The 2003 Founding Fathers Meeting led to many more excellent SHAT tailgate ideas for the upcoming season. It was decided that a sound system needed to be purchased. Some quality speakers were purchased and John Lucci generously donated an old receiver that he had in storage. Also some more SHAT t-shirts needed to be produced. We hadn’t had one since the 2000 season. Finally the decision was made to use a large chunk of the SHAT funds to construct a tailgate bar.

After speaking with master carpenter Mark Thompson, he said, get “someone to design it and I’ll build it.” A phone call to the newly promoted Chief Assistant to the Commissioner’s Office, Aaron Kushner got the ball rolling. By the time I arrived home from work that evening, there was a basic design for a fold-up bar in my mail slot. (It was even on graph paper, impressive). A bit later the construction began. When it was finished, Mark had put together a masterpiece. A full sized bar that folds up to a couple of inches thick after it’s taken down. It was done up in Pitt Blue and Gold colors and features a pair of the old script Pitt logos on the front. (The current rabid dog logo was a bit too detailed to try and carve into the wood). The top of the bar showcases a collage of old Pitt player photos. The topper was the addition of a Co2 tap system that allows for handle pull draft beer to flow from the two side panels of the bar. No more pumping of the keg required.

With all of the offseason activities completed, it was time to get on with the golf outing. The third rendition of the SHAT Classic, was stepped up to a major league level. A charity, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, was chosen to be the recipient of the proceeds of the event. A nice response from hole sponsors was received and SHAT was able to donate $2,500 in the memory of Martin Connelly Sr. A total of 100 golfers hit the links at Butler’s Golf Course in Elizabeth, PA. Team Kushner, led by ace golfer Scott Colbert, Allan Steinbach and Bob McCurdy took home the hardware with a -12 score. They didn’t actually get the trophies until the following Monday as we forgot to bring them along. Bob Spray did a great job putting together plaques, trophies and the SHAT Cup which now is etched with the names of the winners of all three outings. Another great job by Marty and Mike in organizing this event and also by Ron Bauer who produced all of the signage and the sponsor program. Thanks to all who participated and donated.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Pitt was ranked highly in most of the preseason polls, with one (Phil Steele), crazily ranking them as high as #5. Great things were expected and the home schedule was outstanding with home games against Kent St., Ball State, Notre Dame, Syracuse, VA-Tech and Miami. Most of the games were slated for national tv in prime time, all the more time to tailgate and fill yourself with liquid courage.

SHAT’s season ticket total jumped from 34 to 59 as people who had attended a couple of tailgates in 2002, decided that they wanted to be on board for the whole season. They were not alone as Pitt sold out its entire season for the first time in a couple of decades. Terry Jenkins, tired of his ex-wife checking the home schedule and always making sure it was his weekend to have the kids, took matters into his own hands. He relinquished his section 137 seat and purchased 12 of the economical upper deck seats. Not only could he take the kids to the game, the rest of the Jenkins family could go too - A quality maneuver. New fulltime additions included: Bill Cairns, The Dowd Bros. (Brian & Kevin), Bob Strauss, Jeff Strauss, Jason Hominsky, Pat Walsh, The Lucci Bros (Chuck and John) & Gareth Evans (these three were at most of the games the year before, but now they’re official), Jim Zaunick, Dave “Bucky” Paul and Mike Naumuk, who also had been at most of the SHAT functions the previous season.

The opening day tailgate had a tremendous buzz to it. People couldn’t wait to get at it. And this was Kent State for God’s Sakes. The fact that a number of the tailgaters had spent the day drinking and golfing for Dan Blocher’s bachelor party helped them get a head start on the day’s festivities. The unveiling of the new SHAT bar drew the kind of response that it was designed to get - BIG! New SHAT t-shirts were distributed with design input from all kinds of people; Mike Norcutt provided the artwork, Ron Bauer the theme and Darin McHenry and Gerry Delon for the SHAT logos used on the shirt. After feasting on another Bob Gable masterpiece meal, the drunken SHAT-Heads proceeded into Heinz Field to witness what was about to become an unbelievable weekly occurrence, The Larry Fitzgerald Show. What unfolded that night was just a taste of the amazing season this guy was about to produce. Not since Hugh Green and Dan Marino roamed the field at Pitt Stadium had one player showed so much dominance in a season like Fitz would during the 2003 season.

