Tailgating changes cause mixed emotions
Patrick Haynes
Issue date: 9/9/09 Section: News
A favorite pastime on Western Illinois University's campus will be undergoing some changes this year. The tailgating pre-game activities before each home football game will be moved to a new location to address some concerns regarding events after last season.
Tailgating will now be moved to Q-Lot primarily, as well as several spots in Lots N and M. A spot will also be reserved for non-alcoholic tailgating activities in Lot M.
"The pit was getting too crowded and we were afraid that something bad was bound to happen. And from an academic side, the mass drinking isn't something that we want to portray as a university," said Garry Johnson, Vice President for Student Services.
The changes were put into action after the conclusion of last year's football season.
"We got a lot of complaints about tailgating last year, so we talked to Dwaine Roche and others and put together a committee to come up with a plan," Johnson said.
According to Roche, the Chair of the Tailgating Committee as well as the Associate Athletics director, the committee consisted of students, administration, athletic club members, local business owners and campus leaders.
Safety, apart from drinking, was also a concern of Johnson's.
"A lot of effort goes into providing for the tailgating experience, and we are just trying to protect those who participate," Johnson said.
"Binge drinking is a national problem on college campuses, and we were getting beat up with complaints about the pit," Roche said. "You can participate, eat and have fun. Alcohol isn't the basis for tailgating."
One other change in tailgating this year is a required parking permit specifically for tailgating. These permits are for two parking spots, one for a vehicle and another for grills and coolers.
"We want you to go to the game afterwards. Some people weren't coming to the game. This may not be for people who binge drink. This is about responsibility," Roche said.
Roche also believes this will help increase attendance for tailgating. "I think it'll take time to get acclimated and adjusted to the changes, but I think it'll happen. There's more room available, and I think people will enjoy having the conventional tailgating experience."
Matt Fischer, sophomore broadcasting major, looks forward to tailgating regardless of the changes.
"I always look forward to tailgating. It's the best part of the game. Hanging out with friends before and then having fun at the game is the best," Fischer said. "Once word spreads more to students I think we'll see if they'll see it as a good thing or not."
Roche and Johnson both believe that the changes are beneficial to everyone who will attend tailgating this year.
"We didn't make these changes to make things worse. We made these changes to make tailgating better and more enjoyable for everyone who chooses to participate," Roche said.
Tailgating will now be moved to Q-Lot primarily, as well as several spots in Lots N and M. A spot will also be reserved for non-alcoholic tailgating activities in Lot M.
"The pit was getting too crowded and we were afraid that something bad was bound to happen. And from an academic side, the mass drinking isn't something that we want to portray as a university," said Garry Johnson, Vice President for Student Services.
The changes were put into action after the conclusion of last year's football season.
"We got a lot of complaints about tailgating last year, so we talked to Dwaine Roche and others and put together a committee to come up with a plan," Johnson said.
According to Roche, the Chair of the Tailgating Committee as well as the Associate Athletics director, the committee consisted of students, administration, athletic club members, local business owners and campus leaders.
Safety, apart from drinking, was also a concern of Johnson's.
"A lot of effort goes into providing for the tailgating experience, and we are just trying to protect those who participate," Johnson said.
"Binge drinking is a national problem on college campuses, and we were getting beat up with complaints about the pit," Roche said. "You can participate, eat and have fun. Alcohol isn't the basis for tailgating."
One other change in tailgating this year is a required parking permit specifically for tailgating. These permits are for two parking spots, one for a vehicle and another for grills and coolers.
"We want you to go to the game afterwards. Some people weren't coming to the game. This may not be for people who binge drink. This is about responsibility," Roche said.
Roche also believes this will help increase attendance for tailgating. "I think it'll take time to get acclimated and adjusted to the changes, but I think it'll happen. There's more room available, and I think people will enjoy having the conventional tailgating experience."
Matt Fischer, sophomore broadcasting major, looks forward to tailgating regardless of the changes.
"I always look forward to tailgating. It's the best part of the game. Hanging out with friends before and then having fun at the game is the best," Fischer said. "Once word spreads more to students I think we'll see if they'll see it as a good thing or not."
Roche and Johnson both believe that the changes are beneficial to everyone who will attend tailgating this year.
"We didn't make these changes to make things worse. We made these changes to make tailgating better and more enjoyable for everyone who chooses to participate," Roche said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 13
Jill Helmer
posted 9/09/09 @ 10:13 PM CST
This is so disappointing. Tailgating was one of the BEST times at Western. Kind of a pathetic attempt to keep kids from drinking, which is completely impossible, and not going to happen, no matter how many fun things the administration takes away. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 9/10/09 @ 12:37 AM CST
As a proud alum myself, it's sad to see ignorant comments coming from former students. Keeping kids from drinking when they're not 21 is upholding state law--not the administration's attempt to take away or "kill all the fun. (Continued…)
AJD
posted 9/10/09 @ 2:10 AM CST
I agree, Steve. The first commenter shows immaturity and shows what a problem there is at WIU if he equates all "fun" with getting smashed. How would it be if we said "well, people are going to kill people, there's nothing you can do about it, so let's just not do anything?" I know that's a bit more extreme than underage drinking, but the same principle. (Continued…)
Zach
posted 9/10/09 @ 8:14 AM CST
Let college kids have fun. As a Western Alum, I'm sad to see that this is happening. I had a lot of fun in college....most of it involved partying with my friends (yes, we did "binge drink" at tailgate). (Continued…)
Nick
posted 9/12/09 @ 3:40 PM CST
Does the article actually say that they are eliminating the alcohol at Tailgating? The article that I read said that it was being moved from the pit to Q lot because of space concerns and it also specifically mentions that "A spot will also be reserved for non-alcoholic tailgating activities in Lot M. (Continued…)
Alec
posted 9/15/09 @ 3:37 AM CST
hmmm...this is a huge step backwards for the university...first off your going to put drunken college students closer to the away team in a much more open space. (Continued…)
dilly
dilly
posted 9/16/09 @ 10:09 AM CST
Bravo Adam! If most readers look past the argument of alcohol and fully understand that the point being made here is charging more money. Factors like the freshman enrollment being down would lead some to believe that the school is looking for more resources of income. (Continued…)
Dr. M.C.W. Scurlock
posted 9/25/09 @ 1:30 PM CST
Under the administration of Pres. Donald Spencer, tailgating was abolished so this is better than nothing, I guess. I do not know many details at all. (Continued…)
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