The warmth generated at the little house was matched only by the generosity demonstrated by Titan supporters. Following the first barbecue reception, visiting Titans took over. Larry Flaraty shipped in a brand-new drum barbecue via an Omaha-bound motor home. Others brought in slabs of ribs, Omaha steaks and burgers, chicken and hot dogs. Coolers were filled with a never-ending supply of cold drinks for thirsty fans. Everyone asked "What can I do? What can I bring?" Titan fans redefined the tailgater potluck experience. Amid the laughter, anticipation and excitement of gathering across the street from the stadium, everyone became instant members of the Titan extended family. Ernie Luna, head baseball coach at Leigh High School had traveled alone from San Jose. He came to support his former player and starting pitcher Jason Windsor. When he walked into the house he didn't know a soul. "This place is awesome," Luna said. "Everyone is like family here. It's great." "The hospitality is phenomenal," agreed 1982 alumnus Tom Falvi. "It's kind of home-away-from-home. Hopefully we can do this every time." Under a backyard tent, excited children sat patiently as Diamond Club members painted their faces in Fullerton's colors and with the "F" logo. Inside the house, kids and young-at-heart adults spread out poster boards and paints and crafted signs to wave during the games. Fans introduced themselves and shared stories of hastily put-together travel plans in the mad dash to get to Omaha. Some had climbed into their motor homes and cars and driven more than 1,500 miles. Others had flown in, some from as far away as Hawaii. No effort seemed too great to be there to support the Titans. Just being at Rosenblatt Stadium for the World Series is a truly memorable experience. Titan fans described driving up 13th Street, coming over the rise and then seeing the stadium up on the hill. It's thrilling to be there as a member of an elite group, one of the top eight college baseball programs in the nation. One Omaha newspaper described the ballpark as a combination of Yankee Stadium and Wrigley Field.
|
Produced by Strategic Communications at California State University, Fullerton. Contact the web administrator
for comments and problems with the website. California State University, Fullerton © 2006. All Rights Reserved. |