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Nice try

ASMSU's attempt to create student tailgate area unlikely to revitalize celebration spirit

It's nice to see ASMSU thinking about the students and doing their best to ensure a peaceful tailgate for this season's football games. Unfortunately, it might turn out to be just a nice try rather than a victory.

After police made 85 arrests during the football game against Notre Dame last September, drinking games were banned and tailgating was restricted. Many students felt the spirit of the celebration was crushed.

ASMSU is attempting to revive tailgating by implementing a new student section. The new tailgate before Saturday's game against Kent State will provide a DJ, concessions at a smaller cost and some activities provided by IM Sports.

Their goal is to reduce the amount of drinking at tailgates, or at least give students something else to do. The new program would, at best, make traffic less hectic and lessen confusion for students trying to get to their parking spaces. It might even make for a more pleasant atmosphere for students not interested in being inebriated.

If properly implemented, the system could be a big success - but the likelihood is this won't happen.

The program won't stop drinking, and might simply end up being a bust.

It will try to give students what they want, but in the end it simply won't replace the traditions students had before the rules were changed. It might also make it harder for alumni and family members of students to tailgate together.

Younger students might take ASMSU up on the deal, but older students will probably do their drinking at home.

It would be nice to see the new system succeed. Given the events of last September, it's easy to see why ASMSU wanted to help students feel a stronger sense of Spartan spirit when they go out to tailgate.

After all, it's the thought that counts.

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