Chattanooga Tailgate - Best in UNI history?

[northwest iowa panther]

northwest iowa panther

As a long time UNI Alumni Association member, Athletic Association Member, Foundation contributor and supporter, I can definitely say that Friday was the most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced prior to a UNI event. The excitement that began to build Thursday night into Friday was unbelieveable.

I agree it would be great to replicate that same atmosphere prior to all home football games and of course those vs ISU, IU and rumor has it Nebraska. The new Mcleod Arena and adjoining area may help. However, if taunting by the use of vulgarity and classless acts such as burning flags become the norm then we may want to keep it as is.

The Alumni Association tailgate was great! Much excitement and good natured cheering against the opposition. I arrived early on Friday (a.m.) and many times just stood back to enjoy the moment. The best images that I will remember of the 2,000 mile roundtrip was the speeches by Coach Farley, AD Hartzell, President Koob and the reaction of the players, coaches and administrators to the large number wearing purple and gold that travelled from afar to share in the moment.

Almost four decades of following the Panthers and it was well worth the wait.
I expect the return trip will happen much sooner--enjoyed it too much.

[UNIFITE]

I had a GREAT time in Chatty and thought the tailgate was one of the best ever. There were a lot of people in attendence who had not been to a UNI football game for awhile. We need to build on that tailgate for next year.

However, I was not proud to see some of the actions I saw on Friday. We work too hard to build our reputation, raise money for our athletic dept and support our Panthers to have flags defaced, burned and objects thrown at opposing fans. I appreciate the UNI students making the effort to travel so far to support a very special football team, but this does not give them the right to steal a flag of the opposing team and deface it. I do not agree with the burning, but at least we did not have too see UNI students waving an unapproriate flag and embarassing the rest of us.

I appreciate the effort our baseball team puts in handling the parking on gameday and their battling on the diamond. I did not appreciate some of their actions on Friday. The display put on by the appy state fans after the game was one of the worst ever. I couldn't help the thought entering my mind, after what I saw before the game, that some of the UNI students may have let themselves get out of control if we would have won. Let's make sure we continue to think about how Panther fans conduct themselves and support our teams with pride. We were all college students at one time and had a lot of fun, but there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

What a TEAM, what a SEASON and what a RIDE. Thank you to all the students, alumni and friends of UNI who made our trip to CHATTY and this season one we will never forget. Now on to the Sweet Sixteen!!!

[panther2317]

Tailgate atmosphere was awesome. Now, I challenge folks to bring that type of atmosphere back to Cedar Falls for 6 home games next season! We can do it! Let's help make Cedar Falls a FUN place on game day for our fans and the fans of our opponents...and the DOME a place where visiting teams come to go home with an "L" in the right column of their season record

[JayJ79]

There WERE some UNI fans whose actions lacked class at times as well.
And I'm ashamed that I didn't step up and tell them to knock it off.

We sit around complaining about the actions of opposing fans.
Unfortunately, there isn't much that WE can do about that. Anything said by the "enemy" would only escalate the confrontation. However, there is a chance to try and prevent or minimize such actions on our own side. Even though that too, is tough to do sometimes.

[ralph]

Tailgate atmosphere was awesome. Now, I challenge folks to bring that type of atmosphere back to Cedar Falls for 6 home games next season! We can do it! Let's help make Cedar Falls a FUN place on game day for our fans and the fans of our opponents...and the DOME a place where visiting teams come to go home with an "L" in the right column of their season record

I tell everyone that Chatty has a great atmosphere for the Champ game... especially for those who aren't for one of the teams. Then you can enjoy both side's chants! errr...

[UNIAlum95]

There WERE some UNI fans whose actions lacked class at times as well.
And I'm ashamed that I didn't step up and tell them to knock it off.

We sit around complaining about the actions of opposing fans.
Unfortunately, there isn't much that WE can do about that. Anything said by the "enemy" would only escalate the confrontation. However, there is a chance to try and prevent or minimize such actions on our own side. Even though that too, is tough to do sometimes.

It is tough to do. But as a representative of your school, you need to be concious of how your fans will be remembered. Right or wrong, the display after the game will be what I remember about Appy State fans.

[TCuni]

Our four cheer/band/mascot busses drove through the parking lot (Northwest Iowa busline) and were cheered by many more Panther fans than I thought I would see. I was impressed by the number tailgating in the lots, cheering at the pavillion, and making UNI proud at the game. You guys are awesome, way to prove to the nation why UNI has such great fans! Go Panthers!
T.C.

