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| Vol. 18, No. 39 | Aug. 26, 1999 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 39 | Aug. 26, 1999 |
Beginning with the first football game in Delaware Stadium against William & Mary on Thursday, Sept. 2, the University of Delaware will strictly enforce its long-standing policy requiring tailgating to cease when the football game begins.
For daytime games, beginning with the contest against West Chester University on Sept. 18, fans will be able to tailgate until kickoff and again after the game until 5:30 p.m. under the policy.
UD has developed a public relations campaign to advise fans of the strict enforcement and to encourage their early arrival into the stadium. In advertisements, banners and signs, YoUDee, the Fightin' Blue Hen mascot, is letting it be known that the party is INSIDE the stadium and that tailgaters must get their tails to the gate by game time.
In a related promotion, Dining Services and Coca-Cola will provide a Coke Card to season ticket holders, which-when used in Delaware Stadium prior to kickoff-will entitle fans to a free hot dog with the purchase of a large fountain beverage.
Additionally, before kickoff at each game, fans can enter a drawing to win a Coca-Cola cooler or weatherproof blanket and a case of Coca-Cola product. The winner will be announced during the game. At the last home football game of the season, a grand prize drawing will be held during halftime for two free airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.
The decision to strictly enforce the tailgating policy has drawn positive feedback from alumni, season ticket holders and corporate sponsors, Edgar N. Johnson, athletics, said. Those groups, as well as ticket offices and alumni offices of opposing football teams, are being notified of the change through special mailings and individual follow-up.
"Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors to the University of Delaware," Johnson said. "Last season, we had 23 fans-not all of them students-who had to be transported to the hospital because of alcohol poisoning. Clearly, that is unacceptable.
"And, for the first time in years," Johnson said, "we had complaints last year from fans whose automobiles were damaged by tailgaters. It became obvious that tailgating was an issue we needed to address, and we have done so, I believe, in a manner that affirms the spirit of the Delaware athletic tradition and that will be applauded by all true fans of Blue Hen football."
The policy, which has been endorsed by UD's Athletic Governing Board, will be enforced by additional security officers who will help move fans into the stadium at kickoff.
Tailgaters who do not wish to enter the stadium at or before game time will be required to leave UD property, Johnson said. 
There will be a temporary ban on charcoal grills at UD athletic events, due to area drought conditions.
According to University of Delaware athletics department personnel, the use of any grills, charcoal or gas, will be prohibited in all lots surrounding Delaware Stadium.
The ban takes effect with the first home football game set for 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, against William & Mary at Delaware Stadium and will continue until the statewide drought restrictions have been lifted.
"Tailgating at University of Delaware football games is something that our fans enjoy and grills are a big part of that," Edgar Johnson, athletics, said. "But this is a serious safety issue for our fans that we felt needed to be addressed. The areas around Delaware Stadium are extremely dry. We are hoping that the drought restrictions end so that the ban can be lifted."
