While the Seneca Valley School District in Butler County has banned tailgating at high school football games, no such action is being considered by Washington County schools -- where high school tailgating is just catching on.
Tailgating, holding picnics at the back of vehicles in the parking lot before a game, has been a tradition at professional and college football games. It's trickled down to the high-school level, where it has been embraced by some school districts and discouraged by others.
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.
There are no such problems at Ringgold High School, where the district recognizes a group of 50 to 100 so-called "superfans" with a roped-off area to tailgate before games, and with special seating in the stadium known as the "ram pound," a name taken from Cleveland's "dog pound" and the school's mascot, a ram.
Lloyd Price, Ringgold's new athletic director, said school spirit has been hopping, with a fan of the week contest and pep rallies that begin in the high school gym during the afternoon, spill out into the parking lot, and don't end until after the game.
On those days, students don't get home from school until after the football game ends. School security, administrators, and police routinely monitor the students-only tailgating area, he said.
"We have a very enthusiastic sports program," he said. "I think it's good, clean fun. You have to encourage it. It's good school spirit."
Unlike its neighbors in the north, tailgating in Washington County appears to be too new to have caused any problems yet. School officials also report that continuous police presence deters problems.
It was Jackson police, who monitor all home games at Seneca Valley, who discovered the alcohol on campus at the Aug. 31 game.
"Any time 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 with their RVs and setting up camp."
That's true, but Washington County school district officials say it's all relative depending on parking lot size.
There is "serious" tailgating before Canon-McMillan High School football games, which can draw 100 revelers on Friday evenings; even double that before a game with rival Trinity High School, district Athletic Secretary Debbie Kretz said.
Although alcohol isn't permitted on school property, it is at an adjacent Italian social club where adults can imbibe during pregame festivities.
North Strabane police, who provide security for games, turn out early to monitor tailgating, Ms. Kretz said.
"We've never had a problem," she said. "It's really a positive thing for us."
Like Ringgold, McGuffey High School sticks to student-only tailgating, except on evenings when parking will be tight and no tailgating is allowed, district Athletic Director Michael Malesic said.
Other districts, such as Hampton Township in Pittsburgh's north suburbs, promote school spirit but don't generally encourage tailgating. Along with parking issues, tailgating enthusiasm at professional and college football games doesn't always translate well into a high school setting.
The 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. The team is selling raffle tickets for a special tailgating party to be held Friday before the football game with Highlands.
The winners will be treated to a feast of steaks, side dishes and dessert as well as 10 tickets to the football game.
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 there are no 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."
Student tailgating is permitted at Trinity High School, but North Franklin police also keep a close eye there because drinking and smoking are prohibited.
North Allegheny School District allows tailgating, according to district spokeswoman Joy Ed.
"But our no smoking, no alcohol and no drugs ... policies apply 24/7 to all campuses," she said.
McCandless police patrol the high school campus during home games, Ms. Ed said. Anyone found violating the rules is asked to leave school property. Because McCandless doesn't have an open container law, police cannot arrest someone on charges of having alcohol on campus. But if a person refuses to leave school property, the violator can be threatened with action for disorderly conduct, Ms. Ed said.
If a student is found in violation of school policy while tailgating, he or she faces regular disciplinary action before the school board. At a minimum, that would entail a six-day, in-school suspension. At the maximum, it could result in expulsion. That student also would face the appropriate municipal consequences as cited by McCandless police, she said.
The Mars Area School District doesn't allow tailgating at all on its campuses, according to district spokesman Josh Schwoebel.
Tailgating isn't "done" in North Hills School District, which serves Ross and West View, said the district's athletic director, Dan Cardone.
The lack of parking, particularly at older in-town stadiums built at a time when fans and students walked to the game, is a damper on tailgating.
At the Washington High School football stadium, parking is at a premium, so there is no tailgating.
North Hills' Mr. Cardone agrees that, basically, a parking lot is needed for a true tailgating experience.
"There is no long-standing tradition of it here in the district," he said. "It's probably due to the fact that we have very little parking. The majority of the parking is on the street."
First Published: October 7, 2007, 4:00 a.m.