[dwhite]

I just want to throw this out there...partly cause I'm a little ticked, and partly because I care nothing about UT or LSU, and since my Noles won I have nothing else to do.

Today, there was a tailgating competition among the students. The prize, as advertised, was to be $250 awarded in two categories. This story is sad for a few reasons. One, because there were no more than 3 group competing for the prize; Two, because it took a prize to get groups out there; and Three, because my group didn't win.

I love to hear LU students complain about "the atmosphere" of gamedays and then when asked if they are coming to the game..."uh, well, maybe" or "it's so early". I can't stand someone who won't do their part to make things better...especially if they complain at the same time.

We have tailgated at every home game, and traveled to both Wake and Towson for those games. We do it because we love football, love our school, and want to see traditions created. Other than homecoming (which I think I might have seen 4 other groups) we have been the only group out each week. I know it's wishful thinking, but man I'd like to see our students (my peers) get out and support our team.

Lastly, for any of you who saw our group today, you know we had a lock on the win, but for some reason (still scratching head) we didn't win it. We had music, tables and chairs, football, atmosphere, decorations, and food (steak, lamb chops, hot dogs, brats, hot wings, and hamburgers) that was out of this world. Based on the criteria...we nailed it. The group next to us however, had a lot of posters, balloons, and more people....so I guess that's what the judges were looking for. We were going to use the $250 to buy a grill as we've had to borrow a different grill each week.

I digress, we'll be out there again next week...doing what we do, even though there won't be a cash prize simply because we love it. And so regardless of what happened today, and the frustration that comes from it...we will be there next week and next year, because our prize is seeing LU football climb to the next level...and I think we've definitely seen that happen this year.

Thanks for letting me stand on the soapbox for a while, feel free to come say hello next weekend. Look for the horseshoes, listen for the music, and follow the smell of good food - that's where we'll be.

D.WHITE

[Sly Fox]

Hey, did you guys have fun? Did you get yourselves juiced up for the game? Then who cares what a judge thought?

Keep up the passion and we need to organize so we have our tailgates next to each other.

[SuperJon]

Sly, I understand why he's ticked off. I talked to him afterwards. It's a complete joke his group didn't win (FSN, sorry, I know you were a judge).

This group has been to 7 of the 9 games. They've tailgated in the rain. They've tailgated at away games. They deserve a little credit instead of some dorm that decides to wake up one morning and tailgate. It takes a lot for students to be able to tailgate really good. Most of us can't afford good grills and things like that.

Dallas, one thing I will say is I know a lot of student tailgate at LaHaye. That seems to have been a spot that a lot of them (especially off campus kids) have moved to since it's where they're allowed to park.

[dwhite]

Jon,

We're in 27-30 next week...so talk to Heather about passes...maybe get like 26 or something.

Sly,

I did have fun, I did get "juiced", but I was just commenting on the dissapointment. The last few lines of my first post pretty much summed it up. It hurt, but we weren't out there for the money. So in the end it wasn't a big deal.

I would liked to have win the 55" SONY though...dang.

[SuperJon]

We'll probably be in 15 just like every other week.

[madmat]

The tailgating was a blast. Loved seeing dorms competing. Loved seeing the flamefan.com tent, and meeting you guys in person. Great hearing about the prank before, seeing it in action, and revelling in it at the post tail gate. Coaches tailgated next to us afterwards, and players and med staff joined in afterward. We stayed until the last ember of our BBQ pit expired, with the moon rising over the mountain. We're back at it again. The university should have the parents and alumni enter into a competition as well. Good time, good people. (And winning the game helps a little too!)

[SuperJon]

I did think it was really cool to see some players and coaches out in the parking lot after the game. Jeff Barber's family generally tailgates a couple spots down from us.

[bigsmooth]

dwhite, i agree you got robbed, but im glad you guys are showing the support. it is groups like yours that are the heart and soul of the student body....however nothing beats the flamefans.com tailgate.

[dwhite]

Here's what I am excited about - this Saturday we plan on having 30+ people at our tailgate. We'll have 5 spots, 3 grills, horseshoes, music, and football...possibly even a little PS2 NCAA football. Drop by and throw a 'shoe, sample the wings, and introduce yourself to the up-and-comer behind the grill. It's a new day in LU athletics, we want to make it known that we were among the first to climb on board. Go Flames!

