Big Ben's A Hit At South Fayette Assemby
Instead of his customary black and gold garb, Ben Roethlisberger was looking comfortable in a cap bearing the green and white of the South Fayette Lions.
At least for one day.
In a welcome fit for heads of state and Hollywood celebrities --and, let's face it, the position of Steelers quarterback trumps either of those vocations -- Roethlisberger visited South Fayette schools last Wednesday morning to thank students for selling Big Ben's BBQ Sauce and raising money for Ronald McDonald House charities.
Through the fundraiser, students also raised $6,834 for district and youth athletics, selling more than 4,166 bottles of barbecue sauce.
Since September 2006, students have been selling bottles in an effort to be named a top seller and have an opportunity to meet "Big Ben" and receive an autographed football.
The campus scene was one for the yearbook, as the South Fayette marching band played "Here We Go" and students craned their necks for a chance to catch a glimpse of the youngest quarterback in history to win a Super Bowl.
"This is a wonderful day for South Fayette," superintendent Linda Hippert said.
Topping the sales charts in each building were: Jessica McCarren (high school, $977), Hunter White (middle school, $410) and Kali and Trevor Kulenich (elementary), a brother and sister who sold $1,277 each.
Students who sold more than $500, including Tyler Hayes, Jessica Urksa, Alexandra Keplar, Louis Mazza, Ryan Schmider, Jacob Roth, Ben Meindl and Anthony Galioto, were also treated to a group photo with "Big Ben."
Before walking out to greet the enthusiastic student body inside the stadium, Roethlisberger said his Steeler teammates and his father --who mixes the mild and hot flavors -- enjoy his barbecue sauces.
"People may laugh, but once they try it they really enjoy it," he said.
After students received their accolades, Hippert presented Roethlisberger with a Lions cap, which he promptly put on backwards in his trademark style.
South Fayette Middle School's student council presented Roethlisberger with a $300 check for the Ronald McDonald House.
"Thank you for the hard work you've done," he told students.
After meeting the winners, "Big Ben" then answered questions from the crowd, most of them decked out in Steeler jerseys and T-shirts:
Q: What was your favorite subject in middle school?
Ben: "My favorite subject was gym....and science."
Q: How do you remember all of those plays?
Ben: "There's 290 plays. I memorize it and then I have a cheat sheet."
Q: How are the Steelers going to do under new coach Mike Tomlin?
Ben:"The team is going to do great under Tomlin. He brings a new enthusiasm to the team."
Q: Who do you admire?
B: "Anyone who's been in the league 10 years, I admire."