CMU's new tailgating procedures killed the Kelly/Shorts Stadium pregame atmosphere
The result of CMU’s new tailgating policy can be described as nothing more than a disaster.
Instead of the vibrant pregame atmosphere we have grown accustomed to over the years at Lot 63, students and fans instead were treated to a barricaded and nearly lifeless tailgating crowd Saturday south of Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
More than half of Lot 63 was empty. Half the students who did make it protested the new rules with signs and chants. Many others felt uncomfortable with an excessive number of police and guards standing around, watching their every move.
The food vendors, new for this year’s tailgate, saw virtually no business. A live band played music, but the DJ south of it drowned the sound out.
The rules, which included a six-beer limit, a ban on external sound systems and increased security, were supposed to promote a safer, improved gameday environment. Instead, they effectively destroyed CMU tailgating.
In previous years, CMU was acclaimed among Mid-American Conference schools for its gameday atmosphere. Many publications voted it the best of the conference, and some even said it rivaled those of bigger schools.
Wave goodbye to those days. Even if it had to do with playing Alcorn State, which CMU beat 48-0 in front of 18,323 fans, and not a MAC opponent, the experience leading up to it was dismal and did nothing to improve game attendance.
The most successful tailgating movement Saturday took place several blocks away. Greek organizations and hundreds of other students participated in pregame celebration on Main Street in protest of the new rules.
We applaud their efforts in having fun and standing up against a policy that may have been well-intentioned, but enforces unnecessary restrictions.
Bring it back
We understand the concerns of the Athletics Department in looking for ways to make tailgate safer and more enjoyable for everybody. But a rethinking of this “new” policy is in order.
Barring minor incidents, there was never a serious problem with CMU tailgating in previous years. Lot 63 was never even close to turning into a riot and should never be compared to that of the infamous “End of the World” parties of the late 1980s.
Worried about intoxication, fights and broken glass? Join the club. Those things happen on every campus tailgate, in every bar and at every house party.
Get rid of the alcohol limits, the grill size limit, the pedestrian checkpoints and the ban on external sound systems. All are silly restrictions which, believe it or not, have little effect on maintaining order among students. If they can’t drink alcohol in peace on Lot 63, they will drink it somewhere else (Main Street) and take a longer, dangerous walk (or drive) to Kelly/Shorts.
Keep the good ideas in the policy, such as the emergency lane, the extra number of restrooms and the vendors. Each of those addressed true shortcomings and can enhance the pregame experience south of the stadium.
But most of all, bring tailgating back toward the way it once was. The committee can start by listening to the students, something it should have done in the first place.
Give them a reason to come to Lot 63. Arrest the few that fall out of line, but let the rest have a good time.
