Ahead of Super Bowl LII at the University of Massachusetts dining halls this week, it's all about the New England Patriots, with all things Philadelphia excised in good fun. Watch video
AMHERST - Philadelphia Cream Cheese: Gone. Philly cheesesteak: No way. Philadelphia roll: Forget about it.
At the University of Massachusetts dining halls this week, it's all about the New England Patriots, with all things Philadelphia excised from the menu in good fun.
The Patriots play the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII on Sunday, so all this week University of Massachusetts dining halls are serving Nature's Best cream cheese, "New England cheesesteak" and the "Down with Philadelphia roll" instead.
Christopher Howland, director of purchasing, marketing and logistics of UMass Auxiliary Enterprises, said students are having fun with that with it on social media.
As in the past, Ken Toong, executive director of Auxiliary Enterprises, challenged his educational counterpart to a friendly bet, and Penn State director of residential dining Lisa Wandel officially accepted it.
Blue Wall has some great #SuperBowl specials this week! #umassdining #GoPatriots! pic.twitter.com/o31y38avzg
-- UMass Dining (@UMassDining) January 30, 2018
A Patriots win means Penn State will send three containers of the school's most treasured flavors from its Berkey Creamery ice cream: Death by Chocolate, WPSU Coffee Break and Vanilla Bean.
If the Eagles win, something Toong doubts, UMass Dining will send five gallons of its New England seafood chowder to Penn State.
"We're having a little bit of fun this week with the Patriots making the Super Bowl for the 10th time," Howland said. "One of the things we do here on campus is build community through food. When we incorporate other universities as well, it just adds to the fun factor to the 10th degree."
Last year, Robert Holden, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services at the University of Georgia's Athens campus, wagered a Southern feast for six of shrimp and grits, Georgia pecan pie and boiled peanuts. Toong countered with a New England Clambake for six.
The Patriots' epic comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI meant that Southern feast was enjoyed here.
Toong doesn't expect to send his chowder to Penn state either - he's predicting a 24-17 Patriots win.