By Jesse Welte
The college football season gets under way this Thursday in the Derby City as in-state opponent Murray State University comes to town to clash with the Orange Bowl Champion University of Louisville Cardinals.
Amidst the excitement that comes with the start of college football, also comes the beginning of one of the game’s most sacred pre-game rituals, tailgating.
A simple walk through the parking lots surrounding Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium will reveal the sights, sounds and smells of the glory that is tailgating. Crazy fanatics set up camp around their trucks and pull out the necessities, including grills, coolers and cornhole boards.
The most popular spot to find students tailgating is at Old Cardinal Stadium, just up Central Avenue from the stadium. Driving by on I-65, passersby can see the flags of most or all of the University of Louisville’s fraternities waving among a sea of red shirts.
Students often carpool or take the journey by foot when making their way to the tailgate. This is partially to save on the $5 parking fee, and also to more easily reach the stadium in time for the game due to the crazy traffic.
The fraternities make sure that tailgating is a memorable experience for all students that participate. For some, the tailgating starts very early.
“We have plans to make it out to the tailgate lot in the early hours of the morning once again,” said Sigma Chi President Brian Bennett. “Last year, there were several game days where we made it out there by 4 a.m. It’s always fun to make a full day out of preparing for the game.”
While the brothers of Sigma Chi and other fraternities are excited for the start of a new season, the freshman class is excited to get their first taste of tailgating.
“I’m going to bring my Nerf football, drink a Pepsi or two and maybe talk to a few girls,” said freshman pre-medicine major Ben Garland. “No, seriously, this is my first year in college, I’m just excited to be a part of the atmosphere and finally live the college dream.”
Whether students are looking to grab a free meal or hang out with adamant U of L football fans, Old Cardinal Stadium is definitely the place to be. There are massive grills cooking a variety of tailgating foods from hamburgers to bratwursts. For those looking to wash that down, or just looking to quench their thirst, there are coolers full of soda, bottled water and for those of legal age, a beer can surely be found to enjoy.
The game of cornhole seems to have become one of the most popular pastimes in tailgating history. There will certainly be Frisbees and footballs thrown around by Brian Brohm wannabes.
“We’ll have cornhole boards, music and our grill there before each game. There are obviously a couple footballs to throw and a good time to be had,” said Ray Smith, a recent U of L graduate, and current president of Triangle fraternity.
Giant speakers will blast music throughout the whole lot. For those who are partial to smokeless tobacco, there will be tents passing out free samples to fulfill their nicotine fix.
With the success of last year’s football team, this year’s tailgate is expected to be even more popular than ever.
For those that love football and love having a good time, the fraternity tailgate is definitely the place to be. Make sure and get out to Old Cardinal stadium to enjoy great football fans and a great time preparing for U of L football.
