Colgate Class of '69 Betas and Class of 2010 Phi Delta Theta and their families gathered on an absolutely gorgeous day in the Bronx on Saturday, November 2 for a great tailgate and a not-so-great Colgate vs. Fordham football game.

in the photo below, the Betas flew their fraternity flag in hopes of attracting other brothers at the tailgate, with only limited success: one brother(Class of 95??) did appear, but unfortunately, no one got his name.  Undeterred, the flag flew crisply in a light breeze and provided a certain ambience to the affair!

Above, from left, Kate (holding 11-month-old son Vincent) and Peter Gasparini; Colgate Class of 2010; Frank and Claudia Gasparini; Mike Brown and Dick Johnson at the tailgate, anticipating a victory that would not materialize. Our neighbors at the tailgate were Colgate football parents - wonderful people!

Following the game (having been joined there by Brooklynites Sarah [Mike Brown's daughter] and her new husband Hanson), we all repositioned to a molto bene Italian restaurant, Pasquale's Rigoletto. 

The food was magnificent and the company even better.  Trust Frank Gasparini when it comes to Italian food - he will always steer you to a great restaurant!

In the above photo, from left, Mike Brown, his daughter Sarah Brown, Peter Gasparini, son Vincent (note Vincent is seated at the head of the table; based on his exemplary behavior this was an honor well deserved), Peter's wife Kate and Sarah's husband Hanson O'Haver.

A photo from inside Fordham's multipurpose Jack Coffey Stadium, which seats 7,000 for football, including this group of smiling septuagenarians - Claudia Gasparini; Mike Brown; Frank Gasparini; and Dick Johnson.

The stadium was nearly full and the Ram fans were rewarded with the team's first victory in this 2024 season.  Colgate trailed by six points with 5.5 minutes left in the game and could not get down the field to close the deal.  Ah well, the rest of the day was superb in every respect!

Postscript: In our customary event debrief, I think Mike "Brownie" Brown put it perfectly when he texted "For me a highlight of the weekend is that some of our next generation ... Sarah, Hanson, Kate, Peter and Vincent were there to enjoy this excellent weekend ... it feels good to pass the baton onto the next generation!"

Amen, Brother Brown!!