I think it is great that there are a number of Reitz school spirit apparel items available to everyone from future panthers to current students and even old alumni farts like me! We often refer to ourselves as The Reitz Nation, but I am willing to bet that the members of our nation can be found in other places far outside the borders of the United States. As a way of demonstrating the far reaches of The Reitz Nation I propose all members send in a photo (if possible) and let us know where you are. If you have a Reitz T-shirt. sweater, sweatshirt, etc. on in the photo, that would be even better. Perhaps we can list your current home town or the branch of military service.

What I envision is bunches photos of FJR alumni wearing a Reitz shirts and standing in front of some famous buildings or landmarks. Perhaps the person who submitted the photos could write a brief description of the photo. I think it would be really cool to have an electronic alumni year book.

What are your feelings on this idea? I know that Rudy is a pretty busy guy right now. so I would be willing to host the photos on one of my servers if no one else is interested.


What do you think? Is it is good idea? Is it a bad idea? Do you have a better idea? I am totally open to suggestions.

Let me know.


Go Panthers!!!!

Great idea!!!

great idea

I have a story on par with your topic. I took a trip to Tampa this past summer and was flying out of Indy. I was wearing my sons practice pack t-shirt from 2007 that has Reitz football on the front and DIG DEEP on the back. While I was waiting for the shuttle in the Indy airport parking lot a woman came up and asked if I was from Evansville Reitz. Later that day when I walked into the lobby of my hotel in downtown Tampa, a guy walked up to me and asked the same question!!!! The Nation is recognized all over!!

I also have a similar one. A few years back we went to Chciago the last year of the old Comiskey Park and my brother was wearing his class jacket. As we were leaving the game someone behind us said "Hey, we beat you at state". We started talking and had a pretty good conversation. They guy was from Portage and referring to the game back in the 70's. It really is a small world.

I'll go first - how about this one in Rocky Mountain National Park

Click to view attachment

VERY COOL!!! Thanks for posting it!


I didn't say that very well in my first post, but that's what I had in mind. I think it would be neat to see photos of folks wearing Reitz shirts all over the country. If you happen to be traveling over the Holidays, remember to take a Reitz shirt and a camera.

I know some Reitz fans are in the are in the armed forces. If you have the opportunity to take a photo - even if you don't have a Reitz shirt or jacket, I would be honored to see your image here.

Where am I going with this? If we can get enough photos maybe we can make a collage to post online.

This is a fantastic idea. I would even suggest if someone outside of Evansville did not have a Reitz T-shirt or hat to wear for the photo, they could hold up a hand-made sign saying "Go Reitz" or "Go Panthers" or "Go Reitz from the class of . . ." whatever they wanted to say.

If you post a photo or send one to 300two8 be sure and state where in the USA (or the world) the photo was taken. If you are from Evansville and travel somewhere and want to take a photo at that location, that would also be an interesting photo. Perhaps try to have the photo taken in front of a well-known landmark. Evansville Living Magazine does this. You'll see photos in the magazine of people standing in front of the Eiffel Tower holding an Evansville Living Magazine.

So whether a Reitz T-shirt, hat, or hand-made sign, send in the photos and we'll get them on the forum.

After this post starts moving down the page, I will pin the post so it stays at the top if we get any interest.

To 300two8: Great idea. If you get photos, post them here or send them to me at mike@mikewhicker.com and I will be glad to post them.

Mike Whicker (Valhalla)

That is one good looking family!!!

I agree completely. It would be great to see images of Reitz fans from across the nation or even other parts of the world. So grab your cameras, start taking photos and send them to Coach Whicker or send them to me. BTW, my email addy is leatherland@hotmail.com.

Super fantastic idea Scott!!! We lived in St. Augustine, FL for 5 years and were Pedro Menendez Falcons (fear the bird) for a year, but we are lifetime members of Reitz Nation. Unfortunately, I don't think we have any pictures of us with Reitz gear on, but we met several people from Evansville while we lived there and they always asked us either what side of town we lived on or what school we went to. One of the reasons we came back to Evansville was so our sons could be a part of the Reitz tradition. This spring our oldest will become a 4th generation graduate!

I always felt like you could look out and see the world from the top of The Hill, and just maybe we can!!

It has been almost 10 months since I posted the original message in this thread. This is just a reminder that the original offer still applies. In fact, I need to take my own suggestion and post my photo too.

Anyway, I encourage everyone who identifies themselves as members of the Reitz Nation to send me or Coach Whicker photos of themselves, their friends and family to add to an online photo album. Put on your favorite Reitz sweatshirts, jackets, paint your faces blue and gray, or create your own unique fashion statement!

You can post your photos here in this thread, or you can send them to me at saleatherland@hotmail.com - or - send them to Coach Whicker at mike@mikewhicker.com.


Also - (just an FYI) I am going to look through everyone's profiles and copy down their location. Then I'll plot the locations on a map and post it on the message board so we can see the distribution of the Reitz Nation.




GO PANTHERS!!!