By Zenya Molnar, Contributing Writer
Hudson – To say that Hudson resident Shawn Gogan is a mere fan of the New England Patriots is an understatement. His car is unmistakable with its Patriots helmet bumper sticker and NFL Patriots license plate. Gogan, wearing a Patriots hat, sweatshirt and shorts, explained that he has been to over 236 Patriots games and has not missed one that he has wanted to attend in 12 years.
Gogan does not take tailgating lightly. The organizer of an officially recognized Patriots fan club, Gogan plans intricate menus for every game, cooks everything, and sets up the equipment, including canopies, a generator, grills, and TVs for the late games. He even supplies club members with laminated membership cards.
A unique aspect of Gogan’s tailgates is his themed menus for each game, which he can trace back seven years in a binder. Gogan shares the menu and the accompanying alcoholic drink with the club before the game, and after the event emails everyone a photograph of the group and memorable notes from the tailgate. His menus are so popular that he self-published a cookbook with a collection of his menus and game notes.
Gogan said that he is excited for this season’s games against the Cleveland Browns and the
Pittsburgh Steelers because he has not made food related to the cities in a while. For the Pittsburgh game, Gogan plans to serve a specialty called the Primanti Brothers sandwich, which is stuffed with deli meat, coleslaw, and French fries. Gogan explained that the origin of the sandwich comes from coal miners who desired to have a meal in one sandwich.
He especially enjoys trying regional dishes.
“I’m a wicked foodie like that. I love the fact that I can go find something that I’ve never had before,” Gogan said. He emphasized that he wants to make the experience interesting and fun, so he does not serve just burgers and hotdogs.
Gogan, who grew up in Marlborough, started watching the Patriots when he was a student at Bryant University in Rhode Island where the team practiced in the summer. Curiously enough, he played soccer, not football, in high school, which he now coaches. Gogan has been attending games since 1992 and officially created the group after the new Patriots stadium opened in 2002. He said the club has “slowly morphed into a big monstrosity of a tailgate.” Sixteen members form the core group go to every game, Gogan said, and there are over 184 members of the fan club.
New Englanders are not the only members of the tailgate. Gogan said that he has had fans come from Canada, Hong Kong, and other U.S. states and that people tend to find him.
According to Gogan, one of the benefits of registered fan clubs is that they provide networks for spectators across the country. One time, he tailgated at a Patriots game in Philadelphia with a group that he found through the Philadelphia fan club registry.
“You go and at least you have some protection maybe,” Gogan said with a laugh.
Gogan described the personality of his tailgating group as a mix, although the one thing they have in common is that they are all “totally into the game.”
“More than half of the experience is going to the tailgate,” he noted. “The game is almost like an afterthought.”
He said that when everyone tailgates, it does not matter who you are or where you come from.
“We’re all there having a blast,” said Gogan.
For Gogan, who has attended two Super Bowls in New Orleans and the inaugural game at the Patriots’ new stadium, particular tailgates are notable.
“Home playoff games are the coolest ones because there’s been such a buildup the whole year,” he said.
In terms of food, Gogan said it is a “special day” because he takes requests and cooks the best meals they have made.
Gogan likes the camaraderie of tailgating.
“It keeps me young I guess,” he said.