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AILGATIN
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DITIONS
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T
College football means tailgating, and schools across
Alabama and the South take the practice pretty
seriously. It has evolved from its original incarnation
(hanging out around an open pick-up bed) into fullfledged parties. And while every school and its fans
have their own style and traditions, they can all agree
on one thing: Sometimes, the pre-game is even more fun
than the real game.
hospitality. The Tide nation has become known for the kindness
it extends to visiting fans; it’s been particularly noticed by those
from outside the South.
Auburn University Tigers
Colors: Orange & Blue
Mascot: Aubie
Huge RVs from all over the Southeast descend upon the
“loveliest little village on the plains” each Friday afternoon
during football season, claiming their spot for the weekend.
Students and fans not rollin’ in RVs mark off their chosen patch
of grass or parking lot with tape. They’re all anxious to be a part
of one of the school’s most hallowed tailgating experiences: The
Tiger Walk. On game day, the team bus arrives two hours before
kick-off, and the team is lead through the crowd by the pep
band, cheerleaders and Aubie.
Claim to Fame: The “we’re all a big AU family” atmosphere
is a hallmark of Auburn tailgating, and other sights and sounds
include fans inviting strangers to share some snacks or sit in the
shade, and everyone greeting everyone else with a hearty “War
Eagle!”
University of South Alabama
Jaguars
Colors: Red, White & Blue
Mascot: SouthPaw and Miss Pawla the Jaguars
For USA fans, Jag City and the surrounding areas on campus
are the places to be on game day. Cheerleaders wander through
the tailgating spaces, spreading team spirit and leading groups
in chants. The band does the same, providing some feisty fight
songs as background music for the tailgaters. And then there’s
“The Prowl,” when the team walks the street shaking hands,
accepting pats on the back and good luck wishes before heading
off to the locker room to prepare for the game.
Claim to Fame: New this year in Jag City is the Food for
Less Fanfest, featuring food sampling and a photo booth for
capturing pictures with SouthPaw.
University of Alabama
Crimson Tide
Colors: Crimson & White
Mascot: Big Al the elephant
On the “quad,” the centerpiece of Alabama’s tailgating areas,
it is not unusual to see three or four generations of family
celebrating the Crimson Tide together. And they’re most often
eating Alabama BBQ; starting at dawn, hickory-scented smoke
wafts through the air, as cooks prepare their tailgate feasts. With
so many folks traveling to T-town on football Saturdays — there
can be close to 100,000 for the big games — it’s also not unusual
to see multiple big-screen TVs hooked up and blaring from
many of the tents, since not everyone has a ticket to the game.
Claim to Fame: A given at any Alabama tailgate is
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