Emily Zadny
Contributing Writer
When it comes time for the big game, it seems as though tailgating and participating in pre-game activities such as cooking out, playing games, or just donning your favorite player’s uniform go together like football and Sunday nights.
Tailgating is a tradition for many game goers that didn’t actually take off until the mid 1800s with the rise of collegiate football. The first tailgating party was at the Rutgers versus Princeton game in 1896, when Rutgers’ fans wore scarlet scarves to separate themselves from other fans.
Today’s tailgating is a little bit different and more intensive than just making a statement about a team. While it’s still about the statement, the way that fans go about doing it has changed.
Now, it’s an event: extended family, friends, and even strangers gather to share their love for their sport and team, while also sharing a passion for throwing a killer party.
From the Big Ten schools to the small liberal arts colleges just like North Central, tailgating has created a fever across the country for over a century and has changed the way fans enjoy sports.
At North Central, the tailgating scene is nothing to mess around with.
Good luck to students trying to find parking spaces anywhere around the south end of campus by the stadium on a home-game weekend. If you managed to find a spot on Thursday, it is best if you keep your car there until Sunday night, because you may find yourself on the street. Tailgaters arrive bright and early, some as early as the day before, to claim the best spot in the lot.
These football enthusiasts go all out to get hyped up for the game. Family, friends, and Cardinal fans congregate in the lots surrounding Merner and the Stadium to cookout, play games, and socialize. Some people even set up tents and tables.
The Cardinal Fan Fest, held in Championship Plaza, is another popular pre-game event that students, parents, and fans can enjoy. There is food, games, and the chance to get a picture with Chippy.
Come kick-off time, the stands are packed; the fans are cheering; the stadium is alive. And for those of you who have been to a Cardinal football game this season or in the past, the energy never dies.
The students also get in the school spirit through student organizations such as cheerleading and marching band.
The cheerleading squad is out there at every game, rain or shine, win or lose, to make sure the fans are having just as much fun as the men on the field. The catchy cheers resonate in the minds of the spectators hours after the final buzzer and add to the memories made at Benedetti-Werhli Stadium.
“We try to maintain a high level of energy because we want to keep the crowd engaged and involved, all while pumping up the players,” said Becca Arp. “We love encouraging and supporting the guys from the sidelines-it’s my favorite part of cheerleading!
With any college, the marching band plays a huge role in getting the crowd on their feet. The UW-Wisconsin marching band hosts a “5th Quarter” after games to keep the party going, win or lose.
The Cardinal band has its own version of this, playing for the fans after the game as they exit the stadium, taking its talents beyond the halftime show.
“My favorite part about being in the pep band is being able to cheer on the sports teams,” said band member Kat Schultz. “The band loves getting involved and making some sort of noise to get the players involved.”
“We like them knowing that no matter what, the band is behind them and support them. Sometimes, football players even thank us for cheering them on, which is great knowing we have the same support that we give them,” she added.
So is it all worth it; all the pre-gaming and cheering and camping out for days? Does it influence the players’ performance and the outcome of the game?
For North Central football player, Will Becker, the answer is yes.
“I love the enthusiasm from the crowd and from my teammates,” said Becker. “The team feeds off of the crowd’s energy and hat only makes us play better.”
Before the game, the team does its own routine to pump up the school spirit and bring intensity to the field.
“Before we go out there and even on the field, someone gives a pep talk and then we start yelling, “Let’s go!” and jumping around,” Becker added. “It really gets us going.”
Perhaps this exhibition of school spirit has been a key factor in the team’s 6-2 record this season. This goes to show that the fans are just as important as the players on the field for the overall college athletics experience.
So next time you need to take a study break on the weekends, check out Cardinal Athletics and get in on the action. Bring your friends, go get some food, and cheer at the top of your lungs for your Red and White!
