Banned in Seneca Valley, tailgating no big deal in East suburbs
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An SUV at a recent Seneca Valley football game sported a sign complaining that tailgating is no longer allowed on school property.
It was a sentiment echoed by many more fans. "We all just want to come here and get pumped up for the game," said high school senior Becca Pecora. "We're diehard fans and our team is awesome this year."
"All we really are doing is celebrating with hot dogs, pizza, soda ... and painting ourselves," said senior Kaitlyn Powell. "It's our senior year, and we just want to have fun."
But fun at Seneca Valley no longer will include tailgating -- essentially holding picnics at the back of vehicles in the parking lot before a game. The practice has been a longtime tradition at professional and college football games and has worked its way down to the high school level, embraced by some school districts while discouraged by others.
In the East, Norwin School District has been host to tailgaters at football games for four or five years with no discipline issues, Athletic Director Randy Rovesti said. The get-togethers of 150 or so students are hosted by a pep club called the Castle Crew, and Mr. Rovesti said there have been no problems.
"We tell them it's a privilege and can be taken away. ... So far, they've been very respectful and there hasn't been a problem," he added.
But tailgating hasn't caught on in other East districts.
"We're just trying to get enough fans to come to the games," Wilkinsburg School District AD Cliff Simon said.
Nor are there any tailgaters at Plum, Riverview or Penn-Trafford school districts. Plum AD Bob Alpinio said he, for one, is happy there aren't.
Dawn Check, Plum's information officer, said there are a number of reasons tailgating isn't encouraged, including limited parking, crowd control and litter. Policing behavior in a tailgate area would be complicated.
"We really consider our athletic events family events. We want to promote activities for all ages where everyone can feel safe," she said.
Seneca Valley, which serves Cranberry and nearby communities, decided last month to forbid tailgating at any school activity after adults brought alcohol onto school property at the first home football game of the season, officials said.
"I think, unfortunately, one person spoiled it for everyone," said Valerie Burns, a parent in the district who had enjoyed tailgating with her family before high school football games.
Ms. Burns' son, Dan, a sophomore at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School, said he and his friends are upset that their tradition has been ground to a halt because of the behavior of adults.
"It makes me mad because they knew they shouldn't be doing it, but they did it anyway and ruined it for all of us," said Dan, who sported a painted face Sept. 14, as did fellow sophomore Rob Fyock, in support of the home team. "And they were supposed to be the adults."
Rob said he hoped the district would allow tailgating again.
"As long as there's no alcohol, we should be allowed to," he said. "But I guess it'd be hard for them to monitor who had it and who didn't."
Jackson police, who monitor all home games at Seneca Valley, discovered the alcohol on campus at an Aug. 31 game.
"Anytime we have a home event of that size, we always have a police presence," said Seneca Valley spokeswoman Linda Andreassi. "We've always allowed tailgating, but there is a no-alcohol policy on this campus and it's not permitted on school grounds. We have a sign at the entrance of the campus stating this."
Greg Caprara, Seneca Valley athletic director, has been spreading the word about the ban among coaches and booster presidents.
"Tailgating on campus has gained momentum in the last two years, and with that, we have been experiencing some problems" with rowdiness, he said. "Those problems were just progressing, and we knew it was something we needed to address."
Mr. Caprara said he didn't believe that banning tailgating would hurt attendance at games.
"This is not exactly Penn State," he said. "It's not like I have 2,500 people rolling in in their RVs and setting up camp."
Cindy Marzock, a parent involved with the football boosters, said she didn't think banning tailgating would hurt booster organizations.
"The tailgates were intended to promote school spirit, build tradition and establish relationships among families but were not actual booster events."
Mrs. Marzock said it was a shame that a few tailgaters ruined the tradition for students.
"I believe that the overwhelming majority of people who attended the tailgates were following the rules and just gathering to enjoy the camaraderie in anticipation of the game."
Senior Logan Gamelier said she and other students have discussed the issue with their principal and hope the new rule can be overturned.
"It's just ridiculous," she said. "We're going to find some way to tailgate, even if it's not here on campus."
Before the Sept. 14 game at Seneca Valley, Logan, Becca and Kaitlyn said, some students gathered at two nearby businesses to tailgate before heading to the game.
While Seneca Valley is halting the tradition, some other schools, like Norwin, are embracing it.
Hampton Township School District promotes its annual Talbot Tailgate as part of homecoming festivities, said district spokeswoman Patricia Forest.
Before every home game, one student is selected based on his or her display of school spirit and is granted a special parking pass.
"The pass allows the holder to park very near the stadium and hold a tailgate session for friends and family," she said.
Another similar reward program is being held as a fund-raiser for the Hampton boys lacrosse team. In general, however, the district doesn't promote tailgating on campus because of the lack of parking, Ms. Forest said.
The few who do tailgate are generally left alone as long as they aren't causing problems.
"Occasionally, it appears some residents may be tailgating, but it has caused no disturbance of any kind," she said. "The district policy forbids any alcohol or tobacco on school property at all times."
Freelance writer Laurie Bailey contributed to this report.
First Published October 4, 2007 12:00 am
