Penn State bans game-time tailgate parties

Washington Times ^ | 8-30-06 | UPI

[JZelle]

When the Penn State home football games kick off this season, tailgaters in the stadium parking lot get kicked out. A new rule at Beaver Stadium says there will be no tailgate parties during a game this year, an effort to increase safety and curb underage drinking, the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News says. While pre-game and post-game festivities are not affected, Penn State says there will be beefed up police security to make sure the new rule is followed, the newspaper said. Penn State was named "the Ultimate Tailgating Venue" in a 2005 Sports Illustrated.com poll.

[JZelle]

Guess they did't like being No.1 in that poll.

[Petronski]

That's an idiotic policy.

[jackieaxe]

Penn State was named "the Ultimate Tailgating Venue" in a 2005 Sports Illustrated.com poll.

don't you love how the anti-liquor Nazis used this poll as an excuse to crack down and ban fun?

[ncountylee]

Well, I still have the fond memories. The tailgate parties were awesome.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Tailgating and football are one.

This move could increase safety risks IMO.

[BurbankKarl]

I have been to some tailgates so good I dont remember them...or the game for that matter!

[ContemptofCourt]

WOW..in 4 yrs, I think I spent more time at the tailgate than watching the game in the stadium.

PSU tailgates are legendary....

[dead]

They tried this about ten years ago at Rutgers.

The policy lasted a year. Alumni who have cops on horses busting up their tailgates because they haven't gone inside the stadium fast enough tend send angry letters instead of donations to the Athletic Department.

[1rudeboy]

The pussification of America continues.

[NittanyLion]

That's okay, the bars are better come gametime anyway. This policy will last about as long as it takes to bust one very big donor.

Incidentally, I'll be there on Saturday, although given the forecast I might need a canoe to get to the stadium.

[1rudeboy]

PSU tailgates are legendary....

At the University of Michigan, we'd look forward to the Penn State game. Your tailgating fans were friendly, knowledgeable, could hold their liquor, and were not afraid to start early in the morning.

[half-cajun]

They better not try this at LSU. A crazy cajun mob would go after them.

[NonValueAdded]

Sure, let them drink first and THEN drive to the stadium to see the game. Wasn't the whole idea behind tailgate parties to drive, then party and drink>

[ContemptofCourt]

Yes....years of practice tend to do that.

Those noon-time games were killers, though...basically just drink through the night events.

Always wanted to make it up to UM for a PSU-UM game...still on my list of things to do....

[fortunecookie]

Wow! That is huge. Tailgating is an institution there. I know folks who go without ever intending to get into the game, if they could get tickets, but with a grill and TV and cooler, rooting for the Lions from the parking areas regardless of weather.

[ContemptofCourt]

I've never seen more TV's at a tailgate than at PSU home games....very true....

[1rudeboy]

I saw a lot of similarity with the University of Wisconsin fans. Although at the time, they had no choice but to drink, because their team sucked.

[Hatteras]

"They better not try this at LSU. A crazy cajun mob would go after them."

They'd be puttin' some o' dat fresh police horse inta dat gumbo pot, ah tey you rot cheer, Jooost-onnnn!

[Vision]

I guess they don't take the "pursuit of happiness" thing too seriously.

[OldCorps]

The pussification of America continues.

This is downright communism.

Note to self to send them a letter stating I will not give another dime (I'm a grad of the grad program) until they reverse this unamerican policy. Of course I've never sent them money anyway, despite the monthly begging letters.