Tailgating Tips

The kickoff of college football season is synonymous for the opening of tailgate season. All across the country, fans gather in droves to share food, great football memories and excitement of the game on the horizon. Regardless of the team's record, you'll find tailgaters surrounding the stadium and all over campus preparing for the big game of the day.

Before you head out to the big game, there are a few things to remember to keep your tailgate party full of happy attendees.

1. Prepare the meat before you arrive. Whether you're throwing a few steaks on the grill or firing up a few mean hamburgers and hotdogs, make sure to prepare them before hitting campus. Let the beef or chicken soak in your special marinade and be ready to toss on the grill when you get settled in your tailgate spot. If the meat is ready to go, your friends and family wait less and enjoy more time together. And don't forget to coat your grill with aluminum foil for quick clean up!

2. Remember the ice! Football season, especially in the South, means the sun is still present and can quickly ruin even the best of tailgates. Bring lots of ice to your tailgate party so that your drinks will stay cold, and if they start to get warm, your ice is handy to cool it down.

3. Bring on the plates and cups. While some folks might enjoy eating a hamburger, hotdog or can drink quickly with their hands, others enjoy creating a full plate or a large cup to keep their hands free of mess. Bring paper or Styrofoam plates and jumbo cups to decrease the mess of having to clean when you get back. Don't forget the marker, either! Your soda could become someone else's fast!

4. Take out the trash. Don't forget your trash bag! Make sure to clean up after your party and toss any unwanted items in the trash. Take your trash bag with you to throw out at home or place it in a university-specified dumpster for game days. Never leave your trash behind for the University to clean up.

5. Show off! One of the best parts of tailgates is the masses of fans dressed in team apparel. You'll see fans decorated in jerseys and t-shirts with the team logo and more. If you don't have anything specific, make sure to don the appropriate colors.

6. Pack the bare necessities. Don't forget those essentials like toilet paper, sunblock and a first aid kit!

Once you have all of this together, pack it up with your team tent, your team chairs and your team's logo BBQ kit. Your tailgate party will be the envy of all your friends (but of course, you'll make new ones at the game, too!).