Langer not happy with tailgating rules enforcement
Posted: Saturday, October 04, 2008
BROOKINGS, S.D. (AP) -- As another Hobo Day homecoming approaches Saturday, NFL Hall of Fame center Jim Langer says enforcement of tailgating rules has been a bit excessive at his alma mater, South Dakota State University.
"I understand it's an effort to keep control of situations, and it's an environment in which you could have a mess, but college football is an event that has to be enjoyed," Langer told the Brookings Register.
"By and large, people want to have an enjoyable day, and they don't want to cause problems."
SDSU's policy was revised in May 2007 and includes closing the tailgating area near the stadium before the start of football games and keeping it closed during and after the games. All tailgating has to stop 30 minutes before the game, and fans are to take their seats in the stadium.
Before the Sept. 13 Beef Bowl game, some fans complained they felt they were being herded into the stadium and treated as lawbreakers. Tensions rose as University Police Department officers directed people toward the entrances a half-hour before kickoff.
One Brookings man was arrested and fined for failure to vacate.
"We are constantly tweaking the policy," said Fred Oien, SDSU athletic director. "Initially, people were coming and spending the whole ballgame in the tailgating area -- they never bought a ticket and never had any intention of supporting the Jackrabbits.
"The purpose of tailgating is to have some fun before the game, then go to the game, socialize and cheer on the Jackrabbits."
Oien said SDSU took its cue from policies at other universities. "We've looked at a lot of institutions and how they handle their policies, and this is pretty much what they do."
He also said he's confident the University Police Department can maintain order.
"They don't have a very easy job, so I've got a lot of respect for how they're handling themselves," Oien said. "Sometimes they're put under pressure by people who don't want to abide by the rules."
Langer, a 1970 graduate, said a squad car that was constantly circling kept him and some fellow alumni under constant scrutiny while they were tailgating Sept. 13. Another group was forced to move, he said.
Langer said he will make the trip from his Twin Cities home for Jackrabbit home games but that he and other former players and students might not bother in the future if the security stays the same.
"I won't go if I have to drive four hours for two-hour tailgating and then I get forced out right after the game," Langer said. "It's not worth it. Everybody's intentions are well-meaning, but if they want to continue to grow this fan base, they have to make people feel welcome."
Langer signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1970 and played every offensive down in the team's perfect 1972 season. He ended his career in 1981 with the Minnesota Vikings.
"I understand it's an effort to keep control of situations, and it's an environment in which you could have a mess, but college football is an event that has to be enjoyed," Langer told the Brookings Register.
"By and large, people want to have an enjoyable day, and they don't want to cause problems."
SDSU's policy was revised in May 2007 and includes closing the tailgating area near the stadium before the start of football games and keeping it closed during and after the games. All tailgating has to stop 30 minutes before the game, and fans are to take their seats in the stadium.
Before the Sept. 13 Beef Bowl game, some fans complained they felt they were being herded into the stadium and treated as lawbreakers. Tensions rose as University Police Department officers directed people toward the entrances a half-hour before kickoff.
One Brookings man was arrested and fined for failure to vacate.
"We are constantly tweaking the policy," said Fred Oien, SDSU athletic director. "Initially, people were coming and spending the whole ballgame in the tailgating area -- they never bought a ticket and never had any intention of supporting the Jackrabbits.
"The purpose of tailgating is to have some fun before the game, then go to the game, socialize and cheer on the Jackrabbits."
Oien said SDSU took its cue from policies at other universities. "We've looked at a lot of institutions and how they handle their policies, and this is pretty much what they do."
He also said he's confident the University Police Department can maintain order.
"They don't have a very easy job, so I've got a lot of respect for how they're handling themselves," Oien said. "Sometimes they're put under pressure by people who don't want to abide by the rules."
Langer, a 1970 graduate, said a squad car that was constantly circling kept him and some fellow alumni under constant scrutiny while they were tailgating Sept. 13. Another group was forced to move, he said.
Langer said he will make the trip from his Twin Cities home for Jackrabbit home games but that he and other former players and students might not bother in the future if the security stays the same.
"I won't go if I have to drive four hours for two-hour tailgating and then I get forced out right after the game," Langer said. "It's not worth it. Everybody's intentions are well-meaning, but if they want to continue to grow this fan base, they have to make people feel welcome."
Langer signed with the Miami Dolphins in 1970 and played every offensive down in the team's perfect 1972 season. He ended his career in 1981 with the Minnesota Vikings.
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tom wrote on Oct 4, 2008 6:14 PM: