So, how was tailgating/pregame scene?

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Gopher07

Gopher07

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We've discussed at length the stadium, the band, the concourses, etc. but I have yet to see much on the pregame festivities. Where did you go, how was it?

I was unable to attend, but will probably end up at Sterb's come the opener.
 

C89 was very light. a little more action in C88/86, but not much. Unbelievably beautiful day for it though.
 

MNWolfman said:
C89 was very light. a little more action in C88/86, but not much. Unbelievably beautiful day for it though.
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We parked in C89 but didn't tailgate (we will for all future home games). I liked our little lot. One thing I noticed was that there wasn't direct access from C89 to the rec fields (that I saw at least), but it was an easy walk to the gate over by C86/88. Looks like the prime spots in C86 are the ones by the tree filled median between the 86 and 89 lots.

Note for everyone: Don't be dumb like me and accidentally tear off the stub from your parking pass when removing it from the sheet. Otherwise you have to head over to Mariucci to get another one printed. :eek:
 

I walked to the stadium from the direction of Sally's. Even though there wasn't much going on in the form of pre-game partying (although Sally's looked full), just being on campus changes the entire atmosphere, in my opinion.

Going to the Dome, you didn't know there was a Gopher football game happening until you were a block from the stadium. Now, you see maroon and gold and block M's all over; you approach the stadium and from three blocks away see the maroon and gold seats. If Sally's, Stub and Herbs and others are able to rope off their parking lots, and once the McNamara plaza gets going before games, it will feel like walking to the stadium in Madison.

I'd like to walk by the tailgating lots, but they're tucked away on the other side of the stadium; that would add even more to the atmosphere.
 

I worked out a fantastic deal with a private lot owner. It should be a blast and great tailgating scene.
 


Was in the Ski-U-Mah lot 2 hours before kickoff. The lot was approx. 1/6 full and relatively quiet, but a great bunch of people there. I heard that 30 or so of the spots in this lot were not sold. Am guessing it will be hopping pretty good on the 12th, however.
 

On my way to the 4th street ramp I drove past the frats on University and some had activities going on outside. It was indeed great to be back on campus!
 

GoAUpher said:
We parked in C89 but didn't tailgate (we will for all future home games). I liked our little lot. One thing I noticed was that there wasn't direct access from C89 to the rec fields (that I saw at least), but it was an easy walk to the gate over by C86/88. Looks like the prime spots in C86 are the ones by the tree filled median between the 86 and 89 lots.

Note for everyone: Don't be dumb like me and accidentally tear off the stub from your parking pass when removing it from the sheet. Otherwise you have to head over to Mariucci to get another one printed. :eek:
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I did the same thing. They let me in though.
 

We were the 2nd and 3rd cars to arrive in C89 a bit before noon, and think it will be a good lot. There were very few tailgaters in our lot, though I'm assuming that will pick up a bunch come 9/12. I thought the U of M flag near one of the two toilets was a nice touch.
 



We were the first in the Ski U Mah lot so got the prime corner spot closest to TCF. Great tailgate location with a gorgeous view of the stadium. Also, had some fun neighbors who like to play flip cup! Btw, nobody took our ticket and we did not have to pay the $10.00.
 

We were over on the St. Paul campus. Was pretty quiet, but there were some folks tossing the football around. We thought about breaking out the boards to play a little bags, but it just didn't seem right. Need to save that for the first game. Instead we drank some Old Style and enjoyed the weather. I suspect things will be highly entertaining in St. Paul come September 12th, though.
 

not quite tailgating but,

we went to stud and herb's which was completely full. Talked to the waitress and she said they plan on having a beer garden with basic tailgate food (burgers/brats). Sounds like they might charge a 2 dollar cover to get into the garden.

We also stopped by campus pizza and pasta and they were geared up in the restaurant as well as in the little lobby/hallway that that building has (if you're familiar with that building). Not many people there but was just a scrimmage.

Finally, on the way home from the game we noticed that U-Liquors had a beer garden set up in the parking lot to the east of their building. It looked like it would be a pretty nice set up.
 

We were in the lot straight north of Mariucci (northwest of TCF). The lot was pretty empty, but it was great to be playing corn hole again (we only got a couple games in due to wanting to get into the stadium relatively early. We were low-key on the tailgating; just some brats.

I'll be curious to see how the St. Paul scene goes. Y'all may have to just come over to the stadium early and mingle around - it will be hopping come game day!
 



TCF=UnitedWeStand said:
I'll be curious to see how the St. Paul scene goes. Y'all may have to just come over to the stadium early and mingle around - it will be hopping come game day!
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Yeah, we're going to see how it goes the first week. We'll get there plenty early to have some beers, grill up some grub and play a few games of cornhole. We decided to park in St. Paul in the hopes of mingling with some of the opposing fans. That's usually a pretty good time. If it's lame and people are fleeing to campus as soon as they park, then we'll likely follow suit. At the least, we'll be getting to campus 90 minutes before kickoff to allow plenty of time to soak in all the goodness.

God, it's going to be sweet! :clap:
 

Regarding the SP campus, would anyone be interested in seeing a vendor booth set up in the parking lots? They would be selling some beer and usual tailgate food. I know someone that might be doing that. Maybe everyone will bring their own goods. Who knows. What do you think?
 

Foggie said:
Regarding the SP campus, would anyone be interested in seeing a vendor booth set up in the parking lots? They would be selling some beer and usual tailgate food. I know someone that might be doing that. Maybe everyone will bring their own goods. Who knows. What do you think?
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You better make sure whoever you know cleared it with the U first. Otherwise I'm betting they'll shut them down pretty quick.
 

Tailgating Rules

GoldysArmy said:
We were the first in the Ski U Mah lot so got the prime corner spot closest to TCF. Great tailgate location with a gorgeous view of the stadium. Also, had some fun neighbors who like to play flip cup! Btw, nobody took our ticket and we did not have to pay the $10.00.
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I was patient with the morons playing flip cup this past Saturday, but come the 12th will not sit by while the No Drinking Games policy is violated. Consider yourself warned. Take a few moments to read the policies established by the U and don't let it happen again.
 

Steve French said:
I was patient with the morons playing flip cup this past Saturday, but come the 12th will not sit by while the No Drinking Games policy is violated. Consider yourself warned. Take a few moments to read the policies established by the U and don't let it happen again.
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Wow, you are going to get annihilated on this board with that first post. I hope you're kidding. I'm thinking my sarcasm meter is just broken.
 

Gold Vision said:
Wow, you are going to get annihilated on this board with that first post. I hope you're kidding. I'm thinking my sarcasm meter is just broken.
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I'm going to hold out hope that anyone who is this much of a fun-hater would never bother to post in an online forum like this one. Crossing my fingers for sarcasm.
 

Gold Vision said:
Wow, you are going to get annihilated on this board with that first post. I hope you're kidding. I'm thinking my sarcasm meter is just broken.
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I'm not kidding. I know this is my first post and was directed to this site by a guy I talked to in the Ski-U-Mah lot, so I thought I'd make mention of my intent here.

I am very excited to be returning to campus and absolutely want to see a great game day atmosphere on campus. However, I do not want to see the pregame environment deteriorate into a drunken house party. In the old days, our well dressed gang would gather and cook up some sausages or what have you and partake in a few drinks. Occasionally someone might have a little too much and we'd settle him down with some coffee. Nobody every played silly games with the singular purpose of getting so inebriated that they could stand up, much less watch the game. I'm going to make sure that this doesn't happen around me and my family.

After the game, back when I was young, we'd all wander down to the Varsity Cafe on Washington and Oak for a nice slice of pie and a little something to warm us up. Where will we go for pie now?
 

this HAS TO BE A JOKE. I CANNOT EVEN TAKE THIS SERIOUS HAHAHAHA.

Go back to France.
 

Geez, I hope Mr. Steve doesn't get bitter about me playing some "silly" bean bag toss game. Although, I'll be in the Northstar lot......:) Maybe someone can bake a pie to help the mood. :clap:
 

Steve,
If you are not kidding, I strongly suggest that when you look for a tailgating parking spot look for an older group to park next to. If you are so easily offended by people playing games, drinking and being loud, look for a quiet, over 50 crowd to be near. Think a little before you rat out fellow tailgaters - if you're known as the buzz kill of a parking lot, you may be in for a long season of pranks.
 

LC19 said:
Geez, I hope Mr. Steve doesn't get bitter about me playing some "silly" bean bag toss game. Although, I'll be in the Northstar lot......:) Maybe someone can bake a pie to help the mood. :clap:
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The games that I have a problem with, and which destroy the family friendly environment, are the games such as the one Goldy's Army mentioned. I'm not sure of the names but most of them involve plastic cups, a table, and the consumption of lots of beer in a very short time. That, my friends, is what the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA tailgating policy prohibits. I fully support the ban and will take time to point violators out to the proper authorities to ensure that tailgating is fun for everyone, not just those who want to get smashed.

Have fun playing bean bag toss and what have you. I will only report the egregious offenders of the tailgating policy, so that we can ALL have a good time.
 

Steve French said:
I'm not kidding. I know this is my first post and was directed to this site by a guy I talked to in the Ski-U-Mah lot, so I thought I'd make mention of my intent here.

I am very excited to be returning to campus and absolutely want to see a great game day atmosphere on campus. However, I do not want to see the pregame environment deteriorate into a drunken house party. In the old days, our well dressed gang would gather and cook up some sausages or what have you and partake in a few drinks. Occasionally someone might have a little too much and we'd settle him down with some coffee. Nobody every played silly games with the singular purpose of getting so inebriated that they could stand up, much less watch the game. I'm going to make sure that this doesn't happen around me and my family.

After the game, back when I was young, we'd all wander down to the Varsity Cafe on Washington and Oak for a nice slice of pie and a little something to warm us up. Where will we go for pie now?
Click to expand...
Playing flip cup doesn't mean your sole intent is to get so drunk you can't stand. And since the Ski-U-Mah lot requires a hefty donation (or multiple priority seats) to enter, the folks you're accusing of being mindless drunks are pretty loyal Gopher fans of many years. Do you really think their goal is to get so drunk that they can't see the game? I have no doubt that they plan on being plenty sauced, but so will many other folks in your lot. And guess what, plenty of them will be having too many without playing a "silly game". Are you going to police them too? Or are folks who don't play silly games the only ones who warrant a friendly coffee instead of your tailgate lot justice?

Perhaps you should, I don't know, give folks a chance first before calling down the thunder? I'm honestly a little speechless here. Rather than wait to see if the folks you're judging are the type you seem to despise, you've already made up your mind. And frankly, that makes you significantly less mature than those who you see as playing "silly games".
 

clearly a joke, the guy's username is a trailer park boys reference, which is anything but wholesome.
 

The U of M has set the policy in an effort to create a safe environment for everyone. I agree that anyone in the Ski-U-Mah lot has indeed paid a premium for the right to tailgate so close to the stadium, but so did everyone else who is parking the the same lot. If the rest of us are abiding by the policy, shall one group be allowed to ignore it because they are long time fans? I have already contacted the university and have been assured that there will be patrols enforcing the rules and issuing warnings on the 12th. Hopefully everyone gets the message and we can move forward with a great year of tailgating, drinking game free.

From the U of M's website:

The following items and activities are not allowed in tailgate lots.
• Kegs, party balls, drinking game accessories, and large quantity or common source containers of
alcoholic beverages
 


Obviously a bit... if not it is really sad, Here's the thing...the sheer number of drinking gamers of all sorts and flavors makes enforcement of a "no drinking game policy" impossible, and any self enforcement by someone of this tailgating should be family freindly attitude would seriously by laughed upon by 95% of the people out in the lots, I can just picture some crabby old guy shaking his fist in the air complaining to a large group of 20something year old fans "Put down that ping pong ball!", stop flipping those cups!" blah blah blah.

Man I hope this guy is a bit.
 


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