Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Just as the football team warms up so do the fans by Lynette Lindholm Fo od, drink, fellowship and fun — that was the ticket for many K-Staters before home football games. These pregame sports were known as tailgate parties. Tailgate parties have become increasingly popular in the past few years due to the prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the KSU football stadium. In the past, jugs of cheer were not screened as closely as in recent years. K-State students and alumni were allowed to bring beverage containers into the stadium. It used to be a K-State tradition to go watch the football games with a jug of cheer. After the 1984 KU-K-State game, the fans were extremely rowdy and due to this, the privilege of bringing alcohol into K-State ' s stadium was taken away by the University, said Richard K-State campus police Now K-Staters are required to leave their jugs at home. I enjoy tailgate parties, because I meet so many new people I didn ' t know before. I have made many new friends through these events, said Rod Taylor, sophomore in electrical engineering. Tailgate parties usually began about three hours before the game. The people who held the parties were families, alumni or just A group of friends. We enjoy visiting with friends and relaxing before the game, Taylor said. The most popular food brought to these parties was sandwiches. Six foot submarine sandwiches were among the most popular. Other preferred options included pizza, chili dogs and brownies. The drinks brought by tailgaters included beer, wine and punch for those wanting alcoholic beverages. Not everyone goes to tailgate parties to drink. A thermos of coffee, hot chocolate or iced tea satisfied many people ' s thurst. Tailgaters were popular at the KU-K-State game. Many students and alumni enjoyed the pre-game festivities in the back of their vans, pick-ups or Broncos. My husband and I have made it a point to plan a tailgate party every time we come back to see the Wildcats play. We usually only can make it up twice, for the game and for Homecoming. But when we come, we are ready to have some fun and tailgating is just the answer, said Cindy Cast, a 1982 graduate who attended the KU-K-State game. What is the reason for these The answer is plain and Not only are they another K-State tradition, but they are also loads of fun. At the football stadium before the KU-K-State game Ralph Currie, K-State alumni, and his son Cameron take a refreshment break in the parking lot. (Photo by John LaBarge) Tailgate Parties Parties 25

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Tailgate Parties Lori Rock fixes something to eat in the parking lot before a K-State football game. (Photo by John LaBarge) A group of K-State fans take part in a tailgate party before the K-State—Oklahoma game. (Photo by John LaBarge) 24

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by Mindy Stubenhofer and Jenee Urbanek In 1915, football coach John Jawn Bender started a movement to invite alumni back to K-State to honor the Old — former athletes. by this movement, the First Homecoming Day was Oct. 23, 1915. The tradition of homecoming is still alive at K-State. The purpose of homecoming is to provide spirit for the football team and bring in alumni, said Kelly Welch, senior in agricultural economics and president of Blue Key. Blue Key first sponsored homecoming activities in 1935, Angie Boeve completes the top of the pyramid by standing on the stomach of Kris Tulp during the Pi Kappa Alpha and the Alpha Delta Pi section of the Body building competition. (Photo by Andy Nelson) 26