The Tailgating Thread

[emmitt01]

Ok so here's my tailgating thread looking to make our (Zeke, Med, and I) setup even better than last year. Feel free to chime in with any suggestions so that we have time over the next few months to improve it even more. Yeah, I know it's early but what else are we doing right now?

1)Parking- This could is problem #1 but I think it's easily fixed. Even though they are moving us out of what used to be the orange lot, since it is now paid parking we'll just pony up the $10 a game per car to stay where we have been.

2)Electricity- This is our only obstacle that I can foresee as of today. If we can continue drawing power from the lightpole on the adjacent practice field we can have one hell of a setup for everyone to enjoy. I'll have to make it a point to talk to Mandy and get the all clear...hell, I'd even be willing to come up with a way to pay the AD to gain exclusive rights to it.

3)TV- This year we are upgrading to satellite. I found a Dishnetwork satellite/tripod for a good price and I'm told that I can simply move one of my receivers from my house to out there and get all my channels (no, I don't have the "special" channels so don't get your hopes up ). A little playing with the satellite to find the signal and we should have every game on ABC,NBC,CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox SW, etc. We should have a 27" and at least another 13" so multiple games at once won't be a problem. I wonder if Lera would kill me for bringing the 37" out there? Additionally we'll have the PS2 for a little NCAA 08 or Madden.

4)Food and Beverage- This has always been your basic beer and brats setup but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to a more "exotic" idea for a game or two. Additionally the tailgate has been a drain on a couple of our pocketbooks so there will be a "tip jar" this season. Beer, TV's, food, tents, cokes, etc for a growing fanbase aint cheap...feel free to contribute.

5)Neighbors- I know I'll be setting up my two tents but I wonder if the Greenbackers tents will still be next door. Do we wanna chip in to bring the smoker and the rest of vehicles into "paid" parking? Eric, Bill, Rick?

Anything else I've missed. Anything people would like to see? My ambition is to improve year by year to the point that people (ours and visitors) feel that they can't miss the pre-game tailgate OR the game.

Edited June 27, 2007 by emmitt01

[adman]

Ok so here's my tailgating thread looking to make our (Zeke, Med, and I) setup even better than last year. Feel free to chime in with any suggestions so that we have time over the next few months to improve it even more. Yeah, I know it's early but what else are we doing right now?

1)Parking- This could is problem #1 but I think it's easily fixed. Even though they are moving us out what used to be the orange lot, since it is now paid parking we'll just pony up the $10 a game per car to stay where we have been.

2)Electricity- This is our only obstacle that I can foresee as of today. If we can continue drawing power from the lightpole on the adjacent practice field we can have one hell of a setup for everyone to enjoy. I'll have to make it a point to talk to Mandy and get the all clear...hell, I'd even be willing to come up with a way to pay the AD to gain exclusive rights to it.

3)TV- This year we are upgrading to satellite. I found a Dishnetwork satellite/tripod for a good price and I'm told that I can simply move one of my receivers from my house to out there and get all my channels (no, I don't have the "special" channels so don't get your hopes up ). A little playing with the satellite to find the signal and we should have every game on ABC,NBC,CBS, ESPN, ESPN2, Fox SW, etc. We should have a 27" and at least another 13" so multiple games at once won't be a problem. I wonder if Lera would kill me for bringing the 37" out there? Additionally we'll have the PS2 for a little NCAA 08 or Madden.

4)Food and Beverage- This has always been your basic beer and brats setup but I was wondering if anyone had suggestions as to a more "exotic" idea for a game or two. Additionally the tailgate has been a drain our a couple of our pocketbooks so there will be a "tip jar" this season. Beer, TV's, food, tents, cokes, etc for a growing fanbase aint cheap...feel free to contribute.

5)Neighbors- I know I'll be setting up my two tents but I wonder if the Greenbackers tents will still be next door. Do we wanna chip in to bring the smoker and the rest of vehicles into "paid" parking? Eric, Bill, Rick?

Anything else I've missed. Anything people would like to see? My ambition is to improve year by year to the point that people (ours and visitors) feel that they can't miss the pre-game tailgate OR the game.

I'd suggest picking up some fajita meat at La Michoacana. It's already marinated. It's cheap. And it's delicious. Just throw it on the grill and giddy up. I'm posting the link below. There are locations all over the state. I highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.lamichoacanameatmarket.com/

[NCMeanGreen]

I'd suggest picking up some fajita meat at La Michoacana. It's already marinated. It's cheap. And it's delicious. Just throw it on the grill and giddy up. I'm posting the link below. There are locations all over the state. I highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.lamichoacanameatmarket.com/

¿Hay un sitio web inglés?

[greenminer]

¿Hay un sitio web inglés?

Not hard to figure out: click "Direccionies" at the top, scroll down to "LA MICHOACANA MEAT MARKET - LOCATION DALLAS AREA" and I think you'll find what you need

any other needed translation I just googled and found this: http://babelfish.altavista.com/

Edited June 27, 2007 by greenminer

[FirefightnRick]

Just a few thoughts.

1.It would be nice to bring the smaller Mean Green smoker back so that we can mesquite smoke briskette, ribs, corn-on-the-cob, rib eye's or whatever? It's smaller and would fit into a space better. And I'll pay for an extra spot if I have too? Sound Man and I however have to replace the flooring in it first. I can't speak for Eric, but I wouldn't mind smoking briskette or ribs on a smaller scale for the GMG.com Mean Green Nation for one of the home game weekends. Just for us here, not the entire student dormitory community. Those days are gone for me until the F5 and F4 lose interest in the Junior Mean Green Village and instead learn how to cut briskette?

