Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 10/27/06 Section: Sports

Typically, Saturday tailgate parties bring out large crowds great food and music that will last for hours so that fans can get exicted about watching football. However, ERAU tailgates differently compared to other colleges; our parties bring out large crowds, great food and amazing performances from the Hawaii Club. The most important thing is that at ERAU when there is tailgating the event is soccer not football.

With all the Octoberwest coming to an end the Athletic department along with both the Men and Women's soccer team hosted the school's first ever tailgate party on the upper field. Since each of the soccer programs is still very new the alumni that have graduated on from both teams were unable to attend October west for an alumni game. Instead, both teams mixed for a classic freshman/sophomores versus junior/seniors game.

The event started at 5:15 p.m. with Chartwells providing the food for tailgating. In keeping with tailgate tradition Chartwells served, potato salad, chips, baked beans, hamburgers with all the fixings, brownies and soda.

Tables were set up on the upper field allowing fans to sit and enjoy their food while having an up close view of the game. Afton Brown said, "I think it is nice to see the chairs and tables setup the way they are; this gives the fans a chance to sit and relax while enjoying a nice hot meal. I also think it makes watching the soccer teams play more enjoyable. I hope that the school decides to keep this up because I can see more fans attending games for something like this."

While each team played the Men's and Women's soccer coaches both played showing fans that they too still have moves on the court. Each team scored several goals throughout the match however, the score of the game was not as important as just watching the two teams run around and have fun with each other.

Larry Stephan the Athletic Director said, "I think to tonight's event is just great you can tell the students are excited and we had the half time show with the Hawaiian Club which was outstanding. It was neat to see some of the women's soccer players join in on the dance. The game has been fantastic to see, the coaches have had a chance to get out and play. Josh Schmitt our athletic trainer was out there refereeing the game which is kind of neat to see and you can tell the students are having fun playing with each other."

Overall, for the first ever tailgating party the fans seemed to be more than pleased with the food, fun, entertainment, and the game. Look to see more tailgating type of events in the future from the soccer teams.

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