Written By: Lia Armistead

Valdosta State is adding a student tailgating section for the upcoming football season, designating a specific area for pregame festivities in close proximity to the stadium.

This area reserved for pregame events is located on the north side of the University Center neighboring Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

The Blazers will be playing at home four times this season and each game has a tailgate theme to encourage students to come out and participate. These themes consist of creating the best tailgate name, a cook-off with a variety of tailgate foods, pink-out for breast cancer awareness, and during homecoming week, a tent-decorating competition.

Prior to this, there has not been a designated area for students and faculty to come together and get pumped up for each game.

According to Trisha Taylor, activities moderator for Student Life, the area is a place where student organizations can advertise and hand out free items to increase promotion and student interest, thereby potentially gaining a larger following.

Students, staff and faculty must sign up before each game to reserve their spots since space is limited.

The sign up list is first come, first serve; however, students will have the opportunity to sign up before staff and faculty in the Student Life Office beginning on the Tuesday before each home game and ending on each Thursday at 5 p.m.

According to Student Life, the tailgate was formed in hopes of setting traditions for football seasons to come.