Tailgating pumps up Aggie fans
With a little over a thousand people, the Romney Stadium parking lot was full of excitement, food, and music at the tailgate party Saturday afternoon before the football game.
Jimi Jorgenson, athletics vice president of the ASUSU Blue Crew said that the tailgate party and Aggie Fest are held in the parking lot of the stadium before every home football game.
“We have the tailgate party and all of the activities to get everyone excited for the game,” said Jorgenson.
Some of the activities that were provided by the ASUSU athletics marketing and Blue Crew included a barbecue, blow-up toys, free cotton candy, and a live band.
“There are usually more activities, like the rock climbing wall, but because of the windy conditions, we couldn’t set it up,” said Jon Beadles, a senior majoring in marketing and a member of the athletics marketing crew.
“Having these activities is a really good thing, and it gives the kids
something fun to do before the game,” said Beadles.
“We are trying to get people to get out and support Utah State,” said Trent Kemp, a junior majoring in Political Science, and a member of the Blue Crew.
The Blue Crew has started to use the tailgate parties as a way to advertise their club. They have a goal this year to get 500 people to join. Starting out yesterday with about 40 members, they ended up with an additional 30 to 40 new people that joined the Blue Crew at the tailgate party.
The Blue Crew has been around since 1996, but they haven’t been doing much the last couple of years.
“We are back this year, and we are trying to resurrect it. It is such a good way to get involved,” said Kemp. “If you join, you get a bunch of free stuff and guaranteed seating at the football and basketball games.”
The live music was provided by the emo-pop rock band Amnesty. They took the stage in the early afternoon and performed at the tailgate party, adding to the excitement of everyone getting ready for the game.
The tailgate party also allowed many local businesses to set up tents and sell or advertise their products.
Chong Park, a sophomore majoring in psychology and mass communications is a server at Ruby Tuesday. He said that the restaurant called up the school to set up the booth which he sat at selling food and drinks.
“It is our first time being at the USU tailgate party, but we are planning on doing it every other game,” said Park.
Randy Boxx from Norma Jean’s Barbecue said that the Herald Journal asked them to come the tailgate party to serve food. They came to every game last year, and are planning on being at all four home games this year as well, said Boxx.
Another local business that attended the tailgate party was the Herald Journal.
“We came to advertise and try to set up subscriptions to the paper,” said Justin Jenkins, a junior majoring in business marketing.
Aside from the companies and clubs, the parking lot was open for tailgating by anyone who wanted to. There were groups of friends, fraternities, and families doing their own tailgating.
“We are just a bunch of avid Aggie fans that get together, along with the coach and some out-of-towners to cook some Dutch oven, and have a good time,” said Juanita Kohler.
“There are usually about 30 to 40 of us each week. We come early in the morning, and make it an all day thing before the game. We usually shut down at 4 p.m. so we can get ready for the game, because that is the real reason we are here,” said Kohler.
Nate Lloyd, a freshman with an undeclared major, said that he saw sidewalk chalk on campus advertising the tailgate party and decided to come.
“I wanted to come and hang out and get ready for the game, because it is going to be a big game,” said Lloyd.
Fourteen year old Aggie fan, Joel Blackner heard about the tailgate party from his dad.
“I am glad I came, it has all been fun, but the band is my favorite part,” said Blackner.
“We are looking forward to the next home game, because we will be at the tailgate party again,” said Jorgenson, “all-in-all the day was a success, minus the scoreboard.”
-kbanks@cc.usu.edu