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A whole new look to CMU tailgating

By Joe Borlik on September 21, 2009 7:00 am in Featured, Student Life / 137 comments

 
A whole new look to CMU tailgating
New regulations limit tailgating attendance Saturday afternoon in Lot 63. "No one's going to go to the game because of this," said Shepherd junior Shannon Sullivan. "This isn't CMU tailgate." (Libby March/Staff Photographer)

Students tailgating at Kelly/Shorts Stadium Saturday noticed some changes.

Clarkston junior Mitch Miller sure did.

“I’ve never seen tailgating this empty,” Miller said. “This is terrible. CMU had the best tailgating in the state. Now, it’s below average.”

The student tailgating lot, Lot 63, totaled fewer than two full lanes of vehicles Saturday afternoon.

Many said it was because of the new tailgating procedures, which include increased security, required parking passes, no external sound systems and an alcohol limit of six beers or one pint of liquor.

Miller and his friends, who went to see CMU’s first home football game against Alcorn State, were so disappointed with the mild tailgating atmosphere, they packed into their pickup truck to leave.

But they could not. Under the new tailgating procedures, vehicles are not permitted to leave the area until the third quarter begins in an effort to decrease driving congestion.

“We tried to leave because it sucked so bad,” said driver and Waterford senior Brett Kukuk, “and then they wouldn’t let us.”

‘Never in a million years’

It was not just students who were disappointed with the new procedures.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, 2332 S. Mission St. set up a booth to sell their product on the south side of Lot 63.

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Because of the low turnout, Ryan Kaleto, the owner and manager, said they will not be back.

“I knew it wouldn’t be as big because of the new rules, but I never in a million years would have imagined it would’ve died down that much,” he said.

Tailgating also featured a live band, a hired DJ, more restrooms and stationed food vendors throughout the lot.

Senior Associate Athletic Director Derek van der Merwe, part of the committee that set the new procedures, said he urges those who are angry about the rules to be patient and give tailgating a chance.
van der Merwe said the procedures are something the committee will work on, but some of the rules will not be subject to change.

He said the rules are needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for students. Numerous instances of alcohol poisoning and injuries occurred during previous tailgates, he said.

“This was a proactive step by the university,” van der Merwe said. “We believe tailgating can still be a great experience for students.”

Kaleto said Tropical Smoothie Cafe may move to another parking lot, but was amazed at how low the turnout in the tailgating section was.

Bay City senior Catherine Wackerly and her friends gave tailgating a chance – and left after about five minutes.

“I’m very disappointed,” Wackerly said. “It’s embarrassing. If the rules don’t change, I won’t come to anymore tailgates.”

Police: Fewer problems

CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said tailgating was much safer this year and resulted in fewer arrests.
Yeagley said the police only had to arrest one person for larceny.

He said only two ambulances were called to the scene, one for an ankle injury in the student lot and the other for an intoxication in the stadium.

No OWIs were issued to his knowledge, he said.

“There were many fewer problems than previous tailgates,” Yeagley said. “I talked to a lot of students in the student section and they were disappointed in the low turnout. But the ones that chose to come seemed to be having a good time.”

Ohio junior Brenden Crowl and a group of friends boycotted tailgating by holding up signs in the student section reading “New failgate rules” and “This is not CMU tailgate.”

The group received several cheers from fellow students when holding up their signs.

Essexville senior Pat Tanner is concerned with the potential negative impact the tailgating rules could have on football game attendance.

“This is bad for the football team and sports program that invests so much of our tuition money,” Tanner said. “It’ll prevent not only people from CMU from coming to the games, but people from all over the state.”

CMU Police Associate Director Fred Harris said once students realize the changes are insignificant, tailgating attendance will increase.

“It should be a better and safer environment,” Harris said.

