Tailgating - Hawkeye Football Style

It's game day, 6:00 AM. Your neighbors are packing up their cars at this ungodly hour of the morning while you sit at home watching the Saturday morning news sipping your first cup of coffee.

Why the hell you're up at 6 AM on a Saturday morning and NOT attending a football game is beyond me but nontheless....you see coolers and grills, faces painted up so well it would put Braveheart to shame and wonder what's the big deal, it's just a game after all.

GASP!!! You did NOT just think that!

First of all you need to understand that tailgating is not just about sitting around waiting for the game to start. Tailgating allows you to have a party with all of your closest friends a few times a year that centers around the football game.  It's about catching up with friends, meeting new people, yelling at the rival teams tailgators as they dare walk by and drinking lots and lots of beer.

And let's not forget the food!

Below is a simple checklist for those first-timers so that you don't look like a rookie tailgater. We're assuming you'll be attending someone else's tailgate. If not, you need to head over to " Throwing a Tailgate Party" to find out what items you'll need to pack.

In addition, we have spent a great deal of time gathering relevant information for you so you don't have to scour all over the internet to find what you need in order to stay on top of the tailgating game.

 The "I'm New!" to Tailgating Checklist

• First, check the weather. What will it be like that day? The beginning of football season can be up to 90 degrees outside while the closer we get to fall and winter, it can be 20 below with wind chills.  Regardless of which side of the temperature gauge you're on, remember that you'll be outside for about 10 hours.   And that's only if you leave after the game is over. Always assume that you'll be colder or hotter as the day wears on. It may be 35 in the morning when you leave but 65 by the time you get into the stadium and the last thing you want to have on is a sweatshirt while you're sitting in direct sun.
  
• So, you've decided what to wear. Does it have Hawkeye colors? Does something on you actually say "Iowa Hawkeyes"? "Hawkeyes"? or "Iowa"? Is it black and gold?  We highly suggest getting these items ready the night before the game. Because the last thing you want to do as a rookie is be running around trying to find your Hawkeye gear at 6 in the morning. That will only make you late to your tailgate, and you do not want to be late!
  
• Do you have sunglasses? Sunscreen? A hat to wear?
  
• Don't forget, to not look like a rookie (or a burnt out college student) you need to arrive at the tailgate no later than 8:00 AM - and even for most, that's late. Traffic on Melrose is absolutely terriable from 8 - 8:30.
  
• Are you driving yourself? If so, do you have a Hawkeye Flag or magnet to stick on the side of your vehicle?
  
• Are you having this tailgate yourself or attending someone else's? If you're having one yourself you'll want to head on over to "Section II - Throwing a Tailgate Party" to see what items you need to bring with you.
  
•  Do you have a chair to sit on? Even if you're attending someone else's tailage, don't expect there to be a seat for everybody. If you want to sit, it's common courtesy to bring your own chair.
  
• Are you a beer drinker? Typically, tailgates have plenty of beer for everyone but it's not nice to mooch. However, if you're not a beer drinker you should bring your beverage of choice. Throw it in a thermos and take it with you. Now, this gets kind of touchy - you'll want to take a look at " Section II - How to Throw a Tailgate Party" and read information on alcohol there.  Don't be one of those "friends" who never talk to you unless you've got a free beer available for them.
  
• Do you know who the Hawkeyes are playing that day?  If you want to hold your own, you'd better know at least that as well as some other pertinent information. For example, if we're playing another big-ten team, what is our record compared to theirs?
  
• Who is our quarterback?
  
• Who is our coach? (Oh c'mon, you've GOT to know that!)
  

All right, so now that you know what to do in the event you're attending someone else's tailgate, what do you do if you're holding the tailgate yourself?  It's time to check out part two...