SEMO HOMECOMING, MARDI GRAS STYLE; SOUTHEAST STARTS UP TAILGATE PARTY TRADITION

Some 50 fans partook of pregame fare when they attended tailgate parties held prior to the Southeast Missouri State University Homecoming '97 football game Saturday near Houck Stadium.

The university began designating the parking lot just south of Houck Field House as a tailgate party area this season in an effort to generate more interest in the football program. Fans are encouraged to hold pre-game parties in the area prior to every home game.

University students attending the parties said they liked the idea of setting aside an area for pregame gatherings. Tailgate parties are a tradition for many other universities, they said, and provide fun social gatherings that get fans enthused before game time.

"It's good stuff; it adds to the day," said freshman Cammi Svuba. "I think it brings more people to the game."

Junior Nick Brooks agreed. "I just think it provides more to the atmosphere," he said. "I remember going to tailgate parties when I was younger, and they were always great, with a lot of people attending. It's something to do before the game instead of sitting at the home."

Many of the students said they liked the fact that they could get together and share alcoholic drinks with other fans in the area before going into the stadium. They said the designated pregame party area will help boost game attendance.

"That was a great idea, and it'll bring more people out to the game," said junior Bryan Sauter.

There were some non-alcoholic parties being held in the area. Chi Alpha campus minister Ron Henderson said his group held a tailgate party specifically to show others that people could have fun without drinking.

"We came out to support the team and be a witness to people," Henderson said. "A lot of people think this is about drinking -- that's one of the first questions they asked us when we pulled up. We want to show people they can have fun without alcohol."

Southeast alum Gary Loos said he doesn't think the alcohol will detract from football games or deter people from attending tailgate parties.

"I think it's a good concept to get people together before the game," he said. "If they're going to drink before the game, they'd do it somewhere else anyway. I think the alcohol is okay here."