Super Bowl faithful root for their favorites at super parties

A Seattle Seahawks fan was hard to come by in Cape Girardeau on Sunday evening as football fans gathered in front of television screens to watch Super Bowl XL.

About 60 students watched the game between the Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers at Southeast Missouri State University's Student Recreation Center. A variety of organizations at the university offered students free food, beverages and prizes at the first-ever "Sober Bowl Party."

"We wanted to provide an alternative event for students to watch one of the biggest sporting events in an alcohol-free atmosphere," said Sean Fitzgerald, club sports coordinator and organizer of the event. "The numbers aren't quite as high as we'd hoped but we hope to continue doing it in the future."

Dozens of students sat in front of perhaps one of the biggest -- if not the biggest -- projection screens in Cape Girardeau to view the Super Bowl. The screen was 11-feet-by-14-feet and was provided by the Show Me Center.

"I think this was an awesome idea," said Southeast sophomore Nick Cato, who was watching the game with his girlfriend Melinda Davis. "Where else can you go to see the game on this big of a television screen?"

Cato, of Hillsboro, Mo., said he hasn't rooted for any team since the St. Louis Rams were contenders in Super Bowl XXXVI. He only watches the football game for the commercials.

His girlfriend on the other hand, enjoys the musical half-time performances.

"Didn't you like the Janet Jackson half-time show?" Davis asked her boyfriend with a smile.

Pittsburgh fan Jered Schneider, freshman at Southeast, was sitting with a group of friends and also remembered the infamous wardrobe malfunction.

"I usually never watch the half-time show but I did see Janet Jackson," he said. "Half-time is when I'm getting more to eat."

The students were provided free pizza and popcorn from the Student Activities Council as well as "mock-tails" from the Center for Health and Counseling.

"A lot of people that are here aren't rooting for the Seahawks because they beat our Rams," Schneider explained.

Across town, Tommy Robinson was throwing his fourth annual Super Bowl Party for his friends and co-workers. Only two Seahawks fans were in the group of 20 people.

"I'm going for Pittsburgh as a sentimental favor because I am a die-hard Rams fan," Robinson said.

At Robinson's home, with a little under two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Pittsburgh scored a touchdown and the group cheered -- with the exception of Randy Koehler of Jackson.

"I did pick the Steelers to win but I'm rooting for the Seahawks," Koehler said. "If you can't have the Rams win, why not have another NFC team win?"

But Robinson quickly disagreed. Seattle beat the Rams twice in the past year, which left him a little bitter.

One thing everyone could agree on was that the Super Bowl is a great excuse to get together with friends for a good time.

"The party has been excellent," Robinson said. "Without a doubt the Super Bowl is the best sporting event to watch. It's one game -- do or die."

jfreeze@semissourian.com