Leaves float by on the autumn winds as excited fans file into John L. Guidry Stadium. Fall has arrived and for students on the Nicholls campus, thoughts turn to midterms, the Voodoo Music Experience and football games. Ever since the days of club football, students have gathered to celebrate school spirit and cheer the Colonel football team to victory against its opponents. Before the games, students and alumni began to gather in small groups around the stadium, bringing food and beverages to feed the hunger of ravenous fans. These small unofficial parties, unofficially, began to grow in size. Eventually student organizations began to organize official parties and the tradition of tailgating was born on the campus.
“There were little parties here and there ever since the days when we weren’t a part of a conference,” Deborah Raziano, director of alumni affairs, said. “It has really taken off and been going full force about the last five or six years.”
Alumni participation has become a major part of the tailgating festivities according to Raziano. Alumni affairs estimate that 15 to 20 percent of all tailgaters are alumni, with a greater percentage attending during special event games such as Family Day and Homecoming.
Nicholls students make up the majority of participants at tailgating festivities, and the Student Programming Association makes sure that there are plenty of activities to keep students busy.
“We brought back JELL-O wrestling by popular demand,” Jennifer White, SPA adviser said. “We will also have tug-of-war and other activities for students who don’t want to wear JELL-O to the game.”
Live music has always been a favorite at pre-game activities. For the Sept. 2 home game, the SPA hired local favorite “Bag Of Donuts” to entertain the partying crowd. In addition to the usual inflatable rides normally seen at Family Day, local band “Southern Image” will be here to entertain game goers.
“We always have a band or a DJ,” White said.
We really want to encourage all students to come out and support the team.”
The tailgating parties are a great way for first-time freshmen and transfer students to meet other students and feel a part of the Nicholls community.
“I attended the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and St. Thomas Aquinas tailgating parties at the first game,” Leigh Arnold, freshman from Anachuac, Texas, said. “It was cool because I got to hang out with people I had never met before. It was raining so we got to play in the water and have a good time. It was great; I can’t wait to go back.”
Tailgating activities are limited to designated areas set forth by the Department of Auxiliary Services with the boundaries being Guidry Stadium on one side and Madewood Drive on the other. A map of the specific area can be picked up at the office for the Department of Auxiliary Services located in Bollinger Memorial Student Union.
Though not the focus of most tailgating activities, alcohol consumption is limited to those 21 years of age or older. Glass bottles and kegs are prohibited in the area, but canned beer is allowed as long as those tailgating deposit their refuse in provided garbage cans.
Tailgating activities are not limited to Nicholls home games. According to Raziano, the Alumni Association is planning to organize activities for the Sam Houston game in Huntsville, Texas on Oct. 16 and also the McNeese game in Lake Charles on Nov. 20.
“We expect to have a lot of Houston-based alumni attending the Sam Houston game,” Raziano said.
According to White, the spirit and travel committee is also organizing pep rallies for all home games this semester.
“We used to have pep rallies every home game, but last year they were only held for Homecoming and Family Day,” White said. “We really want to encourage all students and student organizations to come out and show their school spirit. With all that has gone on this semester, it is important, now more than ever.