 

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  • Stacey

    Wow- I graduated in 2006 from CMU and this picture and article sadden me. Some of my BEST memories were tailgating and going up to the main lot to see friends, dance to the music from the Pub (now Blue gator), wear my Central gear & yell ‘Fire up Chips’ ecstatically. Administration needs to realize and accept that part of the college experience is drinking, getting a little crazy and hanging out with friends outside on the football game. This is a case of ludicrous policy gone awry. The police officers and officials should be there in cases of emergency and to keep the public safe- not to hamper down rules & regulations and result in less than satisfactory college football experience for the CMU students. I understand CMU is trying to be more and more ‘academic,’ but from a currently successful, recent alumni, I want the Administration to know that this is absolutely abhorrent. Academics and fun are both permissible- it doesn’t have to be ONE or the OTHER. In the spirit of football, friends and great former memories at CMU- Fire up CHIPS!

  • Ben LaMothe

    Get over it. CMU has the right to set rules in the interest of public safety. CMU tailgating was petty out of control. The reaction against these new tailgating rules borders on petulant.

  • Alum

    I just canceled my $150 a night hotel room for homecoming weekend. why the hell would I spend that much and drive 6 hours to partake in an event that’s a mere shell of itself? these new rules are unbelievably dumb.

  • Heather

    As an Alum I had planned on coming all the way from Cincinnati for Homecoming. Given the outrageous hotel prices and no tailgating, not sure if I’ll even bother now. I can understand under age drinking and wanting to scale back arrests but I came to support my team and have some fun, not be told how to tailgate by the MP Police. Can’t Alums get a pass?!?!?

  • Jessica

    I don’t go to main street so now I have no where to go on game days if tailgating is being boycotted. I wish the rules didn’t change so the turnout was better and I could see some people and get the college atmosphere. You can change how much people are drinking on campus but it doesn’t change how much people will drink on main street and drive to campus. I looked forward to tailgating this year, since it is my second year on campus and the other schools I went to tailgating wasn’t even worth going to because of restrictions. Now Central is the same…

  • Tony Francetic

    It is utterly absurd that because every year a few idiots get alcohol poisioning that everyone else should suffer because of it. It’s one more step the university is taking to try and control every step students make. The problem is that tailgating isn’t just for students. Especially during games like Homecoming and Central/Western weekend. Alumni come back to support not only the football team, but the school as well. Even if someone DID want to tailgate at their hotel, or apartment community, they would have to then drive to the stadium (mostl likely under the influence of alcohol) and risk causing harm to themselves or others. To me, that is a little more dangerous than drinking in the tailgating lot.

  • http://TheSSareback Tim Wojcik

    I love it “CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley said tailgating was much safer this year and resulted in fewer arrests.” Are you kidding me! The security team over at JC Penney could have controlled that crowd. The sad thing is they actually had to make an arrest for larceny. But this is exactly what they wanted and asked for and given the one arrest surely more rules will be dealt down to the people who do not need the policing.

    I will still be heading to games this year because I love my Chippewa’s. But I will be tailgating elsewhere under these policies. The school obviously does not need my money if they can just pass on the money they lost last weekend with the poor turnout in lot 63. Nor will I be subjected to the over bearing regulations they have put on the tailgating crowd.

    To the students I applaud you for the stand you took last Saturday. But please still find a safe way to get to the game if you are tailgating elsewhere. The team appreciates your attendance at the games. FIREUPCHIPS!!!!

  • CMUgrad09

    Dude, do you even tailgate? To call tailgate “petty out of control,” 1) you can’t spell, and 2) the only time it has gotten realy crazy was Central/Western of 2008, and that was a pretty good environment. There weren’t any fights, people were getting along. That is what is rivalry needs, the little jabs here and there between the two schools.

    Get over it. Your a liberal. All they needed was to say we’re going to add the emergency lanes, water stations, and bathrooms. That’s public SAFETY. Do you actually think that limiting the amount of beers and sound systems at tailgate is really public safety? YES for the liability of the university, but now you’re going to have students boycotting tailgate and now going to Main St. to do so. This will cause more PUBLIC SAFETY issues. Students/Alumni/Fans that do so have no set 3 hour tailgate limit. These people are going to drink much LONGER, some even 6,7,8 hours.