[Sly Fox]

You are oje of us now, so you have that going for you as well.

[SuperJon]

I've wanted to pull the XBox playing off the entire year but don't have the converter or anything. I think Smoothie mentioned bring the PVC Pipe horseshoes game.

[bigsmooth]

great job dwhite! i will have to stop by.

[dwhite]

okay...so one more thing to be excited about:

I was playing tennis yesterday evening with some friends, and my phone begin to ring. I am super competitive, so it's rare that I'd even give it a second thought, but I did, and jogged over to see who was calling. I noticed it was a LB number, so I answered to the greeting, "Hello, may I please speak to Mr. Dallas White." I told the man calling that I was he, and he began, "Mr. White were you and some of your dormmates participants in the Tailgating Competion this past Saturday?" "Yes sir" I replied. Well, I am Kevin Keys, Marketing Director in the Athletic Department and I wanted to ask you a quick question." "Sure, no problem" I responded. "Were you the ones who posted on FlameFans.com that you were going to use the prize money to buy a grill?" Again I responded, "yes sir....we just thought we had a lock on the competition. We're out there almost every week, and we were just a little dissappointed. After the game though we went back out there and tailgated for another hour or two, and all of us just came to the conclusion that we are out here for the fun of it anyway...so it wasn't a big deal." Mr Keys then says, "Well I may have some good news...we'd like to give you $150 for a grill as our way to say thank you for all you guys have done this season. On top of that, we'd like to present that check to you in Convocation this week on stage, as our way of saying thanks."

I lost it man...I threw my racquet up in the air and just couldn't believe it. It's one thing to ask students to participate and offer prizes to those who do, but for the AD to give a group of guys a grill is putting money where the mouth is. It's a clear sign that they REALLY are trying to change things around here, and as for me, EAST 15, and all of the other tailgaters this benefits, we wanted to say a public thank you to Jeff Barber (AD), Bob Good, and Kevin Keys for everything they've done this season. We'd also like to publicly thank Heather Emeric who has helped us each week get the spots we need to pull of our tailgate. Everyone in the ticket office and AD's office has been incredibly helpful and hospitable this season, and we are grateful.

So now, you all definitely need to come by and sample some great food off of our new grill!

Thank you again Liberty Athletics!

DWHITE

[SuperJon]

That's our marketing department stepping up huge. That is completely awesome. Major kudos to that entire department down there in the Vines.

[Sly Fox]

That's a terrific story. Glad to see both our Athletic Department investing in the gameday experience in a practical sense and for them lurking here on our board.

Its a win-win for everybody.

[LUconn]

man, that is very cool. That just shows you how far whining on a messageboard will get you. And they call us dorks... But seriously way to go marketing department.

[jcmanson]

That's some great news to hear. Congratulations!

I could tell that Barber would be a great hire ever since I was at the Mid night madness we had over home coming weekend. When the cheerleaders and players kept throwing out t-shirts, there was one kid sitting near me who was going crazy for one. He never got one. So, he sat down and was mumbling something under his breathe. Barber was sitting right in front of him, and very nonchalantly (sp?) got up went down on the court, got a shirt, and gave it to the kid, saying "I've never seen anyone want a shirt as bad as you, there you go." He definitely is trying to turn the entire student body's perception of the athletic department around. So far so good.

[A.G.]

What a great story. Congratulations--hopefully your enthusiasm will become infectious. Between your group and SJ, "It only takes a spark, to get a fire going."

[SuperJon]

His group and my group were the ones that did the L-U call and answer last week.

[bigsmooth]

congrats dwhite. if that is not enough for the haters to come out and support the team, i do not know what will sway you. it is also good that the athletic dept is reading our site and taking action!

[PAmedic]

I'll join the other alum on here in saying again how great it is to see this remarkable turn around in attitude on the part of AD's office. I'm sure everyone over there has been trying hard for years, but to see the obvious effort being put out there in the public eye to increase VISIBLE, tangible FAN support is just fantastic.

Kudos to Barber, Keys, Good and all the others working hard OFF the field to turn Liberty Athletics around.

[givemethemic]

I have said it numerous times, but we have all the right pieces put together right now and they have done a great job, as we continue to grow this is the group that will take us to the next level!!!

[fsn32]