Photoessay #1092 - Tailgating

I've made it through 4 football games serving as an usher. Two more to go. I consider this a personal achievement. I was concerned that I would not be able to physically do it. Involves being on your feet for almost 8 hours. I've been tired at the end but it hasn't completely exhausted me. I'll admit that I've just about had it with raucous football fans halfway through the third quarter. The band also plays in the interior of the South upper deck during the third quarter. Why, I ask, why? Haven't we all been in an entirely noisy atmosphere for several hours already. We need some more tubas and drums?

When I arrive 3.5 hours before kickoff, tailgating is in full swing in the south parking lot. Hundreds of these tents, tons of people, lots of cooking and drinking going on. Some people these funny tables with games involving drink cups. Crowded, lots of people in putple, sizzling grills, deck chairs. I shot this picture walking in last game. After the game, people return and some party on but, especially last week, the game went until almost midnight so many packed it in leaving a huge mess in the parking lot. But it's all part of all the culture and is tacitly encouraged by the university and the athletic department.

However, nobody invites me to join them as I walk by in my event staff uniform. The players and coaches aren't around (they're involved in their own rituals somewhere else. The O-line guys don't wander around looking for lunch and Coach Sark doesn't cook at the grills.

When we were part of the Oregon softball community, we got some tailgates going. But we only had *1* tent (if we had that). We included everybody. The players came by in the morning because they could get a free omelette breakfast (Grant loved that everybody had to come to him to get their omelette or burger). Associate Head Coach J came out and cooked along side with Grant. The facility guys had some breakfast.

Another sort of tailgating, more personal. But about 1% of the size.

And I know the UO program is rocking right now, being ranked 1 or 2 in the country, selling out Autzen stadium.