    Does the CMU “Administration”, those whose salaries are paid for by the tuition dollars that the STUDENTS PAY for, even care about the reputation of this school and it’s football team. They slap a billboard on CoPa. BIG DEAL. When alumni and fans from places other than MP hear of this they laugh. This is going to continue to make MP look like a po-dunk town that it is, that doesn’t give two squats about becoming nationally known. Because they love their small-town culture.

    Did you even go tailgate at Michigan State? You think Central’s tailgate was “petty bad”. Michigan States tailgates are spread out over a few miles, and it goes on for 5 HOURS. Do you think their “administration” cares about the reputation of their tailgate, Yes they do. It is a big party, they DON’T quarantine their students to one area. It’s pathetic to look at what Michigan State has, and then consider our tailgates a public safety hazard.

  • Jon B

    My jaw completely hit the floor when I had heard about these new rules. As CMU Alumni, the tailgating experience is one of the many things that make CMU such a great school. Unlike other schools, (WMU, UofM, and MSU) CMU has a centralized tailgate; all the students are in a single lot. It was a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. The restrictions on drinking have changed the entire atmosphere. The CMU environment is, sorry WAS, the best in the state.

    I applaud the students for taking a stand. The CMU administration is clearly out of touch with the student body. I cannot believe the incidents last year were so extreme; it deserves such a harsh reaction. Wherever you go, there will always be a few students who make dumb decisions but, really? WE HAVE 5 HOME GAMES FOR THE WHOLE SEASON!

    I have religiously attended every Homecoming since graduation. During that time, I tailgate, go to the game, donate to my Alma Mater, and support some of my favorite restaurants in town. Since these ridiculous changes, I will not be coming back. CMU is no longer the school I once attended.

  • Glenn

    It’s funny, because you point out the typo of “petty” but use the possessive form of “your” instead of “you’re.”

    In the same breath, people boycotted before even testing out the new tailgate, just assuming it would be bad. What makes tailgates are the students, not necessarily what the students are doing–if you try out the new tailgate and still think it’s horrible, you can give a bit of a more informed opinion besides making unsubstantiated claims of what atmosphere does/does not exist. But if you don’t even come, then all you’re really doing is feeding into the administration’s assumptions of tailgating–that it has devolved from a gathering of like-minded college football fans excited to see their team play to an excuse to get drunk and (maybe) see the game. This sort of vibe, intentional or not, only further widens the gap between potential compromise.

    If you have a specific issue then voice it in a very specific way, but an argument such as “Six beers is only enough to give me a buzz, maybe” does nothing to show that you have a purpose aside from drinking at tailgate.

  • William Turner

    Well, from an alumni perspective, this seems like a typical CMU move. Can you imagine being at that idiot convention? “Hey, what else can we ‘improve’ upon?” …”Tailgating.”

    A classic case of fixing something not broken.

    Oh well, another tradition gone, and I honestly can’t even think of a reason to visit the campus anymore.

  • Mike

    What a joke. I would not be caught dead in a parking lot that looks so lame. I feel bad for the football team…they are really good this year and no no one is going to show up (excpet lame boys like Ben LaMothe) because tailgating was created for one reason and one reason only…freedom of expression. This is just another BS example of everyone trying to tell us what’s good for us. No smoking in public places, fast food taxes, tailgating restrictions. Whatever happened to common sense and public trust. Mark my words…this is just a small event that is part of a larger control initiative that is going down everywhere. My advice to current CMU students is to transfer to MMCC. A least there they don’t have d-bag cops and administration!

  • DannyBoiCMU

    This is such a failed attempt to make this “safer” for CMU tailgate. Instead of having hundreds of students in a confined area expressing their CMU pride, they would rather have 100 drunk PO’d students run a muck all over the public of Mt. Pleasant. Do the heads at CMU ever think about his kind of thing? More drunk people in public means more arrests, more fights, and less CMU pride.

