WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - It was to have been a game of redemption.  It was foreseen as a contest of atonement for the previous losses of the season and the inaugural win of the 2003 Big Ten Season.  And Dayton Chapter Alumni eagerly looked forward to watching their beloved Nittany Lions take on the Boilermakers in Ross-Ade Stadium to emerge victorious.  Alas, it was not to be, as our men in white fell 28 - 14.  

But we're getting ahead of our story, so let's start at the very beginning of that woeful day . . .

The consensus among the Lion faithful that morning was that you couldn't ask for a better day — weatherwise — for a 3½ hour bus trip deep into Indiana or a pleasant afternoon watching Penn State - Purdue football.  Excitement was in the air.  And although the 40+ folks pictured above seem benign enough, truth be told they were seething with anticipation and eager to get underway.   

Can you believe this?  Deej has her own sports shoe signature brand?  Although this reporter grilled her with questions about how soon this product would be widely available to the general public, she remained surprisingly reticent.  Totally out-of-character for Deej!

Katie Schiller and Marguerite Sharp get better acquainted as they prepare to board the big bus.  This is Katie's first football trip with the chapter and everyone hopes it will be memorable for her.

Food, beverages, tables, and miscellaneous other gear have been safely stowed away, and it looks like almost everyone (except Sally Valeri) is settled in for the trip.

As the huge Lakefront Lines bus exits the Meijer parking lot, Chapter Prez Vic Folwarczny takes the mike to bark out the orders of the day.  In terms of their content and spirit those orders could be reduced to three words:  "Let mirth prevail!"

Reprising her role of "cocktail hostess with the mostest" from last year's trip to Columbus, Deej's infectious grin is readily apparent as she serves up a Bloody Mary.

As many of you know, The Penn Stater magazine is looking for the most die-hard Penn State fan for an upcoming article in the magazine.  They want to hear about ". . . the most ridiculous or the downright bizarre."  The editors have even asked the question:  "Do you have a Penn State tattoo?" 

And our very own Susie Solo can answer with a resounding "Yes!"

Here is the proof, as Susie proudly displays the Nittany Lion sports logo tattooed on her rump.

Here's what she has to say about her unique symbol of loyalty to the Nittany Lion cause:  "I waited six years after I graduated for it, to make sure I still wanted it and that it was not just a passing fancy.  I'm glad I have it, and I don't want another tattoo of any sort.  One PSU tattoo and I'm done."

I'm sure I speak for all the guys on the bus who felt honored to observe Susie's first public display of her well-placed, beautiful, and symbolic tattoo.  It speaks volumes about her commitment to Penn State, and we would urge The Penn Stater to accord wider recognition of her loyalty.  

The fine weather extended west to Indiana and our crowd has disembarked, glad that the bus ride is finally over.  The locale is a rather non-descript parking lot for buses located just one-half mile from Ross-Ade Stadium.  Most of us were very pleased about the nearness of the stadium as we remembered the marathon trek last year walking from the bus to Ohio Stadium .

We are overstocked!  Mounds of food overwhelm our hastily assembled metal tables.  No one could walk away hungry from such bounty, and the tasty sandwiches, salads, hot baked beans, and desserts were much appreciated by all. 

As always, the guiding light of our annual football bus trips is Edie Kreider.  Here she pauses just long enough from her endless duties as quartermaster, barkeeper, and overall chief honcho to  smile for the camera.  

Sally Valeri, Debbie Downes, and Janie Gehman found the most comfortable concrete slab in the parking lot to finish their lunch and relax.  

It's all smiles as Prez Vic, Deej, Jackie Crawford, and Jerry Weed anticipate the game, savor the tonsil-titillating taste of their lunch, and sip their refreshing beverages.  Does it get any better than this?

Sally, Debbie, and Janie were not the only ones to sit on a stretch of concrete while eating lunch.  Except for Marguerite Sharp, of course, who wisely requisitioned a folding chair and looks very comfortably ensconced.  

Although not exactly a tradition at our outings, it always seems fitting to conduct a photo op devoted exclusively to our chapter's current and past presidents.  In the stellar array this day were, from left to right,  Jim Valeri, Mark Dowd, Randy Gallas, and Vic Folwarczny. 

Board members Bob Gehman and Dave Romanko, and Chapter Vice President John Glaser, also agreed to a photo op.  

The location is Ross-Ade Stadium on the Purdue University campus, and the Penn State Blue Band is strutting its stuff just before gametime.  

Amid the cheers of the blue and white loyal, Coach Joe Paterno and his charges take the field for final warmups about 15 minutes before game time.

How does she do it?  Deej successfully made it down to the playing field to say hello to Coach Paterno and shake his hand.  Always elusive in these forays, Deej made it safely back into the stands before being apprehended.    

And what, may we ask, can generate more spirit than a visit by the Nittany Lion mascot himself?  Nothing!  And all you have to do is look at the expression on Deej's face to know this is true.

And the magic of a Lion visit extended to everyone else in our group too.  Here we see the exuberance of Susie Solo, Chris Solo, Bob Kreider, Deej, Vickie, and Randy Gallas as they root for the team.

But it was not enough.  Time ran out with our Nittany Lions on the short end of a 28 to 14 score.  Special kudos go to Edie Kreider for coordinating many details of the trip and preparing an assortment of liquid refreshments, and to Bill Ashbaugh for making  arrangements for the bus.  Nicely done, folks, thank you.