The Tailgating Report

Saturday October 5

The last few times I have written these, I have more so focused on the tailgate that I run and the surrounding areas of the student tailgate zone. This time, though, I want to touch on the other areas within close proximity to where I am set up. There a lot of people in the surrounding areas, more than I thought there were honestly. I don't know if this was just for this game, or if it has been a reoccurring thing, but I really like it.

It was a strong showing for tailgaters this week. A lot of people finally got to wear some long pants to the game and maybe even a jacket here or there. It was overcast for most of the day with rain threatening, but drops never coming down. It was windy and the gusts of wind made it a little chilly out. The wind picked up in sudden bursts throughout the earlier parts of the afternoon. So much so, that the tent a gentlemen behind me had set up was taken off the ground and snapped in two different places. He had a spare but figured he would just cut his losses at one tent for the day. It's nice getting to talk to people around the tailgate areas. We all share a common interest of good food, drinks, and a good time shared with good company, all the while building anticipation until the Baylor Bears take the field and maul whoever is in front of them.

There a lot of nice set ups throughout the tailgate areas as well. They don't necessarily have to have the biggest spot to make for a great tailgate. People fire up the grill and get the burgers and hot dogs going, even some brisket depending on where you go. Walking up and down the tailgating spots, I have noticed that the tailgating aspects of Baylor football has grown a lot in a very short time. People are starting to take it more seriously. I'm always impressed with the people who get there before me. I'm there six hours early, and by the time I got to The Case it looked as if people had already been there for six hours getting a head start on me. And to those people, I applaud you. The fact that it was a 7pm kickoff probably aided in people being able to come out to the game earlier than they would for a 3:30 start. Regardless though, it is a good site to see, and is just another factor into how Baylor football is changing.

This was the first game this year that I didn't really hear people saying they were going to the game just to tailgate and then go watch the game somewhere else. Everyone I talked to seemed genuinely excited about the matchup. And rightfully so. It was a game that going into it everyone was saying that this would be Baylor's first real test on the year, and we came out of it hearing that Baylor still has not played anyone.

You can look at tailgating however you would like, but I really enjoy it and I'm trying to make the one I run the best in the student tailgating area. The thing is though, it isn't about the size of the tent you have, how big the grill is, or how many flags you can put outside your area. It is about being able to celebrate another day that Baylor plays a home football game, and to enjoy one fewer game of the few left at Floyd Casey Stadium. It is about the people you surround yourself with, and the times you have. The smallest thing could create the funniest story or the most memorable moment. For the longest time I was the Baylor fan with no other Baylor fans to surround myself with, and now I can look around and see hundreds, even thousands of people sporting their green and gold and you can't take that away from me. Being around people that love this team and this school is a great experience.

We have three more games left at good old Floyd Casey Stadium, and this team is sure sending it out with a bang.