2004 Season Tailgating

Gakusei · June 30, 2004

Last year was a lot of fun. I had a great time meeting everyone that came out to the tailgates, and appreciated all the help that everyone put in. Especially UNT_92_Fan, MrStrange62, untangel, Brooklyn, MeanGreenQueen, and NTEagle08.

I'm thinking of going in several different directions this year, most of which will require some pre-season maneuvering by yours truly to get set up (read, the sooner I start doing stuff, the better). If you have suggestions, or a better option than I've come up with, please go ahead and lay em down.

Option #1

Pretty much the same as last year, outside of one change. I won't be providing food for everyone, but will provide a larger grill for everyone to cook whatever they bring. I loved being able to provide the food for free last year, but it strained my budget quite a bit (as I realized this past month or two). Outside of this, I don't think there'd be any other changes.

Option #2

This is the charity option, and tailgating would only take place on Saturdays. The GMG.com bowl stebo organized last year was very successful, and there were some good times afterwards at the tailgate. If I could collect about $500 total, that'd allow me to buy a weber smoker as well as food and drinks for every Saturday game, and to set up a tent or two to trap the heat from the industrial heater. I figured a schedule would go something like:

6:00AM-12:00PM - Gak shows up to the Fouts parking lot to set up shop for cooking (depending on the kind of meat).

3:00PM-5:00PM - People start showing up, play football etc. Not sure what all stuff would go on, other people are better at these ideas than I am.

5:00PM-6:15PM - Soup's on. Tailgate closes at 6:15PM.

Maybe if some of our folks with power generators could come out, there could be some videogame playing, or watching other basketball games in that 3-5PM timeframe. The tent(s) would be set up with coverings on 3 of 4 walls with the heater going, so there'd be no trouble keeping warm this year. I'd also like to see if we could get a player or two to show up for a few minutes to mingle a little before one of the games. Oh, and also have some other groups show up with tents.

Option #3

This is fairly close to the one above, except I'd be asking local businesses to sponsor the event, and would possibly do it for every game (BBQ or food from a restaurant for weekday games). I've talked with a couple local restauranteurs about what we did last year, and they seemed interested in the idea (granted this was back during basketball season, though). If this is the option that I take, I'd have to talk more with the athletic department and the businesses to set things up in the best interest for everyone. It'd be nice to have some real involvement from the AD, with them possibly promoting "Game Day @ North Texas" for basketball on the website and schedules, and have some videos on the mini-Daks in the Pit.

If the AD were to get really involved, I'm sure things would be moved into the corridors of the Pit, a la Taste of North Texas. That might be the best option.

That's all I've got for right now. I know it seems early with basketball season still a little over 4 months away, but I know how long things can take in the business world, especially when multiple parties are involved, and also with how busy the AD is and will be during the football season. That's why I want to go ahead and get things started as soon as possible.

UNTFan23 · June 30, 2004

I'm all for the tailgating on Saturdays. Thursday's were always tough since I had to run to work or was coming from work.

Gakusei · July 1, 2004

Oh, I almost forgot option #4. I grab a sandwich at home and leave for the game around 6:15-6:30PM... ie no tailgating this year.

UNT_92_Fan · July 3, 2004

i am for any option BUT no tailgating....my grandpa is currently making a grill for my apartment....he is a welder and all that jazz...It will be painted up green and be available for the tailgate if needed....Gak you know who will be in on this....me and cody are down!!!! So lets hash this out! I got cash too (now that i have a sufficient job)....lemme know!

drex · July 3, 2004

One thing that I thought was rather sad last year was that you guys were tailgating and having fun in the parking lot and simultaneously the Mean Green Club was hosting a pregame party in the bowels of the SuperPit. Why not combine the activities and have more people together to kick off the game? I think that Steve Selby would let you cook outside of one of the gates of the coliseum, which would give you some protection from rain. If that happened, then we could move the Mean Green Club up to a section of the concourse so that people could all be together. Just a thought.

UNT_92_Fan · July 4, 2004

I could be completely wrong here but is there not a "fee"/donation what not to get into the Mean Green Club....Now as a student...if there is one...I can't afford it...I am barely making rent and tuition....It would be great to join forces persay....but If i have to join up right now then i will still be sittin in the parking lot on ym busted couch i bring out there....As for when i graduate... I will be all over the MGC!