On football Saturdays when the sun comes out, so do the tailgaters.
One of the largest tailgating spectacles on MSU’s campus is that of the greek organizations who take over the rock on Farm Lane.
Waking up early on the weekend isn’t an issue, as fraternities and sororities begin taking over the area next to the Red Cedar River.
“I’m out here at 8 o’clock every week,” said Nick Nykerk, a Sigma Pi member and civil engineering sophomore. “It’s great. I basically live for it.”
The phenomenon seems to transcend MSU’s boundaries.
A magazine titled “The Tailgater” is in circulation, and a television show, called “TailgateTV” is in the works. There is also a Web site, www.tailgater.com, which is up and running and features recipes, tailgating tips and gadgets for the hard-core tailgater.
MSU greek tailgating is officially in its second year, and there are no signs of it slowing down.
“It never gets out of hand,” Interfraternity Council President Paul Hage said. “What makes it unique from any other tailgate is students take responsibility for this tailgate. We police it ourselves and clean up afterwards.”
Hage also said the greek groups set up signs, tables, couches and grills.
Music is also provided by DJs. Another unique aspect of the tailgate is that it is primarily undergraduate students, he said.
“This is probably the biggest success greeks have had in a long time,” he said.
Aside from the DJ, footballs are thrown around, Frisbees are tossed and the smell of burgers and hot dogs fill the morning air.
Earlier in the semester, the hot summer sun didn’t curb the crowd. Hundreds of students could be seen at the Farm Lane site on the day of each MSU home football game.
College towns all over the country partake in this sports tradition. And although the origin of the tailgate is unknown, it has spawned into a huge business.
The MSU greek tailgate, however, is a little bit of a contrast from traditional tailgates.
“It’s pretty crazy,” said Randy Chioini, a building construction management senior and Pi Kappa Alpha member. “It’s not much of a tailgate, it’s just a huge party.”
And it seems to be more than just a party to some students.
“I love tailgate,” said Katy Sullivan, a finance senior and Kappa Delta member.
Sullivan is at the Rock in the wee hours of the morning on football game days.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It’s one of the most wonderful times I’ve had here at MSU,” she said.