  • Andrew

    Glenn,

    It’s pretty obvious, based on the innumerable responses against the new rules, that you’re the vocal minority. I’ve seen you trolling these posts for the last few days (well, since Saturday really). All you’ve done is continually bash those who voice their opinions and repeat the same rhetoric over and over again spouting off how only the drunkards care about the beer limit. I’ve read numerous responses to your posts that specifically address your assumptions.

    Anyone who’s been reading these articles and their comments already knows you’re completely in favor of the rules and very aware of your negative perception of the majority of people who have enjoyed the tailgating experience of the past.

    Take a few days off man, good lord.

  • 2003 Alum

    We are planning an Alumni weekend with a group of friends and have just stumbled across this article…what a load of crap! In the years that I attended CMU and tailgated it was never “out of control”. I agree about MSU tailgating being much larger and seemingly not an issue for their school. Too bad that the Mt. Pleasant Police and Campus Police are so concerned about safety at tailgating…I transfered to CMU because the college I attended for my freshman year had more rules for campus living than I had living at home. Oh well, perhaps if all you students do stage your boycott they will get the picture. Guess, we may have to re evaluate our plans. Hey is O’Kelley’s still open? What about B-W’s? And please don’t point out my grammatical errors because that just makes you look petty and I really could care less if I made a typo. Party on CMU! I know we did!

  • Jeff

    We’ll continue showing our support for the athletes by flying back for the bowl games or taking a 10 road trips to UofA.

    As far as returning for homecoming or donating any lack of funds I earn with my prestigious CMU degree, forget about it.

    CMU Police: what a joke, instead of handing out and MIP’s why don’t you solve a real crime, like who broke into my house and stole everything I owned a few years back.

    FIRE UP CHIPS!

  • Glenn

    Andrew,

    There is a distinct difference between trolling and trying to provide a response that looks at the issue from another perspective–trolling is providing deliberate flamebait with the only intent and purpose to incite some sort of distemper. If you want to be that short-sighted, then that’s fine with me; however, the way I see it, the rallied support does nothing, especially if the vast majority of people did not go to the new tailgate to begin with.

    My main issue is that if you haven’t experienced the new tailgate, it doesn’t seem fair to judge it–you really *don’t* know how much the rules have changed the vibe, if at all, and because of that, I’d just withhold judgment until such time.

    If you go to the new tailgate and still don’t enjoy the experience, even with all your friends and the usual crowd, that’s your prerogative, but at least you’ll be able to say “the new rules suck because of _____” versus “the new rules suck because they may/might/ ______.” If you can *show* something isn’t working, I really do think the administration would be more likely to consider revisions to the rules.

    If I was ‘baiting, I’d probably make use of some all caps, maybe some ad hominem attacks, or be more directly insulting–to think I don’t bleed maroon and gold or that I’m looking for trouble because I’m not against the new rules seems a bit extreme.

  • Katie

    Definitely pretty sad that the tailgate lot is that empty. I applaud the students for taking a stand against the ridiculous rules the administration has enacted. I hope the athletics department doesn’t complain if attendance at football games declines because of the new tailgating rules. My favorite quote was from the police chief saying there were less problems this year, well there were less problems because there was NO ONE tailgating. Odds are if you have a dozen people in the lot of course you aren’t going to need any police officers.

  • Michelel

    This is so sad….I CANNOT believe this is the CMU student tailgating lot :(
    PS Administration all you have done is move the problem from campus to Main St.
    I guess I won’t be making the two hour trek to Homecoming this year!

  • Herbie

    Wow. What a drastic change. When I went to school, the tailgating was phenomenal and the team stunk…

    Now the team is phenomenal and the tailgating stinks. Go figure.

    Students will still tailgate, but now police can expect hundreds of intoxicated drivers/walkers swarming the streets at 11:45 attempting to drink all they can outside the stadium to avoid the 6-pack limit, yet still make it in time for kickoff.

    Plus, during my last years in Mt. Pleasant, Central’s attendance numbers barely met the minimum limits to retain their Division IA status. We, for the love of our school, entered, left immediately, and then re-entered to help the cause. This certainly will not help…

    A student committee needs to be formed and a resolution needs to be drafted to overturn this… Power to the people.

    Needless to say, this alum will not be returning for Homecoming. What a shame!!!

  • Sleepy Bear

    Go ahead and ruin tailgait….Mount Pleasant does not have alot to offer students….Dont think that this will not impact decisions on what school to attend. I have two daughters attending CMU, and for years have been enjoying the students at tailgait. Coming off of the win with MSU that stadium should have been crazy! What a shame!

  • 1992 Alum

    Wow! Thats sad. What a shame to take this away from the students. Typical we know whats best for you attitude which seems to be ever present in this country today. Doesnt suprise me as our universites have been taken over by liberals.

  • Jon B

    @ Glenn.

    “My main issue is that if you haven’t experienced the new tailgate, it doesn’t seem fair to judge it–you really *don’t* know how much the rules have changed the vibe, if at all, and because of that, I’d just withhold judgment until such time.”

    I don’t think we really need to go to the “new tailgate” to see the effects. The picture on the top of this page as well as the response from students who attended this Failgate is all the evidence I need. From your suggestion: The new rules suck because no one attends tailgate.

    Rock on Andrew.

  • Brian

    I encourage all alumni who donate to the university and enjoy supporting their school to seriously re-think your contributions. For the past decade CMU has been changing policies to curtail fun on campus. How is CMU supposed to gain prominace on the national athletic scene if no one even wants to go there. The problem they will soon face with this strategy is students driving drunk to get to the other side of campus from Main St. C’mon CMU!!!!

  • Sara

    I am an ’03 Alum and am so disappointed in the photo above. Tailgating at CMU was always an important part of the school’s culture. The administration has to remember that these rules will not change the amount of liquor/beer students drink – they’ll just do it earlier and somewhere away from the game – which may lead to more incidents of public safety concern when more drunk driving between Main Street and the game starts to occur.

    Let’s lay off and let people have a good time – I have to say the photo above turns me off completely and may cause me to change my plans to come to Central for Homecoming this year. Maybe if I wait a few years you all can get it figured out and maybe I’ll be back…

  • Linus

    At least there’s no confederate flag in this picture.

  • CMU Alum 05

    How about this suggestion — Why not tailgate and party like at Reggae Fest? Get everyone together in a field, bring tents, sleeping bags, somehow broadcast the game on one of those inflatable tv things, get some food vendors, bring your grill, any booze you want and just party like that. Stay as long as you want — the food will help soak up the alcohol and over time people will be ok to drive (camping/staying the night & go home in the am)! As an Alumnus, I’d rather contribute and give back to something where students can kick back and have fun without being harassed by the cops from all around Mt. P. Just a thought. I know for a fact I won’t be back to any CMU Homecomings or Central/Western weekend. Tailgating brought people together, now you’re just pushing them away. Good job CMU admin. Good job. Seriously though, someone find a way to centralize the party in a field on the outskirts of town and have at it! I’d be game for that! :)

  • Tiffany

    This is so sad. I’m a 2006 alum and live in Colorado. I’ve taken time off work, paid to fly all the way back to MI, paid for a rental car and hotel room all to be able to come back to tailgate, visit with old friends and cheer on the Chips. Now, if it’s going to be like this, it’s not even worth it. I won’t be back, nor will I ever make another alum donation.

    I’m so disappointed in the school for making these ridiculous and completely unnecessary rules, what’s the positive effect of this? That the lazy-*ss Mt.P police (who apparently haven’t changed much since I was there) don’t have to work as hard or do their job? Maybe not in the tailgate lot, but it will instead spread the negative incidents all over campus rather than keeping them contained in one small controllable area.