Fitzgerald would continue to put up numbers all season long that matched the magnitude that the SHAT tailgates had taken on. The amount of food and alcohol being consumed was amazing. The average cost of each tailgate approached $1000 per game and there was never anything left. Multiple kegs, pounds upon pounds of meat, appetizers and mixed drinks from the bar disappeared into bodies with speed an Olympic sprinter would be proud of.

Week #2 provided more Fitzgerald aerial treats with a romp over Ball State that was closer than it should have been at the half. This game also marked the debut appearance of Mikey Speca. Son of Founding Father Mike Speca. He tailgated like a true champ and showed why he is a favorite to take over as SHAT CEO in about 20 years. John Bruner also made the SHAT Bar official by dedicating a framed PLCB certificate signed by Alfred E. Neuman. Pat Thompson picked up SHAT-Head of the week honors for this one by not eating much and consuming way too many beverages and later taking a “snooze” in a folding chair at our neighbor’s tailgate. After being dropped in his front yard by Tom Spray and Mike Naumuk, “The Jeep” saved the day by throwing him over his shoulder and putting him on the couch.

The following week was the beginning of the end of the 2003 season. They would go on to lose an unacceptable game in Toledo (Dan Blocher Wedding Day) in week #3. A bunch of SHAT-Heads: Ron Bauer, John Lucci, Jim Zaunick, Mike Naumuk, JP Betsill, Tom & Bob Spray made the trip to see the painful defeat.

Week #4 showed the nation the definition of the 2003 squad in a nationally televised game against Texas A&M in the heat of College Station, Texas. Nobody (except Walt Harris) would be able to stop the Fitzgerald/Rutherford combo, but unfortunately, nobody would be stopped by Pitt’s Defense either. Mike Naumuk and Gerry Delon were on hand in the heat for this big win.

Week #5 brought the Fighting Irish of ND and ESPN to town. This game always draws a huge crowd and this one was no different. After righting themselves against Texas A&M, this was a crucial game for Pitt, instead they elected to help make Julius Jones a high NFL draft pick. He rushed for over 250 yards, setting ND’s alltime single game rushing mark. (Hey at least we saw some history). Fitzgerald continued to amaze hauling in two more TDs.

Out in the lot, Bob Gable and Jack Tomino outdid themselves. About 8 different styles of beef were on hand for this one - Unbelievably good stuff. In addition the F Rudy shirts flew off the shelves. Too bad you wanted to use it for a dust rag after the game. This game marked the end of Walt’s grace period with all Pitt fans. Never before has a stream of profanity flown out of the mouths of that many fans at once. You didn’t even feel bad doing it after hearing people in the other sections screaming too. As Tom Spray proclaimed: “We Swear – Because We Care”! Bob Gable (the all-time ND hater), took this new mantra to the extreme, earning him SHAT-Head of the week honors.

Aaron Kushner and fiancée, Lori Merchant, hit the road the following week for a trip to Rutgers - a game in which Pitt jumped out to a 42-7 lead and had to hold on for dear life in the 4th qtr to preserve the win. Joining them in NJ was superfan Mike Naumuk who was making Pitt road trips a regular weekly event and “The Jeep” who sent his, on its last legs-car, to the automobile graveyard by making the trek from Harrisburg. (Jeep’s car caught on fire soon after returning home from the trip – but he did manage to save his Steelers hat out of the back-seat first, good move).

