IT IS TIME TO RUMBLE!!!!!

All the hard summer work outs; pre-season camp/practices and scrimmages are behind us. It’s time to strap’em up for real. Time to put a lickin’ on our nearby neighbors from the Heartland Conference. Time to begin the task of working our way to another conference championship and play-off run. Time for all of us to be loud and proud rooting on our Tiger football team. The 2010 season kicks off at 1:00 EST Saturday vs Rose-Hulman.

Tailgating 2010 finally begins in earnest, as well. I apologize for the late posts this week as we ran into some unexpected complications that were preventing us from finalizing where and when the tailgate area would take place. Finally late this afternoon we received word that except for limiting access to the parking lots until 9:00, all other aspects of the tailgating procedures we had become accustomed would not be changing for at least this week including the “Back Row”.

In a nut shell let’s re-emphasize the day’s plans:
1) For the early risers, breakfast begins after we set-up at 9:00.
2) Tiger Walk will be around 10:35
3) Tailgating activities switch to a more lunch and snack driven menu following Tiger Walk.
4) We should be in the stands no later than 12:45 to show our Tiger Pride.
5) Following a DePauw victory, serenade and congratulatory hugs, reconvene tailgating activities with the showered-players joining us.

There is no charge nor do you need a ticket for the game. Simply enter the stadium and cheer the Tigers to victory.

As for the tailgate activities, the “Back Row” located along the southern most grassy area of the Upper Lot has become a shared, pitch-in area. We need to emphasize that the Back Row and these organized tailgating arrangements through the blog are open to ALL. It is not specific to a class, a frat house, veterans, even people who live in Kentucky are welcomed!!!! They are open to you, your extended families and your guests – ANYONE who is a TIGER FOOTBALL FAN.

Not everyone tailgates in the Back Row. There will be individuals that want to do their own thing and that is fine, as well. We just hope those individuals at some point wander over and introduce themselves and feel welcomed any time.
However, the Back Row has easily become renowned as a gathering place to meet and greet your fellow parents, families and guests. It has become, if you will, our locker room where we learn about each other. Where we strategize before the game, celebrate together and sometimes cry together. It is where we develop a team-like spirit not unlike the playing Tigers.

It has become a place where players can come to after the game to be fed and nourished if their families cannot make the game. If you are new, and cannot make the game, please let your young man know where we are. All he has to do is ask an upper class teammate.

All we are trying to do is build excitement for the program and support our young men. Each of us has their own ideas on how to do that. The diversity of opinion is understood and encouraged. You don’t have to join in every home game or ever. But please know, ALL are always welcomed and we look forward to building new relationships and enjoying each others company while cheering for our FOOTBALL TIGERS!!!

As for the particulars, the Back Row is a pitch-in tailgate experience. There will be personal grills there and tables for your pitch-in items. If you have a grill or a table, PLEASE bring and add to what we already have. Generally we cannot have too many grills or tables. Bring your cooler, dishes to share and grilling meat or bucket of chicken, etc. The grillers are glad to grill your meat for free (or refilling their beverage cup) or let you jump in.

We love to see diversity of foods. Bring your son’s favorite dishes for after the game. That is another point. Since tailgating goes on pre and post game, make sure you think about bringing enough for two meal periods. Generally speaking, the heaviest grilling and eating takes place after the game possibly because the players are usually very thirsty and hungry, but plenty of eating and drinking goes on prior to kick-off, as well.

The team will again be selling DePauw Football hats and visors at the stadium. As a proud new owner, these hats and visors are very sharp. $20 for hats and $10 for visors. Miss America looks very nice in her new visor by the way!!!!

Questions????? Ask by posting a Comment here in the blog or contacting a veteran.

See you Saturday wearin’ your Black and Gold

GO TIGERS