Brookings Banter

Students at SDSU are not happy with the new tailgating policy that everyone must vacate the area 1/2 hour before game time.  Last weekend 12 Hobo Day tailgaters were arrested for failure to vacate.   I'm amazed when I hear or read comments that tailgating during the football game is a tradition, so students should be allowed to continue this practice.  For something to be a college tradition, don't alumni have to come back to campus years later and say "back in my day when we tailgated.... "

The confusion is that partying is a college tradition.  Tailgating became partying when it extended into game time,  so officials had to step in and make changes.  I don't care how much complaining is done, or rocks and bottles are thrown, SDSU can not host a party where college students get drunk.  But they can host a place for people to gather before a game as part of the game day festivities.

Students should get together with the administration and work on some new traditions for pre-game activities.  Focus around food, entertainment, and college spirit.  Still allow those old enough to drink beer, but change the focus from a party to a pre-game tradition.