The following Week brought the Syracuse Orange to town and a massive Italian Day spread. While Pitt’s on-field game was heading South, the SHAT Chefs continued to raise their game every week. This was one of the tastiest spreads ever laid out. Included in the spread was Killer Lasagna and an Italian Meat tray. Good stuff. The nasty bottle of Grappa and Lemonciello found its way to the SHAT bar for this one. Mark Thompson tried a shot and after wincing, enforced that everyone do a shot of Grappa and Lemonciello. In Dice action, Big Lar continued to struggle in the Ridge Avenue surrounding, and got so frustrated that he threw all five dice onto I-279 in protest. SHAT-Head of the week baby.

On the field, Pitt got off to another rocky start, but Fitz took over again, hauling in two more tds and an amazing long reception while being totally interfered with. Pitt ended up thumping the helpless Orangemen 34-14 when it was over. Celebrating Pitt’s victory hard caused Friend of SHAT, Laura Leslie, to become the first ever in-game barfing casualty. Halfway through the fourth quarter, she upchucked all over herself in her seat. SHAT-Head #2 of the week. Tremendous.

Pitt then headed on the road to Boston College and along went Mike Naumuk once again. He witnessed Larry Fitzgerald break the NCAA record by recording his 14th consecutive game with a TD catch (a halfback option from now-failed out Jawan Walker). This also marked the first ever Pitt pay-per view game at the Peterson Events Center. Everyone cried about the game not being on tv and then Pitt rigs up an event and nobody shows up. Way to go people. A number of SHAT-Heads made their way to the OC Lot for a turn-back the clock tailgate - a cooler with two cases of canned beer and chips. Just like the old days. We even threw dice on the cracked pavement. (Call it urban street dice).

All of a sudden, Pitt’s 6-2 record was looking pretty good as the Virginia Tech Whorkies came to town. Once again prime-time awaited us. Once again, ESPN would televise the event, but for the first time ever, ESPN Gameday was doing a live broadcast from Heinz Field. A wound-up crowd showed up early for the festivities and so did the F-Paterno shirt on a stick. Ron Bauer concocted a suit hanger attached to a broom-stick contraption that allowed for ultimate aerial viewing. It made its debut on national tv but it was tough to read the name on the back. True SHAT-Heads instantly recognized the landmark #90 jersey swinging in the air much to the delight of the Pitt fans on hand. But to give credit where it’s due, Homer Simpson stole the show behind Kirk Herbstreit.

This event set the tone for what was to become the best tailgate thrown in the history of SHAT events. This was the annual Steak & Shrimp Spectacular. This year, a five man crew (Blocher, Kushner, Bauer, P Thompson and Brad Smith (From Australia)) prepared 150 strip steaks and 18 pounds of shrimp for the day’s events. Big Lar and Russ hammered out the grill and that food went fast. Not only was this food spectacular, Darin McHenry and Gerry Delon decided to fry a turkey and about 30 lbs of wings. There was nothing left by game-time. People were vultures. The final item thrown into the fryer was the VA-Tech mascot that sat on the SHAT Bar with a knife in it throughout the evening. Numerous bottles of booze went down hard at the SHAT-Bar, including Grappa. (It worked against Syracuse we’re sticking with it til we lose). That nasty crap actually helped keep you warm in what was the coldest night I can remember for football. The wind was wicked. The topper to the party was Joe Speeler showing up with a full laboratory of Guinness Car Bomb drink materials in the back of his SUV. Nothing better than a Car Bomb before a big game.

On the field, Pitt kept giving VA-Tech every opportunity to win the game. They turned the ball over numerous times, watched Thomas Jones set a VA-Tech record for rushing yards in a game (what’s up with Jones’ and Heinz Field?) and Walt Harris continued to baffle all by hardly throwing to Larry Fitzgerald, despite the fact that ace CB DeAngelo Hall was suspended for the first half. In the end, Fitz made some clutch catches on a last minute scoring drive culminated by Lou Polite’s Goal Line Plunge on 3rd down to give the Panthers a 31-28 lead with :47 remaining in the game. Not even having a chance to get back in their seats after the thrilling touchdown, (Dope Addict, Underage Beer Server and Sex Offender) Marcus Vick threw an interception right into the hands of Corey Humphries and the celebration was on in Heinz Field. No sign of the double middle-fingering redneck fan in Section 138 who P.T. tried to take out in the first quarter only to be tackled by the hood of his jacket by Big-Lar who probably saved him a trip to jail that night. The party continued long into the night after this victory. Mike Goldstrom picked up SHAT-Head of the week honors for this one for forgetting to unzip his pants before he took a wiz at the post-game tailgate. (I’m being kind with this explanation). Mark Thompson also gained honors by chasing an arrogant PSU fan out of his seat in the opening minutes of the game with his psychotic behavior. Mark’s partner in crime, Mike Speca was in the other’s receiving votes for S.H.O.T.W.

