By Riley McCall OMAHA, Ne – Tailgating at your favorite sporting event is big business in the United States. according to the National Consumer Panel, this past time contributed 35 billion dollars to food and beverage sales last year. Nebraskans are no exception to taking part in this time-honored tradition.
Kevin Irish, a lifelong Husker fan, has been tailgating at Nebraska home games since 1984.
“We have been doing this since 1984, so this will be our 40th year in this exact same spot, and we absolutely love it,” Irish said.
For Irish, tailgating is a family affair. His wife, son in law Cole McCallister, and friends from his hometown of Neligh, Nebraska, gather for every home game.
Tailgating has a long history, dating back to the first college football game between Princeton and Rutgers in 1869. Its roots can be traced to ancient Greek and Roman harvest festivals, but in the U.S., it gained popularity with the rise of cars and the construction of stadiums with large parking lots. Over time, tailgating evolved into the elaborate celebrations seen today.
UNO Spirit and Tradition Director Bill Pickett is well-versed in the excitement of supporting a team on the road. He recently led 13 students to Las Vegas to cheer on Omaha’s hockey team.
“We won the whole tournament, which was outstanding,” Pickett shared. “The students had a great time not only enjoying the sights of Vegas but also supporting the team on the road. It was an overall great trip.”
About 80 percent of Americans tailgate annually, and the top foods at these events include hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, dips, cold salads, wings, and desserts.
While tailgating is fun, the cost of supporting your favorite team has increased. According to the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, prices have risen by nearly 8.5 percent.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers next home is the 23rd of November against Wisconsin, for Omaha hockey they take on Western Michigan this Friday, November 8th at Baxter Arena.
