Tailgating: A time-honored tradition
Tailgating:
A time-honored tradition
Illustrations by Natalie Ferguson and Steven White
As the days get shorter and summer vacations slip into the rearview mirror, Hokie fans’ thoughts turn to Blacksburg, Tech football, and tailgating.
As time-honored as the game itself, tailgating is more than a pregame party or picnic. It’s a part of the university’s culture. Tailgating brings families and friends together. There are games to play, foods to eat, friends to meet, and memories to make.
And of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without some good-natured pregame competition while the fans from those other teams set up their spaces.
If you’ve ever wondered about the history of tailgating, or if you are curious about the foods and games that most Hokies prefer, keep reading. This story will introduce you to some of the characters you may meet while tailgating this fall and offer some answers that may help when you step out for your next trivia night.
There’s even some “trash” talk to help keep your tailgate green.
And though we hope you won’t need it, we’ve included some campus do’s and dont’s to keep you safe and prevent pregame fouls.
Why is it called tailgating?
No one really knows who coined the term “tailgate.” Some historians suggest that the tradition grew from the tradition of fans gathering around the tailgate of a horse-drawn wagon used to transport the team’s equipment, creating an unofficial meeting spot prior to games. Others attribute the term to the use of the tailgate at the back of a pickup truck to serve food and drinks.
Information curated from history.com and Popular Mechanics.
Pro tailgate tips
Tailgating before home football games is a Virginia Tech tradition. Follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable experience.
If you’re grilling
- Never leave grills unattended.
- Use grills outdoors and away from buildings.
- Dispose of hot coals in designated containers.
If you have a generator
- Use generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas.
- Avoid using generators in wet conditions.
- Use appropriate extension cords to avoid hazards.
Secure your belongings
Lock your vehicle and place valuables out of sight.
Mindful tailgating
Ensure your setup does not block roadways or walkways for emergency vehicle access.
Have a first aid kit handy
Include essentials such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, pain relievers, and personal medications for prompt care of minor injuries.
Stay informed with VT Alerts
Sign up for VT Alerts for timely updates and instructions in case of an emergency at alerts.vt.edu.
Tips courtesy of Virginia Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety, Police, Emergency Management, and Sustainability teams.
Tailgate Personalities
Amateur
Addy
About me
Just happy to be here. New to the scene and is just starting to learn all about tailgating traditions. Wide-eyed and eager to learn. Comes in Virginia Tech bibs with the tag still attached. May occasionally bumble with setting up a chair or cooler but always does so with a smile and a sense of humor while trying to understand the ins and outs of tailgating.
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
Hot dog or hamburger?
Hamburger, 58%
Hot dog, 42%
Tailgate Personalities
Coordinator
Cass
About me
The ultimate “tailgate parent.” Always has sunscreen, always overfeeding, makes sure everyone is hydrated. Has everyone’s tickets, always on time, and ensures the tailgate runs smoothly. If you need anything, has it or knows where to get it.
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
Favorite Hokie celebrity to spot on campus while tailgating?
HokieBird, 62%
Frank Beamer, 27%
Growley, 12%
Tailgate Personalities
Pitmaster
Pat
About me
Expert in all things barbecue. Chef of over-the-top food, especially premium meats and an array of sauces and belly rubs. Found monitoring the grill, offering samples, and enthusiastically discussing cooking techniques, hosting impromptu demonstrations, and sharing tips on achieving the perfect char and seasoning.
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
Food: Go all out or keep it simple?
Go all out! I want a feast. 57%
Keep it simple! I just need some familiar favorites. 43%
The Main Event: Virginia Tech Football
2024 Football Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 31, noon
at Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday, Sept. 7, 4:30 p.m.
Marshall University, HOME
Saturday, Sept. 14, 6:00 p.m.
at Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia
Saturday, Sept. 21, time TBA
Rutgers University, HOME
Friday, Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m.
at University of Miami
Miami Gardens, Florida
Saturday, Oct. 5, time TBA
at Stanford University
Stanford, California
Saturday, Oct. 12 OFF
Thursday, Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Boston College, HOME
Saturday, Oct. 26, time TBA
Georgia Tech, HOME
Saturday, Nov. 2, time TBA
at Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York
Saturday, Nov. 9, time TBA
Clemson University, HOME
Saturday, Nov. 16 OFF
Saturday, Nov. 23, time TBA
at Duke University
Durham, North Carolina
Saturday, Nov. 30, time TBA
University of Virginia, HOME
Tailgate Personalities
Fanatic
Frank
About me
Fantastic fan and seasoned tailgater with Hokie gear for days. Engages in deep football conversations, predicts plays, and debates strategies with fellow tailgaters while juggling a burger and beverage. Controls the tunes and only plays the official Hokies Game Day Playlist, ensuring the energy stays high and everyone around is pumped for the game. Leads the periodic "Let's go, Hokies" chant.
