The Daily Collegian

Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News

By Eden Univer
Collegian Staff

As of Aug. 17, the University of Massachusetts tailgating policy has been updated. According to the UMass Athletics Web site, the policy entails eight rules and regulations including limitations on the tailgating duration periods and what is acceptable and unacceptable at a University event.

The Web site outlines the first three hours before the game and 90 minutes after the game as the only acceptable times to tailgate. During the game, no tailgating is permitted, and any fan outside the stadium at the beginning of the game will be asked to leave.

The policy also specifies that there are to be no drinking games or kegs while tailgating, and that drinks can only be in cans or cups. Additionally, everyone is asked to be clean and respectful.

According to UMass Athletic Director John McCutcheon, the increase in tailgating by UMass fans in general may have been caused by the success of the football team in recent years. This is one factor leading to the need for a change in past tailgating policies.

Also, McCutcheon explains, the reason for these new policy changes has partly stemmed from the UMass vs. University of New Hampshire quarterfinal playoff game in December 2006. McCutcheon notes such problems as "excessive drinking and poor decision making," which he attributes, in part, to the length of the game.

The game ended in a win for the UMass Minutemen with a score of 24-17, propelling the team on its way to the NCAA Semifinals. According to the UMass Athletics Web site, the crowd was the ninth largest in UMass history. It was a sold out game of 17,000 fans.

McCutcheon would like to stress, however, that "99 percent of the time our fans are tremendous."

The Athletic Department chose to take the new policy changes as a preemptive step to avoid future incidences. UMass has always had guidelines about tailgating, explains McCutcheon, but the Athletic Department is being "proactive in setting up these guidelines."

More UMass students are becoming aware of the new policy as the school year begins. The University is attempting to inform students about this policy in a variety of ways.

"I read about them in an e-mail I got," said UMass senior Scott Grannemann, "and they had signs posted at [Saturday's] game."

There were many police officers stationed at Saturday's football game and they were enforcing the new policy as students tailgated despite the rain.

"We definitely saw a lot of police officers, but they were really friendly and respected us and we respected them" said Grannemann.

Not all students, however, are as pleased with the new policy.

"The tradition of UMass football revolves around tailgating and, as a student, I feel as if this tradition should not be limited," said UMass student Kyle Bernier. "The entire UMass population should support their team by participating in this awesome event."

According to McCutcheon, the Athletic Department hopes the new policy change will help to create a safer environment in which to tailgate in the new season ahead.

Eden Univer can be reached at euniver@student.umass.edu.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools