Fall at UNH is my favorite time of the year. Besides the fact that it marks the beginning of another crazy year, there is nothing better than the fall foliage around campus, the cool night breeze after a dance party in Scorps basement, and most importantly, tailgating all day for a Wildcats football game.
What’s the harm in having a little twisted fun before rooting for our favorite Wildcats? After college is over, the excuse to darty (day party) won’t be as easy as it is now. With that being said, if you haven’t already had a UNH tailgating experience, it is now time to take advantage of it. There are only five more home games for the Wildcats, so let’s party responsibly and support the UNH football team this Fall season!
Being a UNH senior with a couple of tailgates (and many dartys) under my belt, here are a few tips for having a successful UNH tailgate.
Dress appropriately.
And I don’t just mean the obvious of no stiletto heels on the fields. Dressing appropriate for the weather is a MUST. Check the forecast on your iPhones and Blackberries before showing up to the tailgate unprepared. If the weather calls for a 40 percent chance of rain in the afternoon, bring your rain jacket just in case! And if you are like me and always find yourself being the girl who is always cold, bring a jacket if you think it might get chilly. Dressing in layers might be the smartest route to take when dealing with weather obstacles. Wear a tank top under a tee with a sweater or a zip-up over it. Taking off layers (that you have) because you get hot is much easier than putting on layers (that you don’t have) when you start to get cold.
Last but not least, my biggest tip is to show your support for our Wildcats by wearing your blue and white. If you are as crazy about your school as I am, wearing your UNH attire is always a great way to
Even the wildcat has his blue & white on!
Abide by the law.Â
I know that this college and the best time to party, but we all need to be courteous of the rules that UNH police have enforced upon us tailgaters. Here are a few of the laws and regulations that I have found to be important to understand before tailgating:
– You must be 21 to drink. A valid ID must be shown before entrance to receive a 21 year old wrist band. Those who are found drinking underage will most likely be arrested.
– A vehicle must drive all alcohol into the lot. Any person who tries to walk in to the tailgate with alcohol on them will need to get rid of it.
– Drinking ends at 1:00 PM. I have personally been asked to dump out my drink at 1:01 by a UNH police officer… This is no joke.
– Don’t talk back to cops. If you haven’t already noticed, the cops here at UNH don’t have much tolerance for students who say/do stupid things when they are intoxicated.
Drive your car in early.
If you get to the field between 8 and 8:30 you will be guaranteed a spot. My best advice is to pack ahead. Make sure that your cars are stocked with drinks, food, and extra jackets/clothes the night before. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to wake up at 7 AM on a Saturday morning with a hang over and realize that I have to prepare coolers for a tailgate. It is a much better feeling knowing that the car is packed and all I need to do is drive it down to Cowell Field.
Before you make your way to the gate, make sure that you caravan in with your friends. If you have a group with a bunch of cars, drive in one after the other to ensure that you can all park side by side.
Hit up Hoco After the Game.
Doesn’t every girl love that excuse to have a slice or two of pizza after a day of drinking? Don’t be afraid to use those swipes and go a little crazy at Hoco. This is college!!! Our diet can start tomorrow. But today, it’s Saturday. It’s tailgate Saturday and we only have five left so let’s take advantage of it!
Document the Memories.
This might sound a little corny, but you’ll thank me later. Bring your cameras, and catch all of the candid moments. Take a picture with Knarlz and your friends dressed in your UNH gear. If you are a senior like me, you will be appreciating all of the pictures a year from now when you are laying on the couch exhausted from a 40-hour workweek. It will be a year from now when 2013 graduates will be remembering these moments and reminiscing on the crazy times that they had at UNH tailgates.
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