The tailgating experience
On game day in autumn , it ’ s all about the party
BY CHAD DARE CHAD . DARE @ DANCOMNEWS . COM
CHAMPAIGN — It doesn ’ t matter if you are the biggest fan who knows the number of every player on the team or the fan that just enjoys watching the band and cheerleaders perform — a good tailgate before the contest is a necessity in college football .
Former Salt Fork standout Max
A tailgater seasons his burgers while waiting for the Illinois game to start . Photo by Deb Edwards / Commercial-News
Stutsman , who played three sports for the Storm , had admittedly made the transition from collegiate athlete to fan in the past three seasons .
“ It started back in 2019 , my brother-in-law ( Kye Draper ) and I bought an Illini orange-and-blue bus for tailgating ,’’ said Stutsman , noting the first game for his bus was the 24-23 upset win for Illinois over Wisconsin . “ I swore it was the good-luck charm .’’
But this season , Stutsman and Draper sold the bus in favor of a trailer .
20 ILLIANA MAGAZINE — FALL 2022