I’m probably in the minority in saying I’m fine with our tailgate scene. People romanticize the idea of 60,000 people all parked in a big open field drinking and eating together, but the reality is somewhat different. At least at the schools I’ve been to.
I’ve been to a few games at PSU. You’re parked in a huge field. If it’s rained in the last week you’re going to have mud up to your knees. If it’s rained in the last day you need to be careful driving in and out to be sure you don’t slide sideways down the hill into another car. You also have zero ability to choose your own spot, so if you don’t arrive with your friends you won’t be parked with them.
I’ve been to NC State. Big open field. Everybody gets as ripped as they can since there’s no beer inside. Well, that and the fan base has a lot of people that probably polish off pints of whiskey in the morning even without football. Two guys got shot and killed in the parking lot at one of the games I went to. That kind of put a damper on the day.
I’ve also been to Ohio State, UNC, Maryland, and Pitt. They all have their issues too.
Our lots are spread out and smaller, but I’ve met a lot of the people that tailgate around me and it’s the same people most of the time. It’s not so crazy or so dangerous that you can’t bring kids. People know they can get beer inside, so they aren’t slamming fifths of liquor or shoving airplane bottles into their undergarments before going inside. I don’t need mud tires and 4L on my SUV to get in or out. I haven’t seen a drunken altercation lead to gunplay.
Our scene is a little more laid back, but I’m okay with this.
I’ve been to a few games at PSU. You’re parked in a huge field. If it’s rained in the last week you’re going to have mud up to your knees. If it’s rained in the last day you need to be careful driving in and out to be sure you don’t slide sideways down the hill into another car. You also have zero ability to choose your own spot, so if you don’t arrive with your friends you won’t be parked with them.
I’ve been to NC State. Big open field. Everybody gets as ripped as they can since there’s no beer inside. Well, that and the fan base has a lot of people that probably polish off pints of whiskey in the morning even without football. Two guys got shot and killed in the parking lot at one of the games I went to. That kind of put a damper on the day.
I’ve also been to Ohio State, UNC, Maryland, and Pitt. They all have their issues too.
Our lots are spread out and smaller, but I’ve met a lot of the people that tailgate around me and it’s the same people most of the time. It’s not so crazy or so dangerous that you can’t bring kids. People know they can get beer inside, so they aren’t slamming fifths of liquor or shoving airplane bottles into their undergarments before going inside. I don’t need mud tires and 4L on my SUV to get in or out. I haven’t seen a drunken altercation lead to gunplay.
Our scene is a little more laid back, but I’m okay with this.