Do you remember the radio commercial a few years back, I think it was for Coca Cola, that featured the two guys headed to the football game?  The gist of the commercial is that they were checking off their list of “tailgating” supplies, with obviously, Coke being the main ingredient.

Whether or not you are a Coke fan, that actually happens every weekend in the fall and it is growing by leaps and bounds. 

Every year more and more football fans are tailgating.  If you have been to Auburn or T-town lately, you know what I am talking about. This year, folks in our area will be packing up and heading to Mobile on Saturday’s.  Being the first year for the Jag football program, it will be a great time for you to head over and mark your tailgating territory.

I grew up tailgating to some extent.  We never really had the hundred thousand dollar RV, but I often went with friends who had a pick-up truck and a grill.  We would get to the game early, break out the lawn chairs, fire up the grill and toss the ball around.

These days, the art of tailgating (I say art because there really is a strategy involved) is spreading even to the high school ranks.

Having done play-by-play on radio for high school football in Birmingham for several years, I have noticed more and more fans with their pop-up tents and grills set up in the parking lot of the local high school, having dinner with family and friends and getting ready for the big game.

Personally, I think this is a great idea, and a trend that will continue to grow.

How about this though? What if you could show up and tailgate without all of the frustration of packing up your tent, your tables, your chairs and your grill?

Sound impossible?

Just last week the Auburn Athletic Department announced a new game day program called Tailgate Guys that will expand and enhance tailgating opportunities on the campus.

According to Jeremy Roberts, Director of Operational Support Services, Auburn developed this program to provide hassle free tailgating.

The program will use a previously unused part of the campus green. Tents, tables and chairs will be set up in advance. Fans will have the option to order coolers filled with ice, paper products, utensils, and even full-service catering.  It will be first class tailgating without the time consuming hassle of the set-up.

The new tailgating site will be able to accommodate several thousand additional fans on game days.

Pretty cool, huh?

Whoever thought we would see the evolution of 21st Century tailgating?

So no more worrying about trying to find foods that can be cooked in less than 15 minutes or or having to prepare anything before you leave the house, no more worrying about whether or not you brought enough hamburger buns, Buffalo wings or deviled eggs. As a matter of fact, you can probably sell that $250,000 RV.  All you need now is a car big enough to hold your family and friends, your game tickets, and a cell phone.

“Ah, yes, this is Dale Jones.  I have a party of 8.  We want to tailgate on Saturday.  We’ll need a table, chairs, steaks, fries, potato salad, a tent, and satellite hookup please.”

-Hit ‘em straight

Dale Jones is a writer for The Islander.