are having some problems with the iTunes feed, so find the feed directly at:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/FatherAndSonChats

or; <a href=”http://www.podcastalley.com/”> My Podcast Alley feed!</a> {pca-0f0ec23c3f0360177973574965004691}