    At the same time I’m also disappointed in any past or current students who acted out, started fights, or drank too much, causing the apparent need for these rules. Has it really changed that much in 3 years? You can go to tailgate, drink, be loud, and have fun without acting like a fool, making bad choices, and ruining such a special thing for so many people.

    I hope CMU will see the error in the decisions they’ve made and the negative effect it’s had on the school, the reputation, the alum relations and quality of life for all of the current students who PAY to be there. I also hope the students will learn to grow up a bit and have fun responsibly so there’s never a need to have a conversation to put rules like this into effect.

    CMU needs to work with the students, not against them.

  • Alum

    People that attended the new tailgate have commented that the police and checkpoint guards weren’t even really enforcing the rules. If that’s true (which I don’t know for sure if it is), then why make the rules? Why get everyone so upset? I understand that politics weigh heavy in the higher education system, but do the political muscles really need to be stretched when it comes to tailgate? A CMU tradition.

    Let’s keep in mind it was the home opener, the weather was gorgeous, we BEAT MSU the weekend before, and the student lot looked like that?

    I guess it does kind of takes the sting out of not being able to come home for Homecoming this year though.

  • Disillusioned Alum

    The problem with this type of policy is that it presumes the guilt of everyone. These tea-totalling bureaucrats who seek to protect us all from ourselves see only the collective student body, rather than individuals capable of making rational choices (even if that rational choice is to get wasted). Under the old regulations, everyone who was supposed to be drinking there was an adult. If they were too stupid to enjoy it responsibly that is the risk they run. They are adults! Don’t infantilize them! And if they were underage drinkers, guess what? That was already prohibited! And if they were not following the regulations then, what makes you think they will be followed now. The only result of this will be to push drinking into other areas and encourage drunk driving to the game. That is if people go at all.
    To the bureaucrats who came up with this idea: I am a grown man. If I do something illegal then you can fine me or arrest me. But if I decide to drink 6 or 16 beers that is my prerogative. Until then, mind your own damn business. you’re not my mother. Oh and by the way, don’t bother sending me any more of those letters begging for money.

  • Excuse Me

    Why does everyone keep pinning this on “liberals”? Perhaps you clueless blokes need a dose of reality? It’s the so called “moral” CONSERVATIVE wackjobs that want to ban all the fun. It’s CONSERVATIVES that want laws to govern “morality” as they see it.

    As far as the tailgating lunacy – the real issue now will come down to the egos of the person or committee” that came up with this grandios failure. Will they be willing to own up to a TERRIBLE decision? Will the University leadership – minus a permanent President, be willing to be firm and reverse this policy? What do you think? By the way – The CMU police still have an old policy on their website. Since they house the tailgaiting policy and it says nothing of the new rules – how exactly are the Alumni or many of the students supposed to even know what the new rules are? Show up and get wrist-slapped???

  • A Local

    As a local, I applaud CMU for taking a stand. I’m so tired of these drunken nuisances, I’m tired of you ruining the game for my family. There are others in Mt. Pleasant besides the students that go to these games as well!

  • Alum

    I’m a 2006 alum and this photo is disheartening. I just found a hotel to come to homecoming and now I am thinking about not going. I was looking forward to seeing old friends and enjoying a good tailgate and game. The group of alums that were coming with are all not happy and have decided to get together and go somewhere else. This will not help CMU and the attendance for the games will eventually decline and CMU will once again be fighting for their division A school status. And the mascot, a bag of chips with a chip clip, really! What has happened to CMU.

  • CMUgrad09

    This is 2009. The townies sound just like the old people at Michigan Stadium. “It is too loud”, They get mad when students try to get the crowd pumped and stay in the game. But of course the west side of the stadium is where people sit on their hands. How are we supposed to make K/S stadium a home-field advantage? By CHEERING and being loud. I’m tired of people who assume students that stand and yell constantly are “drunken idiots”. Get with the time Mount Pleasant, this is 2009 not the stone age (the people wish it still was).

