So myself and a group of recent grads are making the commitment to tailgate the Saturday games this year. My tailgating experience doesn't go much beyond being a guest, or drinking out of a case of beer next to a car. I have some topics for y'all out there that hopefully you can draw on your own tailgating experience to help me out.

• Portable charcoal vs propane grill?
• Car speakers vs. boombox vs. ihome (or equivalent)
• Tailgate tent from Walmart vs alternative
• TV options (I'm sure you can't pull a local signal in Athens, and portable Direct TV is out of my budget, but has anyone tried to stream something like ESPN 3 off one of those portable wifi devices?)
• Dry ice at the bottom of the cooler?
• Trash disposal

DocBobcat was my Principal; and is still one cool Cat.

Last Edited: 6/17/2013 1:31:37 PM by shabamon

With regards to parking and joining the OBC, can someone verify if my understanding of the pricing is right?

1 season ticket in the reserved seating would cost me $98 and then I could join the OBC at the minimal level for ($50 or $75?) and that would give me 1 season pass to the blue lot (convo?) for no additional charge?

I actually would probably prefer to park over in one of those two lots by the science labs, but if those are costing $20 a game (or are they only $5!?!) joining the OBC seems like its worthwhile financial move just for the parking. As much as I should be mindful of the costs here, if I am only spending <200 for a full season of tickets and parking, I really dont have a problem writing that check along with my student loan payment.

Also, when do they boot your car out of those lots? I would probably drive down for Saturday games then preferably leave the car there until when I leave Sunday morning. Is that allowed?

I appreciate that info
 

I was completely unaware of how inexpensive the "premium seating" in Peden is. I knew there were affordable options like the highly promoted Family Pack, but I expected the higher level tickets to be up around the prices of the Bobcat Black seats in hoops.
 

From a financial standpoint, I think I could easily convince a lot of young alums this is worthwhile. Its incredibly cheap, especially when you consider many don't have families yet so you are talking 1 ticket not 4...  Unfortunately, the time/effort selling point is a little more difficult. Still, I am encouraged by how feasible this seems.
 

Carry on with discussing tailgating.

• Portable charcoal vs propane grill? --Propane. Easier to clean up and quicker to cook. Unless you are hardcore I would suggest that
• Car speakers vs. boombox vs. ihome (or equivalent) --I have used both. Either works.
• Tailgate tent from Walmart vs alternative --I honestly use a Forest Green Pop-Up canopy, it works fine. I think I got it at Big Lots for $59.
• TV options (I'm sure you can't pull a local signal in Athens, and portable Direct TV is out of my budget, but has anyone tried to stream something like ESPN 3 off one of those portable wifi devices?) --You can bum the wi-fi signal. I hate lugging a TV. Have watched on my Laptop just to have a game going
• Dry ice at the bottom of the cooler? --Bags of ice work
• Trash disposal --I take bags and then throw in a dumpster behind the Convo.

Since we're talking about the OBC, I donated $75 to purchase tickets to the Louisville game. Does this count as one (1) $75 seat contribution for a football season ticket? Also, can me and a buddy combine individual season tickets (essentially still giving credit to both of us for donations) to earn a blue lot parking pass (AKA carpool)?

Also since we're talking about Louisville, the ticket agent mentioned there are free student tickets available, each student also receiving one (1) free guest ticket (that was last week though). For those who may be interested.

Thanks for the responses so far.