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| Vol. 19, No. 4 | Sept. 23, 1999 |
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| Vol. 19, No. 4 | Sept. 23, 1999 |
At the beginning of the 1999 football season, the University of Delaware began strict enforcement of its long-standing tailgating policy, which requires tailgating to cease when the football game begins. Tailgaters are required to enter Delaware Stadium at game time or leave University property. As has been the case in the past, patrons will be permitted to tailgate after the game until 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Director Edgar N. Johnson comments on reaction to the policy enforcement.
UpDate: What has been the overall reaction to the tailgating enforcement policy?
Johnson: We've received significant support for our decision to address what we see as a serious problem. Recently, for example, the Blue Hen Touchdown Club voted its unanimous support, and a number of alumni have responded positively. While the reaction has not been totally favorable, it's safe to say that support has been significantly positive from a number of segments of the University community.
UpDate: Have you received a number of calls and letters?
Johnson: I was on the phone last week answering calls. I also spent time responding to e-mail messages. Interestingly, the people who are supportive seem to call and those who have a problem with our decision tend to use e-mail. I've encountered some interesting objections. A few people have complained that we're infringing on their personal freedom-and that they're upset because they can't come here and drink all day. But, as I explain to them, we can no longer remain in a state of denial. Abuse of the tailgating tradition is a major problem, and we're addressing it for the entire University community.
UpDate: What do you mean by abuse?
Johnson: Last year, during the football season, we had 23 instances of alcohol poisoning, separate situations where we had to transport individuals, by ambulance, to the hospital. On one Saturday alone, we took nine individuals to the Christiana Care emergency room. It was so bad that the hospital called and told us not to send anyone else, because they couldn't care for people with other emergencies. We've had instances of excessive intoxication where security officers have had to sit with drunken fans for hours so they wouldn't drive home. In other words, we've had to babysit drunks.
UpDate: Is there any specific age group that demands more attention?
Johnson: No. Our attention is directed at everyone. We are not singling out or targeting any group. I don't want to give the impression that most of our fans are irresponsible in their behavior and attitude. Our fans are among the best. But, unfortunately, we've been put in a position that forces us to enforce a policy, administering it to apply to everyone. This is a difficult situation that doesn't offer any easy answer. One man told me that he does not drink alcohol, only soda, but that he likes to remain at his car during the game. He said he'd never get drunk. But, the tailgating policy applies to him and everyone else equally. We believe if you come to our property, you should be in the stadium during the game.
UpDate: So this is not an anti-alcohol policy?
Johnson: No, this is not an effort on the University's part to ban alcohol from the tailgating area of Delaware Stadium. This is enforcement of our long-standing tailgating policy. However, it is important to note that most of the problems of vandalism, malicious mischief, abusive language and fighting we've experienced have been the result of too much drinking, which often is a by-product of extended tailgating.
UpDate: In a letter you sent to alumni and fans you mentioned vandalism. Has that been a problem?
Johnson: Yes. Some of our fans have had their automobiles damaged with dents and scratches. Some fans leaving the game come to find beer splashed all over their cars. Obviously, no one is going to damage your car when you're standing next to it tailgating before the game. The damage occurs when fans enter the stadium and others remain in the parking lot, drinking and partying.
UpDate: How were fans notified about the tailgating policy enforcement?
Johnson: We tried to educate our fans to the fact that we have a problem. That's why we developed the "Get your tail into the game" promotion. We've sent mailings to our fans, season ticket holders and alumni. We've placed ads in campus and external publications, particularly those that reach our alumni. We've hung banners and posters and run notices on the web. Our alumni staff contacted their counterparts in other schools and alerted them to the change. I called or sent letters to colleagues in the league, explaining our policy to those who were coming here with their fans. But, fans of visiting teams are not really part of the problem.
UpDate: Why not?
Johnson: Because anyone who has driven two hours or more to come here is interested in being in the stadium and watching the game. People don't come from a distance to stand in a parking lot. They come to see a football game. It's the people who come here to use our parking lots as a party site that are the focus of our concern and attention. Recently, I met with about 200 of our alumni when we played The Citadel in South Carolina. I must have had 50 people come up and tell me they approved of what we are doing. They said they support us, and these are alumni living in Florida and Georgia and South Carolina. But, like I said, I've gotten e-mails that are unfavorable, with people objecting to our enforcement of the policy. But, there's much more support out there for what we're doing.
UpDate: You said this is not a new tailgating policy, but really enforcement of an existing policy.
Johnson: Yes. We banned kegs at tailgating in 1988-89. For some reason, the University at the time did not pursue enforcement of the tailgating policy and demand that patrons enter the stadium at game time. Now, we are addressing significant problems and are enforcing it the way it was originally intended. Please understand, no one is trying to stop tailgating. The University has a long-standing tailgating tradition. We simply want people to come here who are interested in attending our games. They can still tailgate before; they can tailgate afterward. But, they can't tailgate during the game.
UpDate: What about tailgating at halftime?
Johnson: We are not allowing tailgating at halftime, though fans are able to return to their cars. Some go to check phone messages or for other reasons. That's fine. But, tailgating is not allowed. When you look at the 20-minute half-time period-and figure it takes you about four minutes to get to your car and another four minutes to get back to your seat-well, that leaves you only about 12 minutes to tailgate at halftime!
UpDate: Have you received any comments about the policy from your colleagues at other schools?
Johnson: Not really. Few schools are addressing this issue in as serious a fashion as we are. My peers are envious of what we have here at the University of Delaware. We have good support for our athletic program from the community, including our students, faculty, staff and our neighbors in Newark. But, some of the other schools in our conference don't have our large numbers of fans in attendance at their games. With those numbers come some problems.
UpDate: So, would you say you've heard from the more vocal Blue Hen fans?
Johnson: Everybody who calls is a true fan. Everybody who calls is a tailgater. Everybody who calls loves Delaware. And, all the callers say they aren't the problem. But some feel that their personal tailgating practices deserve exception from the policy. Those who oppose our methods generally support our efforts to reduce the problems in our parking lots. But, people have to understand that we have to address the problem by treating everyone the same. We are not against responsible drinking. We are not opposed to tailgating. What we're trying to do is educate our patrons and convince them that we care about their welfare. What our fans need to do is think beyond their individual, personal situations and look at the entire problem. We have to have one rule for everybody. People need to realize that if they aren't part of the solution, they're part of the problem.
UpDate: Has this been a difficult issue to deal with?
Johnson: It's been difficult, yes. But it's very important and demands our attention. No serious problem is ever easy to solve. But, we're taking steps to address it, to begin to find the answers. We care about the health and welfare and property of our patrons. It's our responsibility to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all our visitors-season ticket holders, first-time fans and fans from opposing teams. I'm confident that all true friends and fans of Delaware athletics will support our efforts and understand that what we're doing is for everyone's benefit and safety.
-Ed Okonowicz
