From “Mean” Joe Greene to Bad Bunny, Hanoverians extend Super Bowl streak to XLIV (44) in a row
Huddled in front of a small television in a room on the third floor of Crowe Hall, an informal gathering of Hanover students watched as Terry Bradshaw and John Stallworth connected on a 73-yard touchdown to rally the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 31-19 victory against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
Unknowingly, a tradition was born that day, Jan. 20, 1980.
Roll the clock forward more than four decades, that same group of now-lifelong friends will converge Feb. 11 in an Airbnb in Fort Myers Fla., to mark their 44th consecutive year “officially” gathering to watch the Super Bowl.
The core group includes Kent Carter ‘82, Wally Hirth ‘82, Steve Holsclaw ‘82, Donnie Katzman ’81, Bryan Langdon ’82, Chris Tucker ’82 and friend, Charlie Mudd, the younger brother of Kevin Salyer ‘82. Even Jim Calleo ’81, Ed Gullett ‘84, Kevin Lewis ’85, Todd Nelson ’83, Billy Williams ’82 and the late Joe Brunk ’82 have joined the festivities through the years.
(l-r) Chris Tucker ’82, Wally Hirth ’82, Kevin Salyer ’82, Steve Holsclaw ’82, Todd Nelson ’83, Bryan Langdon ’82, Mark McEwen ’83, Steve Avila ’83 and Billy Williams ’82
The get-together has remained, for the most part, an opportunity for “guys to be guys.” Family members do not attend the Sunday festivities but drop in the day before the big game to visit as a larger unit.
“Traditionally this is a male-only, Hanover College-graduate event,” Katzman quipped. “However, in 2021 we had our first female guest, whose home we happened to be in only because her beloved ‘Bangles’ were in the Super Bowl.”
Through the years, the friends have witnessed the best (and worst) of the Super Bowl. They have experienced water-cooler moments such as “The Refrigerator,” wide right and wardrobe malfunction, as well as the “Helmet Catch,” miracle comeback and “Philly Special.” They have also witnessed the evolution of the halftime show, which has ranged from performances by Up with People, Los Angeles Super Drill Team and Chubby Checker to Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Beyonce and Bad Bunny.
“Specific planning for a Super Bowl party began in 1981,” said Langdon. “It was held in the basement of Crowe, an area called ’The Barracks.’ A number of us lived there.”
“’The Barracks’ organized the all-campus kegger party, which had to take place off-campus because alcohol was not allowed on campus,” added Holsclaw. “We tagged it as the Barracks Enterprise Production (BEP) and have kept that alive. All Super Bowl gatherings since 1981 are known as the BEP Super Bowl Extravaganza.”
Kneeling (l-r): Charlie Mudd and Kent Carter ’82. Standing (l-r): Wally Hirth ’82, Don Katzman ’81, Bryan Landgon ’82, Chris Tucker ’82 and Steve Holsclaw ’82
In a time with no cell phones or email, planning became more of a challenge after many members of the group’s Hanover graduation in the spring of 1982. Then spread out primarily from Louisville, Ky., to Indianapolis, the friends relied on occasional letters and phone calls but leaned heavily on a promise to see each other again the following year.
“I think the key was that someone agreed to host the next year,” noted Langdon. “We all stayed in touch but specifically knew Super Bowl weekend we were getting together.”
During the 1985 gathering in Indianapolis, Holsclaw’s roommate, the late Marty Brennan ‘82, stated, “We should do this until we are 40.” Brennan’s comment resonated throughout the group. Holsclaw reflected, “It was not even a conversation. It just became a thing.”
The rendezvous spot has changed through the years. Most of the Super Bowl weekends were spent at someone’s house, though hotels have been used seven times and condominiums on two occasions. Louisville has served as host city the most, though Indianapolis, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Chicago, Cleveland, New York City, Austin, Texas and Milwaukee, Wis., have each taken a turn or two, among other locales.
“In the past, when communication wasn’t as easy, we would designate a city way in advance,” noted Langdon. “Some years, when someone hadn’t hosted in a while, the person was told, ‘We are coming, figure it out.’”
The outings have lengthened in recent years. Katzman added, “Originally, [we would] arrive on Saturday and leave on Monday. Obviously, as we’ve gotten older, we’ve extended it to start on Friday and now it is starting on Thursday.”
“I declared the Monday after Super Bowl a holiday and have not worked that day my entire working career,” stated Holsclaw.
While their individual fandom mainly leans into the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, the friends must declare who they are rooting for to win and always wear a hat for the game. And trash-talk might as well be on the guest list.
“I have been a Patriots fan for 20 years. More of a Bill Belichick fan actually,” noted Katzman. “Several in the group absolutely hate the Patriots and it has given me great pleasure to torment the guys since they hate Tom Brady!”
There is also another ritual. “We always raise a glass and toast Marty Brennan and Joe Brunk, two classmates we have lost,” said Langdon.
Along with the location, viewing experience has evolved, too, as the friends have aged. “In our younger years, we turned the game into a drinking game,” said Langdon. “If the team you declared for had a rough day, you did too.” He added, “We did have a broken television at a hotel in Indianapolis one year. I chalk that up to youthful exuberance, consistent trash-talking and alcohol.”
“It was one weekend that we would all be together like when we were at Hanover,” added Katzman. “Now, in the later years as we get together more often, it’s just good to see each other.”
While the Super Bowl might have served as the initial lure, comradery and friendship have solidified their bond. Distance between the friends has changed through the years and life events – births, illness and weather conditions – have also created challenges with attendance. Remarkably, most of the group arrives every single year.
That dedication to attend the reunion is, perhaps, best exemplified by Hirth. In 1989, he witnessed the birth of his daughter the Friday morning prior to Super Bowl XXIII and still managed to arrive at their St. Louis gathering in time for the kickoff of the battle between the 49ers and Bengals.
“We kept going because we became extended family members,” said Langdon. “We know every spouse, girlfriend and child. We have always been there to support a birth, loss of a spouse, divorce, marriage and life accomplishments. Nothing happens in this group without us knowing it.”
The familiar gang is set for this year’s rematch between San Franciso and Kansas City. Tucker’s wife, Jennifer, will send along her sandwiches. Hirth comes with barbequed ribs. Katzman will, again, tackle his queso. Each will pick a team, don a ballcap, raise a glass to their late friends and sing the national anthem.
They will also make plans for their next Super Bowl together. The BEP Super Bowl Extravaganza will return Feb. 9, 2025. Somewhere.
Hero image: The Barracks Enterprise Production Super Bowl Extravaganza with front (l-r): Bryan Langdon ’82, Ed Gullett ’84 and Chris Tucker ’82. Back (l-r): Wally Hirth ’82, Charlie Mudd, Don Katzman ’81, Kent Carter ’82 and Steve Holsclaw ’82