On the road we went to Morgantown for the matchup of the year. A ten car caravan left the Washington Mall and headed for Hoopieville. An early travel encounter should have told us to turn around and skip the game. Aaron Kushner, a grill hauling veteran, despite Dan Blocher’s pleas, elected to use the keg and not bungie straps to hold Pat’s grill in place in the back of his pickup. A few miles down I-79 and out on the road went the grill at 60 MPH. After seeing that nobody was hurt, Brian Kappeler ran into the road to save the wounded piece of tailgate machinery. After a quick check in Washington, though looking ugly, the grill still worked. On we go. A spirited tailgate (with Grappa) in some hoopies yard was the highlight of this one. Actually Larry Fitzgerald put on an unbelievable first half display and then Walt decided to quit throwing to him again. Good idea Walt. He’s the biggest jackass coach in the NCAA. This marked the 3rd time in 7 years that WVU has thrown up 52 points on Pitt under Harris’ reign. The real stars of this game were the Lucci Bros, Gareth Evans, Ron Bauer and Jim Zaunick. They took the warning of added security as a challenge and set an all-time NCAA record for airline bottles and flasks snuck into a game. They brought more stuff out with them than most people have the stones to try and sneak in.

The following week Pitt squeaked out a road-win against Temple as Fitz scored two more tds to raise his streak to 17 straight games with a td reception. This game also marked the end of another streak. Mike Naumuk missed his only Pitt game of the season (home or away). He would have become the first SHAT-Head to ever attend every road game of the season. Not that he would have missed much of a game in this one. The F. PATERNO jersey made it to town on the shoulders of John Galovich who was there with wife Diane and Bruce & Michelle Kreutzer.

As the Miami Hurricanes blew into town with more ice cold winds matching the VA-Tech temps, Pitt somehow had a chance to go to the Orange Bowl if they defeated the Canes and Larry Fitzgerald was easily one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Once again, the SHAT Tailgate responded. Gable and Tomino busted out the Hamkey, along with about 150 lbs of other meats. Darin was back at the turkey fryer. The atmosphere was once again electric. Krista Dankowsky delivered blue and gold jello shots to the frozen tailgaters. The annual awards and thank-yous ceremony was back on track as well. Making people go for perfect attendance or SHAT-Head worthy feats eliminated a large amount of distribution time. Bob Spray, once again came through with plaques, awards and bobblehead dolls. Then the game started. After marching down the field and hitting Kris Wilson for a td and a 7-0 score, Pitt never had a chance. They got thrown around the field like a bunch of little kids. The power went out on the scoreboards, so you had no idea how much time was left in the game. It was freezing. Walt’s play calling ended up costing Larry Fitzgerald the Heisman Trophy and Pitt was headed to another crap bowl game (Continental Tire Bowl – Mike Naumuk Attendance – Bonus). Not a good night to be a Pitt fan. The highlight of this one was probably John Lucci dropping a plastic bottle of Vodka from the upper deck because the mittens he had on were so big he couldn’t hang onto it. Luckily it landed in an empty seat below and Jim Zaunick even went and retrieved it. That’s a star of the game move there. A crappy way to end the regular season, but did we ever have fun in 2003. Pitt might not ever again make it to the Promised Land (In fact while Walt remains at the helm, it definitely won’t) but SHAT already has - and will continue to RULE! Keep the Faith.