Don't bother calling Lee and Ann Shepherd on Friday nights during football season. They won't be home.

The Rapid City couple, along with their friends Mike and Terry Brouillette, will be at the same place they've been for nearly 30 years - on the ramp at O'Harra Stadium.

"It's the place to be on Friday nights," Ann Shepherd said.

The ramp, located at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology stadium, is believed to be the only such drive-in stadium in the country.

Carved into the hillside across from the stadium seats, the ramp stretches the length of the field. Cars overlook the field in three levels: A, B and C. There's room for about 325 vehicles.

The ramps are so unusual that the sports channel ESPN featured O'Harra in November 2006. The segment ran twice. "From what I know, we are the only drive-in football stadium in America," said Tom Rudebusch of School of Mines.

During football season, School of Mines, Central and Stevens high schools and occasionally St. Thomas More use O'Harra Stadium for games. Whichever school is hosting the game rents the ramp spots to their fans.

Spots on the ramp are rented for the entire season. For instance, ramp rent for a School of Mines football season is $55 for a spot on the 50-yard line. The price goes down for less desirable spots.

The Shepherds began renting a ramp spot 28 years ago. Today, with their kids graduated and gone, they still keep their spot, A49. "We bought them before they were even born," Ann said. "We just love football."

Both the Shepherds and the Brouillettes buy a season ramp pass for both Central and Stevens home games, even through their children went to Stevens.

Mike Brouillette, a coach at North Middle School, likes to keep tabs on kids he's coached as they go on to high school, said his wife, Terry.

The couples love the tailgating aspect of the ramp, most often arriving before the games begin so they have time to socialize and eat. It's a tradition they've come to count on.

"It's where we go and our friends come and nibble and visit," said Ann. "It's a social event."

On a recent Friday night, the couples celebrated Mike Brouillette's birthday with a meal, complete with a birthday cake. "We try to be creative," said Ann of the meals. "After all these years, it gets a little harder."

Even with all of their kids now graduated and gone, both couples say they plan to continue on as they have for years. "We will keep it," said Terry. "'Till whenever."

It's become so much a part of their Friday nights they can't imagine doing anything else.

"Our kids are grown, but we're not giving ours up," Ann said. "We love football. We all love football."

Contact Lynn Taylor Rick at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.