TAILGATE LOT

[yoteforever]

I’m putting this in the facilities section because I don’t want to detract from the game coming up against North Dakota in the football thread.

Ever since we started talking about fans being shut out of the east side parking lot for whatever reasons I’ve been paying closer attention. For those that raised the issue or complained, I will say you are correct. This needs to get fixed. There were literally a lot of square feet in parking lot not being utilized by fans. I’m told that much of this space is taken by either politicians or banks for really one game….SDSU. This needs to be taken up with administration.

A good deal of energy from the pre-game transfers to inside the Dome and sets the tone for the game. I am disappointed that there’s sooooo much unused space that really wants to be utilized by many of our fans. I guess the only idea I’ve had is if this is driven by revenue is to sell the spots on a game by game basis. If the banks and politicians want to pay $xxx for the SDSU game, then let them. Then let our every game fans have access to it the remaining games. Or let the fans take priority on those spots for all games.

I have to believe that income from tailgating spots is a very small amount. I think we need to address this for next year and beyond. I’m firmly in your camp on this. We need to create more season ticket sales but as importantly, we need to create excitement. That parking lot could become one giant party before the game. It’s time to address it.

[fightsd]

With all of the progress that's occurred in that part of campus and town, tailgating has really suffered. I'm glad someone mentioned this on here. Before all of the new fields and apartments went up, tailgate was all pretty centralized. The paid spots backed right up to the free spots (or right across the street) and the student tailgate was right in between them. It all felt really seamless and people had no problem wandering in between all three. I was kind of disappointed in the layout on Saturday. You have the paid tailgating lot and the student tailgate area was an after thought tucked back behind the football practice field. When I walked by it on Saturday, there were maybe 15 kids in there standing around chatting. On DDAYS. Then for folks that don't have a paid tailgating spot, you are basically limited to the lots south of the SCSC which is a half mile away from the rest of the tailgate area. It just seems disconnected.

There was so much unused space in the main lot this weekend. I think there has to be a better way to utilize that space. I get that we still need the premium parking and that the banks and politicians have a right to buy tailgate spots too, but it was a half empty parking lot on Dakota Day. Maybe limit premium parking more and offer a special tailgate purchase option for "just DDAYS" or "just the state game". Free up some of that space. Move the paid tailgate spots closer to the front doors, or somewhere else that is agreeable and open up those back row spots to other tailgate groups. Bring the student tailgate over by the tennis courts or something so they are at least in the same area as the rest of the tailgate.

We all want to increase season ticket sales. You do that by creating an exciting atmosphere and an easy one for new fans to jump into. I felt bad for some small groups I saw on Saturday in those south lots. There'd be 5 or 6 people in lawn chairs sitting around a cooler and a grill watching people walk past them carrying a case of beer headed to a tailgate area they couldn't even see or hear from where they were at. We have to figure out how to bring those people in to the party. Get everybody together and having a good time.

[Yote 53]

I've got lots of ideas about this but I need to think about it a little. There needs to be variations in the standard tailgate size and cars allowed per spot, not everything should be the same. Spots need to be available on a per game or per season basis as well. I'm positive the spot next to us is bought by a politician every year but it has not been used in years. It leaves a big unused void right in the middle of the lot that could be used.

There is some tinkering that could be done that would keep all the current users happy but also bring in new people. It's just more fun when it is full and vibrant.

[gopheryote]

A couple of years ago we started using the spot next to us to park our cars and then just used our actual spot for our tailgate area. It's crazy that we can do that.
I think the 'free tailgate' area needs to be next to the paid one. Maybe the grass areas that surround the paid lots plus by the tennis courts? What happened to the DJ's and free stuff for the student lot? That place was wild a few years ago.

[fightsd]

Oct 5, 2021 13:25:41 GMT -6 gopheryote said:

A couple of years ago we started using the spot next to us to park our cars and then just used our actual spot for our tailgate area. It's crazy that we can do that.
I think the 'free tailgate' area needs to be next to the paid one. Maybe the grass areas that surround the paid lots plus by the tennis courts? What happened to the DJ's and free stuff for the student lot? That place was wild a few years ago.

That's what I'm wondering about the student tailgate. It was almost getting out of hand a few years ago - in a good way lol.

[Yotes]

I think we can all agree that step 1 to improving the tailgate experience is to make sure the East lot is 100% utilized. The tailgate energy is always going to lead from the front doors of the Dome, having that area full of people a couple hours before the game is critical. Others have already made note of the frequently empty spots so I'm going to move onto what I think is the bigger issue.

Tailgating is entirely fragmented. None of it feels like one cohesive experience. How do we make the South lots feel connected to the East lot? I guess I'd start by having the south side of the East lot be filled with as many RVs as possible (by the tennis courts). That would get the energy closer to where the bulk of our fans actually park. Maybe we could even have whatever doesn't fit by the tennis courts overflow into the northeast part of the South lot (just south of the SCSC).

This still leaves the stretch of driveway that runs the length of the SCSC. I might be asking a lot here, but can that simply be closed and turned into tailgating during football games? That driveway feels like a damn mile when you walk from those South lots. Is there a reason why that can't also be turned into tailgating? Emergency vehicles and fans with priority parking would still have easy access from the other two driveways. Maybe make it the student tailgate since it's closest to the dorms. The students would feel connected to the tailgate, and also perhaps be a bridge that connects everyone.

