UTEP addresses a problem we have...
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 8:49 pmOver on the TTech message board, I saw this article about TTech's road opponent UTEP. They've implemented a policy requiring tailgaters to either go to the game or go home. Interesting read. Of course, we'd probably have the problem of too many people opting for the go home option.
UTEP announces new policy: Go to game or go home
John Erfort / El Paso Times
El Paso Times
UTEP announced a new policy Friday that will require tailgaters, at the end of the first quarter, to get into the stadium -- or go home.
University of Texas at El Paso athletic director Bob Stull announced that the new tailgating policy calls for all tailgating for Miner home football games to end by the end of the first quarter.
The rule, which is similar to the tailgating policy of other NCAA Division 1 universities (including New Mexico and New Mexico State), is designed to get more people to buy tickets and attend the games.
After the first quarter, any fans still tailgating will be asked to use their tickets and enter the stadium or leave.
"If we had extravagant parking, it wouldn't be a problem," Stull said. "But the problem is that people with tickets can't get close to the stadium because the lots are taken up by people who are not going to the game.
"We want to take care of our ticketholders first and foremost. And we want to have as many parking spots available as possible for the people who are going to the games."
UTEP had just one sellout last year (51,500), for the homecoming game against Marshall. The Miners set a season home attendance record last year with an average of 47,899 fans per game.
But, the university wants to know, what if all the tailgaters had purchased tickets?
Finally, Stull cited concerns about fan safety.
"Another thing we're concerned about is the atmosphere and the safety of our fans," he said. "Some of those tailgates start early in the morning and go late into the night, and we had some incidents last year on campus that weren't pleasant. We want to make sure there's a good atmosphere around the stadium."
Stull also said he hoped this policy isn't taken the wrong way.
"We are not discouraging tailgating at all," he said. "We want people to have fun. Just go to the game, and after the game you can resume tailgating.
"We appreciate the type of enthusiasm we've developed around the games. That's what we've worked hard to get to. And we want our fans to have a great experience. We don't want to discourage people from having a good time. We just don't want to make it the party location for people who aren't going to the game."
Stull said that all fans will still be allowed to enter the lots (RVs must park in A-13 and must have a pass this year), but that the lots will be policed.
And there is one exception: Very large tailgates will be allowed leave one person behind to guard the group's belongings. Postgame tailgating will be allowed for one hour.
Season ticketholder Liz Parra of the East Side, who has been tailgating for 10 years and is part of a group of 20-25 people, said she thinks the new rule makes sense.
"I think it's good, but I think they need to go a step farther and ask for tickets (to get into the parking lots)," she said. "We tailgate on campus. If they would ask for tickets at the gate to the campus, that might help also. We have to get there by 10:30 or 11 a.m. (for night games) to get a spot. And oftentimes, it's hard even at that time because there's already a lot of people. A lot of students get in there and stay there and everyone joins them, and I don't know if they have tickets or not."
Parra admitted that in past years parking wasn't a problem.
The added inconvenience of the past few years, she admitted, isn't such a bad tradeoff for the team's success.
"You kind of forget about that when the moment arrives," she said. "We still enjoy it."
Asked how she thought other fans might react to the new policy, Parra said, "I don't know. I've always thought that most of the people had tickets and that's why they were there. I guess I was a little naive.
"But I don't think it will be that bad of a thing. I think it's a good thing."
John Erfort may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6164.
UTEP announces new policy: Go to game or go home
John Erfort / El Paso Times
El Paso Times
UTEP announced a new policy Friday that will require tailgaters, at the end of the first quarter, to get into the stadium -- or go home.
University of Texas at El Paso athletic director Bob Stull announced that the new tailgating policy calls for all tailgating for Miner home football games to end by the end of the first quarter.
The rule, which is similar to the tailgating policy of other NCAA Division 1 universities (including New Mexico and New Mexico State), is designed to get more people to buy tickets and attend the games.
After the first quarter, any fans still tailgating will be asked to use their tickets and enter the stadium or leave.
"If we had extravagant parking, it wouldn't be a problem," Stull said. "But the problem is that people with tickets can't get close to the stadium because the lots are taken up by people who are not going to the game.
"We want to take care of our ticketholders first and foremost. And we want to have as many parking spots available as possible for the people who are going to the games."
UTEP had just one sellout last year (51,500), for the homecoming game against Marshall. The Miners set a season home attendance record last year with an average of 47,899 fans per game.
But, the university wants to know, what if all the tailgaters had purchased tickets?
Finally, Stull cited concerns about fan safety.
"Another thing we're concerned about is the atmosphere and the safety of our fans," he said. "Some of those tailgates start early in the morning and go late into the night, and we had some incidents last year on campus that weren't pleasant. We want to make sure there's a good atmosphere around the stadium."
Stull also said he hoped this policy isn't taken the wrong way.
"We are not discouraging tailgating at all," he said. "We want people to have fun. Just go to the game, and after the game you can resume tailgating.
"We appreciate the type of enthusiasm we've developed around the games. That's what we've worked hard to get to. And we want our fans to have a great experience. We don't want to discourage people from having a good time. We just don't want to make it the party location for people who aren't going to the game."
Stull said that all fans will still be allowed to enter the lots (RVs must park in A-13 and must have a pass this year), but that the lots will be policed.
And there is one exception: Very large tailgates will be allowed leave one person behind to guard the group's belongings. Postgame tailgating will be allowed for one hour.
Season ticketholder Liz Parra of the East Side, who has been tailgating for 10 years and is part of a group of 20-25 people, said she thinks the new rule makes sense.
"I think it's good, but I think they need to go a step farther and ask for tickets (to get into the parking lots)," she said. "We tailgate on campus. If they would ask for tickets at the gate to the campus, that might help also. We have to get there by 10:30 or 11 a.m. (for night games) to get a spot. And oftentimes, it's hard even at that time because there's already a lot of people. A lot of students get in there and stay there and everyone joins them, and I don't know if they have tickets or not."
Parra admitted that in past years parking wasn't a problem.
The added inconvenience of the past few years, she admitted, isn't such a bad tradeoff for the team's success.
"You kind of forget about that when the moment arrives," she said. "We still enjoy it."
Asked how she thought other fans might react to the new policy, Parra said, "I don't know. I've always thought that most of the people had tickets and that's why they were there. I guess I was a little naive.
"But I don't think it will be that bad of a thing. I think it's a good thing."
John Erfort may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6164.
