Editor’s note: This is a first-person account of tailgating activities before Saturday’s game.

DeKALB | A few minutes past 6 p.m. Saturday, the rustling of tailgaters could be heard as they left their cars and Winnebagos in exchange for seats inside Huskie Stadium.

The lots surrounding Stevenson Towers offered distinct differences in atmosphere before, during and after the game. People seemed to congregate in almost every place possible, but the most striking differences lied with the geography of the fans.

As the kick-off approached, two contrasting scenes emerged from either side of the stadium. Groves of families began moving from far lots. Some children tossed footballs back and forth before meeting with their parents. Their journey to the gate was considerably longer than that of the NIU students who parked their vehicles practically next door to the east entrance.

Police

NIU students were either leaving the game completely or moving into the stadium. Campus police officers were on hand to usher students out and to make sure the lot was clear of fans while the game was being played.

“Tailgating is a part of the game,” said Lieutenant Matt Kiederlen. Still, the presence of officers was not without warrant. There were a number of under-age drinking incidents, a few individual referrals and even a couple of arrests throughout the day.

The presence of alcohol was noticeable. While waiting in line, two students tossed beer from open cans at one another, and as students were leaving the area, two officers stopped a pick-up truck with a full bed of tailgaters. The officers had the driver exit the vehicle and exercised a field sobriety test. After reciting his ABC’s, the driver was allowed to leave.

“We like seeing our students have fun in a safe environment, and we’re here to facilitate that type of activity while trying to curb negative behaviors,” Kiederlen said.

Fans

As trucks of students rolled away from patches of green grass covered in crushed aluminum, the officers ensured the safety of the fans.

A few minutes before kick-off, the national anthem played. The crowd fell to a silence as stragglers dressed in red shirts made their way to the field. Back at the west lots, few fans could be seen. Almost all of them had made their way into the stadium and the few that remained passed the time leisurely. Ron Leach, a local worker at S.C.A. Packaging, sat with his wife Kathy outside the stadium while the game went on.

Leach said he usually attends the game with five to six families, and said, “Games are a good way to socialize,” emphasizing the fact that this was more of a social event and less of a party atmosphere for the families attending.