After a second straight Saturday of a “disappointing” turnout at their alcohol-friendly tailgate, Associated Student Government leaders said they are waiting to see if 1800 Club will continue to provide insurance for the event.
ASG President Jordan Heinz said about 150 people came to the tailgate, the same number that showed up for the Oct. 13 tailgate during a downpour. Tony Anton, owner of the 1800 Club, said after the first tailgate that he was disappointed by the turnout and was looking for it to improve on Saturday.
“After (Saturday), the future of the event lies in 1800 Club’s hands,” said Heinz, an Education senior. “I’ve tried to explain to them that this is a tradition, and a tradition takes time to build … but they’re still spending hundreds of dollars every week.”
Anton could not be reached for comment following this weekend’s tailgate.
While planning the tailgates, ASG members listed as a goal improving fraternity tailgates. But even if ASG’s pre-game celebrations continue, their Greek counterparts might not be there to benefit.
Delta Chi and Beta Theta Pi were the only fraternities to tailgate this weekend, down from four at the Minnesota game and about seven at the Michigan State game.
Interfraternity Council President Phil Ordway said he wasn’t concerned with the drop in fraternity tailgates and that there is no connection between ASG and fraternity tailgates.
“The two events are unconnected as far as IFC is concerned,” Ordway said.
Heinz said he had hoped attendance would increase Saturday after heavy rain kept turnout on Oct. 13 low.
“I can’t think of more of an incentive than free beer,” he said. “It comes to a certain point when the responsibility is put upon students to make an event successful or not.”
Heinz said it was difficult advertising the event because many upperclassmen, who are the tailgate’s target audience, are spread out off campus.
“It’s easier when you’re targeting freshmen and sophomores – you just flier dorms,” he said.
Heinz said the fact that NU students identify themselves more with student groups and fraternities than with their class also hurt tailgate attendance. He said seniors are likely to be friends with underclassmen who wouldn’t be allowed in the tailgates, so they pre-party off campus where students under 21 have access to alcohol.
Although attendance wasn’t as high as Heinz had hoped, those who attended agreed the free ale was priceless.
“The price is right, you can’t argue with that,” said Scott Harrison, a Music senior. “After four years at Northwestern, a free beer courtesy of the university is my just desserts.”
Bartender Tony Acton said the tailgate could be more popular if non-students were able to enter. Only NU students and their parents were allowed to partake in the free Budweiser, Bud Light and Red Hook that Acton was tapping at the bar.
“It’s a limited access event; it’s not open to the general public,” Acton said. “It could be busier if more people were allowed in.”
Although two people – an 1800 Club bouncer and ASG Speaker of the Senate Bassel Korkor – manned the entrance to the tailgate, security wasn’t top-notch. A few students ducked under the rope surrounding the area and got beer tickets from their friends.