  • C-Money

    Wow, I can’t believe they did this to our tailgate. I’m a successful CMU alum and this is quite pathetic. The governing body need to realize that it’s Mount Pleasant, MI it’s not exactly the most happening place in the Midwest. Students up there need to have a little bit a fun and to take tailgating away is a stab in the heart. They could have enforced the rules while keeping the spirit of CMU tailgate alive. I’m sure that the students and governing body could sit and have an agreement on alcohol and music. We have a great football team and nobody basically showed up for the first home game.
    I loved going to tailgate then going right into Kelly/Shorts stadium. And now since most people are talking about not going to the game then why should I make the trip to Michigan??Governing body and CMU police look at what your doing. People will not show up and your going to lose money along with sponsors. Wake Up and give CMU students their tailgate back.!!!!

  • 08 grad

    I really hope that with all the negative backlash that they are actually going to listen to the majority and reverse their stance on the rules before they significantly damage the tailgating and gameday atmosphere long-term. Money is tight and the economy is down. I would think they can’t sit on their hands and watch potential dollars earned be withheld because they have created a perception of a poor experience. Keep boycotting tailgating, and watch the games from a bar or the comfort of your own home if that’s what it takes to get the rules softened or reversed. If you’re alumni and your canceling a trip into town and a hotel stay, remember to mention it to the front desk when you call. That way they can be sure to notify CMU that they are hurting local business as well. I’m not saying don’t support the team, but show your support in another way because the administration has decided to infringe on your desire to experience a game just as other CMU tailgaters and attendees have in the past. FYI, I guarantee they will have less people attend the next tailgate.

  • Doug Hovey

    Sad day. No more trips for me and my wife to Mount Pleasant. I was looking forward to Western weekend, too. I might as well send my support to U-M now, where this will never happen.

  • Quasi

    “I really hope that with all the negative backlash that they are actually going to listen to the majority and reverse their stance on the rules”

    The won’t, the “majority” is in the most basic term, is wrong.
    They will lsten to the local businesses and the people who actually live in Mt. Pleasant. You know, they people who have complained for years about the partying.

    It’s a public safety issue and is intended to keep the students safer.
    If tailgating is that big of a deal for you guys, then you are pathetic and need to sort out your priorities.

    You don’t go to CMU to party, you go there to learn.

  • Mike

    I’m a bit confused by the conservative-liberal arguments on this thread–this isn’t about political affiliations, it’s about a bad idea.

    I am a 2005 grad of CMU who used to make the 2+ hour commute to make almost every home game over the last few seasons. Part of the fun was tailgating with friends and enjoying the atmosphere in the student lot (we haven’t admitted to being old–we parked where the life was). Of course there were some idiots in the crowd, there are in every crowd, but to ruin tailgating is beyond comprehensible.

    There were fewer arrests/injuries? Couldn’t see that coming when the crowd is 1/5 of past years–way to ignore the obvious. I dread when the drunk students/fans try to make it from Main St. while intoxicated and end up killing someone on the roads because they were forced out by Draconian tailgate rules. The most telling issue is that a CMU team coming off a huge in-state win at MSU draws under 19,000 for a game on a perfect day. Alcorn St. is not a major opponent but last year there would have been at least 25,000 for this game.

    Pathetic.

  • CMUgrad09

    Quasi,

    Stick to writing poems or something. You have no place in the conversation.

  • CMUgrad09

    Tailgate is 5 days out of an entire year. I don’t quite get what your saying about priorities.

  • Steven D.

    Our family always attends homecoming until now. Our daughter a 2005 CMU grad told us that CMU football took a nose dive. I would love to have served on the committee that served up the new rules. Do you think they benchmarked MSU or UM? NOT!

