MSU football returned on Friday night, and with games starting up again, the tailgate has made a triumphant return, as well.
The start of football season is always eagerly anticipated in East Lansing, but this season not only brought back fans to the stadiums, but also, tailgates. After almost a year and a half of isolation, fans were ecstatic to be able to support their favorite team together.
For many MSU students, this was their first time experiencing game day at MSU. Neuroscience senior McKenna Pilley was tailgating for the first time on Friday. She said she loved the feeling of camaraderie among the tailgaters.
“I love seeing everyone out here,” Pilley said.
Other students hadn’t tailgated since 2019, or the fall before the pandemic. Plant biology junior Natalie Michelson said that she missed “being with people.”
Along with Michelson, many students simply missed the atmosphere of being at MSU, hanging out with a bunch of friends, and celebrating their favorite team. Michelson is looking forward to “the camaraderie ... and meeting people.”
Kinesiology junior Sydney Tiefry said she missed the energy of tailgating and how “everyone is here to have fun.”
Tiefry said that during lockdown, she missed not only her friends, but the MSU community. Now that her friends, football and the community have returned, she said, “It’s good to be back.”
After several months of isolation, living at home and joining class from their laptops, students were eager to get out and meet people, support their favorite football team and do what Spartans do best - party.
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