IU Football: My Misconception of Hoosier Tailgating

[Jon Bereman]

When walking up to the tailgating area during this weekend's game against Western Kentucky, I was bombarded with a sea of crimson and cream. There were thousands and thousands of people everywhere! I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, this game is going to be packed!”

I even foolishly compared it to the storied crowds of Texas A&M and the “12th man,” Michigan and the “Big House,” or LSU and “Death Valley.” I thought to myself, "Indiana football is back."

Boy, was I mistaken. See, I am a new transfer student and this was my first tailgate. As the day went on and we drank, yelled, sang louder and louder, I took a break from playing corn hole and checked my phone to see the time- it was 2:15. The game should have been somewhere in the 3rd quarter. I then looked around and I noticed that the crowd hadn’t dwindled. Nobody went to the game!

I mean don’t get me wrong- I was guilty of it too, but that’s not how I envisioned it. Aren’t we supposed to party, drink, play corn hole, blast music, then go to the game and watch our beloved Hoosiers run all over our opponents?

We Hoosiers are missing the biggest part. Now I know that the ticket prices are a little high and we don’t have the tradition that maybe some of the other Big Ten schools may have, but if we packed into that stadium like we packed in that field maybe things would turn around.

Our football program in on the rise thanks to the legacy of Coach Hep and it’s about time we start packing “The Rock.” It’s almost a shame - an enjoyable shame may I point out - that we come out in the hundreds of thousands to tailgate but can only muster 30,000 fans into that stadium.

I’m buying a ticket for next week’s game against Murray State and I hope everyone else does too. We may see a trickle down effect and see more big time talent wearing the cream and crimson. Perhaps more funding for better facilities as well.

Maybe our football team will respond and we can start putting together a football powerhouse to go along with our basketball and soccer dynasties. Let’s party hard in the fields and then party harder in the stands.

[BWW]

I have never understood the people that make the effort to go to Bloomington then not go to the game. There are thousands of true IU fans that would love the chance to go to a game. With the cost of gas and tickets its a real sacrifice to go for me. I live north of Indy If any of you tailgaters that don`t go to the games let me know I will use your tickets. I try to make 1 football and 1 basketball game a year. My 9 year old grandson ask to go to an IU football game for his birthday present. We have made it every year but one. Go support our teams please.

[jjrink87]

Originally Posted by BWW

My 9 year old grandson ask to go to an IU football game for his birthday present.

WOW. now that's devotion

to be honest, i don't think 30k in attendance is that bad....w/ the new addition to the stadium, i think something like 50k is a packed house *shrug*

[nyaden]

I'll be tailgating AND gaming it up tomorrow. See you there

[knightfan87]

Unfotunately, it's always going to be like that. Where a good portion of the students go tailgating like it's a big holiday, get totally wasted and what not, and yet do not go to the game. There wouldn't be tailgating if there wasn't a football game. I personally don't taligate as i find myself never having anyone to go with or knowing anyone who sets up for tailgating which i think it's good as it gives me a reason to go and watch our great football team play while those pathetic people who call them "hoosiers" and "football fans" sit out there all day and do absolutely nothing and show no support at all. It's no wonder why we have such a bad repiutation. I also want to point that despite more people tailgating than going to the game, IU is not the #1 party school and that won't make us the #1 party school again. It just makes us look sad and pathetic.

[nyaden]

Originally Posted by knightfan87

I personally don't taligate as i find myself never having anyone to go with or knowing anyone who sets up for tailgating which i think it's good as it gives me a reason to go and watch our great football team play while those pathetic people who call them "hoosiers" and "football fans" sit out there all day and do absolutely nothing and show no support at all.

Dude, some of my BEST tailgatin experiences have been from randomly stumbling around the field with no "hq" and meeting loads of new people.

And, about going to the game-- those people are the true fans!! What are you talking about?!?! If theyre not showing support/being enthusiastic, it's either REALLY hot out or we're beating MURRAY STATE by over 30 points

Originally Posted by knightfan87

It just makes us look sad and pathetic.

^^^ DEBBIE DOWNER!

[jjrink87]

Originally Posted by Jon Bereman

I mean don’t get me wrong- I was guilty of it too, but that’s not how I envisioned it. Aren’t we supposed to party, drink, play corn hole, blast music, then go to the game and watch our beloved Hoosiers run all over our opponents?

YES.

That is all.

[diohazel]

You think that is bad...wait until Little 5 week. Most ridiculous amount of only partying ever.

But yes, I agree I think there is a problem with students just going to the football games to drink. I'm not a total fan of the games, but still when I go I drink and I watch.

[jjrink87]

Originally Posted by diohazel

You think that is bad...wait until Little 5 week. Most ridiculous amount of only partying ever.

But yes, I agree I think there is a problem with students just going to the football games to drink. I'm not a total fan of the games, but still when I go I drink and I watch.

don't bring up little 5!!! thank god there aren't any serious games to go to and the bball season's over

...i get noticeably stupider after every little 5 passes.

[Triplebogey]

They need to lower those costs or give the tickets to the students. I would like to compare student ticket prices of other Big Ten schools.