While the new TCF Bank Stadium is being completed for the 2009 opening season, there’s another aspect of the game day experience drawing the attention of school officials. Tailgating is synonymous with outdoor football and the University is in the process of deciding where fans can gather and what policies they will adhere to.
Options for tailgating locations could include both surface parking lots and ramps, Phil Esten said last week. He’s an associate athletics director for the Gophers and he told Sports Headliners that tailgating will receive a “thoughtful and collaborative process” before information is made public.
For certain, though, is a commitment by the University to ensure a safe, family like atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium. This community and others, whether college or pro cities, has too often experienced unruly behavior from a minority of fans. Cursing, taunting, physical violence and other misdeeds, often fueled by alcohol, can make a miserable game day experience for other fans, or keep families with young children from attending.
Esten said the University hasn’t made a decision yet on alcohol being allowed in either the stadium (including suites) or the tailgate areas. “Well, right now it’s a conversation we are having on campus as far as alcohol availability from a consumption, or serving, standpoint,” he said. “Nothing has been decided yet. Again, it’s something that’s highly collaborative. It involves many constituencies on campus and it’s a process we’ll go through and ultimately decide what’s best for the overall university and what’s best for the game day atmosphere.”
Except for Minnesota, the Big Ten Conference schools play their football games outdoors and Esten said the Gophers can learn from other athletic departments including Ohio State where there have been past problems. “We’ve visited a lot of campuses and a lot of people do it really, really well, and one of the reasons I mentioned Ohio State is because they’ve come a long way in the last four or five years,” he said. “There was a time when…there was a lot of public safety issues on and around campus when particularly Michigan came to town. And they’ve done a lot of education and awareness with their fans and students to help remedy that and I think they’ve got a great controlled fan-friendly atmosphere for tailgating on and around campus right now.
“And Purdue as well. We’ll visit Purdue in a couple of weeks and have an opportunity to experience what they do on campus, and I’ve heard nothing but great things about Purdue. …”
With a new stadium coming that will be the envy of many schools, the Gophers’ athletic department is determined to add a tailgate and total game day atmosphere to make Saturdays special on campus.