Tailgating Now Has a National Membership Organization

Until now, serious tailgaters have not had a common banner to unite and gather under. However, according to a Sept. 5 press release, the United States Tailgating Association (USTGA) is about to change all of that.

T. Lincoln Smith is a co-founder of the USTGA. With regard to the move to unite tailgaters, Smith said: "We've heard for too many years that there is only one professional tailgater in the country. While our hat is certainly off to Joe Cahn for bringing tailgating to the national forefront, we believe there are thousands of professional tailgaters out there who are looking for a way to prove their status and associate with one another under a single banner. The USTGA is that banner."

The USTGA website explains how it works, including the fact that everyone is welcome to become a member. The levels of membership range from Apprentice, which doesn't require a membership fee, to Lifetime Master, which costs a one-time fee of about $50. All other memberships purchased in 2007 will be good through December 2008. Thereafter, they will be good for the calendar year in which they were purchased.

The organization's goal is to develop a family, of sorts, of tailgaters who are serious about their tailgating activities and about "promoting the sport we all love," says the website.

Serious tailgaters take pride in what they do, and the USTGA intends to help members get some recognition and form a community of "professional tailgaters." With membership comes a membership card and a USTGA T-shirt. Members will be allowed to visit the USTGA tour bus as it travels from one location to another and to be admitted to USTGA tailgating parties and pep rallies. Eventually it's intended that members will be offered discounts and other benefits at participating merchants.

It will no doubt be a novel way for tailgaters to hook up before their favorite big games. Smith says that a Packer fan, for example, who is going to a game in Kansas City and wants to tailgate will be able to go to the website and network with other Packer or Kansas City fans. "He can also find out everything he needs to know about the stadium, as well as local tailgating customs and habits," Smith said.

There will also be local USTGA chapters, beginning with all NFL cities and then select college markets. Smith believes "the possibilities are endless with regard to the reach, impact and functionality" of the organization. There will also eventually be an USTGA national tour of NASCAR events.

The USTGA tour bus will be outfitted by Coleman and will be come with big screen TVs, a terrific sound system, grill pits, interactive games and portable restrooms. The bus itself will be a rolling advertisement for the organization, complete with custom graphics.

Over the years, tailgating has grown into a well-recognized pre-game event. According to Smith, "the USTGA is about celebrating a piece of American culture that has really exploded in recent years. With modern home designs focusing on private decks and fenced back yards, today's tailgating has really helped bring us back to the front porch. It's Americana at its finest and we're finally bringing some organization to the icon."

And then there's the USTGA creed:

When our team is at home, or even away,
We vow to pack up and make it a day.
We'll head out the door and straight to the lot,
To show our team spirit and set up our spot.

The coolers are packed with bratwurst and beer,
And piles of meat the grill will soon sear.
So forget about carbs and non fatty foods,
We promise no diet will spoil our moods.

We'll wear the right colors and favorite gear,
And root for our team with good natured cheer.
And while we may taunt the visiting folks,
We'll still shake their hands and share a few jokes.

So come one come all to our tailgate party,
You'll never go hungry or thirsty you see.
We're all friends and neighbors when smoke's in the air,
So pull up a cooler, a bumper or chair.

And when we are done, we'll clean up our spot,
The bottles and cans and coals that were hot.
We'll leave it behind, just as it was found,
'Cause only the rookies leave messes around.

We're pros at our game and on top of the rest,
Tailgating's our sport, we're the best of the best.
We love a good bash and the American way,
We're proud members all of the USTGA.

Sources:

Press release, National Membership Organization to Unite Professional Tailgaters; http://www.prweb.com/releases/?551288

USTGA; http://www.ustga.com/faq/#q1

Creed; http://www.ustga.com/about/credo.asp