  • Gavin

    CMU’s new tailgating rules are asinine at best. I am an alumnus of CMU, and was actually planning on going to the homecoming game, as well as other home games this year. But after reading this article, as well as seeing the picture of tailgating as it is now, I no longer plan on attending.

    I don’t understand why it is so difficult for CMU officials to understand that tailgate is an entity that exists as a means of uniting a group of people through personal interaction. It was something that Central excelled at in comparison to MSU or U of M, and by changing the tailgating guidelines the powers that be have stripped their students, alumni, and visitors of that experience. The bottom line is that CMU’s governing body is sucking the life out of its student body in an attempt to create a “safer environment”. What a joke! Read a book or look at history if you wish to see the end effect of governing bodies limiting liberties in an attempt to create a safe environment. I believe that you will find that the outcome never ends well, for either side.

  • Quasi

    Considering the reputation of CMU continues to get worse, and the fact that an SVSU grad will get hired over a CMU grad, don’t you think the students should be focusing on SCHOOL?

    As a CMU and MSU grad, I find you guys putting so much merit in this issue very sad.

    Seriously, flying home from out of state and getting a room for a party in a parking lot?

    Get a life..

  • Glenn Beck

    @ 08 grad

    They won’t listen to the negative backlash. They want to provide a safe, enjoyable gameday environment for everyone to enjoy.

  • Chip

    As an alum, I know I plan on coming back for homecoming, with or without the new tailgate rules. Seriously, alumni, tailgating is the ONLY thing that would bring you back to Mt. Pleasant? If that’s the case, you need to examine how you spent your time here, and determine if you made any lasting relationships or if you just have a bunch of drinking buddies and a 2 fifth a day habit.

    Come to CMU to see people you care about, not to get wasted and vomit all over a port-a-potty. Oh and maybe check out the football team while you’re there.

    Fire Up Chips!

  • Katie

    I am a 2007 alum, townie, daughter of two CMU employees and a true supporter but I think the rules are completely out of line. I was the student who never really participated in tailgating but was in the stadium cheering on our team. I loved waking up on a Saturday morning, football was in the air and people were lined up for miles to get into the tailgating lot. People young and old, alumni, family of students and players, townies, and true CMU fans were there to support our Chippewas. I understand the want to keep people safe but do it one rule at a time. Is load music really hurting anyone?
    I loved to hear the everyone having a good time; it was a sight to see. I always brag to people how CMU HAD the best tailgating around (well until now). I now visit many different stadiums on game day (my husband is a football coach at the college level)and CMU really did have one of the best around. There have been so many memories created in that parking lot. People would enjoy each others company and then head into the game. The football program has grown so much over the past few years starting with Coach Kelly and continuing with Coach Jones. There were very few students in attendane my freshman year and by my last year there was hardly enough room to fit a single body in. Everyone is not a football fan but high attendance for tailgating meant high attendance for the games. CMU beat MSU and yet in response the committee brings down the hammer hard.

    I understand that drinking can get out of hand and a person should be able to have fun without alcohol but that is the reality of tailgating. Don’t let the abusers ruin it for everyone. As an RA in the towers I had more alcohol issues on a normal Thursday night than I did on a game day. The police should concentrate more on the bars and Main street; thats where the real problems occur.

    I will always be a supporter of CMU but this is very sad.

  • Jesse

    The only people that favor the new tailgate rules are the people that had no social life in college. This is only going to result in less students and alum going to the game. I know you feel like you have to cover yourself administration, but we know that CMU is about money and doesn’t really give two about their students. These rules will result in a drastic reduction of revenue on game days.

    Either these rules change or the party moves. College kids binge drink. They will just do it somewhere else. The CMU mall cops will have to go somewhere else to write MIPs.

  • Jesse

    My heart goes out to the can collectors.

  • Agreement

    ^Co-sign Jesse

    New rules have made it safer, but that’s because noone is there! The same thing that would be going on there is just going on at Main St. now

    I rate the new rules a 2/10 where it was at a 9/10 before

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