The Oklahoma Sooners are preparing to kick off the 2012 college football season shortly at Memorial Stadium in Norman. Tailgating is a time-honored tradition for Sooners football fans, and for those of us who have attended OU football games, we know that game day in Norman is the biggest party in the state.
The University of Oklahoma does have some policies to ensure the security and safety of all people and property on the campus on gameday, as well as to make the experience fun and enjoyable for all fans.
The first home game of the 2012 season is Sept. 8 against Florida A&M, and the Sooners will host Notre Dame, Kansas State, and the Bedlam rivalry game against Oklahoma State, among many other Big 12 conference games at Memorial Stadium. The tailgate parties should be lively and filled with OU fans looking forward to seeing the Sooners return to the top of the newly realigned Big 12 Conference in 2012.
Here is a guide to tailgating in 2012 for Sooners fans:
Venue: Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Football Field Name: Owen Field
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Year Opened: 1923
OU All-Time Home Record: 360-79-15
Sellout Streak: 80 games, from 1999 to current
Tailgating Times: Setting up tents, awnings, and similar furniture and shelter is allowed starting at noon the day prior to the game. Everything must be cleared out by noon the day after the game.
Tailgating Prohibited Areas: Student residential areas, Heisman Park, North Oval, South Oval, and the lawns in front of Carpenter Hall and Jacobson Hall. Taking up empty parking spaces for tailgating is also not allowed. Parking trailers on grass areas is prohibited, and trailer owners must purchase additional parking spots.
Grilling and Fire Rules: Grills, smokers, and other flame devices must be specifically made and approved for use in cooking or heating. It is prohibited for you to use grills, smokers, and similar devices within 25 feet of a combustible structure, and within 10 feet of a non-combustible structure. Use your best judgment in distinguishing between the two in order to avoid problems with OU public safety officials. Grills and smokers are not allowed to be used inside buildings or parking structures.
Any cooking or grilling done under a tent or canopy must be open on all sides, as cooking in enclosed tents is prohibited. Charcoal must be completely extinguished and disposed of away from the campus. The maximum size allowed for a propane cylinder is 20 pounds. Bonfires and campfires are strictly prohibited, and all flame and heat producing devices must be attended to by a person at all times. Most of all, you should always use common sense when you are dealing with fire, gas, and things that have the potential to explode.
Power Generators: Generators are allowed, but cannot interfere with property on the campus. If used on grass, a solid board has to be put underneath your generator.
Prohibited Vehicles: All-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and small vehicles that are not owned by the university are all prohibited on campus. Permits are required for permit parking lots, and a separate permit is required for trailers. Additionally, vehicles of any sort and trailers are prohibited from parking on grass anywhere on university property.
Corporate Tailgates: All corporate and commercially sponsored tailgates are prohibited by the university, unless they are cleared for licensing by Sooner Sports Properties in advance. Corporate and commercially sponsored tailgates then are only allowed in certain designated areas. The same goes for giving away samples or free products at the games; you have to get cleared by OU first.
Alcoholic Beverages: Are not allowed in public areas at any OU athletic events. You have to go off-campus or attend a tailgate parties in an off-campus parking area.
Reserved Parking: Season ticket-holders are able to purchase season parking passes for the reserved lots, which guarantees them a parking spot up to 30 minutes before game time.
Paid Parking Lots: OU has many paid parking lots that cost $15 per car or truck, and they fill up quick on home gamedays -- so get there early.
Free Parking and Affordable Shuttle Service: You can park for free at the Lloyd Noble Center on gameday and take a shuttle to the stadium for only $2 roundtrip.
Personal-Experience Parking and Tailgating Tips: If you want to have a fun tailgate party and plan on drinking beer or any other alcoholic beverages, the best idea is to park off-campus on private property that is not too far away from either the stadium or Lloyd Noble Center. I had friends that lived near the Duck Pond area, and they were happy to rent out their driveway, side yard, or even front lawn for parking at OU home games. Many people that live near the campus take advantage of home football games to put a little extra money in their pocket. You can probably negotiate a deal with them, and as long as everyone is cool, doesn't cause any trouble for neighbors, and cleans up after themselves, it will all go well. If you find a deal on any private property or parking areas near Lloyd Noble Center, then you can take the shuttle to the game. Otherwise, a walk from the Duck Pond or Campus Corner area is not hard, and often a fun way to get everyone revved up for the game.
SooneRVillage Recreational Vehicle Tailgating Parking: OU has 130 RV hookup spots at the Lloyd Noble Center parking lots in the southwest corner. You can really throw an ultimate tailgate party this way, and then take the shuttle to the stadium. You have to reserve your paid spot in advance; here's the information.
Special Oklahoma Sooners Spirit Activities: The Pride of Oklahoma marching band will perform a concert an hour and a half before the start of every OU home game. It starts at the lawn in front of Jacobson Hall, and the Pride then marches through Campus Corner and all the way into Memorial Stadium shortly before team introductions and kickoff.
S. Holmes Bishop is an Oklahoma Sooners fan since childhood, anxiously anticipating another OU National Championship. He has attended numerous tailgate parties at OU. He also has firsthand knowledge that Aubrey Beavers is the best power forward for pick-up basketball games in the history of OU football players.
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