The spirit of MT tailgating

Although football generates some of the greatest rivalries on college campuses throughout the United States, there is one pregame tradition that anyone can agree on regardless of collegiate affiliation.

Throughout the years, tailgating has become a pivotal part of American sport's culture, where fans and grill-masters can come together and enjoy a hotdog, burger and a "game day beverage" of their choosing.

Although some may not consider the Blue Raiders as prominent as other college football teams, there's one thing that's for sure.

MTSU fans know how to tailgate.

Walnut Grove, located between Peck Hall and Cope Administration Building, is ground zero for a clash of students, alumni and fans that come together for the pregame ritual of tailgating.

This pristine area - which is perfect for mid-afternoon class breaks - is transformed into a bustling community that is predominantly composed of various student and alumni organizations.

Cread Clifton is an MTSU alumnus who comes back to tailgate with his son, a current student at the university

"When I graduated from here in 1980, we had no tailgating at all," Clifton says. "I think it's great now with the [Raider] Walk and everybody participating out here."

During the "Raider Walk," the football players and coaches make their way through the massive crowds of tailgaters to get the fans excited about the upcoming game. Behind the excitement, MTSU's Band of Blue performs the university's fight song that can be heard all over campus. The trumpets, trombones and drumbeats signify that it's football time in Middle Tennessee.

"I love MTSU tailgating," says Susan Porter, whose son is in the band. "The food is wonderful and so is the music, the games and the people. This is most definitely a family atmosphere. There are kids everywhere!"

MTSU makes sure that there's something for the kids to enjoy with activities such as face-painting, inflatable slides and obstacle courses.

[MTSU tailgating] is one of the best I've ever been to and this is the first year I've been tailgating here," says Matthew Coffman, junior mass communications major. "I had a blast and met a lot of new people, played a lot of games and even played on the blow-up games they have for the kids."

The tailgate Coffman is referring to is the one before the Blue Raiders battled the University of Maryland Terrapins. Surprisingly, in this vast sea of fans covered in blue and white, a single fan wearing bright red underneath a Maryland tent made his presence known.

"I love the atmosphere down here, and I've enjoyed all of the good people," says Don van Reenan, a 1961 graduate and former football player at the University of Maryland. "I think that Maryland is going to win this one by at least fourteen points, though."

As all of you know, the Maryland alumnus was wrong. The Blue Raiders were able to defeat Maryland in a 24-14 victory that is sure to be a pinnacle of this year's season.

MTSU will be back in home action when they host Florida Atlantic on Sept. 30 in what is sure to be an incredible game. There are only a few more home games left this year, so come on out and have some fun while supporting Blue Raider football.