COLUMN: CMU lacks Saturday football tradition with bad mid-week scheduling

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One of the highlights of the fall semester is college football Saturdays.

Wake up early and tailgate. Roommates go out eating and drinking with friends before heading into Kelly/Shorts Stadium for at least a half, hopefully. They have no worries about tests or class because it’s Saturday.

Wait, that’s not normal here? It’s only happened once so far this year.

After Saturday, that’s all over with for the year. Done. Finished.

The 2011 season will have two more home games for CMU, both mid-week.

It saddens me.

When I stayed with friends for the Central Michigan/Michigan State game a few weeks ago, they knew how to do it. They had their Saturday morning tailgating scripted to a T.

I was woken up against my will at about nine to a delicious, hearty breakfast. Eggs, bacon, French toast, anything your heart would desire. Then there’s obviously the typical drinking that begins before ten (don’t worry CM Life, I was busy getting ready to work, completely sober).

Then you walk to the tailgates hours early to enjoy more food and festivities with friends.

If you haven’t experienced that here, don’t worry, you’re probably not alone. How could you have a routine of something if it happens twice a year?

Because of monetary reasons CMU is only playing two home Saturday football games this year.

Two.

That’s ridiculous. College football is made for Saturdays where the students, alumni, family and friends come together, relax and watch football. This year the only way that’s possible is if they’re getting in their cars and driving throughout the Midwest.

CMU only has five home games this year. That’s because the Chippewas must go on the road during the non-conference schedule to make money for the entire athletics program.

It stinks for students, players, fans and local businesses, but I understand why it has to be done. Somehow athletics has to make money to afford all the sports travel, equipment, coaching salaries and so on.

But playing three of those five home games mid-week is silly. Mid-week games take away the college football experience for the students, players, fans, alumni and everyone involved.

Tailgating is cut short or eliminated by classes, homework and studying when it’s on a Thursday.

That’s if the students can even make it to the game. Everyone has to have those dreaded three-hour night classes at some point before graduation.

Guess why CMU is playing all these mid-week games.

That’s right, once again, it’s money.

The TV contract the Mid-American Conference has with ESPN is forcing games away from Saturdays and moving them toward Thursday and Friday nights.

That’s great for ESPN 2 and ESPNU to fill eventless nights with college football. But it takes the college football intensity and uniqueness away from schools like CMU.

So please, don’t sleep in too late tomorrow. Don’t blow off the tailgate to just relax or because you’re hungover. Go out and enjoy it.

It’s the last one of the year.