Tailgating at SMU

BobcatJh · Post by **BobcatJh** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:41 pm

We're looking forward to coming up to SMU in a couple of weeks to tailgate, but I saw that you don't let vehicles onto Bishop. My buddy has a great rig with TV hookup and built-in coolers. We got a tent already too. Do they let people hang out in the side lots and tailgate? We don't want to be stumbling around carrying our ice chests and whatnot back to the truck for 30 minutes before gametime.

Could anyone offer some advice?

03Mustang · Post by **03Mustang** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:45 pm

All first time visitors are required to provide free food and beer to anyone who asks. That's the most important thing to remember.

BobcatJh · Post by **BobcatJh** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:47 pm

We will bring plenty! We are looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

J.T.supporta · Post by **J.T.supporta** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:51 pm

03Mustang wrote:All first time visitors are required to provide free food and beer to anyone who asks. That's the most important thing to remember.

YES, bring lots of beer. might just want to bring a keg with you down here.

couch 'em · Post by **couch 'em** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:54 pm

You won't be able to get into the main area with your vehicle, but there are lots that visiting fans usually try to grab space in. Remember however that space is very limited. I'd pack light just in case you choose to move to the main area.

03Mustang · Post by **03Mustang** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:55 pm

J.T.supporta wrote:
03Mustang wrote:All first time visitors are required to provide free food and beer to anyone who asks. That's the most important thing to remember.

YES, bring lots of beer. might just want to bring a keg with you down here.

They don't allow those on the Boulevard, do they?

Speaking of which, there aren't really any "side lots" to tailgate in that I know of...maybe someone who actively does a tailgate can fill you in on what is allowable. I don't lease a spot or anything so I'm not really sure.

DiamondM · Post by **DiamondM** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 2:59 pm

I hope you will get some helpful answers, but alas, since I have a spot on the South end of the Boulevard, I cannot speak to the robustness of the tailgating scene up near Clements hall versus a parking lot elsewhere.

However, my guess is that if you really want to be in the Boulevard atmosphere, where tailgating is undoubtedly the best, you have 2 options.
1) Go ahead an purchase the tailgating spot near Clements, which is just North of the Boulevard proper and thus as close as you can probably get to the best action without being a student group or having a season spot on the Boulevard. You can easily get up from your spot to wander down the Boulevard to take in the crowd and the atmosphere.
2) Don't purchase the spot, don't bring your own tent -- just a chair and a cooler (with wheels if possible) full of your beverage of choice, wander down to the south part of the Boulevard, make friends with a regular tailgating group, who will probably invite you to stay. Most of the tailgaters are very friendly and welcome visitors.

BobcatJh · Post by **BobcatJh** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:00 pm

So if we rented a space our vehicle would be not be parked close to our alloted space?

Thanks for all the help so far guys.

J.T.supporta · Post by **J.T.supporta** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:00 pm

03Mustang wrote:
J.T.supporta wrote:
03Mustang wrote:All first time visitors are required to provide free food and beer to anyone who asks. That's the most important thing to remember.

YES, bring lots of beer. might just want to bring a keg with you down here.

They don't allow those on the Boulevard, do they?

Speaking of which, there aren't really any "side lots" to tailgate in that I know of...maybe someone who actively does a tailgate can fill you in on what is allowable. I don't lease a spot or anything so I'm not really sure.

yea i dont think kegs are allowed by he can always bring it to my place before the game. :lol:

Cadillac · Post by **Cadillac** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:00 pm

Most visiting team fans get an area on the West Side of the quad South of Dallas hall. I'm not sure if this is organized via the visiting school's Athletics office or what, but either way it should be accessable to vehicles via McFarlan Blvd/Boaz Ln. There may be access restrictions, and you can't park there, but hopefully that gets you started in the right direction.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... 05847&z=17

-CoS

perunapower · Post by **perunapower** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:05 pm

Cadillac wrote:Most visiting team fans get an area on the West Side of the quad South of Dallas hall. I'm not sure if this is organized via the visiting school's Athletics office or what, but either way it should be accessable to vehicles via McFarlan Blvd/Boaz Ln. There may be access restrictions, and you can't park there, but hopefully that gets you started in the right direction.

-CoS

Will that road be fixed by then? I know they've been working on it over the summer.

jax · Post by **jax** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:10 pm

I've read online about the Boulevard and how you have to park your vehicles and set your tailgate up away from the car. Are their any private areas or lots where we can use our truck and our BBQ pit?

How do y'all do this? Wheel in all your gear and then pack it up before the game? We're a FCS state school - there's no way we'll be sober enough to do that for an 8 pm kickoff.

Y'all have a great board - I've enjoyed lurking here lately.

regis · Post by **regis** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:13 pm

http://smumustangs.cstv.com/trads/boulevard.html#tailgating

"On gameday, tailgating will occur on all open, paved surface lots south of Daniel Avenue and on The Boulevard."

If I was a visitor looking to tailgate somewhere and knowing I probably couldn't bring my stuff all the way to the BLVD, I'd probably look at the campus cash lot behind Dallas Hall or the one over by Sorority Park.

Have fun!

Cadillac · Post by **Cadillac** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:18 pm

perunapower wrote:Will that road be fixed by then? I know they've been working on it over the summer.

I have no idea, I haven't seen the South side of Dallas Hall since May 17th!

-CoS

Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans · Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:45 pm

BobcatJh,

Most Blvd tailagte spots are purchased for the entire season. With a Blvd purchase you get the one parking space on Bishop Blvd that is adjacent to your tailgate spot. The vehicle in the parking spot usually carries most of the tailgate equipment for that particular tailgate spot.

I suggest you arrive on the Blvd pretty much "empty handed". Most Smu tailgaters are generous with food & drink. Otherwise you will most likely need to cart your tent/ice chests/chairs back to your vehicle before kickoff. You'll will enjoy the festive atmosphere of walking the Blvd and won't need your set-up.

If you decide to haul all of your stuff to the Blvd it is possible to leave your stuff unattended during the game. However two years ago we had an ice chest full of beer stolen from our tailgate when we left our spot unattended during the first half of a game. Someone said they saw some "frat-rats" carting off our beer chest when the Blvd was deserted during a game. Now we either have someone stay at our tent or lock up anything that can be carried off.

Here are some Blvd pictures so you'll know what to expect: