Spirit Raising – Tailgating With A Twist

Tailgating (v.) – to mingle, snack and gather in celebration of a sporting event.

Picture it: an abundance of finger foods, festive tents and paint-faced fans. Tailgates are easy to plan and fun for everyone! Put a new twist on the old tailgate style by planning an event before, during or after school. Team up with faculty to host the following events throughout the school year:

Rise and Shine Buffet
Wake up and put your game face on. Set up a table in the main school entrance or in the hallways. Craft a DIY waffle, pancake or donut bar. Complete the spread with syrups, icings and toppings. Decorate the area with school-inspired props and encourage attendance by creating flyers and social media posts. Make the event more special by charging $1, with proceeds benefitting a local charity.

The Grilling Games
On your mark, get set, GRILL! Plan this tailgate during each lunch period. Designate some coaches and athletes as “grill masters” and ask your team members to volunteer as servers. Think simple: hot dogs, hamburgers and chips. Organize student games of trivia or bingo. Award prizes that can be used to show spirit during the game that night like mini megaphones and poms.

Pre-Game Potluck
Get ready to rally with a community kick-off party. Host this tailgate on campus before a home game and use your school’s parking lot or gymnasium. Encourage each student organization to attend. Ask them to decorate a table and serve a potluck dish of their choice! If your school doesn’t have many student organizations, ask members of the community to donate food and prizes. Pass out noisemakers, t-shirts and face tattoos to ensure that the audience is prepared. If players are in attendance, introduce them and send them off with a good luck chant!

Every sport calls for a celebration of its athletes. These themes give your team a chance to connect students, coaches and fans. It’s time to tailgate!