Tailgating ban won’t deliver desired results

There is a famous commercial that depicts a Native American walking through a field covered with garbage.

As he looks down on the abuse of nature, a single tear comes to his eye.
That scenario is similar to how the IU Administration feels about tailgating south of Memorial Stadium, except instead of trash, it’s beer cans and lack of school pride.
The decision to shut down tailgating in Hoosier Village 10 minutes before football games is a noble attempt to increase attendance, but IU’s administration might be going about it the wrong way.

Proponents point to a reduction of underage drinking, something that has been a problem with IU tailgating. But upon further inspection, it’s clear that minors can find other ways of obtaining alcohol on campus.

Benefits were expected to include increased attendance at the actual games and more money through ticket sales, but not every student is going to willingly go inside the stadium when the promise of unobstructed partying awaits in the surrounding houses and apartments.

And guess what? With the right satellite or cable plan, they can watch the game from the comfort of their couches.

If anyone stands to benefit from the new tailgating policies, it’s Kilroy’s.
True, the stadium appeared more crowded than normal on Thursday, but we think more of that can be attributed to fans and students wishing to see the new stadium – not the tailgating policy.

We want people to support IU athletics, but young people aren’t exactly the biggest fans of forced direction.

Instead of having a large group of people around the stadium at least somewhat following the game, the new policy is endangering in that many people might end up completely removed from the game.

As the season continues, game times creep up to noon and students get frustrated, enforcing the policy could become extremely difficult.

Is the Student Alumni Association prepared to confront students and tailgaters if violence becomes necessary?

Moreover, with the level of drinking that goes on during tailgates, does it not beg the question that this policy may contribute to drunk driving? People who normally would have planned game time as time to sober up – especially during noon games. Now may find themselves ushered out prematurely. The dangers that may be added to driving perhaps negate any benefits the policy may have.

IU’s administration might have meant well by banning tailgating during the game, but we wish it had found a better way to increase student participation.