BIG TAILGATE
TEXAS’ TAILGATE PLAN: THINK THE GROVE AT OLE MISS, ONLY LARGER
Parker Duffy and Michael Otwell met at a Halloween party, and the two started a hospitality business in 2009 with one truck and two trailers stored in Otwell’s backyard. That doesn’t sound too hospitable.
Now, the two Auburn graduates may radically transform the tailgating exper i ence at Texas.
University offici al s have entered into a partnership with Tailgate Guys, Duffy and Otwell’s company that provides pop-up tents, tables, chairs and just about anything else you can imagine for a readymade tailgate party.
Beginning this fall, Texas fans can reserve various-sized spots near the LBJ Library, mostly notably on the west lawn facing Robert Dedman Drive just steps from the stadium gates.
“Everybody talks about The Grove at Ole Miss,” said Steve Hank, Texas’ chief revenue officer. “We want to have that same type of environment here at Texas. Except bigger.”
Basic packages, which include a 10x10 tent, six chairs and a table, start at $2,100 for the enti re season.
The upside cost? Well, that’s up to you. Starting next week, UT officials will grant sign-up access based on fans’ loyalty points standing with the Longhorn Foundation.
The university receives 39 percent of the net revenue generated by Tailgate Guys, both Duffy and UT officials told the American-Statesman. It’s a huge difference from previous contracts, Duffy said. Every other school takes a percentage of the gross profits.
“It felt like we were welcomed at Texas as a true partner and not just another vendor,” Duffy said.
All local laws are to be followed, school officials said. Open flames are banned, however food warmers are allowed. Glass bottles are permitted since the tents will be mostly on grass.
Tailgate Guys started at the school Duffy and Otwell knew best. Auburn is now the company’s signature site as the first people to sign up have tents just outside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The company has since added Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia Tech and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta.
Duffy said he never thought about anyone cooking in his tents until a visiting West Virginia fan nearly blew his face off with frozen chicken wings during the 2009 season. Deep fryers were quickly banned.
“It took us four years at Auburn for someone to finally order two 42-inch TVs in their spot,” Duffy said. “The first game on the first year at Texas A&M, somebody had nine.”
For those keeping score, Auburn fans are now up to a 130TV package in the tents around Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“It’s like walking into a ready-made party,” said one A&M season-ticket holder, who wished to remain anonymous.
Last season, his group paid more than $11,000 for a tent for 20 guests that included a media package. This season, they’re going to a tent big enough for 60 people, he said.
“There’s a certain romance to rolling in two hours before game time, and there’s all your food right there,” the A&M season-ticket holder said.
The convenience factor is exactly what Texas officials are banking on.
Men’s athletic director Steve Patterson said fans will be able to drive up to a designated delivery spot, unload their tail- gating supplies to a valet and go park. When they arrive at their tent, everything will be in order.
On-site security patrols the area when fans leave to go into the stadium. Afterward, valets bring all the supplies back to the same check-in spot so fans can load up and leave.
“It’s going to be as minimal as you want or elaborate as you want,” Patterson said. UT officials believe curious fans will want to see what’s being offered at the first home game before committing long term.
Fans can buy tailgating spots for the entire season or single games, which is attractive to the corporate crowd.
School officials stress that they do not want to displace anyone from their current tailgate locations. If fans want to stay at their current tailgate spot, “God bless ’em,” Patterson said.
Fans are not required to have football game tickets in order to buy a tailgating location.
“We are not removing anything from anybody,” Hank said. “This is an enhancement and an additional opportunity for people should they choose to have a turnkey solution.”
Contact Brian Davis at 512-4453957. Twitter: @BDavisAAS