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Longtime fan recalls attending YSU games since ’91
HUBBARD
A heart-stopping catch cured Elmer Berstling’s heartache.
After having attended 299 of 300 Youngstown State University football games since 1991, the 74-year-old Hubbard resident was sidelined by open-heart surgery in October.
The quadruple-bypass procedure put one of YSU’s top football fans out of commission for 2016’s final five regular-season games and four more playoff games.
Now that Berstling has been rejuvenated by the “Remarkable Reception” at the semifinal game against Eastern Washington, however, he’s planning to attend the Penguins’ FCS championship showdown with James Madison. Today’s game in Frisco, Texas, will start a new steady-attendance chapter.
“What it comes down to is the result of ‘The Catch,’” Berstling said of his decision to travel to the title game that materialized after Kevin Rader’s spectacular game-winning grab in the end zone in the closing seconds of an FCS semifinal Dec. 17.
“Being that I never missed a championship game, I was determined to be at this one,” said Berstling, who was in attendance at YSU’s previous four national title-winning games in Statesboro, Ga., Huntington, W.Va. (twice), and Chattanooga, Tenn.
First, however, the retired Home Savings and Loan Company vice president needed medical clearance for his 300th in-person appearance at a Penguins’ football game.
“Right after the Eastern Washington game, I tried to get permission from my doctor to travel. He said it would be OK to fly but not drive,” Berstling said. “When the playoffs started, who thought that Youngstown would be in Frisco because they had to play the No. 2 seed [Eastern] and No. 3 [Jacksonville State]. Now, only the No. 4 [JMU] is left.”
As with many Youngstown-area people who were shut out trying to get tickets, Berstling said a fiasco for Frisco ensued.
“I finally got them [tickets] online,” said Berstling, a faithful Penguin Club member who paid about $125 apiece for $75 tickets for himself and his wife, Rosemary.
As added incentive, the Berstlings plan to stay at Rosemary’s cousin’s house in Austin.
“They have a lake house about 45 minutes from the game site,” Berstling said of the game at Toyota Stadium, which is the home site of FC Dallas of Major League Soccer. “Plus, there’s a lot to do down there,” he said of the allure of the region’s cultural, historic and entertainment attractions.
“My wife has missed some road games, and she’s not too crazy about flying to this,” Elmer said, “but seeing that we’re doing other stuff down there, she’s going.”
Berstling’s health problems first surfaced after his family doctor detected an irregularity during an annual physical. After the Northern Iowa game the weekend of Oct. 15, he underwent a heart catheterization Oct. 19 and was told he was a good candidate for open-heart surgery.
He was admitted that day, but didn’t have surgery until Oct. 27. Berstling, also a basketball season-ticket holder, already resumed his YSU habit when he saw two men’s team games at Beeghly Center in December.
The 1960 Youngstown East High School graduate likes YSU’s chances today.
“I think we’re four-point underdogs, but we have a good shot,” he said.
Now that Elmer Berstling’s monster spectator streak has been twice interrupted – once when his mother-in-law died in 2009 and again this season by a nine-game absence – will a new skein start?
“I hope so, because 2016 wasn’t the greatest healthwise. Frisco will be a bonus,” he said.