11 A.M.: Alumni return to tailgate with mixed views on new policy

Students, alumni and fans of all ages changed the asphalt of Lot 63 in a sea of maroon and gold prior to the noon Central Michigan University football game against Eastern Michigan.

Alumnus Alison Verbruggen was surprised by the result of Saturday’s tailgating, as attendance was down this year because of policy changes that included limits on alcohol and pedestrian checkpoints.

“I heard tailgating had a lot more rules, so it’s nice to see people out here,” she said.
Shelby Township junior Tony Bolek was still disappointed by the turnout south of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, even though he knew this game’s tailgate would be better than the previous two, which averaged 300-400 people, this season.

“I knew it’d be slightly more interesting,” Bolek said. “This is way better (than previous games,) but 10 times worse than last year.”

For many, the Homecoming tailgate was about more than the new regulations and policies. It gave many a chance to catch up with old friends and reminisce about past memories at CMU.

Alumnus Robert Rice said he enjoyed getting the chance to grab a drink, chat with friends and watch the football team.

“It’s good to be back,” he said. “This place is amazing. It’s a lot of fun.”

Meanwhile…

CMU alumni had no problem giving their opinions Saturday morning on the new student tailgating rules and football game against Eastern Michigan in Lot 62W.

The Lot 63 policy, which includes a six-beer or one-pint liquor limit, pedestrian checkpoints and other changes, were met with differing views from alumni.

Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services faculty member and alumnus Tim Otteman said the rules were needed to prevent a disaster from happening.

“I totally understand why they did it; from a risk management standpoint, if something happened in the middle of all that, they wouldn’t have the ability to get in,” he said. “I think they needed to have some regulation.
“It will be interesting to see how it fosters its way out after they have the chance to re-evaluate it after this season.”

Alumnus Nathan Bootz, member of the class of ’94, found the new rules silly and questions whether they really improve safety.

“Students can be responsible at CMU,” Bootz said. “So let’s just take their ability to be responsible and do the right thing away from them and make them go downtown; how does that improve the safety here? … They’re just changing one problem for another.”

One thing agreed upon by all alumni was the belief that CMU would beat Eastern Michigan.

“Different quarterbacks this year, I think, will make a big difference,” Otteman said. “Coach (Butch Jones) has got them going in the right direction and I think we’re in good shape today.”

Central Michigan eventually beat Eastern Michigan 56-8.

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