Last year NC State institued a poorly crafted “tailgating policy” that we described as “the worst kind of administrative nonsense – a solution in search of a problem.” We discussed it in this entry that definitely deserves your time.
Later in the year, this (really good) entry discussed the topic framed against a very approprite backdrop of – how do so many other institutions master this difficult subject of social interaction!
Now, NC State’s Technician is writing about their experience out there in the real world in Death Valley. This fantastic piece titled “Clemson has it right†focuses on the family atmosphere and environment fostered by Clemson’s administration. If only Clemson could have Jim Oblinger and Tom Stafford show them the way to proper risk management!!
You see, at NC State risk management = risk avoidance.
It is the ONLY way to insure that the University becomes a commuter school with no Wolfstocks, no lawn parties, no band parties, no post-big-win-celebrations, limited tailgating, no greek system of which to speak, no Hillsborough Street to enjoy and absolutely no social fabric to connect current students or to bridge the current student body to the alums of old. The University has done a fantabulous job of achieving these risk-free goals!! Bravo, Mr. Stafford!!
Today, we turn your attention to the only place you need to go to read a good perspective on the topic – Red & White From State. In this entry.
Unlike most ridiculous blather on the internet, RAWFS takes the time to not only highlight relevant issues on the topic. RAWFS also proposes a PLAN with real-life solutions and suggestions on how to execute the plan. Additionally, they highlight another example of an institution who has found a way to masterfully navigate this oh-so-tricky world of fellowship prior to an athletics event.
One only has to look at the University of Alabama with its twelve national championships in college football and its horde of fans, and the traditions that they have to see the difference: people there often start tailgaiting days in advance, and somehow the Crimson Tide manages to avoid many of the problems that seem to plague NC State’s administrators. Perhaps it is because at Alabama games a properly sized police presence is out in force and scofflaws are dealt with before they can get out of control. In short, in Tuscaloosa, if you get out of line, you’ll probably be needing someone to get you out of jail.
Take a look at a short excerpt from the fine book RammerJammerYellowHammer by Warren St. John:
“In the South, the Midwest, and other pockets of fan mania throughout America, it’s not unheard of these days for fans to arrive in their motor homes a full week before kickoff—to drive directly from one game to the next.”
What a big difference, both in the programs and in the way the respective universities treat their fans.
If our esteemed leaders with their Raleigh-centric, limited perspective ever decide to take a fact finding mission to Tuscaloosa…may we suggest that they swing by Baton Rouge while they are on the gulf coast.
