Cold temps, smaller tailgating turnout doesnt stop faithful

Cold weather coupled with the onset of deer season produced small yields for Saturday’s tailgating activities.

Trucks and grills were sporadically placed around Lot 62E, a lot that is usually brimming with pre-game festivities.

“I was depressed by the amount of students that didn’t show up, it doesn’t show any school pride,” said Grosse Pointe Alumnus Rob Niederoest.

Although the weather was a bit cold, Niederoest said it didn’t bother him.

“It’s Michigan, what did you expect?”

Still, some students believed the cold weather provided a showing of CMU’s most dedicated fans.

“No matter how cold it gets we’ll still be out here,” said Chris Howder, Walled Lake junior. “The people with the real pride show up religiously every Saturday. We were tailgating from 9 a.m. until the start of the game playing ‘beer pong’ and ‘flippie cup.’” “Beer pong” and “flippie cup” are drinking games.

New York senior Meg Lewis, CMU field hockey forward, said she was a bit disappointed that more people did not show up to tailgate and support the football team.

“There was nobody there I think because it was cold and it is hunting season — because Michigan people like to hunt,” she said. “Maybe they are saving it until next weekend to go all out.”

Lewis said there was a positive to a small tailgating crowd.

“It was nice because you could go to the bathroom without waiting in line,” she said.

Illinois senior Jocelyn Gates, CMU field hockey midfielder, said she was tailgating because it was the first opportunity for the team out of season.

“There was nobody out there, probably because it was cold and (Ball State) wasn’t really a big rival of ours,” she said. “Also, I think hunting season had a big impact.”

Niederoest said the success of the football team should not have an effect on the amount of people tailgating.

“It’s sad. I like to see my friends out there supporting the school and the football team, even though we’re not the greatest ... we still try,” he said.

Clinton Township junior John Tokarz also was disappointed.

“A lot more people need to show up because the amount of school spirit out there is pitiful,” he said.

Lewis, Gates, Howder, Niederoest and Tokarz and all said they will attend tailgating festivities for CMU/WMU on Saturday.

“We’re going to be at the gates at 7 (a.m.) but we don’t know if they’re going to let us in,” Howder said.