Tailgating at the Pete kicks off Greek Week

‘ ‘ ‘ It might have been raining last night when the sun set, but the scene at the Petersen… ‘ ‘ ‘ It might have been raining last night when the sun set, but the scene at the Petersen Events Center lawn was festive and sunny. ‘ ‘ ‘ Grill Night brought together the athletic department for a tailgate and Greek Life to launch this year’s Greek Week. ‘ ‘ ‘ Tunes from Oasis to Fleetwood Mac drifted across the Pete’s concourse, courtesy of local band Tres Lads. Students wandered from a dunk tank to the cornhole games to one of the 75 new grills purchased by the athletic department for tailgating this year. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ All students were welcome at Grill Night, sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the athletics department. Greek Week leaders Pete Hammerle and Alexandra Conlon explained why they chose to team up with the athletic department this year. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We wanted this year’s kickoff event to reach out to more than just Greeks,’ said Hammerle. ‘ ‘ ‘ Conlon nodded and said, ‘Plus, we think this is a really good program,’ referring to the athletic department’s new tailgating system. ‘ ‘ ‘ Andrew Berenato, Pitt’s assistant event presentation coordinator, explained the new tailgating system. There are 75 new grills available to all students, he said. They can be requested online at pittsburghpanthers.com under the ‘game-day central’ link. ‘ ‘ ‘ Students can get food packs for $3 per piece, which include either eight hotdogs, eight hamburgers or kielbasa or veggie subs. Berenato explained that one meat and one vegetarian option will be offered each week. ‘ ‘ ‘ This new Great Lawn Tailgate location is closer to the stadium and can be reached using student shuttles. ‘ ‘ ‘ Paint cans of blue, white and gold lay scattered across a tarp for students to sponge painted wooden football signs, which they can take to the fall sports games. Most were for Greek organizations. ‘ ‘ ‘ Alisha Freed, a sister at Sigma Sigma Sigma, helped paint a skull and crossbones on her sorority’s football. She explained, ‘It’s our signal, ‘Faithful unto death.” ‘ ‘ ‘ Nearby, Lamba Chi Alpha brothers Steve Goracy, Michael Bashline and Drew Kise huddled under the overhang to avoid the rain.’ They labored over a cross and crescent, their fraternity’s symbol, Bashline explained. ‘ ‘ ‘ But it wasn’t just Greeks painting the football signs. Cornerstone Christian Ministry, a student group from Bellefield Presbyterian Church, was there, too. They painted a Celtic trinity symbol on their football. ‘ ‘ ‘ Across the concourse, Student Government Board President Sumter Link served as a sitting duck for any and all takers on the dunk tank. Volunteers for’ endured 40-minute shifts in the hot seat, while students took as many shots as they pleased. ‘ ‘ ‘ A passerby yelled, ‘Hey Sumter, I’m so cold!’ to which he responded with a smile, ‘Oh, you’re cold?’ It was all in good fun, and he chuckled heartily each time he was dunked. ‘ ‘ ‘ Farther up the concourse was the cornholing area. Students tossed blue and gold beanbags wet from the rain. By them were the grills, where students stood in clusters munching on hotdogs. ‘ ‘ ‘ Because there were open grills operated by students, the Health and Safety Department was present.’ The employees were trolling around with first aid kits and fire extinguishers ready. ‘ ‘ ‘ Richard Schultz, the safety program manager, poked fun at the soggy weather. ‘We’re extinguishing fires here,’ said Schultz. ‘ ‘ ‘ Greek Week leaders Hammerle and Conlon were visibly excited to make the kickoff more inclusive this year.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We just want to promote school pride,’ said Hammerle.