Tailgating at Winthrop has been a favorite tradition of Winthrop students and alumni for many years, though this year will see the annual homecoming tailgate undergoing some changes.
Homecoming for this year started on Monday, Nov. 11 with Paint the Town, which is an event where campus organizations paint the windows in Digs. Homecoming culminates with a tailgate and basketball game on Saturday. Students can arrive as early as 8 a.m. to the designated tailgating areas.
Students are asked if they are bringing a car to the event to have $5 in cash readily available upon arrival. All money contributed from students will go directly to covering the costs of the event. Contributions will offset costs of additional event staff, police presence and amenities.
This year’s tailgating area includes parking spaces and grass areas and covers a three–acre area as opposed to previous years, where the area was 1.8 acres. The new location for tailgating is easier to access for those dropping off items and is also more easily accessible for emergency vehicles.
This year a reservation system has been put in place for those wanting to set up tents for tailgating. For groups or families up to 20 people, reservations have been made for $20, with larger groups having to pay $40. This is the only online reservation system and has been sold out, although more spaces have been made available for students. Those who intend to bring pop-up tents but not a car will still have to reserve a spot. Tents will be allowed in the tailgating area but not in the parking lots.
Every vehicle entering the coliseum and parking will be subject to the fee. Walk–ups who are being dropped off or are not parking at the coliseum will not be charged for entering.
In reference to the more detailed tailgating process, Vice President of Student Affairs Sheila Burkhalter said that “the reservation system and making sure we know who is coming and going is helping us to keep better accountability for the spaces.”
For those not bringing a vehicle to the tailgate, the “Screaming Eagle” bus will pick up students at marked game day locations on campus. This will begin at an hour until the men’s basketball game. The new My Ride buses will continue their routes as normal and will have periodic stops near the coliseum. Tailgating will end beginning at 3:30 p.m. as event staff begin sweeping through the tailgating area. Upcoming years could potentially have later end times after assessing the successes of this year’s end time and clean up time.
Food will be available for purchase through The Alumni Association and Roman’s All-Star food truck will be located onsite. This will be the only onsite food vendor so those in attendance are welcome to bring their own food. Trash cans and recycling bins will be placed along the tailgating area.
Efforts will be made to lower traffic congestion for those driving in and out of the area. More event staff will be present than previous events where attendees must pay to park. But students and other attendees should schedule time for regular traffic, arriving at the coliseum and parking.
Students that are under the age of 21 are prohibited from possessing or consuming alcohol at the tailgate. Campus and city police will be in attendance patrolling the area. Kegs, common containers and glass containers are prohibited at the tailgate. Students can request assistance from the information tent at the event for issues related to behavior, parking and tailgating.
Burkhalter recognized attendees may be worried about the event changing significantly due to more “detail and parameters” related to safety and security. She affirmed the goal of Winthrop is the same as always to ensure that “students have a wonderful time and reconnect with friends and to do so in a safe and secure way.” Burkhalter hopes all students who come to tailgate attend the men’s basketball game after tailgating closes.
The men’s basketball team will play Mid-Atlantic Christian at 4 p.m. Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime.
Photo courtesy of Winthrop Athletics
