I know these people and to think i only live about 1 street down from them.
Super Bowl seats sweet in McLaughlin’s garage…
MONESSEN - While many Mon Valley football fans will be crowded in their living rooms to watch Super Bowl XL Sunday, the McLaughlin family will be sitting in the bleachers - with a great view from Leeds Avenue.
The Monessen family isn’t headed to Detroit. Instead, the McLaughlin’s will be watching the big game in their garage.
Tom McLaughlin and his wife, Tami, transformed their garage into an ultimate Steelers fan’s haven, complete with bleachers, a large projection home theater and, of course, room for a turkey fryer, kegs and food tables.
There is even room to spare for polka dancing. McLaughlin, a 13-year employee with the Monessen streets department, began to transform his garage into party central after the Steelers hit a bump in the road during the regular season as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger underwent knee surgery.
“I just got really fired up after that and wanted to do something to keep the momentum going,” McLaughlin said.
He bought a 106-inch pull-down projection screen from Dell Inc., along with a theater system equipped with DVD and VCR players.
He built bleachers in the garage to ensure that each fan has a good view of the screen.
“No one’s head is getting in the way,” he said with a laugh.
McLaughlin installed a restroom for male guests and a fireplace.
Tami McLaughlin no longer has to worry about cleaning up the house after football game and Super Bowl parties.
“It’s great,” she said. “Everyone brings food. We supply the beverages and it’s fun for everyone.”
On game days, their children, Thea, 22, and T.C., 20, bring home friends, neighbors filter into “the stadium” and, in no time, 40 or 50 people are watching the game on the big screen.
“I had a blast here watching the game,” said family friend Matt Rhome, of Monessen. “After watching it on this screen, you can’t watch it on regular television again.”
Tom McLaughlin said that during the Steelers’ exciting victory over the Indianapolis Colts, about 40 people consumed two, 21-pound deep-fried turkeys. He said everyone was dancing and celebrating after the game.
The McLaughlins are planning a grand Super Bowl party Sunday, complete with lots of food, beer and everything black and gold.
“And when we’re done celebrating the Steelers winning the Super Bowl, we’ll get ready for Nascar (racing season),” Tom McLaughlin said.
