Ah, the return of tailgating. The weather’s warm, it’s still calendar appropriate to wear tons of pastels, and the workload is more like a molehill than a mountain, at least for the time being. Tailgating is a Vandy tradition and like most traditions, it has its unspoken rules and there’s a certain baptism by fire aspect to learning the ropes. With that in mind, here is a glimpse into the unique world of the tailgate.
Attire
Before coming to Vandy, most every Vandy girl and Vanderguy hears the rumors of sundresses and button downs at football games. Unlike the rumors swirling around about Rites and Commodore Quake, the tailgating dress code is indeed very true. Girls, tailgating is a time to give every sundress in your closet its last hurrah before packing it away for the winter.
Though typical fashion codes may frown on eyelet, pastels and Jack Rogers sandals well into the month of October, Vandy tailgates give you carte blanche to dress as though you’re at a Caribbean resort or a country club no matter what the calendar may say. Guys have their own set of rules, though like girls their fashions heavily favor the preppy side of the spectrum.
Unless you’re a Vandy fanatic, game day means dressing up in more than a jersey and face paint. Many sport colorful shorts and button downs while the most dedicated accessorize with sport coats and ties or bow ties. Looking for last minute tailgating attire? Try Vineyard Vines, J. Crew and Lilly Pulitzer. Trust us, you’ll fit right in.
Accessories
1. Sunglasses: Tailgating is outside, and, with luck, it’s sunny, so sunglasses are essential. Whether they are aviators, Ray-Ban Wayfarers, Costa Del Mars or plastic ones you found on some frat’s lawn, throw on some shades. You’ll look cool while protecting your eyes from the blinding sun.
2. Camera: Tailgating yields some of the best memories you’ll have while at Vanderbilt, so document! Take pictures of friends, strangers, football players, whatever. It will be great to relive this joyous college pastime 20 years from now.
3. Tide To Go: Ok, I know this seems a little odd, but I’ve learned from personal experience that sundresses and tailgating food aren’t exactly a perfect match. It’s just too easy for that glob of ketchup to flee from your burger and come crashing down on your pristine white dress. So avoid a stain on your favorite outfit and carry some TTG.
4. Sunscreen: Another lesson learned from a bad tailgating experience. The sun is shining, you’re having such a great time, oh wait — three hours have gone by; oh wait — my shoulders are now lobster red. So slather on some serious SPF and avoid this tailgating faux pas.
5. Stickers: What do tailgating college students and five-year old girls have in common? They both go crazy for stickers! So grab some, slap them on yourself and your friends and declare your Commodore love.
Music
Tailgating music should do two things. Firstly, it should put and keep everyone in a good mood throughout. It should also scream to everyone who isn’t where you are that they should be. Don’t put on any psychedelic Pink Floyd or depressing Pearl Jam. Stick to the Jackson 5, Rolling Stones and Lil’ Wayne.
If you can score a band of sorts, you’re in. The overwhelmingly stressful responsibility of dialing the iPod to something that everyone can agree on vanishes with the strum of whatever the band wants to play. Plus the energy of live music is always unmatched by anything a MP3 can produce.
The point is, tailgating is fun, and the music that accompanies it should be fun as well.
Beverages
It’s a warm, sunny September afternoon and all across campus students are dressed to the nines enjoying the tried and true customs of Vandy tailgating. Music is in the air, the grills are hot, and the smells of burgers, kabobs and other culinary delights waft across Greek row as countless students ready themselves to cheer on our Commodores. So just what is missing from this idealistic scene? Oh, yeah, beverages.
Since the dawn of football, there has been tailgating. And since the dawn of tailgating, there has been nothing more commonplace than a fairly mediocre variety of frosty drinks.
For those of you 21 and older, your choice is pretty much a no-brainer: What goes more hand-in-hand with prepping for a college football game than an icy cold beer? Or two? Or eight? Now, this is not to say that you don’t have ample opportunity to experiment with your choice of beer. To the contrary, I challenge you to find a single place serving a greater variety of dirt-cheap, low-grade beer than a fraternity tailgate. From the subtle zest of Beer 30 to the refreshing, crisp taste of Natty, from the smooth flavor of Keystone to the pleasant bite of Milwaukee’s Best, by the season’s end your experiences with these fine, frothy brews will help you reach the status of a true connoisseur.
For those under 21, there’s no reason to worry. In an effort to counter underage drinking, tailgates graciously offer a wide array of alternatives to beer. At any given tailgate you can always be sure to find cranberry juice, orange juice, orange drink (yes, there IS a difference) and of course a variety of delicious flavors of Kool-Aid, from purple to orange to green and everything in between.
Tactics
So , while beer may reign supreme as the King of Tailgating, there is still hope for Vanderbilt’s minors.
DO: Wear a dress.
DON’T: Wear the shirt that Vandy provided you with to “rush the field.”
DO: Expect to hear “Sweet Caroline” and “Shout” over and over again.
DON’T: Change the song. Ever.
DO: Collect/distribute as many sorority stickers as possible.
DON’T: Rip stickers off of people.
DO: Drink water throughout the day to stave off an early-evening hangover.
DON’T: Assume that what’s in that Zephyrhills bottle is water.
DO: Fist pump.
DON’T: Judge.
DO: Hop from house to house.
DON’T: Pass out on the lawn mid-hop.
DO: Remember to bring your Vandy ID.
DON’T: Accidentally show your fake ID to Branscomb security.
DO: Hit up Chili’s between the game and the night’s parties
DON’T: Skip breakfast.
DO: Ascend to the highest possible point (see: picnic tables, fences, speakers, ledges, cars if available, etc.)
DON’T: Fall off, break anything, spill anything or cry.
DO: Grab a nap if you’re sure you can make it back out.
DON’T: Take that nap on the frat house couch.
DO: Show a little school spirit.
DON’T: Get overly aggressive with students from the opposing team.
DO: Find where the good drank is.
DON’T: Get a “tour of the house.”
DO: Refuse moderation.
DON’T: Stop believing.
Courtney Rogers, Chris McDonald, Holly Meehl, Avery Spofford (with alumnus and tailgating expert Calie Traver) and Charlie Kesslerling created the Guide to Tailgating. Photo illustration by Zac Hardy.
