Tailgating 101 keeps fun at a safe length

Photo courtesy ladybugsnleopards, Creative Commons

Belmarie Ponciano/Contributing

What happens when you combine a party, alcohol and football? Tailgating— at least to computer science senior Christopher Jones, who think that tailgates have become the ultimate manifestation of school spirit.

“[The tailgates are] even more entertaining than the actual football games,” he said.

Aside from the various sororities, fraternities, grill pits and club organizations that set up at tailgates, so does the presence of alcohol. For many students, alcohol consumption is an added element to the tailgating atmosphere that comes with major responsibilities.

“Tailgating 101,” a tabling event taking place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in the Graham Center, will teach students these responsibilities and how to optimize their safety by making right decisions on their day of tailgating.

Although Camila Pham, health educator from Students Health Services, doesn’t consider FIU to be a predominantly alcohol and football-driven campus, she still finds it important to ensure students are safe.

“Not a lot of people attend the football games here at FIU, mainly due to the fact that this is a commuter school,” Phamm said.

Despite football game attendance, tailgating at FIU has grown in popularity and amassed many student devotees over the course of a few semesters.

The increase in tailgating popularity and attendance begins to raise concerns for student health safety— especially in the wake of student assault incidences gaining media attention across the country.

The Tailgating 101 tabling event will engage students with activities and eye-opening data regarding alcohol consumption and its possible repercussions. This event is open to all students, even non-drinkers.

As the preempted event of choice to showcase Panther colors and spirit, tailgating students crowd parking lots east of the stadium eager to celebrate their Panther pride.

“I look forward to cheering for my team,” said biomedical engineering junior Matias Vargas.

As popularity for tailgates rage on, we can expect to see more tailgating related safety concerns and events appear on campus.

With activities titled “Know Your Limit” and guides to proper drinking etiquette, Student Health Services’s Tailgating 101 is designed to not only make a point, but to influence students into making appropriate decisions while drinking or spectating.

Students will be able to take away valuable information to enhance their tailgating experience and potentially keep themselves and peers out of harm’s way.

Students interested in tailgating safely can visit the Tailgating 101 table and mark the start of a successful football season—even if the Panthers don’t win every game.

news@fiusm.com

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