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
How early should you show up before the game?
3-4 hours, 38%
2-3 hours, 32%
4+ hours, 22%
1-2 hours, 7%
Tailgate Personalities
Leisurely
Lane
About me
Sits back, relaxes, engages in casual conversation, and enjoys the atmosphere. Enjoys a laid-back approach, focusing on relaxation and socializing. Gear includes comfortable chairs, a cooler filled with drinks, and sometimes a book or magazine. Happy to just be here. The go-to person for a laid-back chat or to borrow a bottle opener.
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
Best month to tailgate in Blacksburg?
October, 71%
September, 24%
November, 6%
Maroon, orange, and green:
Game Day Green Team takes on Virginia Tech’s carbon footprint
Green Team initiative
Football tailgaters bring energy and excitement to Lane Stadium, but they also contribute tons of additional waste. As part of Virginia Tech’s continuing commitment to sustainability, the Office of Sustainability’s Game Day Green Team initiative helps tail- gaters recycle effectively.
Recycling program
During home football games, the student-run Green Team encourages fans to recycle their bottles and cans at the recycling bins located at the ends of nearly all parking rows in the main tailgating lots. There are also designated recycling trash bins available in the Chicken Hill and Litton Reeves parking lots.
Additional ways to go green on game day
- Carpool or walk to the game.
- Use propane to grill.
- Bring reusable plates, cups, utensils, and grocery bags.
- Buy in bulk instead of single-serving snacks to reduce packaging waste.
- Bring a separate bag so you can sort your waste at your tailgate. (Remember to empty your bag into the recycling bin since plastic bags aren’t recyclable.)
- Buy local.
What can be recycled?
Plastic bottles
Glass bottles
Aluminum cans
Plastic cups
Clean cardboard
What shouldn't be recycled
Paper plates
Napkins
Styrofoam
Food waste
Plastic bags
Gobble Back
Earlier this summer we polled Hokies about tailgating preferences. Here’s what we learned:
Favorite hype song before the game:
(Besides "Enter Sandman")
"Tech Triumph"
Marching Virginians
"Thunderstruck"
AC/DC
"Are you ready for it?"
Taylor Swift
A tailgating timeline
The modern tailgate traces its roots back to fall harvest celebrations in Ancient Greece and Rome, where people gathered for a last feast before winter with abundant music, food, and drink.
1860
On July 21, 1861, people who lived in nearby Washington, D.C., traveled in buggies and carriages to the Virginia countryside to watch the Civil War showdown now known as the First Battle of Bull Run. Union Capt. John Tidball recorded witnessing a "throng of sightseers."
1865
In 1869, Rutgers and Princeton played what is believed to be the first organized college football game, and it is likely fans dined from a wagon as they watched the game unfold.
1880
In the 1880s, newspapers shared reports of fans sipping champagne and enjoying refreshments in luxury carriages parked on the sidelines at the Yale-Princeton Thanksgiving game in New York.
1900
In 1906, as wealthy alumni purchased the first automobiles, motorists organized what may be the first pregame tailgate in New Haven, Connecticut, for the Harvard-Yale game.
1920
In the 1920s, automobile ownership grew, making it possible for more fans to travel to games. Colleges constructed larger stadiums to hold thousands of fans, and restaurants couldn’t feed the crowds.
1950
In the 1950s, as the car culture in the U.S. continued to grow and plastic coolers and portable grills came on the scene in the 1950s, tailgating traditions exploded across the nation.
Homecoming Weekend: The jewel in the crown
Celebrate Hokie Spirit at Homecoming Weekend!
Fall is approaching and with it comes Homecoming Weekend Oct. 25 and 26! Register early for a parade watch party, fireworks on the Drillfield, a Saturday tailgate at the Holtzman Alumni Center, and more. Stay tuned for schedule updates. Make your plans now to join fellow Hokies for an unforgettable celebration.
Every year, Hokies of all ages from far and wide flock to Blacksburg for Homecoming Weekend.
In 2024, Virginia Tech will celebrate Homecoming Weekend Oct. 25-26 with activities for students, alumni, community members, and friends, culminating in Saturday’s football game when the Hokies will take on Georgia Tech.
On Friday night, the Homecoming parade will march through downtown Blacksburg before fireworks over the Drillfield. On Saturday, catch the biggest tailgate of the year at the Holtzman Alumni Center, which will include lawn games, a petting zoo, inflatables, and more.
Homecoming is a great time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones.