PRIDE TAILGATES ENCOURAGE ENTHUSIASM FOR GAMES S ocial club tailgates were an important part of the Harding community-building experience in the fall. Club tents gathered on the lawn in front of the Ganus Athletic Center and set up booths where they played games, grilled food and listened to music together before the football games. The Homecoming tailgate, one of the most popular tailgates, took place on Oct. 26 before the football team faced Henderson State University. Alumni and family members of current students often joined in the fun as well as future students. Junior Mason Reeves was a new member of the social club Sub-T 16. Although Sub-T 16 was the oldest men's social club on campus, tailgating was not part of their traditions before the fall. However, they enjoyed their first tailgate at the first home game on Sept.19 so much they intended to make tailgating a permanent tradition. "I enjoyed the fact that it was not just members at our tailgate," Reeves said. "Alumni, visitors, other students and future Bisons were all there. It was a huge melting pot of people, and it was so cool to be a part of something that could draw so many people together." Member of Delta Gamma Rho senior Shelby Nicholson enjoyed grilling out and taking pictures with her friends during her last Homecoming tailgate at Harding. For Nicholson, time with friends was the most enjoyable element of tailgating. "I think tailgating is important because it's a part of our community," Nicholson said. "Tailgating is a tradition that embodies who we are at Harding. Good people, good food and, of course, football." The attendance of future Bisons was an important part of the day's events. Students were able to meet prospective students and introduce them to the community of the university. "During the last home game a young future Bison around 4 or 5 came up to our tailgate with his parents," Reeves said. "He got to play some cornhole with us, and afterwards the whole club took a picture with him in front of our giant wooden '16'. He looked so happy, and that was for sure my favorite memory of tailgating." At the joint Chi Sigs and Regina tailgate, there were pictures of 2012 alumni Jake Rush and Courtney Book, former club members who passed away in tragic accidents during the fall semester, displayed to commemorate their lives. "Probably the coolest part of tailgating this year was seeing all the Chi Sigs and Regina alumni come out to show their support for the Rush and Book families," junior Chi Sigs member Cody Adair said. "It showed that our club families extend beyond Harding and that people really do still care and keep up with their school. It really was a true feeling of camaraderie." Kristina Kiser Senior Lauren Tesh poses for a picture with a puppy at the football tailgate before the game on Sept. 28. Ju Go Ju partnered with Titans to host a cookout before the game. Matt Dobson
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==