Rosary to throw 27th Super party

Bears fans heading South won't be gobbling chili and downing cold ones in Miami parking lots this Super Bowl Sunday. Tailgating plans have been halted around Dolphins Stadium as outraged fans fight for their right to party.

Fox Valley fans sticking close to home, however, should get their chips-and-dip trays ready: There are no tailgating bans in these parts, and nearly 600 party-people are expected to show up at Rosary High School on Sunday to relish in that fact.

Bears or no Bears, for 27 years the Rosary Sports Boosters have hosted their annual fundraising party, inviting fans to enjoy the game and dish out money to a good cause.

"I think it's the fun of tailgating inside," said Rosary's athletic director, Mary Lou Kunold, of the party's long legacy and giant draw. "They can just be rowdy and have a good time."

The volleyballs are set aside and the nets are taken down as volunteers transform the Rosary gym into a football haven.

With 30 TVs, two projection screens, a silent auction, raffles and all the food you can fit through the front door, this is one tailgate party not fit for a parking lot.

It takes booster volunteers almost three days to set up the gym, and 80 people will be on hand during the party to keep things running from 3 p.m. on.

"Sometimes we've been here until midnight," Kunold said.

But to her, it's all worth it.

"Without the Boosters, I wouldn't have a sports program," she said.

John Medernach and his wife have been supporting the boosters for the last decade by coming out to party.

"It's a social event that people look forward to," he said. "It doesn't even matter who's in the game. It's become a tradition to come and enjoy everything that's going on."

Ten bucks will get you in the door and all the popcorn and beverages (beer and soda) you can stomach.

Food is available for sale -- Italian beef, pizza, hot dogs.

But in tailgate tradition, you're welcome to bring your favorite dish to share.

Just leave the hazardous hot plates and grills at home, Kunold warns. Dips and desserts are perfect on-the-go dishes that don't need reheating.

Kunold said there will be more than 300 items, including rare signed sports and celebrity memorabilia, auctioned off this year. That' a far cry from the 80 or so items available more than two decades ago.

"The auction has really grown," said Medernach, who placed the winning bid on a pearl necklace for his wife several years back. "The types of items that they are able to obtain are really something special."

The boosters plan on raising $65,000 during this year's party with proceeds going toward new team warm-ups, an outdoor storage facility and a remodeled softball field.

"It's almost like a holiday," Medernach said. "You spend the whole day enjoying the game, seeing the auction, seeing some old friends and hopefully seeing the Bears win."

Table reservations will be accepted for parties of 6 to 20 football fans who would like to sit together. Walk-ins are welcome.

For further information or to reserve a table, call (630) 896-0831, Ext. 25.

ewurst@scn1.com