[DMPanther]

Our four cheer/band/mascot busses drove through the parking lot (Northwest Iowa busline) and were cheered by many more Panther fans than I thought I would see. I was impressed by the number tailgating in the lots, cheering at the pavillion, and making UNI proud at the game. You guys are awesome, way to prove to the nation why UNI has such great fans! Go Panthers!
T.C.

I too was impressed by the shear number of UNI fans - It was great to see that number of people. I wish we would of been able to be in Chatty all day and stay some on Saturday to take in more of the atmosphere!

[Panther71]

Wanna Know a True Panther Fan?

As a long time UNI Alumni Association member, Athletic Association Member, Foundation contributor and supporter, .................................................. .............

Almost four decades of following the Panthers and it was well worth the wait.
I expect the return trip will happen much sooner--enjoyed it too much.

this is the type of fan that we should all be working to be. I do know that this individual makes the four hour drive from northwest iowa to the unidome for almost every home game, and has attempted to do so as long as i have known him.

[Panther FANatic]

Agreed

this is the type of fan that we should all be working to be. I do know that this individual makes the four hour drive from northwest iowa to the unidome for almost every home game, and has attempted to do so as long as i have known him.

I believe I also know this individual and if he is the person I think he is he and his wife have been a staple of my UNI career. They actually informally adopted my teammate due to the fact that his family couldn't make it to very many UNI games. They are actually very great people and ambassadors for OUR program. I'm sure they enjoyed meeting so many former Panters even though they already knew everything about them. I have a feeling that I might just be "THAT GUY" when I'm older. I absolutely LOVE UNI FOOTBALL (and every other sport too!)

[born2bpurple]

We actually went back to nap for a couple hours but were back by noon and the party was getting started. Like a true Cat would (or is that a dog ?) we marked our territory with streamers on the surrounding trees. However, I will say that next year, I'll buy 10 xs the amount to decorate.

I loved the streamers! Nice touch!

[UNI MadCat]

I loved the streamers! Nice touch!

Thanks! I owe it all to the Vikings Tailgate store up here since everything is purple and gold... it was perfect (although I'm definitely NOT a Vikings fan!).

It was neat to have all those trees there to utilize though I was curious as to why they'd want to lose so many parking spots.

[Panthers to the Bone]

If UNI students will take the energy they had at that game into next season...it's going to be a great atmosphere. Designate a section of parking lot(s) for students and let them have fun. The best location, IMO, would be on the corner of Hudson Road. Clear out that lot across from the quads the night before the game and let students move in to tailgate the morning of the game. It's a great location b/c it's close to the Dome, it's on the main strip where people will know there is a game going on, and it's between two large places of residence (the quads and College Park).

I think the more designated the areas there are, the more people know where to go. Make sure all the season ticket holders know where to go when they get their tickets, and make sure the Posse members know what the new designated lots are. Actually, come to think of it, if they designated specific lots, they could make priority tailgate parking for Posse members that would enhance membership benefits. It would allow Posse members the ability to park their cars/trucks/RV's in the designated parking lot the night before to save a spot, while lots would open for everyone four hours before kickoff. Just a thought.

[CF Panther]

If UNI students will take the energy they had at that game into next season...it's going to be a great atmosphere. Designate a section of parking lot(s) for students and let them have fun. The best location, IMO, would be on the corner of Hudson Road. Clear out that lot across from the quads the night before the game and let students move in to tailgate the morning of the game. It's a great location b/c it's close to the Dome, it's on the main strip where people will know there is a game going on, and it's between two large places of residence (the quads and College Park).

I think the more designated the areas there are, the more people know where to go. Make sure all the season ticket holders know where to go when they get their tickets, and make sure the Posse members know what the new designated lots are. Actually, come to think of it, if they designated specific lots, they could make priority tailgate parking for Posse members that would enhance membership benefits. It would allow Posse members the ability to park their cars/trucks/RV's in the designated parking lot the night before to save a spot, while lots would open for everyone four hours before kickoff. Just a thought.

Many good ideas! I don't think that clearing a lot is the correct answer though. Simply using a "C" parking lot should be good enough though, seeing as how many students leave for the weekends, etc. I would say that the best lot atmosphere-wise is the huge C/B lot North of the Dome. The one that is East of the Dome, across Hudson is also a good choice. These lots also prevent drunk students from crossing any significant streets.

[MGLD Panther]

Alot of great ideas. We have been tailgating at UNI for 17 years and Homecoming this has been the best turn out ever. We were in the purple lot. A very good turn out.

Here is a question for the PN students. Why don't more students go to the games? The season ticket side is pretty much full every game. Isn't it free?