The SEC Expansion Committee Tailgate provided the perfect introduction to Chapel Hill
North Carolina isn’t commonly known as a tailgating hotbed. The school has a larger Greek population than most, so a lot of the “tailgating” — by both students and alumni — is conducted at fraternity houses. It’s an appealing option, as underclassmen serve drinks to alumni and many fraternities have live bands playing on the lawns in front of the houses.
The allure of several fantastic pregame bars along historic Franklin Street also draw a sizable crowd, and even hotels near campus (including the one where I stayed, the Carolina Inn) offer pregame outdoor festivities.
If you know where to look, though, you can still find a great time at a more traditional on-campus tailgate.
I was fortunate that my cousin’s wife is a UNC alumna and was able to direct me to a friend’s tailgate just outside the stadium in the area surrounding the iconic Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower.
That’s where I found the SEC Expansion Committee tailgate, the inaugural recipient of the Lindsay S. Memorial Tailgater of the Week Award.
The hosts, plus their friends and tailgating neighbors, were a ton of fun. There was good food, good vibes, and even an appearance by Rameses, UNC’s live mascot.
There was also plenty to drink. Maybe too much to drink. Maybe too much of one drink in particular: a bottle of mezcal that made an appearance about an hour before kickoff. Did I get some spilled on my shirt when a fellow reveler tried to pour a shot directly in my mouth? Yes. But honestly, more than enough did make it into my mouth in the run-up to game time.
While the tailgating wasn’t as widespread as some other places, the pockets of on-campus pregaming — especially in the area between the library and Kenan Stadium — came with a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
I can’t thank the SEC Expansion Committee enough for the incredible hospitality!
**No one was harmed in the making of this tailgate. My … umm … fulsome form of imbibing on this particular day should not be a reflection on anyone pictured, except in the fact that they were friendly, welcoming, and fun.**
CFB Travel Guy 