A Sea Of Red

This was mentioned in a thread by LUconn earlier, but I didn't pay much attention to it until I drove by it and later walked by it. They have completely taken away where we tailgated last year. It's now pretty much a sidewalk completely. It also took a large chunk out of where we tailgated the spring game. As many of you know, Stevie Ray's dad has asked us to move down by him to tailgate.

We're at a point where this could be a dilemma. We love our tailgating, and we're the biggest group that tailgates. As we could tell from the spring game, our tailgates are growing, big time. We had around 35 people or so for the spring game, not counting people just stopping by and saying hey. Add to that HBurgFlame and his family that are sometimes there, and others from out of state that come for fall games, along with the people we add once the season starts, and we need quite a bit of room. This year we're also likely to get visitors from Coastal and maybe even Presby so we need room for them as well.

That brings me to my point: where do we tailgate this year? Here are the four options that I know of, and a few things about each one:

1) Last year's spot: Everyone knows where it is at. We're comfortable there. The sidewalk took away 75% of the grass. We also have to reserve spots in advance to tailgate there.

2) Spring game spot: It was bigger. We had a lot of room, but Jeff Barber's family wasn't there which would take up part of the room. We don't have to reserve a spot to tailgate there, and most people who drive on campus will see us.

3) Stevie Ray's dad: It puts the two biggest tailgating groups right next to each other. Most people on campus will see us. It's easy to get to, and doesn't require reserving a spot, but cars have to have a Flame Level pass to park up there. There are two separate pieces of grass that we could use.

4) LaHaye Ice Center: This is the one we've never talked about. W&M tailgated there for homecoming and it seemed like a great spot. There's a ton of grass, and everyone that comes in will drive past us. The only problem is it's a longer walk to the stadium and everyone that isn't a student has to walk across the stadium. That could be a drawback for some people (it may be a shorter walk for students, I'm not sure).


We're four weeks out, so we have time to discuss this and decide on it before we start planning the actual tailgate for the first game.

Super, I've been thinking about this very topic for several days, and I've considered other options. Have you looked at the right side of DeMoss? There are small trees there and lots of grass between the building and the sidewalk. That might be a location worth looking into. Or, maybe the grassy area behind the Religion building would be an option for you.

Dr. Cider, those would be good places to tailgate, especially if we were doing a basketball game. However, it's a much longer walk to Williams Stadium than the others, meaning you would have to stop tailgating even sooner. Also, because of their spots, there wouldn't be much traffic, and one of the things we like to do at the tailgates is advertise for the website, so we'd need a high traffic spot.

I'm good with options 2 or 3. Either way, man.

I'm a fan of moving down next to Mr. Lloyd. Less cars around and more room for football/hillbilly golf, etc.

Jon,

Speaking on behalf of the white shirts and red ties we'd love to be somewhere more condusive to tailgating. We're normally down 50 feet or so from you guys on the main drag, and like you guys we have to reserve our spots the week before. We out-grew that area last year, but didn't want to give up the location. The smallest group we'll have this year is 20, but I expect we'll average 30-40. We have 4-5 grills going, a couple of 6ft tables, and we like music too. We like to be close to the stadium but near other tailgaters - it makes the experience so much better. Let me know what you guys decide, and if there is space (we don't want to crowd you guys), maybe we can make the move too.

I am stoked about this season.

DW

I like the area down by the LLoyds. its close to the stadium and in a good spot and has plenty of space

JDUB wrote:I like the area down by the LLoyds. its close to the stadium and in a good spot and has plenty of space

What he said.

It seems like everyone's liking down by the Lloyds. Just remember, if we move, chances are two other groups are moving with us. I don't want to leave anyone out that would want to be around us.

It doesn't really matter to me, as long as there is enough space for all of us. I really enjoyed where we were last year, but if most of the grass is gone, then I wouldn't want to go back there. I do like being on University Dr somewhere, so perhaps by the Lloyd's.

We want to maintain visibility in addition to funtionality. But based on the variables mentioned above maybe this would be in the best interests. But i'd be curious to hear the insights of some of our other tailgate organizers like smoothie & GMTM.

Sly Fox wrote:We want to maintain visibility in addition to funtionality. But based on the variables mentioned above maybe this would be in the best interests. But i'd be curious to hear the insights of some of our other tailgate organizers like smoothie & GMTM.

So, we not good enough for ya?

You're great.

I just want to make sure we receive input from all of those who pour their heart & souls into these events.

Sly Fox wrote:You're great.

I just want to make sure we receive input from all of those who pour their heart & souls into these events.

I'm there every time we have a tailgate party. (Just jerking your chain Sly).

In talking to Stevie Ray's dad earlier today at practice, I'm thinking moving by him is best. He has a huge pull behind grill that he said can cook up to 50 burgers at once. He also has friends with a motor home that are bringing it and it has satellite tv that we could watch. Add that to my car with the tv/PS2 combo and we'll have a crap load of stuff to do. We'd have to find a place for Hillbilly Golf, but oh well. Madmat's bringing a Corn Hole set with him so that's another thing we could have to do. We'll just pack the parking lot like crazy up through there.


Edited to clear up confusion:

I'm not meaning Mr. Lloyd will cook for us. I was only mentioning his grill to illustrate what we would be moving next to if we moved down there. They always have a good amount of people, and they seem to be just as serious about tailgating as we are. I mentioned that to talk about the atmosphere around his tailgate. Sorry if there was any confusion.

I like the motor home idea (I'd love to see a parking lot full of RVs at LU like I've seen at Florida State and Marshall). With 3000+ acres of campus, I wish we could devote a few acres for a nearby campground.

With the price of gas where it is now, dealerships are practically trtying to give RVs away right now since they are so expensive to operate. But I admit that would be extremely cool to see.

I've got a pop-up camper that I like to use every chance I get. In fact, I'm taking it out tomorrow night, before faculty orientation the next day.

We've got a pull-behind that we've been trying to sell for two years.

SuperJon wrote:In talking to Stevie Ray's dad earlier today at practice, I'm thinking moving by him is best. He has a huge pull behind grill that he said can cook up to 50 burgers at once. He also has friends with a motor home that are bringing it and it has satellite tv that we could watch. Add that to my car with the tv/PS2 combo and we'll have a crap load of stuff to do. We'd have to find a place for Hillbilly Golf, but oh well. Madmat's bringing a Corn Hole set with him so that's another thing we could have to do. We'll just pack the parking lot like crazy up through there.

Get ready for Madden 08! Also SJ I still owe you a couple of royal but whippins in baseball on PS2

sounds like SJ has it all mapped out. have at it. i hope you asked mr. lloyd if he knew he had to cook for a bunch more people or were their any offerings to help out financially?

I agree Smoothie...I am sure Mr. Lloyd wants another 50-60 to have to deal with....

I suggest that we set up a fishbowl where donations for a set amount of money (perhaps $5) can be given to cover the cost of food. Its unfair for anyone to footing the bill for everyone else to eat. And just a small donation shouldn't be enough to turn anyone away.

I have no problem with that...but some people don't always pony when it's time to pony up...they talk alot but don't really contribute much $$$$...I remember how the Spring Game was....

For what it's worth, I'm okay with some of us alumni and older fans pitching in to feed the current students. I remember what my wallet was like when I was in school.