University of Connecticut Athletics
Tailgating Done Right
10/30/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Tailgating is about making a full-day event of a football game. Tailgating veterans say the serious participants arrive at 9:00 a.m. for the good spots and leave at 6:00 p.m after the fun dies down. "For me football's the whole picture: tailgating with good friends and good food; being outside in a crisp fall environment; dressing in UConn colors and rooting for your team," says 35-year veteran Husky football fan, Gay Lustig of Glastonbury. "There's something about those bright blue skies and crispy days that just says football. Even bundling up against the cold feels like football to me."
"Tailgating is part of the whole tradition of football," says UConn football coach, Randy Edsall, "From my position as coach, I have to say that tailgating really pumps up the team. Players see that display of team spirit and it's an adrenalin shot for them. It can also be intimidating for the visitors."
So here, for the benefit of veterans and newcomers alike, is a primer on Tailgating Done Right.
The Proper Vehicle - The best vehicle is one that can open up in the back. Whichever vehicle you choose, "experts" say it has to have a tailgating area large enough to hold a folding banquet table and four chairs. Early tailgaters used station wagons. In fact, there's quite a market for these old station wagons among true devotees. Now, you see more vans and SUVs. For the more dedicated tailgaters, there are Winnebagos, mobile homes or pickups with camping caps. For the real hardcore aficionados, there are school buses or commercial buses with luxury options. People who tailgate at the major college football schools may go out and purchase a vehicle especially to tailgate. "I heard about one Iowa State fan who bought a city bus and fitted it with $300,000 worth of improvements simply to drive from Cedar Rapids to Ames for the Iowa State games. It included sleeping rooms and a bar," says veteran tailgater Sheldon Baker of Old Lyme, whose dining credits include a five-year stint as PM Magazine's "Phantom Diner." His expertise in tailgating includes extensive personal study at the annual Yale/Harvard game, as well as games at Nebraska and other major football schools.
The Right Utensils and Trappings - Starting with the practical, you have to have something that keeps the back of car clean, like a large tarp or Husky blanket. Naturally, it, like all the other decorations, must be Husky blue and white colors. You'll also need two large golf umbrellas (preferably blue and white), Frisbees, hibachi or other grill (charcoal or gas), blankets and a battery-powered radio and portable TV for following the pre and post game festivities. After years of tailgating experience, Mr. Baker says the one-must have thing that any veteran takes to a tailgating party is rubber boots. "These cover anything that happens," he says with a chuckle.
The Right Decorations - Whatever you choose, make sure it's Husky blue and white (National Flag blue is the official UConn blue, if you want to be completely correct). Bring lots of flags, pennants, banners and lucky pins. "Look for a table centerpiece that's something spectacular in blue and white, like an interesting bowl filled with blue and white chrysanthemums," says Brenda Baker of Old Lyme, who shares her husband's love of tailgating. "You can find things like that at the Christmas Tree Shops (she found one there for $12.98)." She advises collecting these items as you find them throughout the year so you'll be ready for the blue and white theme during fall tailgates. She also suggests decorating with pom-poms and blue and white balloons, UConn Husky blankets and hats. Go as simple or as elaborate as you dare, she says. Her husband Sheldon recalls sterling silver candlesticks, linen-covered tables and elaborate floral arrangements at the Yale/ Harvard games.
The Way to Serve and Cook - You'll need serving things that travel well like plastic serving pieces and bowls. Don't forget paper plates, forks, knives and spoons and glasses. Also include an ample supply of napkins and paper weights to keep them down (the Bakers suggest stones painted Husky blue and white). Bring food in plastic containers and pack a large quantity of foil and plastic wrap for left-overs and four to six garbage bags. Take a cooler and at least four bags of ice. Don't forget things like bottle openers, cork screws and a Swiss army knife. When it comes to cooking, people bring anything from a full-scale gas grill, to a Coleman stove, charcoal grill or hibachi. Don't forget the appropriate fuel, spatulas, tongs and large empty bowls.
The Food - In general, the food should be simple and able to travel well. "The food depends upon the time of the year," says Ms. Lustig. Early in the season, it's warm, so we like things like cold crab meat sandwiches and shrimp cocktail. At that time, you want cold soda and your other favorite beverages. But, as it starts to get cooler like now, we like pulled pork with barbeque, baked beans, hot dogs and hamburgers and hot cider and hot cocoa."
The Bakers suggest these favorites:
Meat: Italian sausage, pickles and onions, burgers, dogs, brats, Buffalo chicken wings with blue cheese and sour cream, fried chicken, roast beef or chicken rollups, ribs, shrimp cocktail, crab legs on the grill
Salads: Potato salad, coleslaw, greens, macaroni salad, bean salad, pasta salads
One-dish wonders: Soup or stew in bread bowls, macaroni and cheese, chili plain or con queso, lasagna, beans
Dips: Husky salsa and chips, potato chips; cottage cheese dip (with chives, horseradish, Worcestershire and Tabasco)
Desserts: Brownies, oatmeal cookies, cannolis, lucky cake
Beverages:
Cold - soda, spring water and other favorite drinks
Hot - Cocoa, coffee, sherry beef hot soup, husky chicken consomm
They also suggest the attached recipes for those who want to go all out.
Tailgating's all about making the game an event for both the hardcore fans and those who just enjoy a day out in the fall weather. "As a school that's building our own football tradition, I see tailgating as a key element of the whole experience," concludes UConn football coach, Randy Edsall, "For the fans, tailgating makes a game an all-day event and adds to the excitement of a football season."
