SGA against tailgating changes, but respects final decision

For the second time in as many years, UCF has changed its rules and regulations for tailgating at home football games.

For the upcoming season, the rules will remain the same for most fans. However, members of the Golden Knights Club, an organization that helps fund athletic scholarships and capital improvements, will be offered premium parking spots and have the option to set up at a designated location as early as 8 a.m. for games starting at 6 p.m. or later.

Although UCF's opponents for 2010 are set, times for the six home contests have not been finalized.

Open container restrictions will remain the same, and fans cannot consume alcohol before noon on campus.

At the start of the 2009 season, tailgating times were cut so lots opened at 8 a.m. for games starting before 6 p.m. and at noon for games starting at 6 p.m. or later.

The decision to have tailgating prohibited before noon for evening games came from the Game Day Committee, which consists of administration, the UCF police, vice presidents and faculty directors, among others.  

The Orlando Sentinel reported Feb. 9 that the Student Government Association supported these changes.

Keal Blache, the SGA assistant athletic relations coordinator, said that SGA was misquoted in the story and did not support the decision to change the tailgating procedures.

"Our stance is that we want to preserve the rights of students to be able to keep the traditions of tailgating," Blache said.

Chad Binette, the assistant director for UCF News & Information, was speaking on behalf of SGA when he was misquoted in the Sentinel article that led people to believe SGA was behind the tailgating changes, Blache said.

In addition to the time changes for GKC members, there will be an additional 300 parking spaces added to the northeast section of the Gold Zone.

This includes a parking lot behind the baseball stadium adjacent to the football stadium, as well as an expansion of the softball lot.

Blache said SGA President Brian Peterson spoke out against the changes that restrict tailgating before noon.

"UCF has listened to suggestions from fans and has designed a plan for 2010 that incorporates much of that feedback," said Joe Hornstein, the associate director of athletics. "It starts with no increase in ticket pricing for the 2010 season. This will be the fourth consecutive season that there will be no increase in per-game season ticket pricing."

While SGA didn't support the new policies, it understands they do represent UCF and its choices.

"As far as the changes, we were against the changes," Blache said. "However, when administration made that decision, we are UCF family, so of course we're going to support tailgating, but it doesn't mean we were happy with the rules that were changed."

Blache said that the changes to policy are because tailgating tradition at UCF is still in its formative years.

"Think about it, our stadium is two years old," Blache said. "So, when you compare our tailgating to different campuses and schools, you're talking about long-standing traditions that have had failures and successes. They've tried different tailgating rules. UCF is just trying to figure out what the right balance is."