The tailgating venue for Monon Bell Classic will look a lot different to those who remember it from 2011, the last time DePauw hosted the match up between the Tigers and the Wabash College Little Giants.
Changes to DePauw's campus due to construction have led to changes in how tailgating before the 1 PM game will be arranged.
One change is that instead of side-by-side tailgating between DePauw and Wabash fans as in past years, the fan bases of the opposing teams will be separated.
While DePauw students, faculty, alumnae and fans have been designated the Blackstock parking lot, Wabash supporters will have tailgating space in the parking lot of the Intramural fields.
"When we went to Wabash last year they had designated a field for us, so that's what we're doing for them here," Athletic Director Stevie Baker-Watson said. "I remember going to a meeting last year at Wabash and being told, '[DePauw has] this lot, just south of the fine arts center, that's where [DePauw will] tailgate. All that parking that's over there by the stadium, don't go over there.'"
Though Baker-Watson admitted the Intramural fields are not as closely situated to Blackstock Stadium as would be ideal, she feels the overall tailgating experience will be better for the change.
"We intentionally separate [Wabash and DePauw fans] from a game perspective," she said. "So seating is separate, concession stands are separate, and now the tailgating will be separate."
However, there will still be opportunities for game attendees with a foot in both camps to intermingle.
"We actually have a combo DePauw and Wabash family gathering in the Olin Lot," Baker-Watson said. That will allow Wabash and DePauw fans to meet without crossing into each other's space."
Another change was to have parking presold. Those who purchased tickets online were sent emails alerting them that parking was being sold at 10 dollars per space, with up to two spaces being sold per transaction.
"The Blackstock lot is actually already sold out as of last Tuesday the fifth," Director of Public Safety Angie Nally said.
This choice to move to presale parking was made to help things run smoothly on the day of Monon itself.
"That way, the morning of I don't have someone standing there with a wad of cash in their pocket and I don't have people waiting in line thinking they're going to get in only to get turned away when they're that last car," Baker-Watson said.
Those who purchased parking were given hangtags for their mirrors and will be allowed into the parking lot at staggered times after 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.
"Athletics has really taken the lead on reserving tailgates and trying to make it less of a parking lot and more of an event space," Nally said.
Aside from the Wabash and DePauw tailgating separation, the presale of tickets and what is sure to be an "influx" of people, according to Nally, this tailgate is not very different from those earlier in the year. All tailgating rules will still be in place and the DePauw tailgating community will remain in the Blackstock Lot.
"For anybody whose come to any of the games thus far it will probably look similar to that from a DePauw standpoint," Baker-Watson said.
She also added that though she hopes the tailgate goes well, it is not the focal point of the weekend.
"I always like to remind people that we're here for a football game. I really hope that parking lot is fun, but I really hope they come in the game."