Trip to Cali more than just football

After waiting 135 years to make its first trip to California, the Princeton football program has done everything possible to make this weekend's visit to San Diego a memorable one.

For a program that last played an opponent outside the Ivy League or Patriot League in 1989, any journey outside the Northeast constitutes a rather novel event. That said, the Tigers' primary objective, of course, is to come home with a win. As everyone associated with the program is quick to point out, this is a "business trip" for the team itself.

But while the players will get to do little more than practice and play — head coach Roger Hughes joked he'll be using shock collars to ensure the team remains focused — there's no denying that there's far more to the weekend than the game.

Football-wise, the Tigers will benefit from the West Coast exposure. As Hughes is fond of mentioning, more Ivy League football players hail from California then any other state, including 11 players on the Tigers' roster. For them, the trip is a rare chance to play in front of family and friends. And even for those not from the area, a visit to scenic San Diego is much appreciated.

"[Gary] Walters ['67] is always looking at ways to add, as he says, sex-appeal to our schedule. It's a great way to let our kids experience a different part of the country," Hughes said. "The limiting factor is that it's somewhat costly, which obviously is something we have to consider."

Indeed, with an official travel party of 133 individuals on the chartered team jet — which left Philadelphia late Thursday evening and will return in the wee hours of Sunday morning — the trip is anything but cheap.

It's also not simple. Nolan Jones, the director of football operations, began planning the trip in January. In the process, he's relied on his experience at the University of Kentucky and the advice of colleagues at other SEC schools, who make this type of trip on a weekly basis.

Reached by phone Thursday morning, Jones sounded surprisingly calm, saying that last minute details are under control and that the team is "ready to go and excited."

Ironically, the team itself accounts for fewer than half of those on the flight. In addition to 62 active-roster players, the list of 133 includes coaches, athletic department support staff, and, perhaps most importantly, their wives, who have their own itinerary.

"It's another way to say thank you for putting up with our lifestyle," Jones explained.

The wives won't be the only ones enjoying a long weekend on the team's budget. According to Jones, Director of Admissions Janet Rapelye and Vice President for Campus Life Janet Smith Dickerson accompanied the team. Dickerson was last spotted alongside President Tilghman in Denver in March, cheering on the men's basketball team in the NCAA tournament.

Of course, vacationing administrators won't be the only ones in the stands. More importantly, the game is a chance for Princeton to play in front the next generation of Tigers. Hughes said that a handful of prospective recruits, many of whom came to Princeton's high school football camp this summer, are expected to attend the game.

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"It a chance for them to look at our program, see how our kids play and understand how high the level of play is," Hughes said. "It's an eyeopening experience for the recruits."

Future Tigers won't be the only demographic descending upon Torero Stadium on Saturday — they'll be joined by plenty of former Tigers, too. Indeed, the trip is also designed as a reward for Princeton's California alumni.

"Alums on the West Coast really have very little Princeton material put in front of them. It's not covered in the papers, they don't have a whole lot of contact with Princeton," Hughes said. "It's a great way for us to reach out as a University and touch them, make them feel involved in the school."

The Princeton Varsity Club and the Princeton Football Association, both fundraising organizations technically independent from the athletic department, have organized a full schedule of weekend events for alums.

The festivities kick off Friday afternoon with a PFA benefit golf tournament at Riverwalk Golf Club and are followed by a swanky reception at the San Diego Art Museum in La Jolla. On Saturday, in the works are a pre-game tailgate and post-game reception at Petco Field for the evening's San Diego Padres game.

According to Associate Director of Athletics Jamie Zaninovich, who's in charge of athletic department marketing efforts, a huge alumni turnout is expected, with RSVP's still arriving. Currently, over 400 individuals are expected for the tailgate, and over 150 for both the Friday and Saturday evening reception.

In true Princeton style, the parties won't be cheap. Attending the full schedule of events will cost well over $100, dwarfing the eight dollar price for a ticket to the game itself. But Zaninovich said that the high prices are "not designed as money makers," but simply cover the cost of the events.

Regardless, for those lucky Princetonians with a ticket to San Diego and the loose change to party it up once there, the weekend promises to anything but a normal football weekend.