ELYSBURG - What do you get for the New York Giants fan who has everything?
How about tickets to the Super Bowl so he can watch history repeat itself?
"We want to celebrate another big victory. I want it to be 'déjà blue'," Ken "Shockey" Horvath said Monday night at Spectrum Technologies, Elysburg.
This Sunday at Super Bowl XLVI, it's the Giants battling the New England Patriots in Indianapolis, a rematch of sorts from 2008 when the Giants came out on top.
The Elysburg businessman, co-owner of Spectrum Technologies, will be traveling to Indiana to attend his first Super Bowl.
Horvath and his wife, Pam, and their sons, Seth, 15, and Noah, 13, are leaving for the big game Thursday, and he joked that he's not sure whether they'll all come back - Pam and Noah are Patriot fans. Seth, usually a Philadelphia Eagles fan, has put his support behind the Giants for one game.
"We're a family divided," he said. "Noah is looking for some revenge after the last game (in 2008)."
Fan is an understatement
To say Horvath is a Giants fan is an understatement.
First of all, his nickname is a tribute to former Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.
Horvath has attended a plethora of games, celebrated in the New York City parade when the team won in 2008 and has met nearly every current player and many past players.
In his Elysburg business, there's an entire hallway dedicated to the Giants, housing dozens of framed photographs of him and Giants players, wall graphics of Eli Manning, Phil Simms and Lawrence Taylor, numerous banners and signs and countless figurines and helmets.
His office is decked out in Giant style, including a set of red and blue bleacher seats and framed turf from the former Giants stadium.
And that's not even counting what's at his home.
"It's priceless. I wouldn't sell any of it no matter the offer," he said.
Despite his ardent support, he has never seen his favorite team play in the mother of all football games.
Determined to attend this year, Horvath purchased the tickets and booked the hotel rooms weeks before the Giants won the NFC title, just in case.
"I took a chance and it all worked out. I might have willed them to win," he said.
'Once in a lifetime'
John Spandra, of Elysburg, and his daughter, Kylie, 16, purchased their Super Bowl tickets as soon as the Giants beat San Francisco on Jan. 22.
The price, several thousand dollars, was worth it, Kylie said.
"We get to share this experience together forever. That's not something you can put a price on," she said.
Horvath echoed her words.
"It's going to be a once in a lifetime experience," he said, and then added jokingly, "and I don't mind that I'm spending my kids' college funds."
Spandra has been a fan for nearly 50 years, and after 25 years on a waiting list, he finally scored season tickets in 2002. Kylie started going to games with her father at age seven and has been to more than 50 games to date. A room in the basement of their house is a testament to their dedication.
"It's a sickness. Once you're a Giants fan, you're always a Giants fan," Spandra said.
The father and daughter duo are leaving Friday for Indiana.
Spectrum employee and fellow Giants fanatic Debbie Evans, of Kulpmont, fit right in with Horvath when she was hired seven years ago. Having just moved from New Jersey, she inadvertently wore a Giants necklace to her interview. Horvath noticed and they instantly clicked.
A year after she was hired, she and her husband's Mount Carmel home was destroyed by a fire, and she lost that necklace as well as a seat cushion from the Giant stadium and a Wheaties box with the Giants on the front. They were able to find replacements for all but the necklace.
Evans will be enjoying the game from the comfort of her home. "There are no long lines to the ladies bathroom and we will have any food we want," she said.
Hometown guy
Newly added to Horvath's collection is a special section of various articles, framed photographs and jerseys focused on Henry Hynoski, the 23-year-old Southern Columbia Area graduate who signed as free agent with the Giants over the summer.
"It's been great," Spandra said. "Our hometown guy playing for our beloved Giants."
Horvath noted how the community has rallied behind Hynoski.
"Hard work and dedication allow him to be a great role model for the NFL and the local athletes. You can get to that level if you put in the time and hard work," he said.
Hynoski wasn't drafted, waited three months during the NFL lockout and finally signed a free agent contract with the Giants in July. He went on to have a successful season with the team, and it would be a great way to end it all by bringing home a championship ring, Horvath said.
"It doesn't get any better than that," he said.
Their predictions
- Ken Horvath, 34-31 Giants
- John Spandra, 24-20 Giants
- Kylie Spandra, 28-24 Giants
- Emma Evans, 24-17 Giants