Fans give YSU team raucous send-off to Frisco

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

More than 100 fans braved temperatures in the low 20s to rally around the Youngstown State University football team.

Players boarded buses early Wednesday afternoon to head to Frisco, Texas, for the FCS National Championship game against James Madison University on Saturday.

Peyton Bova, 9, of Struthers shook more from excitement than from the bitter temperature with a card that had “Derek” written on the front.

The card was for his favorite player Derek Rivers, YSU defensive lineman.

Peyton calls himself “a big YSU fan” as he went to every home game this past football season.

He’s excited to see his team play in the big game after a tense playoff season, especially the last-second TD at Eastern Washington that put the Penguins in the title game.

“When the referees called [the semifinal game final], I said, ‘Oh my gosh!’ and started just running around the house.”

Chris Colella, an employee in the YSU student sports information office, said after watching the many wins and losses, the Penguins players just seem to “have a touch of destiny” about them.

Maureen Drummond, president-elect of YSU’s alumni society board, said after the past three games, “there is really no other option but to be in the championship.”

Mari Ann Cann, Creative Arts and Communications Department’s executive secretary to the dean, called the chance at a championship title long overdue.

“It’s about time,” she said. “YSU, in general, is just wonderful. It’s a wonderful place to be.”

Some Penguin fans are convinced the team will be able to bring home the title.

“We’ve come this far so successfully. I know we are taking home the title,” said alumni engagement director Catherine Cala. “I think the show of support today from our campus, student, faculty, staff and community – our fans – shows how thrilled we are. It’s amazing to see how excited the Mahoning Valley community is about this milestone in YSU history.”

President Jim Tressel said the community support for YSU is simply wonderful.

“Seeing this community want to make sure our players knew we were with them and were excited for them – you can’t believe the impact something like this has on those kids,” he said.

The Covelli Centre will be open Saturday for a free watch party for the game. Doors open at 10 a.m. and kickoff is at noon.

The event will include big-screen TVs inside the arena, plus indoor tailgate games and DJ Brandon. The arena bars and concession stands will be open.

Tickets are free and can be picked up at the Covelli box office. Parking also will be free.

For information go to www.covellicentre.com.

Not only are there watch parties locally, but the interest in YSU football spans across the nation, Cala said.

Alumni will host watch parties in nine different cities: Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus; Massillon, Ohio; Pittsburgh; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas; Tampa Bay, Fla.; and New York City, she said.