Coronavirus notwithstanding, CCU fans make the most of limited tailgating opportunity
“Family, football and fellowship.”
Those are the three things the Page family has celebrated in the Brooks Stadium parking lot before every Coastal Carolina home football game since the inception of the program in 2003.
So that’s what they did Friday night before the kickoff of CCU’s 2020 home opener against Campbell, though this family and friends tailgate party was unlike any other.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the maximum occupancy of Brooks Stadium has been cut from about 20,000 to 5,000 for games, and there are severe limits on tailgating.
But the Page family, which included three generations Friday, was thankful they were able to continue their 18-year tradition of “family, football and fellowship,” as Jennifer Page put it, in whatever form they could.
“We’re just trying to enjoy time together as best we can,” she said. “We’ve all done our best to limit contact with the general public, I would say. The fear and the hysteria of it, we held onto it for awhile but we really miss spending quality time together.”
The Page family has two RV parking spots and three additional car parking spots near the stadium, and they normally have about 30 chairs, the awning of an RV pulled out to cover a food spread, grills fired up and large tents.
The gathering Friday was about 15 people confined to an area near an RV. Perhaps the most exciting activity was Page’s daughter coloring designs on the pavement in crayon.
Large gatherings in common areas are prohibited, so students don’t have an area near the stadium to congregate, tailgating must be maintained within the individual parking space area and things such as grills, tents, generators and trailers are banned.
Groups of spectators are spaced out in the bleachers – though students gathered in close proximity in what is traditionally the designated student section – and fans are required to wear masks throughout the game unless they are eating or drinking.
The cheerleading and dance teams are relegated to the bleachers and have to wear masks, and aren’t allowed to perform on the field, even at halftime.
Friday’s game was the first sporting event on campus since the CCU baseball team defeated Wake Forest on March 11.
Coastal sold all of its allotted tickets, and 1,500 that were reserved for students were all claimed.
Students filled most of the traditional student section behind the north end zone and in front of the Norman Field House.
“To have that support from our students was an amazing feeling because when you scored a touchdown or did something good on defense or offense you could hear those guys screaming right there,” said junior offensive lineman Antwine Loper of Conway and Carolina Forest High. “It’s a great feeling, it gives us a lot of positive energy, gets guys going.
“There’s nothing better than having fans there for you, supporting you, especially our student body, because we work hard so we can represent the school [in a positive way.] It meant a lot to us.”
Kaden McCleer of Easley was one of a group of 10 freshmen friends who attended the game but lamented missing out on a true tailgate experience and more populated stadium.
“We’re grateful we are able to come to the games, however we are kind of sad we don’t get to experience the full event because this is our freshman year, this is our first time,” said McCleer, who said the group pre-gamed at their dorm without the benefit of a pre-game student gathering.
Dean Hudson and his wife, Patti, have also had season tickets for all 18 CCU football seasons, and they set up a table behind their vehicle to have dinner prior to kickoff. Without the benefit of a grill, they ate Subway sandwiches with friend Mike and Wanda Lewis.
“I have never missed a football game at Brooks Stadium, so I was certainly glad they worked it out so at least we could come in some fashion,” Hudson said.
The Lewis, Hudson and Page family members all said they feel safe going to the game and believe the university has done enough to keep people protected, to the point that some rules are aggravating, such as the mask mandate despite being outdoors.
“We’ll do what we have to do to get into the game. We might not like it,” Patti Hudson said. “But we love football and we love Coastal.”
