The Official page of the Bay Area Black and Gold Club
Club Officers:
President - Wil 'Ike' Eichler
Vice President - Michael Frye
Treasurer - Lisa Perks
Secretary - Lori Perks About the Bay Area Black and Gold Club
The Bay Area Black and Gold Club has its roots in something only true Steelers fans could appreciate — three guys, a neighborhood pub, and a 1987 Mean Joe Green Hall of Fame Iron City B**r can. The two met up at a local pub called Murphy's, catching up on old times while admiring a Mean Joe Green Iron City B**r can that Dave had brought from Pittsburgh as a gift for Walt. As luck would have it, another Steelers fan in the bar, Steve Burrows, noticed the can and jumped right into the conversation. By the end of the night, the three had agreed that Briedy's Pub in Northdale would become their go-to spot to watch the Steelers play right there in Tampa. When Murphy's changed ownership at the end of that season, the newly established Bay Area Black and Gold Club decided to stay on for one more year before putting it to a vote. In 1994, the club relocated to its current home — O'Brien's Irish Pub — where it has been gathering ever since. Over the years, the Bay Area Black and Gold Club has earned recognition well beyond Tampa Bay. Both the Tampa Tribune and Pittsburgh-area news outlets have covered the club, and the Mayor of Pittsburgh even dedicated a December game to the club in recognition of its dedication to the Steelers. The club has also been featured on Steelers.com Traditions, Tampa FOX 13 News, and Tampa ABC 28 News. The club takes pride in keeping its "Pittsburgh family" connected — whether they're lifelong fans from the Steel City or Steelers faithful who found their way to the Tampa Bay area from somewhere else entirely. Founding Members
Walt "Peck" Pelc, Violet Pelc, and Steve Burrows
Current Club Officers
President — Wil "Ike" Eichler
Vice President — Michael Frye
Treasurer — Lisa Perks
Secretary — Lori Perks
Club Recognition
Steelers.com — Traditions Feature
Tampa FOX 13 News
Tampa ABC 28 News
Tampa Tribune
Mayor of Pittsburgh Game Dedication
