Just Park Over There.
As the time for the FAU game approached, I started doing research on what the layout of the land was, per se. Where could we tailgate. What could we setup. What were the times. Etc.
I made the assumption that the processes and rules would be written and enforced similar to that at our facilities and at OSU. But you know the old saying about making assumptions; little did I know that I was way off base.
In my attempt to get the best spot I could, I purchase two tickets in Green Lot 3. Two tickets because like at home, you were limited to only those parking spaces you purchased. This is what the “rules” said. And what I am used to. So on Friday, after doing some of the tourist stuff, Linda and I hit the FAU campus. Nothing like taking a leisurely stroll across a campus wearing a polo of the opposing team for that week! The looks you get are priceless.
But I digress. After walking the campus and getting our effigy for the week (see our post on this) we headed over towards the parking lots by the stadium to figure out what we ended up with. Overall I was happy with this location. It was about 1000 yards from the stadium and had some good areas to setup the tent. So I was feeling good and planning out my setup and webcam layout.
The next day we drove to the parking lot and everything changed. The parking attendants had absolutely no clue what lot was what. They even were confused by the parking passes I had [which according to the website would be scanned and any vehicle entrance would be strictly enforced]. Instead the lady just took the printouts. When I told her I had two spots, I was asked where my second car was! Well duh… One pass for the car and one for the tent. So I told them this and they said “Oh, tailgating is over in the next lot. Just drive on over there and pick a spot.” Now I knew this was not the Green lot 3 that I had purchased. It was the Red lot right in front of the stadium. But hey! If they want me there, I’m going.
So we picked a spot and started setting up. The typical looks started when those walking by realized we were UTSA! But one of the FAU fans from RowdyTalk did drop by and help us setup up. Nice to have an opposing fan drop in and be cordial. Especially considering we were setting up a tailgate about 1700 miles from home! We also had a representative from the FAU Athletic Department drop in [can’t remember his name though, but if you read this: Thanks for dropping in and if we get a return game in San Antonio, be sure to look for us in Lot B! You will definitly be welcome]. He was expectantly surprised that some UTSA fans had managed to bring a tent and signage all the way to east Florida.
Once we were setup we sent out photos on RowdyTalk so people could find us and started in on the fun. Thanks for Matty, Marc, Pat, Runner and the others that dropped by to spend some time with us.
Now I didn’t know HOW laid-back the tailgating was at FAU but I had heard it was light. In San Antonio, there is a rush at 8:00AM when the gates open to get a good spot. Grills are fired up 4-6 hours before game time. Music is playing and people are mingling around the various lots. At FAU….not so much. There was a decent group setup early, but as for the grills, mingling, etc…. apparently most of them just skip on that and head over to their organized student or alumni areas which were apparently on the other side of the stadium. So I don’t know how well attended these were.
In our lot, there were a number of people around us that setup 2 hours before the game and fired up their grills. I don’t know about you but it would make for a really short period of time to spend with your friends.
Another odd thing: I saw only two (2) FAU tents. The rest were the generic Academy green, white, etc. A big difference from what we are used to and from what we have seen so far on the road.
As Linda blogged earlier, the tailgating ended early when a queen bee decided to nest in one of he tents near us. Thousands of bees swarmed and landed on this tent. When the fire department got there they informed us they would flip the tent over and expose the hive to the sun, causing them to relocate. RELOCATE! Relocate where? We didn’t want them to decide that our tent [the closest to them] would make for a good new nest, so we decided to go ahead and tear-down. Real quick. It was an hour before game anyway, so no big deal.
Anyway, we packed up and headed on to the game. A great game but not the end result we had hoped. Oh well. I still support the ‘Runners and feel sorry for what we will inflict on UNM!!!
David