Open Your Truck Beds and Let's Tailgate

By: Harry Knolle

There is no secret that Florida State University is well known for its football. However there is one aspect of game days here at FSU that many fans feel is being overlooked: tailgating.

Tailgating is a time-honored college football tradition geared towards getting pumped up for the game, but usually it just consists of students pigging out on barbeque and a case of good ‘ole Natural Ice.

With the 2010 Seminoles getting ready to take the field this fall, students all over campus are excited for a fresh start with new head coach Jimbo Fischer, but one thing will not change with the departure of Bobby Bowden and that is their love of the tailgate.

Jordan Siegel, a senior at FSU, said, “Well this is my last year and I plan to make the best of it this season. In the past couple years our tailgates have lacked a little in my opinion. That’s not going down this year.”

In the twilight of Bowden’s career at Florida State, fans lost some of the fervor for tailgates and game day, according to Engineering student Matt London. “Don’t get me wrong. I love our team, but it gets harder and harder to get excited like I used to for football games when we have disappointing seasons.”

It’s no mystery that disappointing seasons equal disappointed fans, but there are many students who feel as if this year is going to be different because of the exodus of the legendary Bobby Bowden.

Another senior, James Campany, commented, “I’m really hopeful for our team this year. I think with Jimbo coming in it will breathe some new life into everyone.”

Fisher is also looking to make his own impact on game day preparations this year. In an attempt to connect fans with the new coach, Fischer is sponsoring his own tailgate for certain home games this year.

Fisher’s True Seminole Tailgate will be held for two and a half hours prior to home games at Wildwood Plaza near the Student Life Center and will include free food, games, door prizes and a DJ.

The new tailgate was created in the hopes of bringing fans together to celebrate the ‘Noles in a family environment where no alcohol is permitted.

It remains to be seen if this will become an FSU tradition, but Fisher is taking a crack at making his own mark on the history of Florida State football.

For more information about Jimbo’s True Seminole Tailgate, visit tailgate.fsu.edu.