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Alumnus Wins "Ultimate Tailgate Party"

Country music star Clint Black parties with Mike Savickas (center front) and his wife Rose Ann (in red, end of third row right). Other Bulldogs in the "Ultimate Tailgate Party" include James Savickas, David Kummer, Jim Whitten, Mary Jo (Hayes) Whitten, Clint Black, Lisa (Hayes) Hansen, Debra (Frank) Gurney, Tom Barker and Jack Gurney.

    With the holidays over, Mike Savickas (B'75) and his wife, Rose Ann (AH'73), were wondering what to do during January and February to keep the winter blahs at bay.
    That was when they got a call saying Clint Black was going to play a concert in their home for 50 of their closest friends and family.
    Oh, and they were going to be on national television in front of an audience of about 25 million people during the CBS pre-game show for the Jan. 23, 2005 American Football Conference playoffs ­ which pretty much took care of their post-holiday planning.
    "It was just awesome," said Savickas. "It was one of those things where you just have to pinch yourself."
    Savickas won the "Ultimate Home Tailgating Party" sweepstakes sponsored by Prilosec OTC, whose main prize was to have Black play the private concert before the AFC contest. Not only did the country star perform, Prilosec arranged the catering and decorations.
    But Black was the biggest part of the day.
    "The satellite truck from CBS showed up about one o'clock and the crew set up. Then about 4:30 Clint came to the house," said Savickas. "Clint said, 'Hey, Mike, you're the winner! I'm going to be with you the rest of the evening.'"
    Savickas and Black spent a half an hour or so together talking about their lives before going on the air. After the TV spot, Black played a four-song set, then spent a couple of hours signing autographs and posing for photos.
    "Friends and family were taken aback by Clint being so down to earth and friendly," said Savickas. "He didn't just do a walk-in. He came to enjoy the people and party. He really made everybody feel special."
    The only less-than-perfect note to the whole evening was that Savickas was rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost to the New England Patriots 41-27. Afterward, everyone asked what he was going to do for the Super Bowl. He knew there was no way to top the playoff party, so he settled for just watching the game ­ on his new 61-inch plasma HDTV, also courtesy of Prilosec OTC.