When you think about football – you probably think about tailgates. Tailgates are the tradition for the National Football League, universities and colleges all over the nation. Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) is no exception.
Students have their own expectations of what to get out of the tailgates. For some its food and drinks, as for others, it’s music and games.
“The high school I went to didn’t really have much school spirit, even though our teams were great. [At TAMUK] there’s just so much energy behind [them] whether [the team is doing] good or not. Knowing there’s a lot more people here I think [my tailgate experience] will be better. I expect a lot of music, BBQ, beef fajitas, chicken and things like that,” said Nadia Cuellar, a freshman anticipating the tailgate this weekend.
During the tailgates, campus organizations and sponsors start setting up their tents as early as 7 a.m. on game day. The tent area is not reserved for organizations but on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are only reserved areas for corporate sponsors. The sponsor for the Javelina football game this Saturday is IBC Bank.
“The game’s sponsor is IBC Bank. They’ve been a corporate sponsor for about four or five years. They’ll have the tent closest to McCulley Hall,” said Joe Biedron, the associate director for corporate sponsorship at TAMUK.
Because the tents are set up at a first-come, first-serve-basis it is possible to experience some new tents almost every tailgate.
“I don’t know who’s going to be there. It’s a first-come-first-serve basis, but we try to get every one of our home games sponsored. I only have one on the schedule that needs a sponsor as of now,” Biedron said.
Some organizations or sororities, like Chi Betas Delta, try to post up tents every tailgate.
“We get together and socialize. I think it’s cool that students and organizations come together to celebrate our school and show school spirit. I’ve never been to a tailgate anywhere else, but I think it’s [amazing] how people can just get together and have fun here,” said Jasmine Garcia, a member of the Chi Betas Delta sorority.
Some students like Garcia think the tailgates help bring people to the football games.
“I think the tailgates enhance the football games,” Garcia said.
This Saturday the Javelinas (1-2) will be hosting the Greyhounds of Eastern New Mexico University at 7 p.m. at the Javelina Stadium.