I parked in the South lots again this week. This is where any new fans are going to start, and I can tell you that they won't be coming back if gameday atmosphere is important to them. And if it feels this bad on D Days then imagine what it's like for any other game.

[easmus]

I still think a first step can be to move all the priority parking to that new lot south of the SCSC. That would free up the lot between the east tailgate nation lot and the entrance for more of the 3 parking space tailgate nation spots. That would help make it feel more full. I’m sure the administration doesn’t really want to upset any of the politicians, but they shouldn’t be able to just buy spots and use them every other year or once per year. If someone wants to do that set them up in a grass spot by Gestring by the tennis courts.

[GoYotes]

I agree it would be great to have more area available for tailgating, but it makes zero sense to kick the priority parking to the new lot south of the SCSC. It is called priority parking for a reason. You need to donate at least $600/year to the Howling Pack to access priority parking, which generates at least $1,800 for the 3 parking spots that would be replaced with a single tailgate spot. I don't have a tailgate spot, but like many fans I simply tailgate out of the back (tailgate) of my vehicle at my parking spot. As such, it is great to be next to the large tailgating lots.

There is simply not enough priority area currently available to accommodate an expanded tailgate area and priority parking. If the area south of the tennis courts would be available for purchase at a reasonable price, it would be the perfect solution.

[Coyote Fan]

So with all these proposed changes where does the leave the ordinary fan that just wants to park and come see the game and then go to their car and leave right after the game. Isn't the whole point of a game to see the game. Tailgating is nice but it is only for certain people. Enhancing tailgating is nice but it just pushes the ordinary fan even further from the dome.

The ordinary fan if they have to walk too far might not come at all. I have no personal problem walking a ways but someone with a physical disability may just not show up if they don't qualify for handicapped parking.

[wrj]

Oct 7, 2021 12:48:33 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

So with all these proposed changes where does the leave the ordinary fan that just wants to park and come see the game and then go to their car and leave right after the game. Isn't the whole point of a game to see the game. Tailgating is nice but it is only for certain people. Enhancing tailgating is nice but it just pushes the ordinary fan even further from the dome.

The ordinary fan if they have to walk too far might not come at all. I have no personal problem walking a ways but someone with a physical disability may just not show up if they don't qualify for handicapped parking.

When I go to a football game I also go for the game. The game should be the top priority over the other activities planned around it. This post makes a lot of sense.

[fightsd]

Oct 7, 2021 14:59:52 GMT -6 wrj said:

Oct 7, 2021 12:48:33 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

So with all these proposed changes where does the leave the ordinary fan that just wants to park and come see the game and then go to their car and leave right after the game. Isn't the whole point of a game to see the game. Tailgating is nice but it is only for certain people. Enhancing tailgating is nice but it just pushes the ordinary fan even further from the dome.

The ordinary fan if they have to walk too far might not come at all. I have no personal problem walking a ways but someone with a physical disability may just not show up if they don't qualify for handicapped parking.

When I go to a football game I also go for the game. The game should be the top priority over the other activities planned around it. This post makes a lot of sense.

Of course you do. Tailgating in Brookings is a joke.

[easmus]

Oct 7, 2021 9:20:25 GMT -6 GoYotes said:

I agree it would be great to have more area available for tailgating, but it makes zero sense to kick the priority parking to the new lot south of the SCSC. It is called priority parking for a reason. You need to donate at least $600/year to the Howling Pack to access priority parking, which generates at least $1,800 for the 3 parking spots that would be replaced with a single tailgate spot. I don't have a tailgate spot, but like many fans I simply tailgate out of the back (tailgate) of my vehicle at my parking spot. As such, it is great to be next to the large tailgating lots.

There is simply not enough priority area currently available to accommodate an expanded tailgate area and priority parking. If the area south of the tennis courts would be available for purchase at a reasonable price, it would be the perfect solution.

Point taken. I know they’ve got the charlie carts for transportation but who knows if that’s a solution.

[easmus]

I remember Craig Mattick on KWSN always used to just chuckle about fans in this part of the world always worried about parking and not wanting to go unless they could park by the front door. Of course the game is important, it’s the centerpiece. But the tailgating can make it an entire game day experience. It becomes an event. There’s parking in outer lots and on side streets. If you don’t want to walk too far, get there early. Parking has been an issue at almost any sporting event I have ever attended. It’s part of having a crowd. It’s just comical sometimes how there’s a checklist of expectations before some people will attend an event. I need to be able to park within 1 block. I have to feel special. I have to feel wanted. I expect everyone to know who I am. I expect to sit close, but not too close…but not too far either because if it’s an upper bowl I won’t sit there. 😔

[Yotes]

Oct 7, 2021 12:48:33 GMT -6 Coyote Fan said:

So with all these proposed changes where does the leave the ordinary fan that just wants to park and come see the game and then go to their car and leave right after the game. Isn't the whole point of a game to see the game. Tailgating is nice but it is only for certain people. Enhancing tailgating is nice but it just pushes the ordinary fan even further from the dome.

The ordinary fan if they have to walk too far might not come at all. I have no personal problem walking a ways but someone with a physical disability may just not show up if they don't qualify for handicapped parking.

Having more people engaged and going to games would have some fans parking further away from the entrance. What else would you expect? Have you ever been to a professional sporting event or big college game?

[easmus]

Exactly. The average fan buys a ticket, parks, walks in the door, and finds their seat. If they want to bring a 6 pack and walk around tailgate and find people they know or make new friends at the outdoor party, even better.