2. A tip jar would be great especially when people like me on certain weekends get there late and don't have time to bring anything for the cause.

3. Outdoor carpet? I noticed they sell it in sections at Home Depot. Might be a pretty cool addition and cut down on the heat from the parking lot?

4. May want to break down each weekend a sign up sheet like we did for the big cookouts on who wants to bring what(again, on a much smaller scale) No swimming pools full of drinks, just the amount in coolers that we might need. Someone bring entre's, someone else bring chips, someone else a desert etc. I guess this depends on how many here are interested? Just doesn't seem fair for E and Z and M to have to supply tents, entertainment and food?

Rick

[UNTFan23]

Food for thought, Emmitt: Last season they started telling people where to park in the blue lot. I doubt that will change for the Orange lot this season.

[Sound_Man]

when all this started to arise w/ the lot changes I talked to athletics. We can set-up a "reserved" section in the blue lot for tents and people and smokers and etc to all be in one place

power can be pulled off the building itself

I also have no problem cooking on the larger smoker, and find it easier and more comfortable to use and clean-up than the smaller one. since it has locking sections for supplies and such during the game running water and a set-up for fryers / grilling

w/ dish network it is a pain in the ass to aim, the dish must be perfectly level at all angles as you are trying to hit 2 sats. but i have a shop full of old dishes if you want one emmitt w/ poles, also make sure you account for wind w/ the tripod, and one box per/ tv. also constant moving/unplugging of your boxes will get them put into standby mode and you'll have to call in and explain why your box keeps loosing power and getting moved we could also fairly easily weld a pole to the smoker to mount the dish on which would help with the whole wind issue

directv is much easier to aim assuming non hd

with stuff we have done over the years, even on a small scale you can easily do fajitas, ribs, brisquet sausage, etc for about 5 bucks a person w/ sides

I am also in favor of hte no swimming pool of drinks however think it should be a fee/tip to join in on the food otherwise someone gets stuck with the big bill ie meat while someone else brings some cookies, or some ships.

[good_ken]

They sell Signal Meters pretty cheaply on Ebay. I would suggest picking one up, to make your life easier when you try to find the satellite signal.

[Sound_Man]

problem is the cheap ones don't really do any good on dish and if you've got the box right there, then really no need

[untcampbell]

In the past, I haven't done much with the tailgating crowd. I bring my JMG member kids (11 and 8 this year) and we usually get to the Village 2 hours before the game. We toss a little football, etc. I am usually distracted watching my kids, etc.

I always feel a bit like a freeloader so I rarely approach the tailgaters. The tip jar could alleviate some of that feeling.

I propose a tailgaters club. And I do so with the thought offered in this thread that this is getting too big to do an all-campus thing, and the interest expressed in a gmg.com-only affair. Membership due before the first game. Charge whatever price you want, and if you pay and make 1 game or 5, you are "paid" for the season. Use dues for food, beverage and possibly even a storage unit in Denton to keep the hard to transport stuff, unused condiments, etc near Fouts.

Just thinking out loud.

gmg

[Baby Arm!]

Since I've relocated down to New Braunfels I'm pretty sure I won't be setting up the tailgate spread for everygame like I've done in the past so I'd appreciate a tailgate party I could contribute to when I come up for games.

Some tailgating lessons I've learned I can pass along. POWER- I bought a new 1200v portable generator off ebay for less than $100. It's very dependable and ran all afternoon on one tank of gas. It's small but it gave me plenty of power to run a 27 inch TV, the satellite box, a small refrigerator, and an electric fan (a MUST for those early Sept. Games- I highly recomend bringing one.)

SAT TV- Eric is correct about the ease of DirecTV. It's very easy to pick up a signal. In the Fouts parking lot just point it at a bearing of 181 (bring a small compass) and it picks up the signal. I just used a box from my house and brought it to each home game and only once had to call in to get it reset. Also I upgraded to the sports package for an extra $5/mo so I could get ESPNU, CSC and all the FSN channels.

Edited June 28, 2007 by Baby Arm!

[mrsgreengoblin]

I am very familiar with La Michoacana. My husband and I get meat from there often. We definitely would be willing to bring some to the games as well as the fixins that should go along with it.

We have brought 12 packs of sodas before and other things to contribute and will definitely continue doing so. We will help in any way we can. Just tell us what you need/want. I think the tip jar is a great idea as well.

[Green Nightmare]

Hey quick question

I am trying to decide between the blue lot and the orange lot for our tailgating this year

Looks like all you guys are in the orange lot.

Is there any spaces that have direct access to grass

we would love to get some washers going this year

[Cowtown]

Nightmare,

The blue lot is now the designated MGClub lot for the $250 level. The orange will become public parking.

[UNTflyer]

I too will be tailgating more this year. I plan on bringing my DirecTV dish and a 13" TV. If you guys don't mind another SUV in your row...

[Green Nightmare]

Flyer

I understand

I am going to make the $250 but I may just park in the Orange if there is grass access

[UNTLifer]

if there is grass access

Ricky? Is that you?

[Green Nightmare]

the minute i hit reply i knew better